Classic Moments with Julie Halston

I have interviewed Julie Halston several times over the past four years, but for the first time, I was invited into her New York City apartment to talk about her one-woman show Classical Julie, which combines classic Halston rants with brand new material, including her inimitable take on Ibsen and other highly literate writers.

This month long show will be part of Jim Caruso's Broadway at Birdland (315 West 44th Street, between 8th & 9th Avenue) every Monday in March: 4, 11, 18, 25. Showtime is 7pm. Click here for tickets!

For more on Julie be sure to visit http://www.juliehalstononline.com and follow her on Facebook and Twitter!

You Say Tomato, I Say Shut Up! Cast Interview

Gabrielle Mirabella (Annabelle) is a Florida native with a degree from the Manhattan School of Music. After studying in NYC, for both theatre and opera, Mirabella is busy cramming as many new and wonderful opportunities into her career as possible. Favorite regional theatre credits include "Velma" in Hairspray and "Laura" in Swing!

Jonathan Van Dyke (Jeff) recently appeared in Boeing Boeing, Holiday Inc, and I Love You, You’re Perfect Now Change. National tour credits include Bye Bye Birdie and, with Gennifer Flowers, Oh Calcutta. A member of the Dramatist Guild, he is the writer of the award-winnign Spring at the Willowbrook Inn.

Now Jonathan and Gabrielle are starring together in the 2nd National Tour of Annabelle Gurwitch and Jeff Kahn's hilarious comedy You Say Tomato, I Say Shut Up! kicking off at Queens Theatre from November 30-December 9. Queens Theatre is located at 14 United Nations Avenue South, Flushing Meadows Corona Park. Click here for tickets!

1. Who or what inspired you to become a performer?

Jonathan: My parents parked me down to watch West Side Story on TV when I was about 8 years old and after that I was hooked.

Gabrielle: Not being very good at math or sports in school. I've been on stage since I was a little one and never left. I have a million female comedy icons, and after working on this show I have added Annabelle Gurwitch to that list!

2. Who haven't you worked with that you would like to?

Jonathan: Gosh so many! I always had a thing for Lynda Carter. Not sure what we would work on, but perhaps there is a project in our future.

Gabrielle: The entire cast of Parks and Recreation.

3. What attracted you to "I Say Tomato, You Say Shut Up!"?

Jonathan: I thought the script was great fun, while remaining realistic. If you can laugh at the up's and down's of love -- and know that everyone goes through it, I think it is comfort. A two person show can be a challenge and it was one I wanted to try.

Gabrielle: I love sarcasm and humor and this play has both to the extreme.

4. What do you hope audiences come away with after seeing the show?

Jonathan: Definitely hope there are some laughs! I hope they look at their spouse or partner and with some understanding and know t isn't ever going to be perfect but that is OK. You are there for one another.

Gabrielle: Hopefully not a headache from hearing our voices for 70 minutes. I love seeing couples laughing and poking each other in the ribs as they leave the theater.

5. What do you identify most with about your characters?

Jonathan: I think I am pretty easy going and a bit romantic like "Jeff" but I am also down to business like "Annabelle." I can understand qualities in both.

Gabrielle: Always being right and being highly allergic to "romantic love." Get me a box of cupcakes from "Magnolia" and a 30 Rock marathon and I'm yours!

6. What excites you about performing at Queens Theatre and starring on the 2nd National Tour of the show? 

Jonathan: The theatre is amazing. My first time here and I did not realize what an auspicious history it has. Having done the show in Tampa and then coming to the Queens Theatre for our first stop on tour is beyond exciting for Gabby and I. Everyone at the theatre has been so friendly and working with Darren Katz as our director has been a highlight.

Gabrielle: Queens is the land of my people, at least my Father and a few cousins. I am excited for the tour mainly as an excuse to hang out with my cute costar for a few months without him being able to run away.

7. What have you enjoyed about working with each other so far?

Jonathan: Gabby and I have a ball. We met working on this and have since become good friends. Looking forward to her being my "wife" in the upcoming months.

Gabrielle: He's really handsome and knows how to handle an audience like only a great actor can. Did I mention he is really good looking?

8. What have you learned about yourself from being performers?

Jonathan: hmmmm..I think I am really fond of these intimate shows where you can connect with audience. They are a big part of our show. We talk to them and they definitely talk back. The audience is like our 3rd performer. So I have learned that this type of material really resonates with me. I hope to do more shows like Tomato.

Gabrielle: After attempting to be a ballerina, tap dancer, serious actor, comic actor, musical theater actor and the all too crippling opera singer, I've realized I just need a lot of attention.

9. What's the best advice you've ever received?

Jonathan: Don't be too serious...Life is full of curve balls. Roll with the punches. Keep on keepin on and good things happen.

