WE OPENED! WE ROCKED!

HAIR @ CITY LIGHTS THEATRE IN SAN JOSE http://www.cltc.org/

Get your tix now! This run will sell out! Now thru 8/24/07 with possible extension (more than likely) thru 8/31/08. Group rates available!

Visit my website @ http://www.michelleianiro.com for a complete cast list! Click on the Now Playing tab.

Hope to see you there! It's a friggin' revolution, baby!

JULY 2008 SUPPLEMENTAL

411 SUPPLEMENTAL JULY 2008

WHAT'S UP WITH WOMENS WILL?

Opening July 12 and running thru August 17th is Womens Will's production of THE GOOD PERSON OF SZICHAUN. This all womens Shakespeare company features my Little Women alum, Lisa Tateosian. Check this one out if you can. Visit http://www.womenswill.org/ for ticket info and show times.

BUTTERFIELD 8 THEATRE COMPANY IS LOOKING FOR...

...Four men ages 20-40 for their production of THE MERCHANT OF VENICE -Performances 9/19/08 thru 10/11/08. The casting is for Bassanio, Gratiano, Launcelot Gobo/Solanio and Tubal/Gaoler/Clerk/Servant. Rehearsals begin 8/18 Mon-Thurs Evenings. Productions are at Cue Productions Live @ 1835 Colfax Street in Concord, CA. For audition appointments, send Headshot/Resume to Butterfield@gmail.com or by snail mail to Butterfield 8 Theatre Company, Attention Merchant Casting, 3101 Ellis Street Berkeley, CA 94703-2409. http://www.b8company.com/ Good luck!

DIABLO ACTORS ENSEMBLE IS KEEPING BUSY WITH...

Auditions for HOLD PLEASE -directed by Scott Fryer (Red Hot & Cole). Audition dates are 8/24 at 2pm, 8/25 at 7pm and 8/26 @ 7pm. 4F (mid 20s -50s). Prep comedic monologue one/two minutes in length. Auditions are by appt only. Call 925-482-5110 or email daeinfo@comcast.net for appt. Performances are 10/24 thru 11/22 -Rehearsals begin 9/14. DAE is located at 1345 Locust Street in Walnut Creek, CA.

DAE also announces the call for playwrights for the 2008 PLAYWRIGTING COMPETITION. DAE will provide the opportunity for Bay Area playwrights to have their new plays developed and presented as a full staged production. They are accepting and will produce one full length play as well as two one act plays. The playwright competition will also provide a forum for playwrights to receive feedback from audiences. Visit http://www.diabloactors.com/ for full submittal guidelines. Deadline for submission is 12/31/2008.

DIABLO LIGHT OPERA (DLOC) WILL HOLD AUDITIONS IN SEPTEMBER FOR;

THE PRODUCERS to be directed by Ryan Weible; Choreographed by Jacob Brent and Musical directed by Mark Hanson. Audition dates are Sept 3 (6-10pm) -Women Only; Sept 4 (7-10:30pm) -Men Only; Sept 5 (6-10pm) Men and Women at the DLOC Firehouse 1948 Oak Park Blvd in Pleasant Hill. Prep 32 bars from an up-tempo comedic song; bring sheet music in your key; dress to dance. Callbacks Sept 6 Ensemble and Sept 7th Principals. Stipend. AEA Eligible. Rehearsals begin January 5, 2009; Performances 2/13 -3/15 2009 at the Lesher Center for the Arts. Call 925-944-1565. Cast breakdowns online by July 10th @ http://www.dloc.org/. **African American Women are strongly encouraged to audition.

