tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-28801076174337625492024-02-06T23:29:56.257-08:00BriannaAnonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10093750208813470804noreply@blogger.comBlogger21125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2880107617433762549.post-18397610050898139302016-08-11T13:18:00.002-07:002016-08-11T13:18:33.238-07:00Speakeasy Dollhouse presents: The Bloody BeginningI'm excited to be back with my Speakeasy Dollhouse crew for the restaging of "The Bloody Beginning". <br />
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Based on a true NYC murder case, “Speakeasy Dollhouse” immerses <span class="text_exposed_hide">...</span><span class="text_exposed_show">audience in a surreal,<br /> Prohibition-era time capsule featuring mobsters, moonshine, burlesque and more.</span></div>
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Click on the link for show information and the Broadway World Review!</div>
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<a href="http://www.broadwayworld.com/brooklyn/article/Immersive-SPEAKEASY-DOLLHOUSE-THE-BLOODY-BEGINNING-to-Return-to-Weylin-20160706">http://www.broadwayworld.com/brooklyn/article/Immersive-SPEAKEASY-DOLLHOUSE-THE-BLOODY-BEGINNING-to-Return-to-Weylin-20160706</a></div>
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Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10093750208813470804noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2880107617433762549.post-91631653821733834662016-08-11T13:18:00.001-07:002016-08-11T13:18:11.237-07:00Nasty Drew and That Harder Boy: The Case of the Peepshow Phantom!<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
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Nasty Drew and That Harder Boy are back and ready to FUNK. YOU. UP!<br /><br /> Harder Candy Inc. and <a data-hovercard="/ajax/hovercard/page.php?id=84030169921&extragetparams=%7B%22directed_target_id%22%3A494556920668873%7D" href="https://www.facebook.com/spincyclenyc/">Spin Cycle</a> present another strip-sleuthing, disco-dragging, Scooby-snatching mystery, "CASE OF THE PEEPSHOW PHANTOM!" Featuring Burlesque, Boylesque, and Drag performances!<br /><br /> ***OPENING NIGHT: SEPTEMBER 9TH***<br /> TICKETS: <a href="http://l.facebook.com/l.php?u=http%3A%2F%2Fbit.ly%2F29Y0Rjn&h=ZAQFuG4ZJ&enc=AZM5l_R9b5j7Pk1VYLtOecReSJ8o82YdiSQ_6XQWbeXuz_PgzeBMZmXVsx_etHVMrF0&s=1" rel="nofollow nofollow" target="_blank">http://bit.ly/29Y0Rjn</a><br /> 9:30pm Door/10pm Curtain<br /><br /> Fresh off their latest mystery (<a href="http://l.facebook.com/l.php?u=http%3A%2F%2Fbit.ly%2F1rUWABc&h=VAQFT9tOT&enc=AZNn6IhD7b459mf4ORoEctP_Vyr4m9oIFazPp_LoXHemfWF0GoV8zYxBswWH-dFlDrs&s=1" rel="nofollow nofollow" target="_blank">http://bit.ly/1rUWABc</a>) Nasty Drew and That Harder Boy quickly become entangled in the case of the peepshow phantom. Someone--or something--is scaring all the customers away from Lucinda Ember's peepshow! Can Nasty and Harder put a cap on this case in time to save the peepshow--and catch a matinee of "A Chorus Line"? <br /><br /> Wrtiten by <span class="text_exposed_hide">...</span><span class="text_exposed_show">Chris Harder and starring NASTY CANASTA <a data-hovercard="/ajax/hovercard/user.php?id=100001118446991&extragetparams=%7B%22directed_target_id%22%3A494556920668873%7D" href="https://www.facebook.com/NCanasta">Tina Marie Canasta</a>, <a data-hovercard="/ajax/hovercard/user.php?id=619775078&extragetparams=%7B%22directed_target_id%22%3A494556920668873%7D" href="https://www.facebook.com/Pearls.Daily">Pearls Daily</a>, <a data-hovercard="/ajax/hovercard/user.php?id=100002258550966&extragetparams=%7B%22directed_target_id%22%3A494556920668873%7D" href="https://www.facebook.com/tiwasi4">Bootsie Lefaris</a> and... the BOYLESQUE DEBUT of <a data-hovercard="/ajax/hovercard/user.php?id=526442244&extragetparams=%7B%22directed_target_id%22%3A494556920668873%7D" href="https://www.facebook.com/RoiKing">Roi King</a>! Plus, Xanadude JOHNNY VELOUR <a data-hovercard="/ajax/hovercard/user.php?id=68200042&extragetparams=%7B%22directed_target_id%22%3A494556920668873%7D" href="https://www.facebook.com/johnjacoblee">John Jacob Lee</a>!<br /><br /> SEPT 9 featured "PEEPSHOW" STAR: <a data-hovercard="/ajax/hovercard/page.php?id=119514701430925&extragetparams=%7B%22directed_target_id%22%3A494556920668873%7D" href="https://www.facebook.com/pages/Julie-Atlas-Muz/119514701430925">Julie Atlas Muz</a>!<br /><br /> Sponsored by BK's best badasses <a data-hovercard="/ajax/hovercard/page.php?id=436527019704187&extragetparams=%7B%22directed_target_id%22%3A494556920668873%7D" href="https://www.facebook.com/LeathernecksTattoos/">Leathernecks Tattoo</a> and the literally well-endowed <a data-hovercard="/ajax/hovercard/page.php?id=187808047981518&extragetparams=%7B%22directed_target_id%22%3A494556920668873%7D" href="https://www.facebook.com/BGSQD/">Bureau of General Services-Queer Division</a>!<br /><br /> Check out <a href="http://l.facebook.com/l.php?u=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.NastyHarderMystery.com%2F&h=oAQGgXD92&enc=AZNVfn296dcDtcZBylioo8O68fVFygFt-mORf1EYk_-vsyAMm9shz3MfDYuaJW0nWcU&s=1" rel="nofollow nofollow" target="_blank">www.NastyHarderMystery.com</a> for more info and additional show dates!</span></div>
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<b></b><i></i><u></u><sub></sub><sup></sup><strike></strike><br />Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10093750208813470804noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2880107617433762549.post-37143665111823058772015-01-26T19:33:00.001-08:002015-01-26T19:33:33.065-08:00Extra! Extra! Read all about it! Speakeasy Dollhouse has a new show coming to midtown!I most excited to share that this year I'm getting accomplish one of my dreams and become a Ziegfeld girl!<div>
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I'm joining the cast of "Midnight Frolic" brought to life by Speakeasy Doll house the show investigates the mysterious death of silent film star Olive Thomas and the subsequent trial by press received by her husband actor Jack Pickford. Was her death an accident,suicide or murder?</div>
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Tickets are on sale now via Brown paper tickets! Also to learn more about this brilliant show visit the website below:</div>
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<a href="http://speakeasydollhouse.com/">http://speakeasydollhouse.com/</a></div>
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Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10093750208813470804noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2880107617433762549.post-59009975944148469282015-01-26T19:03:00.001-08:002015-01-26T19:03:30.378-08:00Twelfth Night and The Launch of Shakespeare Off-Broadway!<div style="background-color: white; color: #222222; font-family: arial, sans-serif; font-size: 12.7272720336914px; line-height: 14.3999996185303px;">
Hello friends! Rehearsals for Twelfth Night are going so well,I wanted to take a moment to let you know about <a href="http://thetheatreproject.org/" style="color: #1155cc;" target="_blank">The Theatre Project</a>'s newest endeavor! We've started a new theatre series that features our repertory company, TP&co. This series is called <a href="http://www.shakespeareoffbroadway.com/" style="color: #1155cc;" target="_blank">Shakespeare Off-Broadway</a> and we're dedicated to exposing all types of theatre goers to The Bard's incredible plays. We have developed a way of performing Shakespeare's work that calls to mind the traditional experiences seen in Shakespeare's days at the Royal Globe, with our own modern influences. We're kicking off this series with <a href="http://www.shakespeareoffbroadway.com/tickets" style="color: #1155cc;" target="_blank">Twelfth Night</a>, which will be performed at The Players Theatre in the West Village from <span class="aBn" data-term="goog_416374752" style="border-bottom-color: rgb(204, 204, 204); border-bottom-style: dashed; border-bottom-width: 1px; position: relative; top: -2px; z-index: 0;" tabindex="0"><span class="aQJ" style="position: relative; top: 2px; z-index: -1;">February 13 - March 7</span></span>. It's a fantastic production of what is said to be Shakespeare's most beloved comedy! </div>
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As we start Shakespeare Off-Broadway, we are excited to be bringing these plays to the Off-Broadway stage, but we are also thrilled to be exposing so many students to this important work as well! O<span style="font-size: 12.7272720336914px;">ur work will extend beyond the </span><span style="font-size: 12.7272720336914px;">Off</span><span style="font-size: 12.7272720336914px;">-</span><span style="font-size: 12.7272720336914px;">Broadway</span><span style="font-size: 12.7272720336914px;"> stage and into classrooms and schools in order to appropriately expose students to the magic of live theatre. It is TP&co's goal to influence students through the educational impact of theatre and </span><span style="font-size: 12.7272720336914px;">Shakespeare</span><span style="font-size: 12.7272720336914px;">'s plays. As we kick</span><span style="font-size: 12.7272720336914px;">off</span><span style="font-size: 12.7272720336914px;"> </span><span style="font-size: 12.7272720336914px;">Shakespeare</span><span style="font-size: 12.7272720336914px;"> </span><span style="font-size: 12.7272720336914px;">Off</span><span style="font-size: 12.7272720336914px;">-</span><span style="font-size: 12.7272720336914px;">Broadw<wbr></wbr>ay</span><span style="font-size: 12.7272720336914px;">, we will also be launching a touring component that will bring our productions from the stage to the classroom. </span></div>
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<span style="font-size: 12.7272720336914px;">We are counting on the support of Friends, Family and Fans to help in making Shakespeare Off-Broadway a success. We're looking to raise $1000 to help us offset production costs and to help us develop additional educational tools to share with students. </span></div>
