Review: Roughly Speaking

Homelessness is not an easy subject to discuss. There’s an assumption made about the homeless: they are lazy and they don’t want to work. This untruth unfolds through the 200 interviews collated to create Roughly Speaking. The play introduces the chaos that mental illness, addiction, loss, and economic hardship creates in the lives of people who don’t have a place to call their own as well as the means to access the right care

Set on vast stage with crates, planks and flats that allow for different looks, director Celine Rosenthal beautifully executes the touching and raw reality that we see day-to-day in New York City. The play breaks the fourth wall with narrator/rapper, Lightning.Bolt (Steven J. Michel) who keeps us in check between set changes. Alicia (Madeline McCray) and Tiny (Danny Bolero) passionately play the “parents” of the soup kitchen they run where the play is set. We see that through their own stories and their service to their community that also have hopes and dreams. The talented ensemble support the harrowing stories by playing multiple characters with difficult circumstances and weaknesses. Kudos to Christopher Michael McLamb who flawlessly transforms into two characters, Richie and W,   through his entrances and exit and at times right in front of the audience.

Roughly Speaking featured talk-backs with members of various entities includimg Coalition for the Homeless, Xavier Mission, New York Cares, Convenant House  and visual artist Willie Baronet who created the We Are All Homeless Art Installation. This is their closing weekend so do be sure to support the show and it’s worthy cause.

Roughly Speaking directed by Celine Rosenthal (Broadway’s Leap of Faith & Seminar)
with Franz Jones* (Broadway’s Big River), Danny Bolero* (Broadway’s In The Heights & Joseph & The Amazing Technicolor Dream Coat), Christopher Michael McLamb*, Steven J. Michel*, Michael Twaine*, Madeline McCray*, Troy Valjean Rucker*, Shara Ashley Zeiger*, Joanie Anderson

*members of Actors Equity Association

Through 11/20 Thurs-Sat 8pm,

Sundays 11/20, 2pm

Tada Theater 15 w. 28th st, NYC

Tickets on Smarttix through http://www.theplatformgroup.org

 

 

 

No Man’s Land – Opening 11/18

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Created by: The Company
Written & Directed by: Melissa Moschitto
Dramaturgy: Lynde Rosario
Featuring: Michael Ables, Mariah Freda, Jean Goto, Brian Demar Jones
Scenic Design: Sarah Edkins
Costume Design: Lux Haac
Lighting/Projection Design: Nic Christopher
Sound Design: Christopher Gillard
Press Representative: Emily Owens
Production Stage Manager: Allison Newcombe
Assistant Stage Manager: Mary Daniel
Artistic & Programming Intern: Sarah Pyatt
Asst. Director / Asst. Producer: Alex Randrup
Producer: Malini Singh McDonald

www.theanthropologists.org

Meet Christopher Gillard & No Man’s Land

Name: Christopher Gillard

What is your current project?

No Man’s Land

What’s next for you?

I’m scoring and sound designing a webseries

Who is your biggest inspiration right at this moment and why?

Hans Zimmer, because his body of work is just incredible

Want More?

Website: www.sound-haus.com
Twitter: @SoundHausAudio
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/soundhausaudio/


Show information (venue, dates, ticket info)

NO MAN’S LAND
November 17 – December 11
Thu – Sat at 7:30 pm | Sun at 5pm
No performances November 24 & 25
Tickets: $15 in advance online HERE, $20 at the door
Opening Night Benefit for The People’ Institute for Survival and Beyond.
November 18th – $35.
Click HERE for tickets.
Preview: November 17th – Pay What You Can

Meet Michael Ables & No Man’s Land

Name: Michael Ables

What is your current project?

No Man’s Land

Where are you performing it and why is it the right fit for your piece?

TheaterLab is large and bright and seems quite versatile. The design team bring excitement and diversity to this creation.

What’s next for you?

I’m always working on original music and club performances with Shock Yaw, Magnolia Blossum and Hank Williamsburg.

Who is your biggest inspiration right at this moment and why?

Justin Timberlake. He’s a Multi-million dollar triple threat from Tennessee. Big shoes to fill.

Want More?

YouTube: Michael Ables
Facebook & Instagram: mdables

Michael Ables (Tony) toured the former Soviet Union as Jack in “Jack and the Northwest Wind” and received scholarship to Saratoga International Theatre Institute 1997. After Skidmore, Michael moved to NYC to appear Off-Broadway in “Reefer Madness” and “The Godfaddah Workout” among other work. Favorite roles include Zero in “The Adding Machine,” Johnny Bogle in the world premiere of “What Sprang Off A Gypsy Rooster”and Bob Cratchit in Narrows Community Theatre’s production of Christmas Carol (Menken). Ables works in collaboration with Shock Yaw, Magnolia Blossum, Andy Fried, Hank Williamsburg, Nik Winstone and other artists throughout the world to create ☆Magnolia Roadshow☆Celebrate Diversity! Thanks to Cas, Malini and Melissa for this amazing opportunity.