SARATOGA ANNOUNCES THEIR CAST OF RAGTIME:

Congrats to the following alums: Tim Reynolds (JC Superstar; Full Monty & 1940s Radio Hour); Kevin Cornelius (The All Night Strut; Thoroughly Modern Millie & 1940s Radio Hour); Barbara Reynolds (1940s Radio Hour); Mark Drum (1940s Radio Hour); C. Michael Traw (Thoroughly Modern Millie and 1940s Radio Hour) and Beth McClelland (Thoroughly Modern Millie). The show performs during the month of October and is directed by C. Michael Traw. Visit the SDG website @ http://www.saratogadramagroup.com/ for a full cast list and ticket info!

Until next time Guyz and Dollz,

Break-A-Leg!

Michelle Ianiro
www.michelleianiro.com -website

michelle@michelleianiro.com -email

411 IN THEATRE NEWS

JULY 2008 ALUMNI NEWSLETTER

****

Hello Guyz and Dollz -check out this latest 411 In Theatre Newsletter!

****

**411 In Theatre News would like to welcome -My cast of ABIGAIL DREARY!

****

WHO'S DOING WHAT AND WHERE?

****

Opening June 20 and playing thru July 19th is CAROUSEL @ Pinole Community Players (PCP). This family fave is directed by Ted Bigornia (How To Succeed..., Sweet Charity & The Scarlet Pimpernel) and features Ray Duvall (Little Women) in the role of Billy. Visit http://www.pinoleplayers.org/ for show times, dates and tix info!

****

Playing now thru July 19th is Diablo Actors Ensemble's BUTTERFLIES ARE FREE starring Joel Roster (Titanic) and Ginny Wehrmeister. This wonderful and critically acclaimed show is directed by Scott Fryer (Red Hot & Cole). Catch this one if you can. Visit http://www.diabloactors.com/ for more info.

****

Contra Costa Musical Theatre (CCMT) has posted their cast list for 42ND STREET to be directed by the talented and well..pretty cool Jennifer Dennison-Perry (Red Hot & Cole; Sweet Charity & The DRAA Fundraiser). Congratulations to the following alums: Scott Strain (Titanic); Terry D'Emidio (Red Hot & Cole); Mark Eichorn (How To Succeed... & The Scarlet Pimpernel); Mary Kalita (Jesus Christ Superstar); Arial Ford (Carousel & Titanic); Martin Newton (Titanic) and Dustin Riggs (Titanic). What a show!!!! Visit http://www.ccmt.org/ for more info.

****

Sally Hogarty (Mountain Days -The John Muir Musical) informs me that Diablo Actors Ensemble has a cool new feature for actors in the Bay Area -it's called AFTER HOURS and it begins on 6/14/08. What is AFTER HOURS? Each Saturday Night from 10:30pm to Midnight, fellow thespians can come to "hang out" -DAE will provide beer, wine and light refreshments for a small donation. You can listen to your favorite music and catch up with fellow performers. A piano is available for those that are so inclined to tickel the ivories. This is waaaay cool for me since 1345 Locust Street in Walnut Creek (DAE's new hang out) is like 3 miles from mi casa. When time allows I will definitely be hangin'!

****

Huge Congratulations are in order for Tanya Shaffer (The Sound Of Music & In The Beginning) for the birth of her second son Elon Siddhartha Shaffer-Green (okay, that's a mouthful). He was born on June 5, 2008 @ 5:22am. He weighed in at 6lbs and 11oz. He joins big brother Tavi to complete this happy household! I love you, Tanya!!!! Whoo-hoo -very happy for you!

****

On June 20 thru the 22nd, my play ABIGIAL DREARY was staged read at Cue Productions in Concord as part of the Butterfield 8 Theatre Company New Works Series. The reading was directed by John Butterfield and myself and featured an amazing cast (as audiences kept pointing out); Tyler Raftery; Becky & Annie Potter (The Sound Of Music; In The Beginning: Mountain Days -The John Muir Musical); Darren Barrere (Ragtime!); Sheilah Morrison (Razzle Dazzle; The Vagina Monolouges); Ian Taylor; Ian Williams; Maureen-Theresa Williams, Donald Hardy; Clea Shapiro and Jean Butterfield. The reading was well received by audiences and it was pure joy for me to hear my words come to life at last in the hands of these capable actors!