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<span style="font-size: 12.7272720336914px;"><a href="https://www.booster.com/shakespeare-off-broadway-fundraiser" style="color: #1155cc;" target="_blank">You can help support us by taking a look at our T-Shirt Campaign! </a>For $25.00 you receive the <a href="https://www.booster.com/shakespeare-off-broadway-fundraiser" style="color: #1155cc;" target="_blank">Limited Edition "Bill" tee</a> while donating to Shakespeare Off-Broadway! It's That Easy!</span></div>
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<span style="font-size: 12.7272720336914px;"><a href="https://www.booster.com/shakespeare-off-broadway-fundraiser" style="color: #1155cc;" target="_blank">You can get one of the shirts here!</a></span></div>
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<span style="font-size: 12.7272720336914px;"><a href="https://secure.squarespace.com/commerce/donate?donatePageId=535c680ce4b0ab57db47c35f" style="color: #1155cc;" target="_blank">If t-shirts aren't your style, you can still donate to the campaign here!</a></span></div>
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<span style="font-size: 12.7272720336914px;">If you are interested in supporting Shakespeare Off-Broadway, you can start by following us on <a href="https://twitter.com/ShakesOffBway" style="color: #1155cc;" target="_blank">Twitter</a>, <a href="https://www.facebook.com/pages/Shakespeare-Off-Broadway/1593618040861727" style="color: #1155cc;" target="_blank">Facebook</a> and <a href="http://instagram.com/shakesoffbway" style="color: #1155cc;" target="_blank">Insta<wbr></wbr>gram</a>!</span></div>
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<span style="font-size: 12.7272720336914px;">I thank you for your support and hope to see you at Twelfth Night! As a token of my thanks for supporting Shakespeare Off-Broadway, you can get exclusive half-priced tickets to Twelfth Night by clicking on <a href="https://web.ovationtix.com/trs/pr/941712/prm/TN2015" style="color: #1155cc;" target="_blank">this link!</a></span></div>
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Thanks for sharing and caring! See you at the show!</div>
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Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10093750208813470804noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2880107617433762549.post-34840732034902412892015-01-26T18:52:00.000-08:002015-01-26T18:52:00.258-08:00Feeling WickedIn February I will be filling the shoes of one of the wicked step sisters "Charlotte" in Sqouros & Bells "Cinderella"!<br />
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Rehearsals are in full swing and performances kick off in February! Sometimes it's fun to be bad!<br />
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This week at <a class="profileLink" data-hovercard="/ajax/hovercard/page.php?id=180163238335" href="https://www.facebook.com/pages/Access-Theater/180163238335" style="color: #3b5998; cursor: pointer; text-decoration: none;">Access Theater</a>, Tyler Nye and I are having it out in <a class="profileLink" data-hovercard="/ajax/hovercard/page.php?id=143707588992447" href="https://www.facebook.com/ProjectYTheatre" style="color: #3b5998; cursor: pointer; line-height: 19.3199996948242px; text-decoration: none;">Project Y Theatre</a><span style="line-height: 19.3199996948242px;">'s TechnoPlays series. In Sean Pomposello's UNLIMITED NIGHTS, A play about a couple’s relationship is called into question when they are awakened in the middle of the night by a succession of ominous telephone calls</span><span style="line-height: 19.3199996948242px;"> </span><i class="_4-k1 img sp_A5xgVemSHVm sx_35209c" style="background-image: url(https://fbstatic-a.akamaihd.net/rsrc.php/v2/yM/r/PobfUeW5-O9.png); background-position: -595px -292px; background-repeat: no-repeat; background-size: auto; display: inline-block; height: 16px; line-height: 19.3199996948242px; vertical-align: -3px; width: 16px;"></i><span style="line-height: 19.3199996948242px;"> </span><span style="line-height: 19.3199996948242px;">...</span></div>
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The short play is part the following performances in the two-part series:<br />Thursday, January 29th at 8 PM<br />Saturday, January 31st at 8 PM<span class="text_exposed_show" style="display: inline;"><br />Sunday, February 1st at 2 PM</span></div>
Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10093750208813470804noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2880107617433762549.post-29659654324516691132015-01-26T18:35:00.001-08:002015-01-26T18:35:44.600-08:00A Wonderful review from "A Christmas Carol" from TheaterScene.net!I had the pleasure of doing "A Christmas Carol" Off-Broadway at The Players Theatre this holiday season. Such a great show and a magnificent cast, I was humbled to get this kind review. Please read it below!<br />
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"A delightful, very inventive musical adaptation of the classic tale created for family audiences, with a large vibrant cast, led by a terrific scrooge."<br />
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<a href="http://www.theaterscene.net/musicals/a-christmas-carol-players-theatre/darryl-reilly/">Review: A Christmas Carol</a>Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10093750208813470804noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2880107617433762549.post-148728291995868202013-12-10T13:45:00.000-08:002013-12-10T13:45:22.224-08:00"Play Dead" extends its run at the Geffen Playhouse!I'm happy to report that "Play Dead" is receiving rave reviews in LA and will be extending it's run until January 12th, 2014! We have been Ovation recommended by the LA Stage Alliance! below are some of my favorite reviews:<br />
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LA Times<br />
<a href="http://www.latimes.com/entertainment/arts/culture/la-et-cm-play-dead-geffen-playhouse-20131121,0,2626881.story#axzz2n6ul8piW">http://www.latimes.com/entertainment/arts/culture/la-et-cm-play-dead-geffen-playhouse-20131121,0,2626881.story#axzz2n6ul8piW</a><br />
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Broadway World<br />
<a href="http://www.broadwayworld.com/los-angeles/article/BWW-Reviews-Continue-to-PLAY-DEAD-If-You-Dare-at-the-Geffen-Through-the-Holidays-20131203#">http://www.broadwayworld.com/los-angeles/article/BWW-Reviews-Continue-to-PLAY-DEAD-If-You-Dare-at-the-Geffen-Through-the-Holidays-20131203#</a><br />
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Hollywood Reporter<br />
<a href="http://www.hollywoodreporter.com/review/play-dead-theater-review-660041">http://www.hollywoodreporter.com/review/play-dead-theater-review-660041</a><br />
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If you find yourself in LA and want to see the show be sure to use the word "Carny" at the box office for a discount ticket.Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10093750208813470804noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2880107617433762549.post-53899063428447316462013-11-01T15:04:00.001-07:002013-11-01T15:04:36.418-07:00"Playing Dead" L.A. style!October has been a whirlwind of rehearsal for the west coast debut of Teller and Todd Robbin's show "Play Dead" at the Geffen Playhouse. I'm so proud to be part of such a unique and mind blowing production!<br />
Previews start November 5th.<br />
For tickets visit the Geffen's website: <a href="http://geffenplayhouse.com/?gclid=CIS1lcbLxLoCFenm7AodjxUA8Q">Geffen Playhouse</a>Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10093750208813470804noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2880107617433762549.post-76500015488136151762013-10-19T20:03:00.002-07:002013-10-19T20:03:50.569-07:00The Bard would be proud.Friends! I'm beyond thrilled to report that TP&Co's inaugural production was a sold- out smash hit! Culture Catch gave us a glowing review, to read it click here<a href="http://culturecatch.com/theater/midsummers-night-farce">http://culturecatch.com/theater/midsummers-night-farce</a>.<br />
<br />Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10093750208813470804noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2880107617433762549.post-27023861729839438232013-08-19T10:12:00.002-07:002013-08-19T10:12:36.614-07:00Midsummer rehearals kick off!Rehearsals for TP and Co's production of a "Midsummer Nights Dream" are in full swing! Brianna is Playing the role of "Nick Bottom".<br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEioXXeRb1Neq5GGGdpImBKpKAy08ed4eiGp5MyqlhmIEOsEoB5KOd3s6zmV4UaGGJC272MWaKgAWd0_tl_pIGdkIYe2X8K4kDLlYgXKmE4aA2u8FdXk2ENc5jorLSkLuggF76UL_7mmOoqh/s1600/midsummer.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="235" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEioXXeRb1Neq5GGGdpImBKpKAy08ed4eiGp5MyqlhmIEOsEoB5KOd3s6zmV4UaGGJC272MWaKgAWd0_tl_pIGdkIYe2X8K4kDLlYgXKmE4aA2u8FdXk2ENc5jorLSkLuggF76UL_7mmOoqh/s640/midsummer.jpg" width="640" /></a></div>
Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10093750208813470804noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2880107617433762549.post-5936166251405076402013-01-23T09:16:00.001-08:002013-01-23T09:16:12.584-08:00Brianna is a proud new member of T.P. and Co.!Brianna is thrilled to be joining The Theatre Projects resident ensemble "T.P. and Co."! Their first production is sledged for May will be "A Midsummer Nights Dream". For more information on the company please visit <a href="http://thetheatreproject.org/tpandco/">http://thetheatreproject.org/tpandco/</a>.Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10093750208813470804noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2880107617433762549.post-64392686660295169222012-10-15T19:00:00.000-07:002012-10-15T19:00:53.449-07:00New Site. Fresh Projects. My fall on the rise.To me the fall season is my new year. On every level I find it's always my busiest time for projects and this fall has been no exception. It's always wonderful to see whats new and what people are up to. If anything i have found this fall more exciting than most because i'm trying new things and saying yes to new directions.<br />
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From an artistic standpoint it's been a whirlwind of rehearsals and openings! Between the revival of Literally Alives "Cinderella" and the Be Bold Company world premier of "Hollow" i've had the pleasure of revisiting old characters and creating new ones. Each show is filled with such talent and topped off with brilliant sets and costumes. I'm so proud to be a company memeber at the Players Theatre! From the actors to the production team i couldn't be more proud of our fall season.<br />
