Welcome to nytheatrecast’s 2nd FringeNYC 2008 preview episode hosted by Trav S.D. The podcast is a great opportunity to listen to nine of the shows which will be in the festival.  There are q&a’s with Trav S.D., excerpts, and a chance to listen to the creators with their unique ‘take’ on their shows. Here is the lineup:

Kansas City or Along the Way: Playwright Robert Attenweiler gives a short overview of the play and then introduces cast members Rebecca Benhayon and Adam Groves performing a short excerpt followed by an original song from the show performed by Adam with his acoustic guitar.

Parental Indiscretions: Author Steve Hayes and actor Tom Cayler bring giggles from the audience as they describe this show. Steve then steps into the roll of performer and with Tom they perform a short excerpt from this play.

The Naked Dead Elephant in the Middle of the Room: A brief excerpt from this play featuring actors Keith Broughton, Zach Held, and Jim deProphetis is introduced by playwright Larson Rose. Larson explains a bit about the genesis of this ‘naked’ play.

Too Much Memory: Trav S.D. participates in a roundtable discussion with playwright Keith Reddin, co-playwright/director Meg Gibson, producer Daniel Talbott, and actors Laura Heisler and Peter Jay Fernandez.  Each adds their unique thoughts on the play, how the group got together and a bit about what the play is about.

Mourn the Living Hector: Actors Rebecca Lingafelter and Jeff Clarke perform a short excerpt from the play followed by an interesting discussion with Trav S.D. and director Shira Milikowsky.  This is a retelling of Hector’s last day home from the Trojan War interwoven with the tale of a modern Marine on leave.

Julius Caesar: Director Jordan Reeves and actor Jacques Roy who plays Brutus talk about the play, its reason for being presented now, and a bit of background on their company, Guerilla Shakespeare, which is made up, in part, of Trinity Rep grads.

La Vigilia: FringeNYC veteran playwright Vincent Marano talks with Trav S.D. about this new play he wrote and will direct in the festival.  There are some interesting asides about the styles and themes of post World War II Italian movies.

Bound in a Nutshell: Director Greg Wolfe gives a brief bit of background for this shortened, modern version of Hamlet.  This is followed by excerpts from the production read by Greg and actors Zach Zito, Paten Hughes, and Christopher Haas.

Nudists in Love: Director Sara Thigpen and book-writer Shannon Thomason discuss their musical comedy with a provocative title with Trav S.D. Sara supplies an overview and Shannon talks a bit about the underlying themes and its pertinence to today.

Episode Links:

• FringeNYC Previews on nytheatre.com (Kansas City)
• Robert Attenweiler’s company website
• Bound in a Nutshell website
• The Naked Dead Elephant in the Middle of the Room website
• Performance Lab 115 website (Mourn the Living Hector)
• Guerrilla Shakespeare company website (Julius Caesar)
• Nudists in Love website
• Rising Phoenix Rep website (Too Much Memory)
• La Vigilia website
• Fringe NYC website

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Welcome to the first of two FringeNYC 2008 preview podcasts — part of our Indie Theater Now! series.  We have gathered nine interesting and different shows from the huge number of participants in this year’s festival to give you a taste of what FringeNYC will be like.  Listen, enjoy, and then reserve your tickets.

Host and moderator, Trav S.D. introduces each of the shows, delves deeply into what the shows are about, jokes a bit, and puts his finger on just what is most unique and interesting about each of the nine selections. Here is the list of participants:

KNB-The Musical: Author/director Chirstopher Carter Sanderson talks a bit about his new romantic musical comedy set in Kuwait Naval Base. He introduces four members of the cast (Glenn Seven Allen, Brett Hunter Levenson, Evan Siegel, and Roger Grunwald) who sing a jaunty tune about the joys of being a Boatswain’s Mate. Christopher supplies a bit of whistling during the interludes.

The Fabulous Kane Sisters in Box Office Poison: Marc Geller, author, director, and performer gives a quick resume of the show.  He talks about having a 14 member cast, the plot revolving around sort-of has-been  performers, and that there’s been several murders in the theatre.  But most important — this is a laugh out loud, funny show.

Hidden Fees*: Two very short excerpts from this U.S. premiere translation (by the company) of a Russian piece surround an interview with director Raphael Schklowsky. The group is Studio Six, graduates of the Moscow Art Theatre.