Now onward towards a full production -to be continued....

****

Opening July 19th and playing thru August 24th is City Lights Theatre's producation HAIR -directed by Lisa Mallette (A..My Name Is Alice; Jesus Christ Superstar; The Full Monty). Meet my rockin' cast: Joey Banks; Raime Banks; Ashley Bawdon; Bevin Bell-Hall; Dana Brambley; Jacob Canote; Noel Carey; Dani Chopin; Matthew Ryan Daly; Jacqui Elliot; R B Embleton; Tenaya Hurst; Michelle Ianiro; Nicole Julien; Ever Leon; Lauren T Mack; Danelle Medeiros; D'Adonis Moquette; Elana Sara Ron and Felipe Saldana. Choreographed by Shannon Stowe and Musical Directed by Gus Kambeitz (both alums of A..My Name Is Alice, Jesus Christ Superstar & The Full Monty). Visit http://www.cltc.org/ for tix, show times and dates!

****

The always lovely Beth Bemis (Anton In Show Business) is appearing in Act Nows' production THE MYSTERY PLAYS thru July 5th. Catch this unique play before it's too late. Visit http://www.actnowtheatre.org/ for show dates and times!

****

Don't forge to check out GREASE at West Valley Light Opera (WVLO) playing now thru July 19th. Directed by Jeff Hicks and Musical Directed by "Mom" Reynolds (Thoroughly Modern Millie and 1940s Radio Hour). This Bay Area favorite features Ben D'Angelo (1940s Radio Hour) as Sonny! Don't miss this! Visit http://www.wvlo.org/.

****

Michael O'Dell (Mo) (Ragtime! and Celebrate Me Home) had a great idea for me to add to the 411 In Theatre News -Tell me your funniest theatre story. Send me your tall tales, over exaggerated faux paus, etc... and I'll include them in upcoming news letters. Here is two to get the ball rolling -sorry Mo....

****

411 FUNNY THEATRE MOMENTS:

- "I subbed a show (HAIR) as MD/ keyboard I in LA when I lived there. I lost my place in the score cuz all these nakid bodies started appearing on the stage..mmm...never forget that night!" -michael o'dell.

2000 -"The Willows Theatre, the show was IN THE BEGINNING which is a musical retelling of the first five books of the Bible as seen through the eyes of Adam and Eve's "neighbors" -very funny show. On this particular night. We were performing the "Sodom and Gamorrah"scene where the very risqué dance ends with volcanic/sulphur eruption and those of us on stage doing a very bad "Star Trek" imitation of shaking and falling down. Once down, the only people who were suppose to be alive were me and one other actor at the other end of stage and all we were suppose to do was "crawl" off. For some reason, this night I rolled over and looked at Melanie Slivka (the first time I'd done this during the entire run) and she was all twisted up with her mouth open and the funniest expression on her face, eyes wide open and everything and I just lost it .I started laughing out loud and quickly covered by turning the laugh into a bad "cough" and proceeded to roll myself over and "crawl" off stage like I was suppose to do in the first place, laugh/coughing the entire way. This had a dominoes effect and before you knew it -several "dead" bodies on stage could be heard "laugh/coughing and their bodies shaking as everyone started to lose it. Several audience members in the front row started cracking up too. This was actually one of several funny moments during the run of this show and every time I think about it, it still makes me laugh out loud! “ :-) " -michelle ianiro.

****

FUNDRAISING ALERT:

Monday June 30th at the Onstage Theatre in Pleasant Hill is Kathy McCarty's (The Vagina Monologues), play THE LADIES QUINTET. The preview of the the show is to raise money for the cast to go to Chicago where the LADIES QUINTET will have it's run! Congrat's Kathy and cast including alum Sheilah Morrison (Razzle Dazzle; The Vagina Monologues, Abigail Dreary).