Show information (venue, dates, ticket info)

NO MAN’S LAND
November 17 – December 11
Thu – Sat at 7:30 pm | Sun at 5pm
No performances November 24 & 25
Tickets: $15 in advance online HERE, $20 at the door
Opening Night Benefit for The People’ Institute for Survival and Beyond.
November 18th – $35.
Click HERE for tickets.
Preview: November 17th – Pay What You Can

Meet Lynde Rosario & No Man’s Land

Name: Lynde Rosario

What is your current project?

NO MAN’S LAND with The Anthropologists

Where are you performing it and why is it the right fit for your piece?
Theatre Lab

What’s next for you?

As Dramaturg I will be working with Letter of Marque Theater Company on their upcoming 3-phase project. Also as Dramaturg working on a new devised piece with The Humanist Project titled “Pirates with Lady Parts.” As script/continuity supervisor working on a sci-fi comedy short film titled “Futureboy” directed by Ryan Blackwell. As Co-Producer and Literary Manager working on Lady Plays Podcast, dramatizing new plays by women on a bi-monthly basis.

Want More? 
Twitter: https://twitter.com/LiteraryLynde
Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/literarylynde/

Lynde Rosario is a Dramaturg and Literary Associate with national and international theatre experience working with a range of production companies, from up-and-coming troupes to established theatre organizations. She is currently working as Dramaturg with The Anthropologists, Letter of Marque Theater Company, and The Humanist Project. She is also the Co-producer and Literary Manager of Lady Plays Podcast; a bi-monthly podcast that dramatizes new plays by women.


Show information (venue, dates, ticket info)

NO MAN’S LAND
November 17 – December 11
Thu – Sat at 7:30 pm | Sun at 5pm
No performances November 24 & 25
Tickets: $15 in advance online HERE, $20 at the door
Opening Night Benefit for The People’ Institute for Survival and Beyond.
November 18th – $35.
Click HERE for tickets.
Preview: November 17th – Pay What You Can

Meet Jean Goto & No Man’s Land

Name: Jean Goto

What is your current project?

No Man’s Land

Where are you performing it and why is it the right fit for your piece?

I’m performing it because it expresses so many things that I’m thinking about it my daily life. I also think this piece poses questions about our culture and society that are worth asking.

What’s next for you?

I’m shooting the first episode of a web series I wrote! Log-line: Amelia and Clark- optometrists by day, environmental crime fighters by night!

Who is your biggest inspiration right at this moment and why?

Cheryl Strayed. She is so wise and speaks from the heart.

Want More?

Website: www. jeangoto.com
Twitter: @JeanGoto

I’m a native New Yorker, hapa, actress. I graduated from NYU’s Tisch school of the Arts and The Maggie Flanigan Studio. I became a founding member of The Anthropologists way back in 2008. Currently I’m acting in whatever I can get my hands on and am writing/producing/directing up a storm! I am also a passionate environmentalist.


Show information (venue, dates, ticket info)

NO MAN’S LAND
November 17 – December 11
Thu – Sat at 7:30 pm | Sun at 5pm
No performances November 24 & 25
Tickets: $15 in advance online HERE, $20 at the door
Opening Night Benefit for The People’ Institute for Survival and Beyond.
November 18th – $35.
Click HERE for tickets.
Preview: November 17th – Pay What You Can

Meet Alex Randrup & No Man’s Land


Name: 
Alex Randrup

What is your current project?

No Man’s Land with The Anthropologists/Spring Awakening at United Solo

Where are you performing it and why is it the right fit for your piece?

NML is at TheatreLab: it’s a great fit for my dual-hat-wearing director-producer-brain. I love that connective place where the creativity of directing and the get-er-done mindset of producing meet! Spring Awakening is at United Solo and is a delicious piece for me as I collaborate with the writer/performer on creating his world and journey, literally taking the original play apart and collaging it back together.

What’s next for you?

Continuing to co-curate FEAST: A Performance Series, which happens every first Wednesday of the month at 7pm at UNDER St. Marks!

Who is your biggest inspiration right at this moment and why?

The pipeline protesters at Standing Rock. Everyone who is at this very moment standing up for their lives, their rights, their families, and their land. It is a brave act and deserves recognition for showing true leadership at a time where our traditional positions of leadership have become fodder for cynicism, divisive attitudes, and memes.

