Wow, 2023 was a remarkable year career-wise. Around the lengthy SAG-AFTRA strike (I spent a lot of time on the picket lines when not working!), I was flat-out offered four truly wonderful projects that brought me a lot of exciting challenges and rewards as an actor, and the joy of meeting a lot of wonderful new performers while also reuniting with old friends. I’m grateful for each and every moment of it all. In between all that, I recorded another audiobook, too!
As you can see from the photo below, 2023 was a year of big hats and big drama. My projects included:
R.E.S.T.—I played multiple versions of my leading character Sylvester in this super cool pilot for a sci-fi series shot entirely in 360 degree VR for brilliant writer/director/producer Charles Huddleston, with dear friend Michele Martin and an all-round fabulous cast.
Arsenic and Old Lace—Playing hapless Dr. Einstein at venerable Barnstormers was an unexpected treat and an absolute joy. I had heard about Barnstormers since my time in high school in New England; what a magical place it is! And being directed by old friend Clayton Phillips only made it even better. To top it all off, I received a Broadway World Awards nomination for Best Supporting Actor in a Play! So grateful.
Romeo and Juliet—Playing Friar Laurence in our COVID-delayed production was a long time coming, and worth the wait. What a wonderful cast and production, all helmed by the amazing Sean Hagerty of The Curtain theatre company (formerly Shakespeare@). It was a hit with critics and audiences alike.
Murder on the Orient Express—This one really was a dream come true: finally playing Hercule Poirot, directed by my amazing friend Peter Amster, at my beloved Maltz Jupiter Theatre, in the most physically stunning production of my career to date. And a sold out run, which the theatre hadn’t had since before lockdown. A huge thank you to Peter and to Producing Artistic Director Andrew Kato for entrusting this production to me.
I don’t know what acting gigs will come my way in 2024, but I can share that I’m hard at work on a number of my own writing projects and am insanely excited about them: a 12-character LGBTQ rethinking of Shakespeare’s Twelfth Night, and a new 5-character musical for which I wrote not just book and lyrics but music too! And I’m prepping to write another solo show very dear to my heart this April. I’ll share more when I can. In the meantime, happy new year! ❤️
