30 August 2004
"Crossing the Bridge" Staged Reading
at the Fountain Theatre, 8/30
I cast this staged reading for Scott Vance, whose feature film script was wonderful "up and running" in a staged reading setting. LOVE the Fountain Theatre as a venue. Really cool. Standing-room-only industry-heavy crowd (and some actors in the reading got agents from this gig).
Many amazing actors helped out with this process, which I'll write about eventually. Promise!
I cast this staged reading for Scott Vance, whose feature film script was wonderful "up and running" in a staged reading setting. LOVE the Fountain Theatre as a venue. Really cool. Standing-room-only industry-heavy crowd (and some actors in the reading got agents from this gig).
Many amazing actors helped out with this process, which I'll write about eventually. Promise!
24 August 2004
Marcy Kaplan's Industry Showcase
At the Court Theatre
Featuring Blake Robbins, Alison Gale, quite a few really seriously awesome actors (notes to come--I really liked this showcase)
Went with Subhash Mandal, 8/24
Featuring Blake Robbins, Alison Gale, quite a few really seriously awesome actors (notes to come--I really liked this showcase)
Went with Subhash Mandal, 8/24
20 August 2004
Prereads "Each To Each"
"Each To Each" prereads at IFP West, 8/19 & 20
Short 35mm film directed by Leo Age, produced by Cary Becker, based on the short story by Julianne Ortale.
Details to come.
Short 35mm film directed by Leo Age, produced by Cary Becker, based on the short story by Julianne Ortale.
Details to come.
04 August 2004
"Spock's Brain" at the Irvine Improv
What a hoot! Our friend Gabriel Diani was cast as Spock in this amazing live theatrical presentation of an actual classic Star Trek episode. From the press release: "The cast of nine re-creates the legendary science fiction icon with sets, music and sound effects from the original television series. SPOCK'S BRAIN is not a parody, nor a sketch show. It is done with respect for the show and its very famous cast. The Improv stage is transformed into the bridge of the Starship Enterprise. A beautiful alien woman appears and removes Mr. Spock's brain. The crew then goes in search of the brain, with only has a short time to find and restore it or Mr. Spock will die!!!"
Absolutely amazing!
The gang in attendance with me included Keith Johnson, Mike and Debra McCarthy, Subhash Mandal, Cindy and Carly Koellisch, and Etta Devine. It was a party! The audience was about 400 people large, and this was one of many performances of "Spock's Brain" at The Improv, 71 Fortune Dr., Irvine. Mics were just a touch uneven and the start was a few minutes late, but all is forgiven as soon as the lights come up on The Bridge. Seriously. It's 100% accurate.
Of course, I'm no trekkie, but there were many such folks in the audience. They knew the lines before the actors said them. Stephen Millunzi did a great Dr. McCoy. Music and sound effects were outstanding. Staging made it slightly difficult to see talented Cesario Tio (Sulu) and funny Andy Bray (Chekov), but they had to be lower than the mega-watt stars: Matt Bianco as Capt. Kirk and our friend Gabriel Diani as Spock. The act of "beaming down" was frickin' brilliant. The actors' timing was just so dang tight! Really outstanding.
I had been told that I needn't have seen an episode of Star Trek in order to enjoy what this play was about. That was true. I have never seen an episode... though I guess I technically have, now, as Keith tells me this was, beat-by-beat, EXACTLY accurate to the episode as aired.
The brilliant rendition of the song "Rocketman" at the end... oh, it's as great as Stewie's version on Family Guy. God, let's hope this production really does come to Los Angeles. Please, Paramount, make it so!
Absolutely amazing!
The gang in attendance with me included Keith Johnson, Mike and Debra McCarthy, Subhash Mandal, Cindy and Carly Koellisch, and Etta Devine. It was a party! The audience was about 400 people large, and this was one of many performances of "Spock's Brain" at The Improv, 71 Fortune Dr., Irvine. Mics were just a touch uneven and the start was a few minutes late, but all is forgiven as soon as the lights come up on The Bridge. Seriously. It's 100% accurate.
Of course, I'm no trekkie, but there were many such folks in the audience. They knew the lines before the actors said them. Stephen Millunzi did a great Dr. McCoy. Music and sound effects were outstanding. Staging made it slightly difficult to see talented Cesario Tio (Sulu) and funny Andy Bray (Chekov), but they had to be lower than the mega-watt stars: Matt Bianco as Capt. Kirk and our friend Gabriel Diani as Spock. The act of "beaming down" was frickin' brilliant. The actors' timing was just so dang tight! Really outstanding.
I had been told that I needn't have seen an episode of Star Trek in order to enjoy what this play was about. That was true. I have never seen an episode... though I guess I technically have, now, as Keith tells me this was, beat-by-beat, EXACTLY accurate to the episode as aired.
The brilliant rendition of the song "Rocketman" at the end... oh, it's as great as Stewie's version on Family Guy. God, let's hope this production really does come to Los Angeles. Please, Paramount, make it so!