For ticket and show info please visit <a href="http://hollowthemusical.com/">http://hollowthemusical.com/</a> or <a href="http://www.theplayerstheatre.com/">http://www.theplayerstheatre.com/</a>.<br />
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I've stuck a "paw" if you will into the Burlesque scene. I love "kittening" and i've met so many interesting people. I must give a special thank you to Joe "Joe the Shark" Naftali and "Miss Cherry Delight" (Drea Lorraine) for being such amazing people and for being so instrumental in helping me get started. Joe is the producer for Sharkbite Side Show. Be sure to check out his page on facebook because he puts on a really swell show and "Miss Cherry Delight" i'm proud to say is the Current "Miss Coney Island" and Hosts two fabulous shows twice a month at Duane Park. Infact, i will be part of her show this Thursday "Cabaret des Illusion" at Duane Park. Show is at 8:30pm. For more information visit <a href="http://duaneparknyc.com/index.html">http://duaneparknyc.com/index.html</a>.<br />
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In September I shot the "Pepsi Fizz" Campaign. It was an incredible expirience and a landmark moment in my career. Stay tuned for my face in 2013. Exciting Stuff!!! <br />
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And last but not least I'm proud to share that i've been flexing my business muscles and have taken on one of my most challenging roles to date and that role is the "Creative Director" for Proper Ettiquette Modern Vintage. It's been challenging and exciting to take my love for fashion and combine it with costuming. There is nothing more exciting than seeing actors bring charcters to life in your creations and the company made it's Off-Broadway debut with The Theatre Projects "Barbicide" a new play that puts a spin on Sweeny Todd. The show has been getting rave reviews and the costumes were hailed as "Outstanding" which of course makes me blush. It's a must see show. Check out <a href="http://www.barbicideoffbroadway.com/">http://www.barbicideoffbroadway.com/</a>.<br />
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With so much going on presently and with so much on the horizon i can't express how grateful i am to be surrounded by so many awesome people and such cool projects. <br />
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So here's to fall! Here's to keeping busy and chasing your dreams! Not to mention discovering some new ones along the way.<br />
<br />
xo BriannaAnonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10093750208813470804noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2880107617433762549.post-14212723259069359972012-08-30T10:05:00.004-07:002012-08-30T10:05:24.446-07:00Brianna Hurley—Advice from a Young Actress<span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #050809; font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', Trebuchet, Arial, sans-serif; font-size: 13px; line-height: 21px;"></span><br />
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Brianna Hurley—Advice from a Young Actress</h2>
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Monday, November 22nd, 2010<br style="margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px; padding-bottom: 0px; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-top: 0px;" />by <strong style="margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px; padding-bottom: 0px; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-top: 0px;"><a href="http://www.womanaroundtown.com/author/alix/" style="color: #ed1c24; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px; outline-color: initial; outline-style: initial; outline-width: 0px; padding-bottom: 0px; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-top: 0px; text-decoration: none;" title="Posts by Alix Cohen">Alix Cohen</a></strong> on <a href="http://www.womanaroundtown.com/category/sections/playing-around" style="color: #ed1c24; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px; outline-color: initial; outline-style: initial; outline-width: 0px; padding-bottom: 0px; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-top: 0px; text-decoration: none;">Playing Around</a></div>
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Brianna Hurley was a legend in Watkins Glen. Starring in <em style="margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px; padding-bottom: 0px; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-top: 0px;">Hop!</em> as Bunny Sue, a rabbit who wouldn’t (hop,) the second grader sang, danced and acted. “I really really got the bug.” Decidedly not a stage mother despite being a professional costume designer, her mom facilitated lessons because of her daughter’s enthusiasm. Brianna credits her Grandmother Hurley, an avid Turner Classic Movie fan, with her knowledge and love of golden-era musicals. Her then long- haired father was in a rock band at the time. At age<em style="margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px; padding-bottom: 0px; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-top: 0px;">nine</em>, Brianna’s taste advanced from <em style="margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px; padding-bottom: 0px; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-top: 0px;">Bunny Sue </em>to <em style="margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px; padding-bottom: 0px; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-top: 0px;">Evita</em>. “I wore out the duel cassette tapes.”</div>
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The Watkins Glen Show Choir, formed by an inspiring teacher, was the next regular opportunity to perform. “I have to give her credit, we did gigs—parades, old folks homes, Elks Clubs. I kid you not, we sang at the opening of the Walmart in my home town.” Asked why she didn’t attend a performing arts high school, the self-possessed young woman responds that she decided to have a childhood—advice apparently gleaned from an interview with Kate Hudson she’d read.</div>
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<a href="http://www.womanaroundtown.com/sections/playing-around/brianna-hurley-advice-from-a-young-actress/attachment/beauty-queen" rel="attachment wp-att-38917" style="color: #ed1c24; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px; outline-color: initial; outline-style: initial; outline-width: 0px; padding-bottom: 0px; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-top: 0px; text-decoration: none;"><img alt="" class="alignleft size-full wp-image-38917" src="http://www.womanaroundtown.com/wp-content/uploads/2010/11/beauty-queen.jpg" style="border-bottom-width: 0px; border-color: initial; border-left-width: 0px; border-right-width: 0px; border-style: initial; border-top-width: 0px; float: left; margin-bottom: 8px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 15px; margin-top: 0px; max-width: 100%; padding-bottom: 0px; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-top: 0px; text-align: left;" title="beauty-queen" /></a>Coming across the bridge on a 10th grade trip to see the Broadway production of <em style="margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px; padding-bottom: 0px; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-top: 0px;">Chicago,</em> Brianna clearly remembers thinking: <em style="margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px; padding-bottom: 0px; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-top: 0px;">I’m going to live here.</em> She still has a large piece of silver glitter from the show. At 16, she entered a series of beauty pageants in hopes of winning money for school. She was awarded the title <em style="margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px; padding-bottom: 0px; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-top: 0px;">Miss Teen New York World of Beauty</em>. The pageants gave her poise and performance experience. Her mother made all her dresses and accompanied her. Other contestants had <em style="margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px; padding-bottom: 0px; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-top: 0px;">entourages.</em></div>
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New York beckoned. Brianna graduated high school and for two years attended The American Musical and Dramatics Academy on West 61st Street. She enrolled in an integrated program of acting for musicals: acting, voice, speech, dialects, musical composition and four types of dance.</div>
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Graduating in 2005, she secured a year’s contract on a Disney cruise ship “after a million call-backs.” (source of audition information: <em style="margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px; padding-bottom: 0px; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-top: 0px;">Backstage</em>) The cast trained two months (expenses paid) in Toronto where every prospective employee took a course called<em style="margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px; padding-bottom: 0px; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-top: 0px;">Tradition.</em> About 20 performers had little contact with the outside world during their time at sea. “It was kind of lonely, but a lot of fun.” Brianna kept a journal, saved money, and honed her self reliance. She recommends the experience.</div>
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Back in New York, she went looking for rent-paying employment. She was a salesgirl at Urban Outfitters, then found a home at Off Broadway Boutique, which generously lets her out for auditions.</div>