The Onstage Theatre is located at 2050 Oak Park Blvd., Pleasant Hill.

I believe that's it for now. Check back periodically to see what's new in our Bay Area Theatre Community.

****

Until next time...Break-A-Leg!

michelle@michelleianiro.com ; http://www.michelleianiro.com/

Michelle Ianiro

BUTTERFIELD 8 NEW WORKS SERIES

The Butterfield 8 Theatre Company New Works Series Presents

a Staged-Reading of:

ABIGAIL DREARY -written by Michelle Ianiro

Directed by John Butterfield and Michelle Ianiro.

June 20 and 21 @ 8pm and June 22 @ 3pm

Call 925-798-1300 or purchase tickets online @

http://www.willowstickets.org/

Vistit my website @ www.micheleianiro.com -click on the Abigail Dreary Staged Reading tab to view the cast list.

I hope to see many of you there!

411 IN THEATRE NEWS -JUNE 2008

411 In Theatre News proudly welcomes my cast of HAIR at City Lights Theatre in San Jose!

Playing now thru June 15th is City Lights Theatre production of A FEW GOOD MEN -directed by Kit Wilder (J.C. Superstar & The Full Monty). This enthralling courtroom drama features alums: Patrick Bridges (The Full Monty); Charles McKeithan (J.C. Superstar & The Full Monty); Drew Moore (J.C. Superstar) and alum down the line...Sam Krow-Lucal. Get your tix now because this show is selling out fast! www.cltc.org or call 408-295-4200. I saw the show on 5/23 and give it two very enthusiastic thumbs up! A stellar production! DO NOT MISS THIS SHOW!

Playing now thru July 5th is The Masquers Playhouse production of THE FULL MONTY featuring Anna Albanese and Steph Peek (Little Women: The Musical & Celebrate Me Home). The show is directed by John Maio. On May24th and 30th (oh my birthday!) FULL MONTY has 2 for 1 tix. Call 510-232-4031 to reserve. Hugely funny show with great music -don't miss the chance to see this production. http://www.masquers.org/.

May 29th thru June 6, 2008 is RIVETS - the new smash musical from Kathryn G. McCarty (The Vagina Monologues). This original new musical about the "Rosie Riviters" of World War II has been winning rave reviews from every major paper in the Bay Area. Come check it out at the Lesher Center for the Arts at 1601 Civic Drive in Walnut Creek. Call 925-943-7469 (SHOW). The show will be moving to the Kaiser Shipyards in October. Don't miss a chance to see this amazing retelling of history here in the Bay Area!

Opening 5/31 thru 6/22 is Theatre Qs production GROSS INDECENCY: THE TRIALS OF OSCAR WILDE -directed by George Quick (Take A Chance On Love) plays at the Dragon Theatre in Palo Alto -535 Alma Street. Call 415-433-1235 or www.theatreq.org.

Butterfield 8 Theatre Company's New Works Series kicks off on June 6 thru 6/28. The Featured playwrights and their plays are as follows: Week 1: Harold Smith's ZELDA'S MAMA'S COOKIN. Staged Reading June 6 and 7 at 8pm and June 8 at 3pm. Week 2: Jean Butterfield's SISTER. Staged Reading June 13 and 14 at 8pm and June 15 at 3pm. Week 3: Michelle Ianiro's ABIGAIL DREARY. Staged Reading June 20 and 21 at 8pm and June 22 at 3pm. Week 4: Susan Sobeloff's JUBILEE. Staged Reading June 26 and 27 at 8pm and June 28 at 3pm. All readings will be at Cue Productions Live 1835 Colfax Street Concord, CA 94518. Congrats to all the playwrights! Come and support these playwrights (myself included) by attending one of the readings. Call 925-798-1300 for ticket and additional information. www.b8company.com and click on events.

