Here’s the first trailer for “Grapes of Wrath,” which starts performances on 3/12 at Asolo Repertory Theatre in Sarasota, FL. I’m not shown in this teaser, but am busy growing my beard to play former preacher Jim Casy. We’ll have fire, a river, rain, a truck, great live music, and a lot of wonderful performances. Stay tuned! (If the video doesn’t show below, try reloading this page in your browser.)
Fun New Sign for “Vanya and Sonia and Masha and Spike” at Asolo Rep
I had to share this snapshot. My husband Tim came to see the show the other day, and on our way to the box office to pick up his tickets, we came across this new placard in front of the theatre. What fun! The director of our upcoming production The Grapes of Wrath actually has me growing a full beard now to play preacher Jim Casy, so at this point my Vanya and my characters in Philadelphia, Here I Come! are of necessity also bearded now. But if you know the script for Vanya, the beard works perfectly for some of the visual humor.
New Trailer for “Philadelphia, Here I Come!” at Asolo Rep
Here’s a new trailer for our lovely production of Brian Friel’s classic play Philadelphia, Here I Come! directed by Frank Galati at Asolo Rep. If you don’t blink, you’ll catch a fleeting glimpse of me as Canon O’Byrne! I also make a brief appearance in this production (though not in this video clip) as Ben Burton, the only American in the story. It’s a beautiful show; if you’re in the area, I highly recommend it to you. And while you’re at it, try to catch a performance of our hit production of Vanya and Sonia and Masha and Spike, in which I play Vanya. (If the video doesn’t load below, try reloading this page in your browser.)
I will be joining Artistic Director Michael Donald Edwards to speak about Philadelphia, Here I Come! prior to tonight’s 2/15 performance, as part of the theatre’s regular OUT@Asolo program. I look forward to seeing members of Sarasota’s LGBT community there!
Another Fun Interview for Our Hit “Vanya and Sonia and Masha and Spike”
Here’s a link to another interview I participated in recently for our hit production of Chris Durang’s sublime Vanya and Sonia and Masha and Spike at Asolo Rep. This one centers on the comic potential to be mined from sibling rivalry–something with which almost every family can identify.
I’m told tickets are selling fast, and that the remainder of our run is expected to sell out based on the rave reviews and the great word of mouth our show is generating. Links to the reviews are coming soon!
Vanya and Sonia and Masha and Spike Opens Tonight at Asolo Rep!
Well, it’s here already. The past two nights we’ve had great previews, and now tonight at 8pm, we’ll officially open Asolo Rep’s production of Chris Durang’s wonderful, Tony-winning Vanya and Sonia and Masha and Spike, directed by the inspired and inspiring Peter Amster.
I am beyond thrilled to be playing Vanya with this director, cast, designers, and theatre. And judging by the audience responses to our preview performances, the audiences are going to love this production. This play has all the offbeat, wacky humor you’d expect from Chris Durang, but it also has an undercurrent of deep feeling that is taking us all on an amazing journey. And for anyone who grew up during the 1950’s in the U.S., the play will have an especially strong resonance.
I have been advised that this production is expected to sell out its entire run; if you’re in the area and planning on coming, please do buy your tickets soon! You won’t want to miss a couple of hours in the company of this zany and lovely cast of characters. You will leave feeling very good, indeed.
Congratulations, all!!
Interview About “Vanya and Sonia and Masha and Spike” Opening Friday 1/24
We’re halfway through Tech rehearsals now, and we’re on schedule to open Chris Durang’s wonderful Vanya and Sonia and Masha and Spike this Friday evening at Asolo Rep. Even as we add Ann Wrightson’s elegant lighting, Jennifer Caprio’s witty costumes, and Matt Parker’s playful sound design to Ray Klausen’s beautiful set (which already feels like home), we’re digging deeper into the play and its quirky and all-too-human characters. New discoveries continue for all of us as we play in our new space. We have preview performances on Wednesday and Thursday night, leading up to Friday’s opening.
Here’s an interview with me, Anne-Marie Cusson (Masha), and our director Peter Amster, from the Sarasota Herald Tribune. Enjoy! If you’re in the area–come see the show; it’s funny and zany, with a big heart underneath. We will run in rep through April 13th. You can read about the whole season and see the performance calendar here.
Teaser Video for Vanya and Sonia and Masha and Spike at Asolo Rep
We’re now in Tech rehearsals for Vanya and Sonia and Masha and Spike, directed by the brilliant Peter Amster, and our official opening is this coming Friday, January 24th. Even Tech is fun for this show! Here’s a little teaser that the clever folks at Asolo Rep have just released for the show (if the image doesn’t load, try refreshing this page in your browser):
Philadelphia Here I Come! Opens Tonight at Asolo Repertory Theatre!