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Brianna has become an ad hoc member of Brenda Bell’s <em style="margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px; padding-bottom: 0px; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-top: 0px;">Literally Alive</em>, a New York based children’s theater company producing original musical versions of classic children’s literature. Beginning with <em style="margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px; padding-bottom: 0px; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-top: 0px;">Beauty and the Beast</em>, she’s performed in eight productions thus far. Both Natalie Portman and Kristen Bell made their Off Broadway debuts with this company. Additionally she’s worked with The Brooklyn Theater Arts Project, The Bleecker St. Opera Company, The National Comedy Theater, and Be Bold! Productions. Between productions and her day job, she work’s for Ilene’s Catering and has managed to book some modeling work on her own.</div>
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She speaks from experience for all of you out there who aspire.</div>
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<strong style="margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px; padding-bottom: 0px; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-top: 0px;">If it’s free, it’s advice; if you pay for it, it’s counseling.</strong></div>
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<strong style="margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px; padding-bottom: 0px; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-top: 0px;"><a href="http://www.womanaroundtown.com/sections/playing-around/brianna-hurley-advice-from-a-young-actress/attachment/grease1-2" rel="attachment wp-att-38930" style="color: #ed1c24; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px; outline-color: initial; outline-style: initial; outline-width: 0px; padding-bottom: 0px; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-top: 0px; text-decoration: none;"><img alt="" class="alignleft size-full wp-image-38930" src="http://www.womanaroundtown.com/wp-content/uploads/2010/11/grease11.jpg" style="border-bottom-width: 0px; border-color: initial; border-left-width: 0px; border-right-width: 0px; border-style: initial; border-top-width: 0px; float: left; margin-bottom: 8px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 15px; margin-top: 0px; max-width: 100%; padding-bottom: 0px; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-top: 0px; text-align: left;" title="grease1" /></a>When Do You Get Headshots?</strong></div>
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“We got them the fourth semester at AMDA because we were performing in showcases to which agents and managers came. A first cost should be about $250, for which you are entitled to a lot of pictures.” Brianna now has one black and white shot and one color; one smiley/bubbly, the other more serious. “No character shots! Be who you are—show something behind your eyes.” She prints 50 at a time.</div>
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<strong style="margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px; padding-bottom: 0px; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-top: 0px;">Where Are the Jobs?!</strong></div>
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Like any newcomer, Brianna stood on line at cattle calls, checked in at 6 a.m. and waited. She suggests going to the Equity Building (165 West 46th) and signing up for whatever’s auditioning that day. Equity members have priority however, and you’re only seen if there’s time at the end of the schedule. This is apparently the most effective way to get an Equity show and your card. The best resources? <em style="margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px; padding-bottom: 0px; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-top: 0px;">Backstage</em> (newspaper) and<a href="http://www.nycasting.com/" style="color: #ed1c24; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px; outline-color: initial; outline-style: initial; outline-width: 0px; padding-bottom: 0px; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-top: 0px; text-decoration: none;">www.nycasting.com</a> on which you can list yourself for a small fee, posting a headshot and resume. The service breaks down their members by type and sends out alerts. It’s been successful for Brianna, both in securing her auditions and in bringing her to the attention of a modeling agency—Style Elite.</div>
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Summer Stock auditions take place in December.</div>
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<strong style="margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px; padding-bottom: 0px; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-top: 0px;">What About an Agent/Manager?</strong></div>
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Brianna feels strongly that one shouldn’t go looking for representation without having<em style="margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px; padding-bottom: 0px; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-top: 0px;">worked,</em> showing ambition. After five years, she’s looking for an agent. Interviews are sometimes arranged by professional level classes. The young actress is currently taking The Donelli Acting Class (cold readings/auditions) at Abingdon Theater. They’re arranging interviews. Additionally, postcards with a “nice note” should be sent out whenever one is in a showcase. Note: “Watch out for people who insist you have a lot of photos taken by their photographer.”</div>
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<strong style="margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px; padding-bottom: 0px; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-top: 0px;">Recommendation for an Audition</strong></div>
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“The best advice I ever got was to look like myself on a good day.” Brianna used to arrive at auditions glamorous in her perfectly coordinated vintage clothes (often with a hat) and bright red lips—until she received this admonition. She was told to <em style="margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px; padding-bottom: 0px; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-top: 0px;">look like </em>her early twenties <em style="margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px; padding-bottom: 0px; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-top: 0px;">because</em> she is <em style="margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px; padding-bottom: 0px; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-top: 0px;">IN her early twenties.</em> It isn’t her personal style, but she took it to heart and is “working on cute.”</div>
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<strong style="margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px; padding-bottom: 0px; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-top: 0px;"><a href="http://www.womanaroundtown.com/sections/playing-around/brianna-hurley-advice-from-a-young-actress/attachment/cinderella" rel="attachment wp-att-38924" style="color: #ed1c24; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px; outline-color: initial; outline-style: initial; outline-width: 0px; padding-bottom: 0px; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-top: 0px; text-decoration: none;"></a>The only place success comes before work is in the dictionary—Vince Lombardi</strong></div>
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Take classes. Besides the audition class, Brianna still studies ballet and jazz and is looking for a course that will put her in front of a camera. Work— for food, for experience, for credit, for free. “Do staged readings just to keep your chops, meet people, put on your resume.” Broadcast Music Inc. and ASCAP Musical Theater Workshops both use singers. NYU Film students are always looking for actresses. Brianna’s played a wide range of roles in five films, including the angel of death. “Anthony Hopkins said,<em style="margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px; padding-bottom: 0px; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-top: 0px;">Say yes to everything.</em>” Recently, the young actress said “no”…to a magic show in which she would’ve had to appear nude. “I considered it for a moment because it made sense to the character, but do I want that now?”</div>
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<strong style="margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px; padding-bottom: 0px; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-top: 0px;">Economy does not lie in sparing money, but in spending it wisely—Thomas Huxley</strong></div>
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“If you accept New York costs money, you’ll feel much better. Too many young actors are miserable all the time.” A Metro Card is a <em style="margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px; padding-bottom: 0px; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-top: 0px;">necessity</em>. Eat or buy at street vendors. Fruit and vegetables especially are cheaper and often better from the carts than grocery stores.</div>
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<a href="http://www.womanaroundtown.com/sections/playing-around/brianna-hurley-advice-from-a-young-actress/attachment/phantom1-2" rel="attachment wp-att-38933" style="color: #ed1c24; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px; outline-color: initial; outline-style: initial; outline-width: 0px; padding-bottom: 0px; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-top: 0px; text-decoration: none;"><img alt="" class="alignleft size-full wp-image-38933" src="http://www.womanaroundtown.com/wp-content/uploads/2010/11/phantom11.jpg" style="border-bottom-width: 0px; border-color: initial; border-left-width: 0px; border-right-width: 0px; border-style: initial; border-top-width: 0px; float: left; margin-bottom: 8px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 15px; margin-top: 0px; max-width: 100%; padding-bottom: 0px; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-top: 0px; text-align: left;" title="phantom1" /></a>“I ate a lot of ramen noodles.” Pick up <em style="margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px; padding-bottom: 0px; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-top: 0px;">The Village Voice </em>for free things to do and networking.<a href="http://www.goldstar.com/" style="color: #ed1c24; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px; outline-color: initial; outline-style: initial; outline-width: 0px; padding-bottom: 0px; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-top: 0px; text-decoration: none;">www.goldstar.com </a>and<a href="http://www.broadwaybox.com/" style="color: #ed1c24; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px; outline-color: initial; outline-style: initial; outline-width: 0px; padding-bottom: 0px; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-top: 0px; text-decoration: none;">www.broadwaybox.com</a> offer discounts to events and entertainment. Volunteer time to The Cabaret Convention and get into the shows. “We used to see three movies going from one to another in a multiplex, changing sweaters in the ladies room.” There are good, inexpensive clothes at vintage and consignment shops. “The best store in Manhattan is Off Broadway on West 72nd Street. In Brooklyn, it’s Urban Jungle, off the Morgan stop on the L train.” Hair stylists need models for training use-free haircuts. Use student Id for discounts. And remember the library.</div>