Want More?

Website: alexrandrup.com
Facebook: Like FEAST: A Performance Series: https://www.facebook.com/FeastPerformance

Alex Randrup (Assistant Director/Assistant Producer) is co-curator of FEAST: A Performance Series at UNDER St. Marks, and most recently directed Spring Awakening at United Solo. In this past year she was a member of Directors Lab North, participated in Barn Arts Theater’s Hamilton Residency and held a directing residency with Rebel Theatre Company. alexrandrup@gmail.com.


Show information (venue, dates, ticket info)

NO MAN’S LAND
November 17 – December 11
Thu – Sat at 7:30 pm | Sun at 5pm
No performances November 24 & 25
Tickets: $15 in advance online HERE, $20 at the door
Opening Night Benefit for The People’ Institute for Survival and Beyond.
November 18th – $35.
Click HERE for tickets.
Preview: November 17th

SPRING AWAKENING at United Solo on November 12th at 4pm. http://unitedsolo.org/us/springawakening-2016/ f

or more info!

FEAST: A PERFORMANCE SERIES at UNDER St. Marks. Every first Wednesday at 7pm. https://www.facebook.com/FeastPerformance for more info!

Meet Ben Davis & Lenny Bruce is Not Afraid

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Name: Ben Davis

What is your current project?

Lenny Bruce is Not Afraid

Where are you performing it and why is it the right fit for your piece?

I’m currently producing for my friend Mark at Studio 353, West 48th Street. He has some subtle and not-so-subtle references to this year and the election, as well as a different take on the exploration of relationships. It fits with some of my personal attitudes and I both enjoy and have performed some very dark roles, so I compliment the team well.

What’s next for you?
Getting Artists Produced “Socials” (GAPS)

Who is your biggest inspiration right at this moment and why?

Want More?

Website: http://www.bendavisarts.com
Twitter: https://twitter.com/BenDavisArts
Instagram: @therealbendavisarts
Google +: bendavisarts

Ben Davis (Executive Producer) (www.bendavisarts.com) is an Artist-Entrepreneur developing alternatives that make ‘the making of art’ affordable for professional creators. He has become a key hybrid team member that can translate artistic integrity into practical business solutions. Ben has worked as an associate producer for the Creative and Casting Directors of Chicago: The Musical (Broadway). He was also Executive Producer for the independent New York production of Mother Knows Best (by Deb Radloff). In college, he founded and managed an all-volunteer music management group, Phonofusion Records, which produced over 30 live events in and around Rutgers University-New Brunswick, while also reducing the cost of studio expenses for musicians. As an actor, his highlights include Chamber Theatre Productions, Florida Studio Theatre, Shakespeare Theatre of New Jersey, and Theater For The New City, including a few wild runs on camera, such as Dates From Hell, and a voiceover gig for Eleanor Roosevelt. He has a both BA Theater (Mason Gross School of the Arts) degree and BA Communication degree (Rutgers). You can learn about all his work at http://www.bendavisarts.com.


Show information (venue, dates, ticket info)

Studio 353 (353 West 48th Street, 11/2, FREE

RSVP @ http://www.lennybruceisnotafraid.eventbrite.com (wine & water by donation)

Review: The Other Mozart with Jody Christopherson

“I’m only my brother’s pupil.”

Once upon time before my foray into theatre, I was a singer who studied music and eventually majored in music for 2 years before I realized that it wasn’t my calling. My inspiration: Wolfgang Amadeus Mozart. He’s my favorite composer. He’s brilliant.

I was sad that I missed The Other Mozart when it premiered last year especially since I was in the audience when the creator and performer, Sylvia Milo, and her team, won two New York Innovative Theatre Awards. So when I learned that it was being reprised with fellow indie theatre artist, Jody Christopherson, I was getting to The Players!

I wasn’t disappointed. It was worth the wait. The Other Mozart is about the sister of Amadeus, Nannerl Mozart, a virtuoso and accomplished composer in her own right whose story was lost to the annals of time. The solo performance art piece is set in and on a majestic and imperial 18-foot dress which fills the stage. It is on and in this dress, that Jody Christopherson beautifully and poignantly engages the audience with this haunting story of Nannerl’s life: the talented sister who accompanied her genius brother on tour throughout Western Europe; the daughter who was both praised and subjugated as well as touted and urged to be domesticated by her parents; the wife who became a baroness to raise his children and then hers in the wilderness.

Under the flawless direction of Isaac Byrne, the music created by Nathan Davis and Phyllis Chen supported the narrative laid out by Christopherson. The costume designs by Magdalena Dabrowaka and Miodrag Guberinic are art pieces and will inspire any artist who sees this show.

