INTO THE WOODS WINS 7 BATCC AWARDS!

The 2005 Bay Area Critics Circle Awards were announced and TheatreWorks' production of Into The Woods wins 7 Awards - by far the most in any production this past year. (I feel like we're the Brokeback Mountain of the season - okay kill me =+)

Into The Woods received honors for
Francis Jue (Supporting Performance Male & Choreographer)
Robert Kelley (Director)
William Liberatore (Musical Director)
Steven B. Mannshardt (Lighting Design)
Jill C. Bowers (Costume Design)
and Entire Production

We also received nominations for Cliff Caruthers' sound design & ensemble performance.

Another show I was a part of in 2005 - Sweeney Todd at Foothill Music Theatre received 8 nominations: Principal Performance: Male (the incomparable James Monroe Iglehart), Supporting Performance: Male (the amazing Sean Patrick O'Connor), Director Jay Manley, my pal Joe Duffy as Choreographer, Kurt Landisman's Lighting Design,ensemble cast, entire production and the fabulous Diana Torres Koss won the award for Principal Performance: Female. (Diana is back in action in AMTSJ's upcoming 'Gypsy' where she is understudying the role of Mama Rose!)

I couldn't be happier!!

Working on Into The Woods was the best time I have ever had doing a show. It was without a doubt the perfect theatrical experience - perfect cast, crew, staff, directors, company & of course musical. You can't ask for more and then to have audiences & critics love it and then on top of that win awards - is still a little sureal.

BUT I will say that I think that more than a couple of people were left out of the nominations and that includes the magnificent Brandon Adams for his out-of-this-world work as our musical director in Sweeney Todd. He is sooo deserving of praise and his musical direction was phenomenal. Harold & Maude was shut out of nominations (ne not so happy) as I was surely expecting my friend Alison Ewing to have not only been nominated but win the Supporting Performance: Female. I was also surprised to see that Joe Ragey's brilliant scenic deisgn for Sweeney went un-noticed and Pamela Reed's fierce performance in ACT's The Goat or Who Is Sylvia which I thought was one of the best performances I have ever had the privilige to witness went without a nod.

The complete list of nominees and winners can be found on the Theatre Bay Area site.

BUSY ON "THE PHYSICISTS"

I am so glad the week is over - I am beyond exhausted. I have been hard at work on The Physicists. This week we completely re-configured the Flexible Theatre - making the stage a thrust stage - eliminating a bank of seats and adding in risers - it's complicated to explain but very interesting to see. There's still so much work to be done - oy! That's all I have for now- I'm afraid nothing too exciting to report.

=+)

M.

FILM RESPONSE: TRANSAMERICA

I am in such awe of Felicity Huffman's talent - in her Oscar nominated role as a pre-op transexual in TransAmerica she gives a fearless & beautifully honest performance that comes along once in a lifetime. I sincerely hope she will be victorious on March 5th and gets to accept the Oscar for Best Actress. Reese Witherspoon may be the favorite since she's an "it" girl in Hollywood but Ms. Huffman's work in this film cannot be compared to any other - it is a one of a kind performance. The film is heartbreaking, honest & filled with hilarious moments - go see this film. My sister & I had a long discussion after the film and we both agreed it was an eye-opening experience. I highly recommend it.

In other news, my next appearance at the Little Store Restaurant in Woodside is all set for Sunday May 7th. Once again I will be singing with the amazing Heather Clemens and Ms. Nicki Kerns on piano - This is going to be a good one. Getting all of us to agree on a date with our busy schedules was no easy task - I'm in Redwood City, Nicki in Boulder Creek and Heather in Seattle - luckily we all agreed by e-mail/phone on May 7th. More details about the show will follow.

That's it from me - not looking forward to going back to school tomorrow after a nice few days off but you do what you got to do, right?

Have a great week y'all!

=+)

M.

THEATRE RESPONSE: URINETOWN

I am a huge fan of this show - I love the recording and last year I had the chance to work with the original Officer Barrel - the brilliant Daniel Marcus. So needless to say I am a fan of this show. There are actually a few productions of Urinetown opening relatively close to each other and the first one to offer it is Foothill Music Theatre.

I had what I can only describe as a "great theatrical experience" last night. It was truly one of the best productions I have ever seen. Jay Manley has assembled an amazing cast lead by Robbie Brewer, Linda Piccone, Mike Padilla, Jessican Lynn-Carol & Alicia Teeter. The entire company was outstanding, the musical staging & lighting, costumes, set - the orchestra led by my hero Brandon Adams - all stunning.

I also saw one of the best performances I have ever had the pleasure to witness. David Curley as Officer Longstock was a revelation. I met David for the first time at a party recently. I knew he was an actor (though I had never seen him perform before) and he knew who I was because he saw me in Sweeney Todd. He & his partner were lovely and I said that I was looking forward to seeing him in Urinetown. The man gives a fearless, brilliant & scene-stealing performance. It takes a lot to impress me and Mr. Curley impressed the hell out of me last night.