Krapp, 39: Michael Laurence who wrote and performs in this piece and director, George Demas, talk with Trav S.D. about the reasons for creating Krapp, 39.  It is inspired by Samuel Beckett’s Krapp’s Last Tape — inspired because Michael’s 39th birthday will be during the festival showing; also because Michael is intrigued by the possibility of recreating by and for himself what Beckett talked of in his piece.

We Three: A New York premiere that will showcase the work of the new theatre company known as No. 11.  An excerpt from the play is performed by Mitch Conway and Julie Congress.  During the discussion about the show and about why these recent Skidmore College grads formed this new company, Mitch and Julie are joined by fellow company member Ryan Emmons and director Erin Daley.

 The Dershowitz Protocol: Director Anthony Frisina explains the origins of this play which is derived from ideas promulgated by Alan Dershowitz in his post 9/11 book, Why Terrorism Works.  Anthony explains how these controversial thoughts are staged so as to not take sides, but to present the thesis. A short pre-recorded excerpt is also included.

XY(T): Kestryl Lowrey performs an excerpt from this show which he wrote and also performs. He talks with Trav S.D. to explain how much of this play is autobiographical and why he has been performing it in various venues, telling audiences about his transformation from female to male.

Big Thick Rod: Trav S.D. questions author, Stanton Wood and director, Edward Elefterion about their play which deals greatly with how people exploit each other.  The discussion also covers how these two collaborators met and work together. 

Good Pictures: A new play about several hours in the lives of two prisoners is discussed by author, Ashlin Halfnight and director, Dominic D’Andrea. Ashlin describes it as being a more naturalistic rendition but insists if he tells too much about it, the experience will be spoiled.

Episode Links:

• FringeNYC Previews on nytheatre.com
• The Dershowitz Protocol website
• Hidden Fees* website
• Monarch Theater (Good Pictures) website
• Ashlin Halfnight’s company website
• Krapp, 39’s website
• XY(T)’s website
• Big Thick Rod’s website
• The Fabulous Kane Sisters in Box Office Poison website
• We Three’s website
• KNB-The Musical website
• FringeNYC website 

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Fifteen years young, the annual Ice Factory festival returns to the Ohio Theater.  To get a feel for this perennial favorite, nytheatrecast spoke with three of the participating companies and Robert Lyons, artistic director of Ice Factory.

Martin Denton opens the podcast with a short conversation with Robert about the history of the festival, why he and others of Soho Think Tank felt there was a need for this, and the current year’s lineup. Then it’s on to the participants!

Lenora Champagne is up first talking about her show, TRACES/fades. Lenora gives a vivid description of this play and her reasons for writing it — which tend toward the personal. Martin, being familiar with Lenora’s work, talked with her a bit about her style and some of what to expect when seeing the show.

Next up is Gabriella Barnstone, creator and choreographer of Heistman which is a dance/movement piece with text. Gabriella talks a bit about how best to describe this piece and gives a bit of background about herself as a dancer/choreographer/creator. She introduces Steven Rattazzi who is in Heistman and he reads a short selection of the text that is part of the show.  His reading gives a real feel for what the show will be like.

The podcast ends with three members of Sponsored by Nobody, creators of W.M.D. (Just the Low Points) — director, Kevin Doyle and company members Jessa Wildemeersch and Scott Miller. Led by Kevin, with Martin asking pertinent questions, they discuss the origins of this piece and how it has undergone various changes in its different incarnations. Most excitingly they tell us about a tour of Belgium set for early 2009.

Episode Links:

• TRACES/fades on nytheatre.com
• Heistman on nytheatre.com
• W.M.D. (Just the Low Points) on nytheatre.com
• Ice Factory 2008 official website
• Sonsored by Nobody on MySpace
• Jessa Wildemeersch’s website

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This is the fifth year of the soloNOVA Arts Festival, a festival made up of the best of the best solo performers according to Jennifer Conley Darling, producing artistic director. On this podcast you will listen to excerpts from four of the performers and hopefully you will agree with Jennifer.

Martin Denton begins by introducing Jennifer and they talk quickly about the history of the festival and Jennifer gives a very short synopsis of the four performances not being excerpted on this episode.  Then with the dulcet tones of the autoharp begins an excerpt from Julia May Jonas’ Take Heart, the recounting of a child liar both humorous and touching.