For me, I wish I knew about Nannerl when I was growing up. Instead of writing an essay on Mozart, I wrote a 20 page poem based on his life when I was in high school. My recollection of her being mentioned all those years ago are vague. And how apropos and timely this piece is in the climate we are enduring. A feminist manifesto of how it was for women and how fortunate we are today.


Show Info:

Little Matchstick Factory presents:
The Other Mozart: the forgotten story of Mozart’s genius sister
Written by Sylvia Milo
Directed by Isaac Byrne

Performances Sept 23 – Nov 13 and Jan 6 – 9 at the Players Theatre

Performed (in rotation) by Sylvia Milo, Samantha Hoefer, Daniela Galli and introducing Jody Christopherson*
Location:
The Players Theater is located at 115 MacDougal Street, 3rd floor, no elevator (b/w Bleecker and West 3rd Streets). A/B/C/D/E/F/M trains to West 4th Street stop.

Tickets: $45-$65 available online at https://web.ovationtix.com/trs/cal/277 or by calling866-811-4111. Tickets may also be purchased in-person at the theatre’s box office 1⁄2 hour prior to performance. Student tickets $15 available at the door.

More info at: http://www.theOtherMozart.com

Meet Christin Eve Cato & El Coqui Espectacular and The Bottle of Doom

Name: Christin Eve Cato

What is your current project?

El Coqui Espectacular and The Bottle of Doom

Where are you performing it and why is it the right fit for your piece?

The Julia de Burgos Center for Culture & Performing Arts in El Barrio. This neighborhood is so fitting for the play since it is composed of a large Latino demographic and is right now the center of the gentrifying buzz. The play highlights Latino identity in America, gentrification in NYC, and how the media contributes to these factors.

What’s next for you?

I am working on a couple of web-series: “Meet” & “Slayer”. I will also be developing a children’s book series, “Callaloo”, to have it’s theatrical production debut, “Callaloo Live”, in NYC!

Who is your biggest inspiration right at this moment and why?

My biggest inspiration are my peers right now. I am so lucky to belong to a community of artists that are constantly challenging me, creating with me, and developing work with me. Together, we are inspiring each other to do more and make a difference. Having and belonging to a community is so integral for our souls, our creativity, and most importantly, our Art.

Want More?
Website:
Twitter: @ccato87
Instagram: @Lady_Cato87

Christin Eve Cato is an award-winning actor from New York City with a background in performing arts, playwriting, and production. She is a graduate of Fiorello H. LaGuardia High School for Music and Art and the Performing Arts, and of Fordham University. You can usually catch her at INTAR Theatre, as a member of Unit52. Christin is also a member of the Hip-Hop Theatre Company, Rhymes Over Beats. Heavily active in the Theatre community, she is also Co-Chair of Diversity of the YPAC-board of Theater Resources Unlimited, and is one of the Co-Founders of La Coop (La Cooperativa of New York Latinx Artists) a collective of theatre artists created to bridge the gaps existing in the Latino Theatre Community. She is also a member of New York Women in Film & Television. Born and raised in the Bronx, with a Puerto Rican and Jamaican heritage, Christin has a very unique approach to her artistic style. A mix of caribbean culture, inner-city life, and socio-economic influences. Both an artist and academic, she brings an urban vibe and higher existential understanding to the work which she creates. She is the founder of Cambreleng Productions, LLC., an award-winning production company dedicated to creating films and documentaries based on these principles.


Show information (venue, dates, ticket info)

EL COQUÍ ESPECTACULAR AND THE BOTTLE OF DOOM tells the story of Alex, a comic book artist whose ideas might be “too Puerto Rican,” has begun secretly dressing up as his creation: El Coquí Espectacular, defender of Nuyoricans in all five boroughs! When his brother Joe risks being fired from a project for not being Puerto Rican enough, the two, with the help of a young photographer named Yesica, hatch a plan: to debut El Coquí at the Puerto Rican Day Parade and prove themselves to the world. El Coquí Espectacular and the Bottle of Doom examines the ways in which we define our heritage and ourselves.

Written by Matt Barbot
Directed by Nelson T. Eusebio III
FEATURING Michael John Improta Christin Cato Omar Perez Andrew Rincón Annie Henk
Thursday, November 3th, 8PM
Friday, November 4th, 8PM
Saturday, November 5th, 8PM
Sunday, November 6th, 3:00PM
Thursday, November 10th, 8PM
Friday, November 11th, 8PM
Saturday, November 12th, 8PM
Sunday, November 13th, 3PM