MY NETWORK TV DEBUT

Dear Friends

I hope you are doing well and keeping healthy during this flu season. I just wanted to let you know that I will be making my network television debut in an upcoming episode of the new NBC drama TRAUMA. I have a great little scene in the episode which was shot in Ocean Beach in San Francisco. My scene partners are Cliff Curtis (who plays Rabbit ) and Aimee Garcia (who plays Marisa.) It was an incredible, thrilling and chilling experience and the scene is pretty intense to say the least. I couldn’t think of a better scene to make my television debut. If you are interested in watching it, the episode will air on Monday, November 2nd at 9 PM (Pacific time) on NBC. If you miss it you can also catch it online at www.hulu.com the day after it airs. For more info you can also check out www.nbc.com/trauma
Let me know what you think.

Cheers,

Martin

AMAZING THEATRE

On Sunday I caught the final performance of The Pillowman at San Jose Stage and I am so glad I did. I never miss a show at San Jose Stage (I think I missed one in the past 4 years) and it's not just because the people there I love like they're family but because they choose to be a daring theatre company. They have picked a very eclectic season and it kicked off with a bang. This production was not only incredibly well written, it also had a top-rate cast, (I was especially wowed by the brilliant performance by Julian Lopez-Morillas) and amazing direction by my friend Rick Singleton. Rick has such an amazing versatility when it comes to his choices of shows to direct. Without giving too much away of the plot, the show is like a dark comedy/thriller and he managed to make a lot of these scenes really creepy. Not an easy task to do on stage. The production had a wonderful cinematic feel to it. It was a really great show. It was also really great to see my pal Diahanna Davidson in the cast as well. I stayed after to talk with friends and wound up being 1/2 hour late for work. It was totally worth it. Up next at the Stage - The Seafarer directed by the wonderful Kimberly Mohne Hill.

This week is sort of an an easy one since most of my cast members for Once Upon a Mattress are in Outdoor Ed and we only had rehearsal today. The show opens in 3 weeks, so Lord helps all. No, it's going to be a good show. It's been a challenging experience but thank goodness I have the most amazing team working with me. They make my job a total delight. Speaking of delights, last night I had dinner with one of my favorite couples, Michael Lederman and his amazing wife Roxanne Ashe. I have known these two for many years now and I had the best time with them talking about theatre and what's next for Coastal Rep and of course Urinetown, which I will be directing for them next summer. I am so pumped about this show - you have no idea!!

Okay, not much else to report, except that I think my episode of Trauma will air on November 9th. I will keeping checking schedules but so far they're running them in order and we're coming on to episode 5 which will feature my SF Playhouse pal Louis Parnell and the delicious Brian Yates Sharber. My buddy Colin Thomson was incredible as the shooter in episode 3. It's so great to see Bay Area theatre actors be a part of this (especially talent like Ryan Drummond Gabriel Marin and Craig Marker.) I'm hoping that ratings for the show improve because I think the show is good and certainly worth watching. It deserves a full season.

Cheers

Martin

p.s. Are you a Gleek? You should be!

THAT'S WHAT IT'S REALLY ABOUT

Company closed today and I am very sad that it did. As actors, our jobs are to perform. Another openin', another show and that whole schpeal...I get it. But there are those times when a show is so special that you just don't want it to close. Company came into my life when I was really not looking to do a show. I already had my schedule full with work and the show I am currently directing, however, since joining equity last year, it has been much more difficult to land an acting gig. The fact that the economy is in the toilet does not make life easier for a struggling artist. Now more than ever companies are doing smaller shows and using less contracts. Company reminded me that anything is possible and that my time on stage is far from over. I look forward to 2010 and the delicious possibilities that I am going to try to make happen.

Today as I was thanking my amazing director, I couldn't hold back the tears because what he and Debra and Billy gave me was so much more than a job opportunity: they reminded me that I am a performer and whether I do 1 show a year or 10, I will always be a performer. And there is no place I would rather be, than on stage.

Thank you to my beautiful and talented cast who kept me laughing the entire time. I think we were all a little terrified of what we signed on for but sure glad we stuck it through to the end. This piece is not easy, and one that can be miserably presented. This was not the case with this production. Bay Area Goddess Wesla Whitfield came to the show not once, but twice, as did the amazing choreographer Dottie Lester-White. We were the little University production that could I guess. I thank all the wonderful friends who came to support us and those who for whatever reason could not make it, but still sent their good wishes our way.

Having friends who support you when you really need them - that's what it's really about folks. From the bottom of my heart, I thank you for saving our second weekend from empty seats. It shall not be forgotten. Nor will the amazing memories I will treasure from spending time with 13 incredible human beings who were not afraid to tackle the subjects of love, friendship, marriage and the pursuit of happiness.

I actually have a day off tomorrow. I'll drink to that.

Cheers

Martin

WANT SOMETHING, WANT SOMETHING...

As we prepare for our Opening Night of Company, I think about what a wonderful connection I feel to this show and how wonderful that this show happened to come about and at this particular stage of my life. Somethings are meant to happen I guess. A few days ago I started to think about the wonderful Pamela Myers (the original Bway Marta) who I got to work with during my first gig at an Equity house (also with the inspiring Billy Liberatore) and how kind and wonderful she was. Listening to her rendition of Another Hundred People always gives me chills.

I also thought about the incomparable Elaine Stritch (the original Bway Joanne) and how with one tiny gesture she managed to inspire me out of a self-induced life coma. I'll never forget being at the Curran Theatre in a box seat watching her perform Ladies who Lunch nor could I forget holding her hands as she greeted me backstage. This was a particular rough part of life, and Ms. Stritch reached out and told me that things would be okay. What an amazing lady.

Tonight, after our final dress rehearsal and incredibly short rehearsal time, I couldn't help but shed a few tears, just thinking how lucky I am to have been asked to come back to my alma mater with my recent degree and as a professional guest artist and to be able to perform this sophisticated, funny and inspiring work about life, love and the pursuit of happiness with these amazing individuals. Performing "Sondheim" is not easy to do and this amazing cast would make him proud.

I love my beloved cast members, but especially the beautiful and amazing Shannon Kilpatrick, who breaks my heart with her showstopping portrayal of Amy. What an amazing acting partner. Our scene, so brilliantly constructed by George Furth is just a incredible piece of theatre. This is not your ordinary university musical production. This is, as our wonderful and inspiring director Greg Fritsch would say,"...this is art."

I hope you come see us.

Cheers

Martin