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<strong style="margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px; padding-bottom: 0px; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-top: 0px;">The two enemies of human happiness are pain and boredom—Arthur Shopenhauer</strong></div>
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Brianna considers the best advice she can give: don’t get bored. Take a class. Set a goal of how many auditions a week you get to. Create a web site. Make business cards. Go to a museum, a film, a concert, theater—get inspired. Read plays. Learn a new song—find the perfect 16 bar cut for auditions. “This is a career that never reaches a finished point, you’re always learning. Be hungry and keep that hunger.”</div>
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“My biggest goal when I left school was to be working in the theater and I am. I feel very, very blessed. Stardom’s fleeting. I’m very optimistic about the world, but it’s not always easy. I work very hard.”</div>
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Perhaps we’ll see Brianna accept a Tony Award one day. Until then, though she’s one of thousands of hopefuls in the epicenter of theater, this is a young woman with a good head start: a common sense approach to practical challenges, a strong work ethic, independence of spirit, a growing range of skills and body of experience, a singing voice that can belt (if requested), a knack for comedy and the looks of a diminutive forties pin-up. Briana is patient.<em style="margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px; padding-bottom: 0px; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-top: 0px;"> I’m</em> giving Broadway a “heads up.”</div>
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<em style="margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px; padding-bottom: 0px; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-top: 0px;"><a href="http://www.womanaroundtown.com/sections/playing-around/brianna-hurley-advice-from-a-young-actress/attachment/carol-4" rel="attachment wp-att-38950" style="color: #ed1c24; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px; outline-color: initial; outline-style: initial; outline-width: 0px; padding-bottom: 0px; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-top: 0px; text-decoration: none;"><img alt="" class="alignleft size-full wp-image-38950" src="http://www.womanaroundtown.com/wp-content/uploads/2010/11/Carol.jpg" style="border-bottom-width: 0px; border-color: initial; border-left-width: 0px; border-right-width: 0px; border-style: initial; border-top-width: 0px; float: left; margin-bottom: 8px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 15px; margin-top: 0px; max-width: 100%; padding-bottom: 0px; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-top: 0px; text-align: left;" title="Carol" /></a>Brianna Hurley will be performing with Literally Alive in a completely original version of<br style="margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px; padding-bottom: 0px; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-top: 0px;" />A Christmas Carol as The Ghost of Christmas Past and Aggy, the cleaning lady.<br style="margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px; padding-bottom: 0px; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-top: 0px;" />The Player’s Theater </em><a href="http://www.literallyalive.com/" style="color: #ed1c24; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px; outline-color: initial; outline-style: initial; outline-width: 0px; padding-bottom: 0px; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-top: 0px; text-decoration: none;"><em style="margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px; padding-bottom: 0px; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-top: 0px;">www.literallyalive.com</em></a><em style="margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px; padding-bottom: 0px; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-top: 0px;"> November 27- December 30</em></div>
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<em style="margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px; padding-bottom: 0px; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-top: 0px;">In January, she expects to go back into that company’s original “avant garde” production of </em><br style="margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px; padding-bottom: 0px; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-top: 0px;" /><em style="margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px; padding-bottom: 0px; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-top: 0px;">The Phantom of the Opera, which opened in April 2010 and is on hiatus.</em></div>
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<em style="margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px; padding-bottom: 0px; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-top: 0px;"><a href="http://www.briannahurley.com/" style="color: #ed1c24; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px; outline-color: initial; outline-style: initial; outline-width: 0px; padding-bottom: 0px; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-top: 0px; text-decoration: none;">www.briannahurley.com</a></em></div>
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<em style="margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px; padding-bottom: 0px; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-top: 0px;">Photos, from top:</em><br style="margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px; padding-bottom: 0px; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-top: 0px;" /><em style="margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px; padding-bottom: 0px; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-top: 0px;">Brianna Hurley headshot (Hayden Lees)</em><br style="margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px; padding-bottom: 0px; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-top: 0px;" /><em style="margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px; padding-bottom: 0px; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-top: 0px;">Beauty Queen</em><br style="margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px; padding-bottom: 0px; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-top: 0px;" /><em style="margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px; padding-bottom: 0px; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-top: 0px;">Grease (Charlie Haeffner)</em><br style="margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px; padding-bottom: 0px; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-top: 0px;" /><em style="margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px; padding-bottom: 0px; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-top: 0px;">Cinderella and Phantom of the Opera (Chad Howard)</em></div>
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Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10093750208813470804noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2880107617433762549.post-30921049199643951242012-08-30T10:02:00.002-07:002012-08-30T10:02:59.629-07:00The Little Mermaid | Off-Broadway Review<span class="bodytextbold"><b>OFF-BROADWAY REVIEW OF THE LITTLE MERMAID</b></span><span class="bodytext"><br /></span><span class="bodytext">Reviewed by </span><span>Sasha Pensanti</span> <span class="bodytext"><br /></span><span class="black11pt">Published 2011-03-28 </span><br /><br /><span class="bodytext">Having seen three other productions by Literally Alive, I was quite excited to add <span style="font-style: italic;">The Little Mermaid</span> to my list, as it is one of my favorite fairy tales. Brenda Bell and the Literally Alive crew have done an outstanding job putting together show after show based on literary works that spark the imagination in one way or another.<span style="font-style: italic;"> The Little Mermaid</span> is a part of their series for kids, which truthfully I enjoy most of all. I did have the opportunity to see one of their adult productions (<span style="font-style: italic;">Phantom of the Opera</span>) but I appreciate their work most of all when I look around me and see children wide-eyed and mesmerized by what they see on the stage in front of them. If there are any kids in your life, do take them to a production by this company; it is worth every penny.<br /><br />Now, to be more specific about this particular production. The set was beautiful, I wish I had remembered that Literally Alive allows photographs (sans flash!) during the show, I would have taken photos to show exactly what they put together. Still, it was lovely. Everything had that shiny mother-of-pearl effect that made it look as though what were seeing took place below the surface of the water. As she does at every show, Brenda Bell came out and gave an introduction, getting the kids prepared, and excited. She does adorable things, such as asking them if they think the actors in the TV can hear them when they talk. No? What about on the stage? Ah yes, of course they can. I love the way she is making good theatergoers out of these children.