Well, it’s here at last! Tonight I make my formal Asolo Rep debut as we open Frank Galati’s eloquent production of Brian Friel’s early masterpiece, Philadelphia, Here I Come!
Working with Frank has been a quiet revelation. His rehearsal room is a nurturing environment for organic collaboration; all ideas are given genuine and gracious consideration, and notes to actors are provided with generosity and supportiveness. Not since working with Peter Amster (as Fate would have it, Frank’s partner, and dance consultant on this production) have I felt so respected and appreciated as an actor. I firmly believe that Frank and Peter should be leading Master Classes for young directors on how to get the best out of actors, and scripts.
Frank’s perspective is remarkable: he does so much homework, and simply knows so much already; yet right up to yesterday’s final rehearsal with the company, he was still revisiting and rethinking, exploring and honing moments even further with the innocence of a wise child, conferring with his actors every step of the way. The performances he has drawn from us all, and the seamless, cinematic storytelling he has created, are nothing less than extraordinary.
Frank has also had the support of a host of superb artists to bring our version of Friel’s mythical town of Ballybeg to life: Russell Metheny (set design), Mara Blumenfeld (costume design), Paul Miller (lighting design), Kevin Kennedy (sound design), Michelle Hart (wigs & make-up), and Patricia Delorey (dialect coach), as well as Asolo Rep’s superb resident tech and costume teams, and dramaturg Lauren Sasso–not to mention Stephanie Klapper Casting and Simon Casting! Our Stage Manager Patrick Lanczki has guided us all through rehearsals and tech with grace and assurance, ably aided by ASMs Lauren Batson and Mary McElroy. The list is a long one. And the result of all this collaboration is nothing less than magical.
I don’t come on until near the end of the play, so on the night of our first preview earlier this week, I was able to tiptoe out and watch most of the performance from the back of the audience. The work onstage by my fellow performers was so lovely I had trouble tearing myself away to make my entrance! Laughter and heartbreak go hand in hand in our Ballybeg.
I am honored to be Canon O’Byrne in this beautiful production. Happy Opening to all!
Happy Holidays to One and All!
Happy Holidays, everyone! Here I am with the wonderful Michael Donald Edwards, the Producing Artistic Director of Asolo Repertory Theatre, who is acting as “Santa” to over 60 talented performers and musicians this season by providing us with employment in live theatre at one of the finest institutions in the country!
I hope wherever you are, you are with loved ones, or busy making new friends, and creating new happy holiday memories.
Newspaper Article and Photos on Celebrating the Holidays in Style at Asolo Repertory Theatre
Well, my goodness. Time is just flying by! I’m in rehearsals for two plays now, but I’m happy to report that the folks at Asolo Repertory Theatre make sure that all of us out-of-towners feel included when they take time out for holiday festivities.
Last week there was a very entertaining Alice in Wonderland-themed holiday party in the lobby of the Mertz Theatre; I was impressed at the creativity on display–and by all the tasty foods and beverages, appropriately labeled “Eat Me” and “Drink Me,” respectively. And given that I’m a major Lewis Carroll fan, it was all kind of perfect.
There was also an extremely silly and fun high-tech “photo booth” where we all took turns lining up for random group photographs, and then all the people in the photograph had to agree on a suitable background to be applied to the image.
Here’s one of me with Michael Donald Edwards (Producing Artistic Director and also Director of our upcoming The Grapes of Wrath), Peter Amster (Director of Vanya and Sonia and Masha and Spike), and Jefferson McDonald (Spike in the aforementioned comedy). We went for a superhero intergalactic feel:
And here’s another of Peter, Jefferson, and me with Anne-Marie Cusson (Masha in the aforesaid comedy) in a more play-appropriate pastoral setting:
And here is a photo of me with Tyla Abercrumbie, who plays Cassandra (in that certain afore-noted comedy!). We found a traditional red curtain backdrop that suited us both:
Missing from our Vanya “family photos” were Peggy Roeder (Sonia) who was upstairs at a wig fitting, and Tori Grace Hines (Nina), who was hard at work in another part of the building!
I was also one of the actors interviewed for a sweet article by journalist Carrie Seidman in this past Sunday’s Sarasota Herald Tribune about what it’s like for performers to spend the holidays away from their loved ones. Unsurprisingly my focus was on the fact that my husband Tim will arrive on 12/26 for a visit. That’s what will make my holidays truly complete. But in the meantime, we had another unofficial (and very fun) holiday party last night, and Christmas day I may well spend on Lido beach with some of my new friends.
I wish you all the happiest of holidays. If you’re not with your loved ones, be in touch with them, and seize the opportunity to make new friends and “family” wherever you are. Enjoy.