I directed an 8-minute play by Monserrat Mendez called Donde Esta Pedro Mano?, a parody of telenovelas, as part of the Ingenius [sic] Festival at Manhattan Theatre Source. It was three performances (four other one-acts were on the bill), but fun. Here are some backstage photos for your delectation.
My darling Jen Ryan as Rosario
Eva Rosa and Elka Maron as Sister Dulce Amarga and Maria Consuela
Just letting y'all know that I'm directing a short one-act, Donde Esta Pedro Mano?, by my friend Montserrat Mendez, in next month's The Short List, a festival that is showcasing the work of members of Ingenius at Manhattan Theatre Source.
Details in the JPEG. And thrilled to work with everyone!
CORRECTION: According to my friend Jon Stancato, who lives on the Upper East Side and knows about these things...well, here's his email:i spent quite a few years living practically adjacent to marx brothers playground (Playground 96 - Marx Brothers Playground- 2nd Ave. & 96th St). lots of late night basketball games played there.
So there IS something in New York named for the Marx Brothers. But not a street.
All right...you may now read the rest of this post...
I received this morning from my dear friend Jen Ryan (who has got to update her blog!) advising me that there's a strong movement gathering steam to rename a street on the Upper East Side in honor of the Marx Brothers. Can you believe that there's nothing in Manhattan anywhere, it seems, that formally tips the hat to these enduring comic icons?
Here's part of the email Jen sent me. Take action now and sign this petition!
I was shocked to find out there is NO monument to the Marx Brothers anywhere in NYC. They were born and raised on 93rd and Lex and a woman has begun an attempt to name 93rd street between 3rd and Lex "Marx Brothers Place". I thought you may want to publicise this post on your blog. Rik found this online petition that could desperately use some support from the blogosphere, press, and good old word of mouth. I'm sending this to my friend at Bloomberg's office. I would love nothing more than to organize a Marx Brothers parade up Lex on October 2nd, Groucho's birthday.
Courtesy of Jen Ryan and Rik Sansone of Punch 59, whom we love dearly. Merry Christmas!
My friend Jen Ryan (you'll recognize her from the various Bill & Betty sketches) is with her Mom attending the Led Zep concert in London. Click here and watch the video.
Sphere: Related ContentGot back late last night from the Eugene O'Neill Theater Center in Connecticut. I teach every year in the NCI -- National Critics Institute -- which is always terrific fun and interesting and a very, very good excuse to get out of town. I'll have a full report on the trip later today, but that's why I haven't been online as of late.
Meanwhile, just for your funny bone's delectation, check out this link to bizarre things overheard at the theater. Courtesy my friend Jen Ryan -- and you should check out her blog, too.
My dearest friends Jen Ryan and Rik Sansone are doing a show. Here's the poop:
LionHearted Players present “AMERICAN MIDOL”
An emotional evening of Comedy, Music, Cannibalism, and Magic
Monday, May 21 @ 7:00pm, Broadway Comedy Club
318 West 53rd Street (@ 8th Ave.)
NO COVER (2 drink minimum)—reservations suggested - 212-757-2323
Complimentary Admission for Industry Professionals – call (718) 482-8790
Join The LionHearted Players as they present their latest twisted comedy /
variety show, featuring the New York City debut of Miami sketch comedy troupe PUNCH 59, “The Rob And Mark Show” (SpikeTV’s “Geek Ray Vision”) and out-of-this-world magical comedy with Magician Dave Cremin!
PUNCH 59 (1996-2001) was South Florida’s only sketch comedy troupe, logging
over 165 performances. The Ft. Lauderdale Sun-Sentinel calls PUNCH 59 randy, rowdy, scathing satire" and the Miami New Times hailed them as "bold, original, sophisticated sketch comedy." After a large dose of electricity, PUNCH 59 is proud to be revived and performing again in New York City and features Jen Ryan (original PUNCH 59 castmember & FringeNYC ’04 Outstanding Performance Award), Rik Sansone (Summer ’69), Amir Darvish (Mercury: The Afterlife and Times of a Rock God), and Kate Stuetzel. PUNCH 59 alums have appeared in theatre, TV, commercials, films, and voice-overs, and include Jill Michele-Melian (MAD-TV & Reno 911!), Karen Gordon (Legally Blonde II), Larry Robinson (Sergeant Kabukiman) and David Brownstein (The West Wing).
http://www.punch59comedy.com
Wasn't it, like, 12 minutes ago that I got home from the Humana Festival and thought, "Gee, I have all of April ahead of me without a whole lot going on -- except the usual?" Welcome to my seriously messed up life. Jerry Portwood has given me a slew of features and previews to write, I'm on my third book review for Clarion (click here to read a bunch of them), and I agreed to make my column at Back Stage, Now Playing, weekly, as there's so much going on. Plus I'm writing an appreciation of Kitty Carlisle Hart, and I haven't even made a serious enough dent yet in my schoolwork. Smart, right, I know.
You know, I got myself into a long and very...oh, I don't know, what's the word?...moving conversation with Jeffrey Eric Jenkins, the editor of the Best Plays annual volume, while I was in Louisville. His feeling is that I should seriously get on the stick and get done with school, first so it'll be behind me, second so I'll have it in my pocket, and third so that it'll provide me with some, shall we say, employment options for some indeterminate future tomorrow. He's really quite right, and what a lovely guy he is -- he invited me to a very swanky dinner with a bunch of other critics while I was at Humana, and I'm thrilled that he considers me (or so he says) part of his "team." He knows I'm dying to write an essay for a future volume and I'm really hoping that will happen sooner than later. Anyway, everything he said to me in this conversation has really been percolating. I just have to get through a lot of other, um, stuff first.
Meantime, would y'all check out my friend Jen's blog?