<br /><br />Here is the thing about their productions: they are pretty much perfect for kids. I see so many kids in the audience, beaming at the characters on stage. Some perhaps they knew from stories or Disney movies, some are new to them. Occasionally it is a pretty mermaid named Coral who can sing like a dream, and sometimes for boys it is the fact that her sister asked her to stab the prince to death...I mean, what is that about? Well, it is in the original story, but I think that, which I will get to later, is the only part I would say is NOT perfect for children. At least not the super young ones.<br /><br />So the production is not perfect, but hardly any kids shows that are not on a Broadway budget are. Still, you can tell the cast members enjoy themselves, which is something vital not only for kid shows, but all theatre. Beyond that, they do the unthinkable and actually put children in the show -- I love it! Some of them have that deer in the headlights look that says they have no idea what is going on. But that is ok! It all has to begin somewhere, right?<br /><br /> Starting with Brianna Hurley who played The Fish Witch and the human princess, I was extremely pleased. She was exactly what one would want from the "Fish Witch." Entertaining, quirky, and downright hilarious at points. I say with confidence, having seen her in previous productions, that she may be the most talented performer in the show. I also very much enjoyed Jenna Lipe who played the little mermaid herself, Coral. She has that fresh-faced nature to her that makes her perfect to play the most curious of the mermaids, however there were moments when she fell off key. Honestly, I think it has more to do with her not being able to hear the music, than her ability, but I suppose that is no excuse.<br /><br />I really enjoyed the music they put together for this show, much more than I have liked the music for their past shows, but I do believe it still remains that their actors have difficulty hearing the band, because it is out in the audience. Not that there is anything they can do to change that, as they are limited by the space. I love the Players Theatre dearly, but I do think it might be good for them to find another space sooner or later.<br /><br />Following the two girls I mentioned above, King Neptune, played by Erik Fletcher was highly entertaining. I had also seen him in previous productions, which makes me think they did not use all the skills he possesses, but I still liked him. He made me laugh. In fact, he made all the adults in the audience laugh. You never know how important that is until you are surrounded by little tots and the parents have blank stares on their faces-- he stopped that from happening, thank goodness.<br /><br />There were other performers in the production, who shall remain nameless, that I did not enjoy. Not one bit. Rather I found them annoying, not the best performers, either. Here is the thing though: the kids didn't mind! No, they loved them. They laughed at their annoying voices and had a great time. As I mentioned previously, I was surprised they kept in the fact that Coral was told by her sisters to stab the prince; it seemed extreme for children. Just the same, I have no suggestions about what they could have done instead, and the boys screamed a lot of "Yeah!"s.<br /><br />Truthfully, I had a great time. I have to remember to be objective when seeing shows for children, and so do parents. What is more important: them loving it, or you loving it? We all know the answer. It is so important to expose our kids to these things at an early age and this company gives us that opportunity. I love <span style="font-style: italic;">The Little Mermaid </span>and Literally Alive kept it as true to the original story as possible. I hope everyone with little ones takes them to a Literally Alive production soon. Brenda Bell and her crew are creating the theatre lovers of the future and I for one cannot wait to see what they do next.</span>Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10093750208813470804noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2880107617433762549.post-51970073310365957702012-08-30T10:01:00.002-07:002012-08-30T10:01:54.926-07:00A Christmas Carol | Review | New York Times<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Georgia, serif; font-size: 12px;"></span><br />
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<nyt_headline type=" " version="1.0">A Christmas Carol’</nyt_headline></h1>
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By <a href="http://query.nytimes.com/search/query?ppds=bylL&v1=LAUREL%20GRAEBER&fdq=19960101&td=sysdate&sort=newest&ac=LAUREL%20GRAEBER&inline=nyt-per" style="color: #004276; text-decoration: none;" title="More Articles by Laurel Graeber">LAUREL GRAEBER</a></div>
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Published: December 10, 2009</div>
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<nyt_text><span class="bold" style="font-weight: bold;">‘<a href="http://topics.nytimes.com/top/reference/timestopics/people/d/charles_dickens/index.html?inline=nyt-per" style="color: #004276; text-decoration: underline;" title="More articles about Charles Dickens.">A CHRISTMAS CAROL</a>’</span><br />
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<a href="" name="secondParagraph" style="color: #004276; text-decoration: underline;"></a>Charles Dickens’s holiday classic may be best known as the story of the redemption of a miserly old man, but it is also a tale about children, and not just the too-good-to-be-true Tiny Tim and the other small Cratchits. Boys and girls appear everywhere in its pages, including street urchins, schoolmates, the young Scrooge and his sister, and the lad who helps Scrooge in his first post-transformation good deed.<br />
So it’s especially fitting that Literally Alive Children’s Theater, which adapts its material from literary sources, has filled its “Christmas Carol,” above, with young faces. While the grown-ups are played by adults — including Dustin Cross, an excellent 26-year-old actor and designer (he created the costumes) made up to look elderly as Scrooge — this musical includes a dozen children.<br />
Brenda Bell, who wrote the book and lyrics, and Carlo Rivieccio, who directed, have also introduced comic touches. Holiday singers unleash a surprise cymbal crash on Scrooge’s ears, and when they deliver “Deck the Halls,” he counters with his own “Bah, ha, ha, ha, ha.” He further tickles young theatergoers by growling at a child portraying a dog, who promptly whimpers and runs away. Ms. Bell has slightly softened the short novel’s text as well — there’s no reference to a holiday reveler “boiled with his own pudding and buried with a stake of holly through his heart” — but Scrooge’s cruelty still comes through.<br />
Children will also appreciate the score (this “Christmas Carol” really has Christmas carols), played by Michael Sgouros’s percussion ensemble. When you consider the novel’s many chimes, coins and tolling bells, the instrumentation is apt. Mr. Sgouros and his 12-year-old daughter, Emily, have also written original songs, including “Regret,” a poignant ballad for Scrooge.<br />
Yet as welcoming as this production is — like all the theater’s hourlong shows, it is preceded by a children’s craft workshop — it is not for those under 6 or 7. While the Ghosts of Christmas Past (Brianna Hurley) and Present (Hanniel Sindelar) are ebullient, and Marley (Eric Fletcher) borders on silly, the Ghost of Christmas Future completely captures Dickens’s vision. Faceless, swathed in black and gliding eerily (Stefanie Smith, the show’s choreographer, wears roller skates), it made even the second and third graders near me cringe.<br />
And why not? Without menace, the story loses its full moral impact. At a time of crisis for the economy and health care, “A Christmas Carol” with a little chill couldn’t be more resonant. (Through Dec. 30, Players Theater, 115 Macdougal Street, near Third Street, Greenwich Village, 212-352-3101, <a href="http://literallyalive.com/" style="color: #004276; text-decoration: underline;" target="_">literallyalive.com</a>; $25 to $40, including workshop. This weekend: Saturday and Sunday, workshop at 10 a.m., show at 11 a.m. The Saturday 3 p.m. show is sold out.) <span class="bold" style="font-weight: bold;">LAUREL GRAEBER</span><br />
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<b><a href="http://www.nytimes.com/2009/12/11/arts/11bkids.html">See The Original Article Here</a></b></nyt_text></div>
Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10093750208813470804noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2880107617433762549.post-77456801706452380732012-08-30T10:00:00.001-07:002012-08-30T10:00:12.506-07:00Phantom of The Opera | Review<span class="Apple-style-span" style="-webkit-border-horizontal-spacing: 1px; -webkit-border-vertical-spacing: 1px;"></span><br />
<h2>
Phantom of the Opera OFF BROADWAY</h2>
<span class="posted"><b>Posted</b> May 1st, 2010 21:27</span><div class="article">