Opening June 13th is Diablo Actors Ensemble's (DAE) production of BUTTERFLIES ARE FREE -Starring Joel Roster (Titanic); Ginny Wehrmeister and Ann Kendrick. Diablo Actors Ensemble is now located at the old Play House West theatre on 1345 Locust Street in Walnut Creek. For ticket information and show times call 925-482-5110 or visit the website at http://www.diabloactors.com/ Don't miss this wonderful show!

June 13th thru July 5th is THE MYSTERY PLAYS; Mysteries of death, the afterlife, religion, faith and forgiveness. Presented by Act Now! in two interrelated one acts. Performances are at the Knight Stage in the Lesher Center for the Arts -1601 Civic Drive. Call 925-943-7469 (SHOW). You can also visit http://www.actnowtheatre.org for more info.

AUDITIONS! AUDITIONS! AUDITIONS!

Bus Barn Stage Company is holding auditions for BREAKING UP IS HARD TO DO -a west coast premiere of the music of Neil Sedaka. The show will be directed by Barbara J. Cannon and the musical director is Katie Coleman. 3M, 3F (20-60) plus male backup group. Prep a pop song from the 50s or 60s, bring sheet music in correct key; headshot; resume. Auditions are on June 7th from 1-5pm by appt. Non-AEA. Stipend. Performs 9/4 thru 10/4. Room 15 Hillview Community Center at 97 Hillview Ave in Los Altos. Call 650-941-5070 for appt. Visit the website at http://www.busbarn.org/ . Good luck!

Tabard Theatre Company is holding auditions for ANTIGONE (in the Oval Office), a modern day translation of the Greek play set in the White House Oval Office -directed by Ana-Catrina Buchser. Audition dates are June 7 and June 8 -call 408-979-0231 or email cathy@tabardtheatre.org to make an appointment. Play performs October 10 thru November 1, 2008 at the Theatre on San Pedro Square. Need 2W (16-30); 4-6W (50-70); M (18-30); 7-10M/W (30-70); 1M (7-10). www.tabardtheatre.org. Stipend.

CONGRATULATIONS ARE IN ORDER:

Laura Pedersen-Schulz (The Scarlet Pimpernel) made her equity debut last month in THEY'RE PLAYING OUR SONG with Spreckels Performing Center in Rohnert Park. Pimpy's, our lovely Laura was the voice of Sonia Walsh in the production directed by Hector Correa. A huge congratulations to Laura and I can't wait to hear of more to come!

Congratulations to Michael O'Dell (Ragtime! and Celebrate Me Home). He will be heading off to New York in August to stage manage Molly Bell's Fringe Festival show BECOMING BRITNEY, a hilarious look at the Pop Diva Icon. Visit www.becomingbritney.com . Great job, MO! (btw -ABIGAIL DREARY is ready for you any time you want to start composing....hint-hint...)

ALUMS OUT AND ABOUT:

So, what's Leslie Breton (A...My Name Is Alice and JC Superstar), doing these days? Well, it's certainly not stage managing at the moment. She has stepped out from behind the scenes and onto the stage in THE ADDING MACHINE -directed by Tom Gough. The show performs May 30th thru June 15, 2008 at Foothill College Lohman Theatre, I-280 @ El Monte Road in Los Altos. Call 650-949-7360. www.foothill.edu/fa/adding/index.php.

IN MEMORIAM

On May 12th 2008 our East Bay theatre community lost one of it's own, Miriam Englar. I had the privilege of working with Miriam for three years in the Willows Theatre production of MOUNTAIN DAYS. They were in my "family group". Clay and Miriam were Grandpa and Grandma; Char and Bruce Purrington were Ma and Pa and Ron Pickett and I were Brother and Sister. Our family. I will miss her lovely smile. A great lady has exited our world stage, but there is one bright shining new star up above...