It was great to see all the actors shine with this show and I knew almost all the cast which was great. There were no programs so I can't name every amazing person of the flawless ensemble which included Ruth E. Millins, Doug Brees, Steve Completo, Kendra Holt (all from Sweeney) and Dave Mialovich (whom was in Anything Goes with me at BBBAY.) There was this amazing lady in the ensemble who played a pregnant lady in the show. In my opinion -she stole the show. I don't know her name but she was fabulous! I also had a wonderful time with my friends Sean Patrick O'Connor & Hilary Little and seeing other Sweeney cast members in the audience.

A truly great night in the theatre. Do yourself a favor get tickets to Urinetown before it's too late!

Have a great four-day weekend!

=+)

M.

CD RESPONSE: SWEENEY TODD

I just purchased the new recording of the revival of Sweeney Todd with Patti LuPone & Michael Cerveris. Let me start by saying that I would kill to be able to see this production - I think the concept is genius. Patti LuPone IS Mrs. Lovett - she's amazing. I like how she has a darkier edge with this recording - Mrs. Lovett is less brassy and more of a sexual predator. I'm totally in love with Michael Cerveris - I really wish I could see his performance. The rest of the cast (who double as the small orchestra) is great (Mark Jacoby's Turpin is awesome - I saw him in Showboat on Broadway - a great voice!) though I don't know why they turned the Beadle into a baritone role. (I bet it's so much easier to sing though!) If you are a true Sondheim/Sweeney freak then get this CD - you'll love it. You can't go wrong with the original recording but the best one is the NY Philharmonic recording - if anything for the orchestra and the dream cast: Patti LuPone, Audra McDonald, George Hearn, Lisa Vroman, Davis Gaines & Neil Patrick Harris.

Tomorrow is Valentine's Day and I want to send all my love to my beloved friends and especially my dear Heather who is all the way in Seattle - I will be seeing you soon! So to all you young lovers out there - have a wonderful day.

=+)

M.

p.s. Speaking of Sweeney - I will be going to see Urinetown with some of my dearest friends from our production of Sweeney - can't wait!

SCHOLARSHIP, TAVERN & THE WIZ...OH MY

I have had a busy weekend starting with an audition for the Emerging Artist Scholarship at Notre Dame. The pianist was the amazing John Florencio - I was so glad to have a competent pianist because I brought a musical theatre piece & a difficult aria to sing (& play!) I felt good after I was done especially with my monologue - It's a keeper. Michael Elkins & Debra Lambert were very enthusiastic about my work and I received some of the most wonderful comments of my life (sorry, some things are private) - It felt good. I have already been awarded a major scholarship for merit so this one would be a big help in paying for school. I'll know the result in March.

Last night, I attended the closing night of Bus Barn's Over The Tavern which was one of the best plays I have seen - and the production was top notch with a brilliant cast that featured four very talented young actors. My friends Andrew Sanford & Ray Renati were phenomenal. I love going to Bus Barn - they are a wonderful group of people. It was especially lovely to see my beloved Barbara Cannon & Shannon Stowe - I love those ladies! It was a great night in the theatre.

Today, my sister & I went to see her high school production of The Wiz which was very entertaining. This is how small the world is - I sat next to my high school drama teacher Gwen Sidley - it was wonderful to see her. She was so inspiring to me when I was in high school and things that she taught me - I still carry with me today.

Keep your eye on Arielle Rothman who played Dorothy - this girl's voice brought tears to my eyes with her rendition of 'Home.' I believe we'll be hearing a lot more from this talented young lady.

Anyway - it was a busy, fun & exciting weekend. I'm a little bit tired so I'm off to have din din with the family.

Have a great week y'all!

=+)

M.

KICKING ASS IN "CABARET"

My friend Kristin Stokes is kicking ass and taking names in the role of Sally Bowles at Willows Theatre Company's production of Cabaret, She received a glowing review from the Contra Costa Times - go see her in this role.

This weekend I will be going to see my fellow Sweeney castmates Andrew Sanford and Ray Renati in Bus Barn Stage Company's Over The Tavern and next week Urinetown at FMT - I know almost 3/4 of that cast - it should be fun!

Have a great weekend

=+)

M.

CONCERT IN THE WORKS!

What a night! I went to Max's Opera Cafe in Palo Alto (where for five years I was a singing waiter and later a pianist.) It was the resident musical director and my long-time musical director Nicki Kerns' last night. She worked there for 18 years!! She's taken another job that's much closer to her family. I was asked to sing a couple of songs - one was the main song from Man of La Mancha (I, Don Quixote) which was my opening song during my time at Max's. In the five years I worked there I must have performed that song about 720 times (but who's counting) =+)

Anyway - I used to perform a concert every year for a long time - I haven't had the time lately since I have been doing shows back to back for the past two years but since I'm not performing in anything for a while - Nicki & I will be working on a new concert. Nicki & I performed our last concert in March of 2002 so it will be wonderful to be sharing the stage with her once again after all these years. We have three possible dates in April to choose from and I already know where I'm hoping we can present it at. You can bet there will be more details on this event to come. As soon as everything's set in stone, I willl post all the info. I'm very excited!!

=+)

M.

THEATREWORKS ANNOUNCES 06-07 SEASON

The theme is "Searching & Finding" - looks like a great season! Here's the link.