Heading into the Players Theatre downtown in the West Village to see a new production of "Phantom of the Opera" off Broadway had me curious. I knew going in that the production was going to be quite scaled down, but I found myself wondering in what ways it would be so. By nature of the fact that the current production on Broadway is the longest running show in Broadway history, Be Bold productions has a big task on their hands, trying to bring something new to a show that is known and loved the world over by so many different people.<br /><br />As expected, this version of "Phantom" followed the novel much more closely, opening with Gaston Leroux (Tony Paterniti) as the author/narrator, there to give some insight to a story that he's "just finished writing." He takes us back in time thirty years to when the story is supposed to have taken place at the Grand Opera in Paris. Surprisingly, the ballerinas fluttered around the stage in many scenes with great skill. The actresses hired to portray them are obviously trained dancers, and I must say that added quite a bit to the ambiance of what was going on on stage.<br /><br />The suspense is built up to the entrance of the main attraction for the men in the musical--Christine Daae. Amanda Salvatore, while a perfectly adapt actress, was not given nearly enough musical numbers, in my humble opinion, to be a full fledged Christine Daae. She is supposed to be the ingenue, and by all local musical theatre standards, she should sing the majority of the songs, or at least come out with a song. Rather, her entrance was oddly placed with her back to the audience as Leroux told her story.<br /><br />The first act felt rushed, a little strange and there seemed to be pieces missing, but it wasn't bad. In fact, it was better than I expected. Kalen J Hall played Raoul perfectly, and especially in the scene where he gives his account of the grave yard scene, he was superb, and 100% committed to what his character was doing. As an audience member, this is greatly appreciated and it helped me stay in the moment, despite the oddly placed dancers dressed as skeletons throughout the grave yard. They were awkward and it seemed like an excuse to show off what the choreographer could do, rather than something that actually drove the plot.<br /><br />However, if Be Bold productions knows how to do one thing, it's ending an act. The first act closer brought together all the characters in a masked ball. The audience was hit with a surround sound effect when a magical chorus appeared at the back of the theatre to sing the Kyrie with those character we'd previously been introduced to in front of us. It was shocking, but not out of place, and absolutely welcomed. It was at the beginning of that Kyrie that I began to actually enjoy the Phantom's (Eric Fletcher) voice. In previous scenes he seemed to be a tad bit flat, but I would attribute that more to the lack of piano in the band than anything else.<br /><br />That was the main problem with the show, to be honest. With the addition of a piano and removal of some of the percussion, this show could be a really great off Broadway piece. As it stands, the drums are overwhelming, and much too loud for a cast that doesn't even have microphones. Sadly, a cello is not enough to keep most singers on key all the time, and they need at least a keyboard to keep the music flowing. Aside from that, a lot of the songs seemed too similar. They had a monotone quality to them and it begins to wear on an audience member's ears after a while.<br /><br />However, the second act began to pick things up. The addition of the character "Mama Valerius" (played by Brianna Hurley) was superb. I could not have imagined a better way to get the second half off to a start. She is a true comedic actress who deserves great accolades for her work as that character. I previously saw her in Cinderella, and thought she was good, but it was nothing compared to this. If there were to be one stand out moment in the second act, that would be it for me.<br /><br />The second act was much more similar to the Broadway version of the show than the first act had been, save for the addition of the Persian (Dustin Cross) who guided Raoul in his search for Christine in the bowels of the opera house. Erik (the phantom) is given a stunning song in this act that beautifully shows off his entire range and really made me love his voice even more, despite the choice to play Erik as a child-like character, at least mentally. I had trouble enjoying that aspect of it, though I could completely understand why they might make that acting or directorial choice for his character.<br /><br />The problem here? I can remember how beautiful his voice was, but I cannot remember which song it was that he sounded so wonderful on. That's never a good sign for a composure. You want your music to stand out, catch in my mind and be remembered even days after the show.<br /><br />Overall, the show was better than I expected it to be, and I attribute that to the new aspects of the novel brought into this production by book writer Brenda Bell, as well as the excellent work done by the stand out actors mentioned above. Others who deserve recognition include, Ken Quiricone, who played one of the Opera Managers, Richard and is making his New York City debut. He was quite committed, and quite impressive. And, choreographer Stefanie Smith who also played the role of Meg Giry was a stand out from the start of the show. She flew onto stage with grace and poise and I would consider myself lucky to watch her dance in further productions.<br /><br />So, bravo to Be Bold productions for tackling something that most people and companies would not. With a giant like Andrew Lloyd Weber's production shadowing over them, they should be applauded for breaking away and bringing something new to this classic story.</div>
Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10093750208813470804noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2880107617433762549.post-58075994083488260662012-08-30T09:59:00.000-07:002012-08-30T09:59:02.828-07:00Phantom of The Opera<span class="Apple-style-span" style="-webkit-border-horizontal-spacing: 6px; -webkit-border-vertical-spacing: 6px;"></span><br />
A ghost haunts the new musical version of PHANTOM OF THE OPERA by Michael Sgouros and Brenda Bell…and it’s not the title character. No matter how hard they try to be different, no matter how much they acknowledge the original novel, Sgouros and Bell can’t shake the specter of Andrew Lloyd Webber’s megamusical behemoth. This new PHANTOM can’t help but repeat many of Webber’s key images, right down to the Phantom’s final dramatic disappearance. Webber’s PHANTOM is a triumph of spectacle over substance, but there’s so little of either here you almost long for Webber’s bombast.<br />
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Thanks to the ubiquity of Webber’s musical and the influence of Lon Chaney’s silent film, the story of the deformed Phantom and his doomed love for soprano Christine Daae has achieved near-mythic status. To their credit, Sgouros and Bell have followed the source material, Gaston Leroux’s novel, more closely than most adaptors. They restore many forgotten characters, including the Persian, a mysterious man who’s followed the Phantom around the world, and Mama Valerius, Christine’s dotty godmother. In the novel, Leroux connects disparate strands through his own first-person narration, relating the tale as if it were fact. Accordingly, Sgouros and Bell have made Gaston Leroux the narrator of their musical, with the inspired device of Leroux assuming various character parts as the story progresses.<br />
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Following the source material proves to be more curse than blessing. Leroux’s novel has an inherent passivity—with many passages consisting of one character relating to another an event that happened days or weeks ago. In preserving this narrative structure, Sgouros and Bell have remained too rooted in the novelistic form, failing to find a compelling dramatic force to drive their story forward. The result is a musical that despite its melodramatic plot, drags dramatically.<br />
And there’s the pesky problem of Webber’s PHANTOM, whose ghost lingers in more than a few key moments, from the Degas-like ballet chorus to the mirrored door in Christine’s dressing room. Yes, these are all mentioned in the novel, but their use as stage pictures here nevertheless echoes their Broadway counterpart.<br />
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Still, Sgouros and Bell’s PHANTOM finds some wonderful comic moments in Leroux’s tale, helped in part by their accomplished cast. Brianna Hurley stops the show as the gleefully eccentric Mama Valerius, and Tony Paterniti makes Gaston Leroux as amusing as he is compassionate. Eric Fletcher finds unexpected flashes of humor in the Phantom, but unfortunately he’s saddled with a very unscary mask that looks like a strange hybrid between a plastic skull and aviator goggles. Nor does the music to push the story forward. This PHANTOM feels more like a play with music than a musical. As tacky as Webber’s PHANTOM is, as overwrought as his music can be, his PHANTOM was driven from beginning to end by music. Here, Sgouros’ music feels oddly disconnected from Bell’s ponderous book, and there’s not enough music for it to feel an organic part of the story. Which is too bad, as there are some inspired songs, particularly the haunting “Kyrie” and “Soul Mate Choral.”<br />
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Visually, this PHANTOM is bare bones, making ingenious use of the intimate Players’ Theatre space. Set and costume designer Lex Liang makes clever use of an empty gold proscenium to convey the opera house stage, while Brenda Bell, who directed the production as well as wrote the book and lyrics, makes the elaborate transitions between scenes run seamlessly. Lighting designer Josh Iacovelli memorably bathes the stage in eerie red light during the Phantom’s most frightening scenes.<br />
In the end, this PHANTOM doesn’t quite soar or scare with consistency, but it nonetheless has its memorable moments. <br />
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<a href="http://www.theateronline.com/pb.xzc?PK=24286&ID=24286">Visit Theatre Online for More On Phantom</a><br />
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Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10093750208813470804noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2880107617433762549.post-83915237190018032662012-08-30T09:56:00.001-07:002012-08-30T09:56:16.901-07:00Spare Times | Stone Soup | New York Times<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Georgia, serif; font-size: 12px;"></span><br />
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<nyt_headline type=" " version="1.0">Spare Times: For Children</nyt_headline></h1>
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Ellis Gaskell</div>
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By <a href="http://query.nytimes.com/search/query?ppds=bylL&v1=LAUREL%20GRAEBER&fdq=19960101&td=sysdate&sort=newest&ac=LAUREL%20GRAEBER&inline=nyt-per" style="color: #004276; text-decoration: none;" title="More Articles by Laurel Graeber">LAUREL GRAEBER</a></div>
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<nyt_text><span class="bold" style="font-weight: bold;">‘STONE SOUP’</span><br />
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<a href="" name="secondParagraph" style="color: #004276; text-decoration: underline;"></a>If learning to share is one of the basic lessons of childhood, why do many adults find it so hard?<br />