That's it for now Guyz and Dollz. Until next time, break-a-leg! Don't forget to check out my MAY I RECOMMEND PAGE and WHAT'S NEXT FOR MICHELLE PAGE on my website!

michelle@michelleianiro.com -email

www.michelleianiro.com -website.

411 IN THEATRE NEWS -MAY 2008

ALUMNI NEWS LETTER -May 2008 WHATS UP WITH....? Timothy Beagley (Anton In Show Business). Tim is featured in the upcoming production of BROOKLYN BOY -Directed by Phoebe Moyer at Ross Valley Players. The show opens May 9th and runs thru June 15th. Joining Tim in this talented cast of performers is Matthew Lai; Jerry Jacob; Robin Steeves, Allison Porto-Yale, Safiya Arnaout & Joseph Rende. Visit the Ross Valley Players website at www.rossvalleyplayers.com for more info and details! Catch this one if you can! Support Live Theatre!

Kathryn G. McCarty (The Vagina Monologues). Kathryn is look for actors for her new musical production RIVETS -Directed by Clay David (Little Women: The Musical). She is looking to cast for the May and October shows. She is particularly looking for Actress: African-American (19-25) Strong Vocals, leading lady type; Actor: Young male, must read 12. Caucasian and Actor: Male (18-23). Must move well, leading man type. Send resume and pic via email -Subject line must state: RIVETS RESUME SUBMISSION.ATTACHMENT -email: kathygpet@aol.com. www.myspace.com/rivetsmusical. Good luck!

Marianna Ford (Channel 7 Bay Area Awards); Daren A.C. Corollo & Kathleen Breedveld (Sweet Charity). This incredible team along with Gia Solari and Matt Liebowitz are having auditions for JOSEPH AND THE AMAZING TECHNICOLOR DREAMCOAT for the premier production of Algarve Entertainment Group, Inc on May 7th, 8th beginning at 7pm and May 10th at 1pm. Bring headshot, resume and sheet music in your key; All roles open plus 60 member Children's Choir. AEA & Non-AEA. Stipend. May 7th -Principal vocal auditions by appointment (Joseph, Narrator, Pharaoh), 8pm -Dance call. May 8th -Principal vocal auditions (see above), 8pm -Dance call. Bring jazz shoes/heels -women. Saturday May 10th @1pm -Children's Choir vocal audition. Rehearsals begin July 19th -show opens August 15th and runs thru August 24th. For more details email liebo36@mindspring.com or geeuhh@aol.com. For principal vocal appointments call Kathleen Breedveld @ 925-449-5636. Good luck!

June McCue (Lend Me A Tenor). June is starring in the Onstage Theatre production SYLVIA -directed by Helen Means (The Vagina Monologues). The show is playing now thru May 17th at the Schoolhouse Culture Center at 2050 Oak Park Blvd in Pleasant Hill. Rounding out the cast is another VM alum Robert Tibbets and joining her are Barry Hunau and Don Tamblyn. Call 925-944-9006 . www.onstagetheatre.org.

Lisa Tatoesian (Little Women: The Musical) will be playing Penlope Pennywise in the Douglas Morrisson Theatre's production of URINETOWN -directed by Sue Ellen Nelsen (Carousel & Ragtime!). Also featured in the show are the following alums: James Kopenen (Carousel) and Kara Penrose (The Scarlet Pimpernel and Ragtime!). May 9th thru June 8. www.dmtonline.org or call 510-881-6777. A really funny show!

Next up for Carmichael Blankenship (DreamGirls; In The Beginning) is COCO, A 42nd Street Moon production. Playing now thru May 11th at the Eureka Theatre in San Francisco. http://www.42ndstmoon.org/ for details.

DLOC's BRIGADOON which opens soon will host a slew of alums: Michael Scott Wells (Little Women: The Musical); Keith Barlow (Once Upon A Mattress & The Scarlet Pimpernel); Mark Eichorn (How To Succeed, Sweet Charity & The Scarlet Pimpernel); Kathy Ferber (Little Women: The Musical); Bobbie Barlow (The Wiz); Grete Egan (Carousel); Jake Sigl (The Full Monty); Al Guaraglia (Carousel); & Cliff Egan (Carousel). Visit Dialblo Light Opera online at
www.dloc.org for details.