Gabrielle: "If you're gonna reach for a star, reach for the lowest one you can."- Strangers with Candy

10. If you could dream about anyone while you sleep, who would it be? 

Jonathan: ummm...I'm not sure the correct way to answer this...What kind of dream are we talking about? Is my mother going to read this?

Gabrielle: Jon Hamm or Jonathan Van Dyke. But it's usually Jon Hamm.

BONUS QUESTIONS:

11. Favorite way to spend your day off? 

Jonathan: Being from FL, I really like the beach.

Gabrielle: In the kitchen baking every recipe I can get my hands on.

12. Favorite way to stay in shape?

Jonathan: I am on an ALL carbohydrate diet...I have not lost a single pound but I am going to stick with it. I do like to run.

Gabrielle: Running in my weird glove shoes.

13. If you could have any super power, which one would you choose?

Jonathan: FLYING!

Gabrielle: Being able to taste the food on the Food Network through the TV screen.

Susie Mosher: NEWSical the Musical Interview

Susie Mosher is a comedian, actress, and singer who will make you laugh without fail! Her theatrical credits include a triumphant turn in Broadway's Hairspray and Off-Broadway's Suds and Back to Bacharach & David. Susie has also delighted television audiences with guest starring roles on Nurse Jackie, Without A Trace, HBO’s If These Walls Could Talk 2 w/Vanessa Redgrave, Beverly Hills 90210, Veronica’s Closet, and a recurring role on Showtime’s The L Word. Susie has lit up the screen in such films as A View From The Top, Lost Souls, It's Pat, The Wedding Planner, and Bear City 2: the Proposal. Susie is the host of the weekly show, BACKSTAGE at the new theater hot spot 54 Below.

Currently, Susie is cracking audiences up in the hit Off-Broadway show NEWSical the Musical along with Christine Pedi, Michael West, Christina Bianco, Tommy Walker, and a rotating cast of special guest stars which included Perez Hilton, Andrea McArdle (through December 2) and Cheri Oteri (December 3-30). NEWSical the Musical plays at Theatre Row's Kirk Theatre (410 West 42nd Street, between 9th & 10th Avenue). Click here for tickets and be sure to follow the show on Facebook and Twitter!

1. Who or what inspired you to become a performer? Seeing Camelot at the Circle Arts Theatre in San Diego when I was eight years old.

2. Who haven't you worked with that you would like to? Oh Jeez. So many people. I would have to write a list a mile long and nobody wants that.

3. What attracted you to "NEWSical the Musical?" I love the cast. Christine Pedi is an icon, NOBODY is better at capturing the essence of a celebrity and making them instantly recognizable. Her Liza is a reason to live. And Michael West and Tommy Walker are both so hilarious.

4. What do you hope audiences come away with after seeing the show? I want them to come away thinking "I haven't laughed like that in a long time."

5. What has been the best part about joining this talented cast? Well, they keep me on my toes. I am not an impressionist, so I have to find my niche in this crowd. They inspire me to come at things from a different angle and to create fresh funny characters that make them laugh.

6. What do you enjoy most about skit comedy? Again, it's fast and furious. The day after Obama was re-elected we were doing two new pieces reflecting the election. It's scary doing stuff in front of an audience that you just learned the day before, but it's also exhilarating. It's Kamikaze Theater. You may die in a ball of flames, but you feel super alive while you are doing it.

7. What are some of your favorite websites to get hard news and pop culture news from? Perez Hilton of course. and I just click on CNN to get the headlines.

8. What have you learned about yourself from being a performer? That I'm a deeply insecure individual who is still six years old standing in my living room saying "look at me! look at me!"

9. What's the best advice you've ever received? Nothing really matters.

10. If you could dream about anyone while you sleep, who would it be? That Meryl Streep and I were best friends, and we were always hanging out with Bobby De Niro and Steve Sondheim. Oh I guess I kinda answered the question about who I'd like to work with just then. Exactly...only in my dreams.

Tituss Burgess: Comfortable Interview

Photo Credit: Jennifer Leigh MannI first interviewed Tituss Burgess in 2009 when he participated in the Cutting-Edge Composers II. Since that time, the rising R&B vocalist and songwriter who has starred on television in the Emmy Award winning NBC comedy "30 Rock" and on Broadway in "Jersey Boys" and "The Little Mermaid" has announced the release of his exciting and personal debut album "Comfortable."

Produced by Tituss Burgess and Donnie Kehr, "Comfortable" is a unique and intensely-personal collection of Tituss's original R&B songs that frankly and emotionally explore issues of life and love. In a project that's been in development for two years, he sings boldly and openly about feeling safe in his own skin. "All I Need" is melodic and reflective request for a new love. Displaying his incredible vocal range, "I'll Be Alright" is a nakedly emotional reaction to a troubled relationship, further heightened by a stirring string arrangement. "Stop Calling Me," riding a groove influenced by Steve Wonder's hits of the 1970s, takes an honest look at the financial realities of being a performer in New York. Both this track and "It's Over" hold up expertly with the best of adult contemporary radio. The driving "Glass Ceiling" reflects the inspiration of 1980s performers like Phil Collins. The album's bonus track is a soaring rendition of the popular standard, "For All We Know," recorded live at B.B. King's.