Next up is Sally: M.I.A, written and performed by Krista DeNio.  Martin remarks about her unique headgear and Krista replies that listeners will have to see it to understand it. Krista does a short excerpt from her surreal techno-tragedy and the sound effects are all done by her.

Last Laugh is Eric Lockley’s rendition of two black performers who begin to confuse performance and reality. Listening you really get the feel that two very distinct performers are at the mike but it’s all Eric.

We close with Moana Niumeitolu, writer, performer, and painter of Tongue-in Paint.  You can’t see the paintings that are part of the show (you’ll have to attend for that) but you will hear her performing one of the 13 assorted characters she portrays.

Episode Links:

• TerraNova Collective website
• Krista DeNio’s website
• Eric Lockley’s website
• Julia May Jonas’ website
• Moana Niumeitolu’s website 

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A yearly occurrence, Ensemble Studio Theatre’s Marathon is celebrating its 30th year.  Martin Denton invited EST artistic director, William Carden to tell us more about this one-act play festival.

William talked in detail about the playwrights whose work will be represented in this year’s festival – Neil LaBute, Taylor Mac, and Michael Feingold, among others.  William explained the selection process which begins with open submissions.  He went on to discuss other aspects such as the directors, how they are chosen, and in response to Martin’s question, talked about what an audience member can expect from any of the evenings.

As an added special for listeners, William noted there will be special discount prices if you mention the special code he gives at the end of the podcast.

Episode Links:

• Ensemble Studio Theatre website

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Este junio llegará la segunda edición de TeatroStageFest el excitante nuevo festival internacional de teatro latino de la ciudad. Para introducir el festival (Junio 2-15, 2008) a nuestros escuchas, tenemos a Javier Gómez, director de mercadeo de TeatroStageFest, en una conversación con Susana Tubert, la Productora Ejecutiva. 

Susana explica la historia de la creación de TeatroStageFest; cómo otras ciudades y países han tenido festivales de teatro latino por años y ahora Nueva York tiene nuevamente el suyo propio. La productora habla de la importancia del Festival, y revela los artistas y producciones que participarán este año. 

Susana reitera que las producciones en español tendrán subtítulos o interpretaciones al inglés, lo cual hace a TeatroStageFest accesible para todos. Algunas obras serán en inglés mientras que otras tendrán diálogo en inglés y español. TeatroStageFest será una gran experiencia.

Para los que prefieran escuchar a Susana en un podcast similar en inglés (entrevistada por Martin Denton, de nytheatre.com), busquen el episodio # 217 - TeatroStageFest.

Enlaces de este episodio:

Portal de TeatroStageFest

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Coming June 2nd through the 15th will be the 2nd annual TeatroStageFest, an exciting new festival of Latino theatre.  To introduce the festival to our listeners we have Martin Denton in conversation with Susana Tubert, Executive Producer of the Festival. 

Susana explains the background and history of creating this festival; how so many cities/countries have long held such festivals and now NYC has one.  She talks of the fun and excitement of such a festival and goes on to explain who will be at this year’s fest and what to expect. 

She assures Martin of English subtitles/translations that will make the festival accessible to all.  And there will be productions in English and some will be bilingual.  It all boils down to a great experience.

And for those who would prefer to hear Susana (interviewed by Javier Gomez, Marketing Director of the Festival) in a very similar podcast in Spanish, look for Episode # 218 - TeatroStageFest en Espanol.

Episode Links:

• TeatroStageFest website

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nytheatrecast gathered eight of the FRIGID Festival participants together to give our listeners a preview of this upcoming festival — some with excerpts, some with interviews – with our moderator, Martin Denton.  Enjoy the talent and diversity that will be part of this 12 day event at the Kraine, The Red Room, and Under St. Marks beginning February 27.

Writer/director Rick Vorndran, of Dysfunctional Theatre Company, introduces Theresa Unfried and Danaher Dempsey in a scene from CHOSEN and talks a bit about the genesis of this play.

Writer/performer Melle Powers talks about her play, WHENCE CAME YE, SCARLETT O’HARA O’HANRAHAN which Martin calls his favorite title in the festival.

Bob Brader does a portion of his PREPARATION HEX monologue all about a one-night stand and talks a bit about the background for this piece.