I am thrilled that Francis is reprising his role in M Butterfly -can't wait for that.

My heart beats for Follies (which I hope will be directed by Kelley - ain't no one can direct Sondheim like him) - but I'm probably too young.

Still, I'll be seeing every show next season - but it would be really nice if I was a part of one too.

=+)

M.

LIZA WITH A "Z"

Oh boy - what a great 2 hours of television. Liza Minnelli was finally interviewed by James Lipton on Inside The Actors Studio. I love to watch this show - especially when actors say something that I practice or relate to - man what a feeling to know what you're doing as an actor is okay. Liza looks great - she even sang a few numbers. All were adorable except her rendition of "If" (to be fair I have Kristin Chenoweth's version stuck to my head and Liza just can't compare - at least not today.)

She was so honest about her feelings for her mother - which will surprise some people and especially about her alcohol & drug addiction. Being someone who knows a little bit on the subject - I was so proud to hear her response. Lipton had asked her why she would follow in her mother's footsteps after all Garland had been through and Liza replied that "It's a disease." That really struck a chord with me - because Like Ms. Minnelli - I consider myself to be a survivor - I have fought many demons in my 27 years of life and I am still here - and as long as I am here I'm going to continue to fight for my dreams and goals and there ain't no one that's going to keep me down. Boy a shot of inspiration will do a lot on a Sunday evening. =+)

Another thing that Liza said was that in musical theatre (which also happens to be my main chosen field of work) everything comes from acting - whether it's singing or dancing - everything must come from acting - from within. That gave me chills because I have always considered myself to be an actor first and a singer second - I've been acting since I was a sperm and only started seriously singing since I was 19. That's probably more information than you really care about - but sometimes I love relating things that inspired me - even something like watching Inside The Actors Studio.

And BTW - if you're an actor - you should watch it. I can't tell you how educational it is. My only beef with the show right now is that it's deviating from bringing in actors. Like next week - Dave Chappelle (whom I think is a brilliant comedian) is interviewed. What the fuck does he have to contribute to the Actors Studio?! I mean, I understood when Jennifer Lopez was on, it was because of the actors she's worked with (Ralph Fiennes, Jack Nicholson, Sean Penn, Jane Fonda) or even musicians like Elton John & Billy Joel - they are music legends - but DAVE CHAPPELLE? Shame Mr. Lipton. Shame, shame, shame.



Back to Liza - The picture I am posting has a funny story. The photo was taken by my dear friend Heather Clemens (even though that years ago I said that I took it - there Heather I finally confess!) after Liza's opening night of Minnelli on Minnelli here in San Francisco. We didn't see the show, we just went to meet her. Since it was opening night, she didn't stay to meet people at the stage door. People started singing Happy Birthday to her and we started singing along. Heather, who possesses one of the most beautiful & powerful instruments on this earth made Liza stop for a beat long enough for her to take this picture. Cute, huh?

Have a great week y'all

M.

THEATREWORKS' NEW SEASON

TheatreWorks will announce their new season on Monday evening - I'm so excited!!! I can't wait to see what they have in store.

THEATRE RESPONSE: THE SHAKER CHAIR

Last night I had the great pleasure to see my first ever staged reading. A.C.T. is currently presenting a series of staged readings at the Zeum Theatre.

Last night my friend Allie Jones & I saw The Shaker Chair which is brilliantly written by Adam Bock. I got to meet Mr. Bock after the play and he was so sweet, humble and might I add very handsome. The play features Bay Area Theatre Royalty - Frances Lee McCain, Joan Mankin & of course my dear Linda Hoy. Rounding out this brilliant cast are Robert Ernst, Allison Jean White and my pal Jackson Davis. There is not one weak link here - all are top notch actors.

The play is so hard to describe - it's about relationships, fighting for what you believe, activism. What really struck me was how Bock's dialogue is so real. His style is very unique - contemporary yet brilliantly artistic.

I know this play will be produced here soon and I am so glad I got to see a reading of it.

I ran into Talkin' Broadway's critic Richard Connema and his partner at the show who are always so sweet to me and always remember me as the Beadle in Sweeney Todd - that always makes me smile.

A truly great night at the theatre!

CATCHING UP

*Oscar Nominations - I couldn't be happier. I'll be rooting for my favorites. Go Brokeback Mountain!

*Notre Dame - I have been officially accepted into Notre Dame de Namur University. Pretty cool. Though I am still keeping my options open about where I will attend next semester, I feel so honored to have been accepted.

*Cabaret @ Willows Theatre - I went to see my first Willows show with my friend Kristen Sharpley and I enjoyed it very much. I am way too close to this show to be objective in this blog - but It was a very entertaining production. The set design was glorious as was my friend Kristin Stokes in the role of Sally Bowles - what an amazing talent. Her rendition of Maybe This Time is one of the best I've heard. I recommend you check it out. The production is a mixture of the original production & the Sam Mendes revival with some wonderful new touches.

*Rehearsals are under way for The Physicists at Cañada and I am already having a blast working with Linda - I will be seeing her in a staged reading of The Shaker Chair at A.C.T. on Friday night - can't wait.

=+)

M.