Opening May 15th is City Light Theatre's production A FEW GOOD MEN -directed by Kit Wilder (JC Superstar & The Full Monty). The show runs thru June 15th. Don't miss this dynamic court room drama. Visit www.cltc.org or call 408-295-4200 for details!

Molly Thornton (The All Night Strut, The Full Monty & Thoroughly Modern Millie) has been keeping herself busy with her upcoming production MAN OF LA MANCHA with Saratoga Drama Group. Opening May 17th and runs through June 7th. Also Featured in this Bay Area favorite are: Tim Reynolds (JC Superstar, The Full Monty and 1940s Radio Hour); Howard Statemen (Calaveras Rep Scene Nights); Edie Kerr; and Greg Goebel (The All Night Strut and 1940s Radio Hour) -Directed by Howard L Miller and house managed by C. Michael Traw (Thoroughly Modern Millie and 1940s Radio Hour) and Lucy Haab (ditto). Visit www.saratogadramagroup.com for more details!

There will be more to come later.

I have added 4 new alums to my MAY I RECOMMEND page. They are: Ray Renati, Marika Casteel, Alexandra Ackerman and Virginia Wilcox. Check out their awesome websites!

Thank you to all who have journeyed with me thus far in my playwright ventures. I have dedicated a page to you on my website called ABIGAIL DREARY Script Acknowledgements. As I continue down this road I am ever grateful for all of your support.

Stay tuned for some exciting news forthcoming. Until next time, BREAK-A-LEG!

http://www.michelleianiro.com/
michelle@michelleianiro.com

ANYHOO, THAT'S MY OPINION!

I just spent a wonderful evening w/ Dave Abrams, Marisa Borowitz, Danny Cozart and the always lovely Meghann May at Town Hall Theatre in Diablo Light Opera's producation of SONGS FOR A NEW WORLD. The show continues April 11-13 at Town Hall Theatre in Lafayette and then it re-appears at the El Campanil Theatre in Antioch on April 26th. Not many more chances to see this, but see it you must and here's why: Dave, Danny, Marisa and Meghann -in a nutshell. What an ensemble of stellar performers. I had a grin on my face from the 1st song "A New World" and I'm still grinning. Granted, SONGS FOR A NEW WORLD is one of my favorite CDs to listen to and it does bring back fond memories of when Chris Boccard, Jasen Jeffrey, Mike Verzosa , Vanessa Lucero and I did several numbers from this wonderful score in my cabaret This Is Our Moment at Town Hall Theatre many moons ago; that said my little oppinion may be biased, but really, this is one of the better shows playing right now! Kevin has worked the "Morales" magic to bring you what turns out to be a surprisingly thought provoking and moving show. Normally, SONGS FOR A NEW WORLD is performed with a black stage, stools, a piano in back or small combo and the performers sitting or standing in a semi-circle the entire time. No sets or props -just great singers. Kevin T. Morales decided to go a different route and he presented us with little snippets of stories (equipped with small scenery, props and costumes to boot), that ended up telling a whole story about the unexpected "surprises" along the road that is Life. One of the things I enjoyed most about the show, since it is all sung, was the intelligent musical direction of Greg Zema. It's sooooo refreshing to see a show where the high energy performances like "Just One Step" -hilariously performed by Marisa Borowitz, is sprinked with soft nuances like "Christmas Lullaby" -beauifully sung by Meghann May.

This one's a keeper! Get out to Town Hall Theatre or The El Campanil and see SONGS FOR A NEW WORLD. You are in for a real treat! http://www.dloc.org/ for details and information.

Anyhoo, that's my oppinion.