“Stone Soup,” a new musical from Literally Alive Children’s Theater, suggests a few reasons but is particularly intriguing in its proposed solution. Based on a folk tale with variations in several cultures, this adaptation by Michael Sgouros (music) and Brenda Bell (book and lyrics) unfolds during the Revolutionary War. Two weary American soldiers stumble into a town, requesting food. After being roundly refused, one announces that he will make the village a delicious soup that will deplete no one’s cupboard. Its only ingredients? Water and stones (magic ones of course).<br />
Before long, the residents are so mesmerized by his mysterious preparations and his hints that the recipe might be made more scrumptious that they offer to add the very goods they’ve withheld.<br />
Young audience members at a recent performance appeared to enjoy watching grown-ups being duped into selfless acts. (The show includes a small chorus of better-intentioned children.) While one soldier (Dustin Cross) seduces the locals with smooth talk, the other (Eric Fletcher, above with Paige Simunovich) provides broad comic relief, eagerly demonstrating to a skeptic how she can spit out her soup if she dislikes it. Although his buffoonery may make parents wince, theatergoers under 10 will be tickled.<br />
Fortunately, the hourlong show, directed by Carlo Rivieccio, has a subtler side. The women who turn away the soldiers aren’t generic meanies: Sarah, the schoolteacher (Luisa Sabella), misses a beloved brother killed in battle; Grace (Brianna Hurley), a war widow, fears taking risks; and Daphne Louise (Freddi Mack) worries about providing for the town. Ms. Bell’s script makes it clear that burdens should be shared too.<br />
Mr. Sgouros, who presides over a small percussion ensemble, begins his score with period fife-and-drum sounds and later ranges as far afield as jazz. When Ms. Mack as Daphne Louise finally lets down her hair (literally and figuratively), she belts out “Simmer,” a torchy number revealing that it isn’t just the soup that’s warming up.<br />
Like all Literally Alive productions, “Stone Soup” is preceded by an art workshop: each child makes a small clay pot. And lest audiences forget that we too are living in lean times, the company asks them to bring canned goods to be donated to City Harvest. (Saturday and Sunday, workshop at 10 a.m., show at 11, Players Theater, 115 Macdougal Street, near West Third Street, Greenwich Village, 212-352-3101, <a href="http://literallyalive.com/" style="color: #004276; text-decoration: underline;" target="_">literallyalive.com</a>; $25 to $40, including workshop.) <span class="bold" style="font-weight: bold;">LAUREL GRAEBER</span><br />
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<b><a href="http://www.nytimes.com/2009/08/14/arts/14kids.html">See The Original Review Here</a></b></nyt_text></div>
Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10093750208813470804noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2880107617433762549.post-18873482782159346372012-08-30T09:52:00.001-07:002012-08-30T09:52:50.851-07:00"Cinderella" Review | New York Times<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Georgia, serif; font-size: 12px;"></span><br />
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<a href="http://www.blogger.com/blogger.g?blogID=2880107617433762549#allposts" name="secondParagraph" style="color: #004276; text-decoration: underline;"></a>That unexpected twist embellishes Literally Alive Children’s Theater’s new musical adaptation of “Cinderella,” a tale that can seem as worn out as its overburdened heroine. Some companies try to give it fresh blood — and I do mean blood — by going to the Brothers Grimm version, in which the wicked stepsisters saw off heel and toe to make the lost slipper fit. Others try to inject contemporary humor. Since Literally Alive’s audience tends to be under 10 (and often under 5), it has wisely chosen the lighthearted route.<br />
In this production the fairy godmother turns out to be the household’s robust cook, Giselle (Brianna Hurley), who reassures Cinderella that it will be easy to transform the pumpkin and mice. “Nadine used to be a chicken,” she confides. The servant Nadine (Stefanie Smith, the show’s choreographer) then reveals feathered pantaloons, doing the best hen’s strut I’ve seen from a nonwinged creature.<br />
At this point the hourlong show, directed by Dustin Cross, acquires its own magic. Brenda Bell, who wrote the book and lyrics, provides several wry moments, including the return of the mean but not inhuman stepsisters (Freddi Mack and Danielle Beckmann), who complain that they were forced to walk home from the ball when a strange mess of smashed pumpkin pieces caused their coach to run off the road.<br />
Michael Sgouros, a percussionist who collaborated with Emily, his 12-year-old daughter, on the score, shows the versatility of his family of instruments, which give a world-music flavor to the later scenes. In the number “I Wish,” Giselle and Cinderella, played with sincerity but no saccharine by Carly Howard (above), use kitchen implements to join the musicians, and in “Off to the Ball,” drumbeats set up a comical disco diva routine in which the stepmother (Amanda Salvatore) and her daughters vogue, pausing intermittently to utter something pretentious.<br />
Like all Literally Alive productions, “Cinderella” begins with an hourlong workshop to explore the story and make a take-home craft. Here the children create pumpkins and wands. Their wands are usually far more fairylike than the earthy Giselle’s: hers is a wooden spoon. (Saturdays and Sundays, workshop at 10 a.m., and show at 11, through April 25 at the Players Theater, 115 Macdougal Street, near West Third Street, Greenwich Village, 212-352-3101, <a href="http://literallyalive.com/" style="color: #004276; text-decoration: underline;" target="_">literallyalive.com</a>; $25 to $40, including workshop. No show this Sunday.)</div>
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<a href="http://www.nytimes.com/2010/04/09/arts/09bkids.html">See The Review Here!</a>Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10093750208813470804noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2880107617433762549.post-19642025517209098632012-08-30T09:39:00.000-07:002012-08-30T09:39:01.706-07:00Cinderella Review<span class="Apple-style-span" style="-webkit-border-horizontal-spacing: 1px; -webkit-border-vertical-spacing: 1px;"></span><br />
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Cinderella by Literally Alive</h2>
<span class="posted"><b>Posted</b> March 6th, 2010 21:11</span><div class="article">
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When approaching a story as well-known and well-loved as Cinderella, a production company, and playwright, are faced with any number of obstacles. There are certain things that people expect, as well as the trials and tribulations of being compared to “the greats.” Everyone knows the story as it was told by either the Grimm brothers, or the classic Disney film which has inspired so many girls to dream and wish for their own handsome prince. However, Literally Alive’s production of<em>Cinderella </em>written by Brenda Bell manages to escape the confines of these giant productions and bring something new to the story, inspired by the version told by Charles Perrualt.</div>
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It’s slightly awkward to step into the Player’s Theatre on Saturday mornings if you aren’t bringing someone under the age of eight. We entered to find happy children and toddlers just finishing up their “wand making” session on the stage. Those who were already finished were flying around the theatre casting magic spells on whomever they could find. I remarked to the person I’d brought with me how, for a theatre lover like me, this will be a haven when I have my own children. Still, I’m sure we looked funny, two young twenty-somethings sitting toward the back of a theatre packed with kids and parents.</div>
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As Brenda Bell, writer of the show and founder of Literally Alive, took the stage to give the pre-show announcement I relaxed into my seat. She’s about as fun and as much of a child-at-heart as anyone can get. She got us all in the mood, and with a swish of every wand in the place, the show began. The set is simple, minor changes from scene to scene, and a giant storybook in the middle, which changed pages along with each new event to give the backdrop.</div>
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I could really break this down for you. I could tell you that the step-sisters were very fun, the step-mother extremely believable, and the costumes better than I expected for such a small production. I could tell you about Brianna Hurley who played Giselle, a fun mix between the cook and Cinderella’s not-yet-fully practiced Fairy Godmother and how fun she was to watch. I could tell you that the dances occasionally felt stifled on a stage so small, and I could tell you that I expected more out of the girl playing Cinderella, but that’s hardly the point here.</div>
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A show like this is out there for one purpose, and one purpose alone: The children. Literally Alive is a fantastic addition to any child’s life and I will someday happily take my kids to their productions. They’re warm and friendly, they’re theatrical and memorable. They make it a point to show the stories in a new light, while still giving a healthy dose of the canon text, which is obviously well loved by anyone who could name their company <em>Literally</em> Alive. In a time when literature is losing out to television and movies, this is a hidden gem that parents should be so grateful for. Is the production perfect? No. I can’t sit here and pretend the theatre critic and performer in me didn’t find flaws, because I did. But that isn’t the point, the point is it works for the kids, and they loved it. That made me love it.</div>
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Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10093750208813470804noreply@blogger.com0