Jason Tyne, director/creator of SPORKNOTES gives a vivid description of this Improv show and introduces Julie Bain, Ben Rameaka, and Chris Enright who perform, on the spot, a short rendition of their version of “Pride and Prejudice.”  Akia, artistic director of Rising Sun Performance Company chats a bit with Martin.

Olga and Bjorn perform bits from EXCESSECRET CIRCUS “¿Guess What ‘It’s’ About?” and Olga is in charge as she tells Martin and the audience just what the show may or may not be about.

Chris Harcum of AMERICAN BADASS couldn’t be with us in person but his excellent director, Bricken Sparacino, brought a short taped excerpt and then chatted a bit about her experiences directing Chris in this and previous one-man shows.

WORKING IT OUT’s author, Amanda Sage Comerford talked with Martin about this, her first NYC produced play and how it came to be. It’s about a pair of nine year olds but not a play for the kids.

Andy Chmelko is Antonin Artaud as playwright/creator/director Bubi Escudero introduces her newest work, ANTONIN…MON ARTAUD.

The FRIGID Festival has something for everyone.  Let us know which one intrigued you the most.

Episode Links:

• American Badass
• Antonin…Mon Artaud
• Chosen
• Dysfunctional Theatre Company website
• ExcesSecret Circus
• Preparation Hex
• Sporknotes
• Whence Came Ye, Scarlet O’Hara O’Hanrahan
• Whence Came Ye my space page
• Working It Out

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On our latest episode, Michael Criscuolo talks with the masterminds behind the upcoming Wonder Women Week Festival, a week-long celebration of female performers and performance, produced by Groove MaMa Ink. This is the festival’s second annual installment and will feature the work of more than a hundred artists - more than double the amount of its inaugural run last fall.

Groove MaMa artistic director Kara M. Tyler and associate producer Bricken Sparacino talk about the origins of the festival, and offer some previews of this year’s shows. Both women will also be performing - Kara, on the festival’s “Super Sized Variety” night; and Bricken, with her sketch comedy group, Comedy Period - and they talk a bit about what they’ll be doing.

Kara and Bricken are also joined by two of this year’s festival participants: writer/performer Samantha Jones, who gives listeners a taste of her multi-character solo show, Butterfly Suicide; and songstress Jessica DelFino, who will be hosting one of the festival’s late night programs, “Vaginapalooza.” She gives listeners a sample of her musical wares with a very funny (and somewhat racy) song. Not for the faint of heart.

Episode Links:

• Groove MaMa Ink’s official website
• Groove MaMa Ink’s MySpace page
• Dora Mae Productions (Samantha Jones’s production company)
• Comedy Period
• Jessica DelFino’s blog

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nytheatre.com editor Martin Denton sat down with six FringeNYC veterans to discuss this year’s festival in a lively roundtable discussion on this episode. In addition to Martin, the participants are:

• Fred Backus, actor in Another Day on Willow St. at this year’s festival, and an actor in three previous FringeNYCs (he won an award for Horse Country in 1999) 
• Leslie Bramm, author of this year’s Marvelous Shrine and a participant in several previous FringeNYCs, including the very first one back in 1997
• Pamela Butler, director of Marvelous Shrine and also a longtime FringeNYC participant and adjudicator
• Maggie Cino, actor/creator who starred in Antarctica this year and has been involved with the FringeNYC since the beginning in various capacities (venue director, producer, adjudicator, etc.)
• Frank Anthony Polito, who produced, wrote, and starred in this year’s show Another Day on Willow St., and has been involved in the festival since 2000
• Robin Reed, producer and co-star of Scout’s Honor at this year’s FringeNYC, and an active participant in all festivals since 2001

All six of these folks are also members of the nytheatre.com reviewing squad, and so they’ve all reviewed FringeNYC shows in past years in addition to being participants in the festival. So their perspective is unique and also rather broad: they’ve seen the festival from just about all possible angles, and they’ve been around since the festival’s early years.

The conversation is, as you might expect, far-ranging: everything from the growth of the FringeNYC audience to the changes in venue quality over the years to the “Urinetown” effect (referring to the success of the 1999 FringeNYC musical that went on to Broadway) to the sometimes distorted view/coverage of the festival in mainstream media.

Episode Links:

• 2007 FringeNYC Reviews on nytheatre.com

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