To celebrate the release of "Comfortable," Tituss will perform a special CD release concert at New World Stages (340 West 50th Street) with a 10-piece band on Sunday, October 14 at 11:00 PM. Tickets are $12 in advance and $15 at the door. Click here to purchase tickets!

"Comfortable" will be available at iTunes and CDBaby.com.

For more on Tituss be sure to visit http://www.titussburgess.com and follow him on Facebook and Twitter!

1. Since we last spoke in 2009, you have been starring on NBC's hit Emmy Award winning comedy show "30 Rock" in the recurring role of "D'Fawn." What attracted you to "30 Rock" and what have you enjoyed about being on the show? Well, what actor in his right mind would turn down an offer from "30 Rock." And besides they gave me great freedom with my character.

2. You have also performed with some of the biggest symphonies around the world. What does it mean to you to have these opportunities? What did you like most about getting to see the world in such style? If it weren't for the symphonic work I would not have the opportunity to see the world as I've had. I'm not much of a traveler so this has been a bit of a push to get me to see the world.

Photo Crediit: Jennifer Leigh Mann3. Now you are about to release your debut album "Comfortable." How did you come up with the title for the album? "Comfortable" is kind of the common denominator between all of the songs. Not to mention its the title of one of the tracks.

4. All of the songs on the album are originals which you penned. What is your favorite part of the creative process in writing songs? Where is your favorite place to write? My favorite part of the creative process is that no one gets to tell me what to do. Haha. Inspiration strikes me in the most random places.

5. From the press release, it seems the songs you are presenting, are very personal. What is like to expose yourself in this way to your fans? People who know me know that it's hard for me to hide my feelings. And so why would I hide from my fans. I want them to know what's going on.

6. What do you hope listeners come away with after hearing your album? I think listeners would be pleasantly surprised with the new material while still getting the classic sound of Tituss.

Photo Crediit: Jennifer Leigh Mann7. What do you get from writing your own music that you do not get from starring in a theatrical or television show? Because I'm saying/singing my words and not theirs.

8. What have you learned about yourself from being a singer/songwriter/actor? I've learned that I have a wide emotional range and I must express it.

9. What's the best advice you've ever received? If you want something done do it yourself.

10. If you could dream about anyone while you sleep, who would it be? I would love to dream about Beyonce, of course!

BONUS QUESTIONS:

11. Favorite way to spend your day off? Eating and sleeping.

12. If you could have any super power, which one would you choose? Fly like Superman.

Sarah Brown: Shooting Stars in Jordan Interview

Sarah Brown is an actor, published playwright, songwriter, Fulbright Scholar & professor of performance at The University of Memphis. Appearing in New York & regional theatre, as well as film & television, since she was 7 years old, she has also authored two plays with music that have been published by Samuel French, Inc. & along with other works, have been performed or work-shopped, at the NY Theatre Workshop, The Public Theatre, American Place Theatre, American Jewish Theatre & the Miranda Theatre Company. She’s been honored to perform her one-person shows in both the regional United States & at International venues, including Edinburgh, Glasgow, London & Israel. Her satirical play about artistic censorship during the reign of Queen Elizabeth I was produced in London at Theatre 503 by the Practicum Theatre Company. Sarah received her M.F.A. from Yale School of Drama. Sarah comes from a theatrical family. Her late mother, Patricia Brown, was a theatre director & actress who was the Founding Director of Theatre Communications Group & the Executive Artistic Director of the Alley Theatre in Houston, Texas & a winner of the Burns Mantle Award for her production of Alan Ayckbourn's "Seasons Greetings" in the late 80’s at the Joyce Theatre in New York.

Sarah's latest show, "Shooting Stars in Jordan" directed by Karen Carpenter ("Love, Loss, & What I Wore"), will be part of the 2012 NYC International Fringe Festival from August 12-22.

"Shooting Stars in Jordan" is the tale of An American Jewish woman who gets lost on her tour to Jordan during an emotional collapse & seeks the advice of a mysterious shopkeeper who sets her on a wild, funny & cathartic journey through her own psychic wilderness. This one-woman tour-de-force had its World Premiere at The International Teatronetto Festival in Tel Aviv, one of the major Solo Show Festivals in the World, in 2011.

"Shooting Stars in Jordan" plays at the New Ohio Theatre (154 Christopher Street, between Greenwhich and Washington Street). For tickets, click on the date you want to see the show: Sunday, August 12, at 2:15pm, Thursday, August 16 at 9:15pm, Friday, August 17 at 7:15pm, Sunday, August 19 at 2:45pm, Wednesday, August 22 at 3:45pm.

