My life is fun!

Anyway - the two readings in Feb went GREAT! It was both challenging and exciting to jump in as director on projects that were already cast with people who didn't know me from Adam...and get a polished and professional performance together in almost no time.

Plus I was able to get a short play written and submitted by the deadline for the Abingdon's next Benefit Play series: The Gossip Plays. I thought that would be a fun topic to write around, but truth be told I banged my head against a brick wall for weeks trying to come up with a concept that wasn't completely trite and overdone. I'm not 100% sure I accomplished that goal, but I feel good about what I did write. And if it gets accepted I'll let you all know.

In the meantime...I don't think I mentioned this before (and talk about burying the lede!) LifeDream Productions (that's me!) will be producing a new play by Amy Piper, to be directed by me starring Maureen Van Trease and Susan McBrien in the 2012 Planet Connections Theatre Festivity this June!

I am so excited to be working on this piece THE CLOSET - I think it's a perfect play for the festival circuit and from the first time I read it I have wanted to put my directorial mark on it. Susan and Maureen both have won acting awards at the Planet Connections festival in past seasons (Maureen for playing Marie in my play HELL IS WHERE THE HEART IS last year!) and I think they are perfectly matched to bring these characters to life.

And the extraordinary Ameer Muhammad has agreed to bring his talents to bear as Stage Manager which is an extreme blessing for this producer director.

Of course things could change between now and June - all of the people involved are so incredibly talented that it would not come as a surprise to me that someone would want to hire them and pay them much more than showcase code stipend - and if that happens the show will go on and we will adapt....but I have a pretty strong feeling that this is the team to watch!

http://planetconnections.org/festivity-2012/full-productions/

I haven't been consistently bloggerific have I?

Than may be about to change as things seem to be heating up a bit. And the first piece of news is that I've been asked to direct two pieces for the Abingdon Theatre's Benefit series: The Denial Plays.

This is two evenings of 10-minute plays, (Staged readings - i.e. book in hand,) inspired by and played on the set that has been created for their mainstage production of Lost on the Natchez Trail. Cool set by the way.

In Series A (Feb 7 at 6:30 and 8:30)
"Death and the Matron" by Barbara Bleier

In Series B (Feb 14 at 6:30 and 8:30)
"The Curse of the Living Dead" by Lily Rusek

Met my cast for Death and the Matron last night; interesting process for this, in that I step in to direct but was not part of the casting process; a first for me. Playing Mariam is Joan Shepard and in the role of Death himself; Kim Allen. A pleasure to meet the actors and playwright and to begin the work. 

I'll meet The people involved with "The Curse of..." next Tuesday; Lily and the actors:  Patti Mariano,  Shari Brittany, Bill  Nabel. (That is the same night that "Death and.." opens - the next two weeks are going to be crazy!)

Not having a hand in casting does present a unique set of challenges - and opportunities. So much of the tone of the play is set by the actors involved; no matter how adept at transformation, there's always a core energy that exudes from each individual. And especially for a reading like this, where the rehearsals are limited, you're rather dependent on that energy. I'm enjoying the challenge! And I'm very grateful  to have this opportunity.

More news coming soon!
m





 

Check out David Dicenso, Chris King and Matt Shear in PIZZA FOR LIFE! Funny guys in a funny play.

Found the PERFECT actor to play JON. Matt Shear has joined the cast and is going to be a brilliant addition. I can't wait to see how these three actors play off of each other - it should be fun and very funny.

Looking forward to getting started.

These guys will rock!

2/3 of the cast is in place for "PIZZA FOR LIFE" 

Vinnie will be played by the very talented and enthusiastic CHRISTOPHHER KING while the terrifically talented David DiCenso will be filling the role of Vito.

Still seeking Jon!

Pics and more info on these amazing men coming soon!

That I'm looking forward to working with these guys is an understatement.

This is gonna be fun!

Excited to be directing again! My short play "Pizza for Life" is being included in an evening of theater being produced by Joan Kane and Ego Actus. And yes I'm directing my piece! I'm waiting to hear back from the three very talented gentleman I am hoping will agree to take on these roles.

Here's the link to Ego Actus:
http://www.egoactus.com/

And the information about the evening:

Ego Actus presents:

The New York City
Icon Plays 
at Theater 54, 244 West 54th St,  NYC
 
The New York City Icon Plays
are 6 short plays that feature New York City as a background:

Aboard the Molinari by Bara Swain
Charlie in Central Park by Penny Jackson
Francine by Robin Lichtig
Let Bygones Be by Zanne Hall
Pizza for Life by Melissa Skirboll
#6 to Vermeer by Marc Lamberg
  
Performances of the Icon Plays will be
November 6, 7, 8, 13, 14 & 15 at 8:00pm
and Nov 12 & 19 at 3:00pm
 
Tickets for the performances will be $10.00, cash at the box office.

Congrats to the PLANET CONNECTIONS AWARD nominees from HELL IS WHERE THE HEART IS: Thom Fogarty for Lighting Design, Maureen Van Trease for Actress in a Supporting Role, Joe Jones for Actor in a Featured Role, Colista Turner for Actress in a Featured Role!

I found another Skirboll (or was it Skirball?) who already is publishing a blog under the title SkirBlog. (And here I thought I was being so original. I wasn't) Anyway - they had it first. They can keep it. Besides I'm Mm Mm Good. Just like Campbell's Soup is.

As an actor - working with a manager and thrilled. More auditions please!