1. Who or what inspired you to become a playwright? I was in an acting workshop in New York and was assigned a scene partner that no one else wanted. He wasn’t really an actor and I couldn’t imagine what scene we could possibly do together. So my solution was to write a scene with a character that he could play well….so I did! And it went over great! People commented that it was funny and moving and it occurred to me I should also be playwriting. I also found it very empowering over acting, something I could do without necessarily relying on other people, especially if I could write for myself. I went on to write short plays as a company member at the Pulse Ensemble Theatre, which were produced by Alexa Kelly and then subsequently published by Samuel French. From then on I decided, "I’m an actress, playwright." I still use the word "actress" by the way. I like it. 

2. Who haven't you worked with that you would like to? It would be easier for me to answer "who I’d like to work with again?!" Paul Giammatti. He makes it easy. He also insists that I’m not a pain in the ass with my relentless ideas about how to get laughs. We played opposite each other in a commedia-style "The Love of Three Oranges" by Carlo Gozzi….and we had a lot of freedom to play in that production and come up with our own schtick. Everyday I was in Paul’s face with something else I wanted to try…and unlike some actors who might get pretty annoyed or think that I should leave well enough alone – Paul was always right there with me. He is absolutely hilarious and 'gets it' of course. One of the few co-actors whose made me feel like I’m perfectly sane! 

3. What made you want to write "Shooting Stars in Jordan"? I was in Israel on a Fulbright Scholarship teaching Commedia del 'Arte and Solo Performance at the University of Haifa in 2010-2011. I received the Fulbright through the University of Memphis where I decided to teach in 2007. It was because of the decision to leave New York and move to Memphis, TN to teach theatre that I ended up in Israel for a year on that Fulbright. I had so much material to draw from in my own life – lots of tragedy and miracles. I pitched my show BEFORE I’D WRITTEN IT, to one of the producers of the International Teatroneto Festical in Tel Aviv, a very distinguished solo show festival, and he gave me a slot! I couldn’t believe it. So I had 6 weeks to write and produce a show. I did it and it was a wonderful success!

4. What do you hope audiences come away with after seeing "Shooting Stars in Jordan"? I hope that they come away believing that going through hell can yield amazing psychic gifts and renewal!

5. What excites you most about having Karen Carpenter direct "Shooting Stars in Jordan"? Karen Carpenter has been my friend since Yale School of Drama where she was production manager (and at that time burgeoning genius of a director) and I was an MFA student of acting. This is really like a friendship…and creative connection come full circle. I’m thrilled! And I’m so proud of her great success directing Nora and Delia Ephron’s "Love, Loss, and What I Wore." This show I’ve written, "Shooting Stars in Jordan" is perfect for her to direct. I’m in GREAT hands with Karen!

6. What are you looking forward to most about having "Shooting Stars in Jordan" in the NYC Fringe Festival? Fame, awards, new fake opportunistic friends, Facebook people who don’t know me but want to friend me for their own superficial advancement, tons of money, agents, producers, having to wear sunglasses and weekends in the Hamptons!!!….or how about the chance to enjoy a creative performance venue in New York City, old friends coming to see me after so many years of separation…and all my relatives who are still talking to me coming from all over the east coast to see me perform…and my wonderful amazingly talented boyfriend (who also made a gorgeous puppet that appears in my show) coming to New York from Jerusalem for the first time – to see me perform my New York premiere of this piece. Life is so good right now.

7. What is your favorite part of the creative process in writing a show? The actual writing for me is rarely fun unless the creative muse is just sitting on my shoulder drunk and free as she rarely is. Otherwise….My favorite part of writing is after I’ve finished and I read it back to myself and think…"hey, that’s not bad! Now I can have some fun and get this thing on its feet!"

8. What have you learned about yourself from being a playwright? I have learned that I need to let it flow and not overthink it as I often do. I’ve  also learned from writing this show that I am a good collaborator! I thought I was a creative despot! But I’m not! I met a man named, David Kaye while in Israel (he was a fellow Fulbrighter) who is the Chairman of the theatre department at University of New Hampshire. A brilliant creative theatre director and developer, David’s creative guidance was infinitely valuable in realizing this one-woman show. I feel very lucky to have met him.

9. What's the best advice you've ever received? Add a little salt.

10. If you could dream about anyone while you sleep, who would it be? My dad. Having a nice dinner with my dad and telling him about all my adventures with this show and managing the family business and how wonderful his nieces have been to me through so many difficulties.

BONUS QUESTIONS:

11. Favorite way to spend your day off? In nature breathing deep and slowly!

12. Favorite skin care product? Anything that hydrates.

13. If you could have any super power, which one would you choose? Cooking.