Improvatar

On May, 12, 2010 Monsignor Farrell High School and the Farrell Improv Players put on their annual Improv show entitled Improvatar. The title was a play on words based off of the number one box office hit Avatar. Directed by Andrew Monteleone (also director of the Farrell Players) the actors/actresses in the show always seem to amaze me with what random things come to their heads.

The show welcomed back many alumni as well as many up and coming young men interested in this kind of entertainment. Girls from various schools over Staten Island are welcomed as well, but not many flock to this kind of production. Michael Leavy (Class of 2008) served as our host for the evening. He introduced the various games and explained to the audience what the actors would be doing in these various scenes.


Some great performers of the night included: Matt Burns, John D'Agastino, John Elias, Tom Heintz, Kristina Imperial, Erin Kenny, John Kiame, Jason Leavy, James O'Hare, Michael Palladino, Marrick Smith, and Jonathan Wood. In the closing remarks some of the seniors all made a special effort to say how honored they were to be asked to come back to perform in the Farrell Lobby for this night of comedy.


Those of you familar with improv and have seen the famous show Whose Line Is It Anyway? might recognize some of names of the games these young actors/actressses play. The way in which they act out these adapted scenes are very impressive. I found myself saying "I have no idea how these kids do this." Some of these games include: Freeze, Change, Hidden Line, Ask Mr. Smart, Entertainment Forums, Hands Only, Translations, Hollywood Director, World's Worst, Scenes from a Hat, Two Line Vocabulary, Party Quirks, Three-Headed Broadway Star, and Broadway Showstopper.


Take a look at some of the clips from Improvatar. Don't miss out on this annual show in the Monsignor Farrell High School lobby. For just $8 a ticket I can guarantee you will experience a night of comedy. Some of you who think you "aren't into" this kind of humor, I would recommend going just to see how talented these young adults are.

Monsignor Paddack, the principal of Monsignor Farrell HIgh School ended the night by giving out an award for the person who made him laugh the most. "Matty, you've done it again," he said similing as the audience cheered. Matt Burns is an alumni from the class of 2007. He now attends the College of the Staten Island and some of you might've caught his performance in A Midsummer Night's Dream at CSI. His "big" humor and ability to reach people through comedy is really great! He can change his voice and do many impersonations that are real to life.

This video below shows Matt Burns and Marrick Smith:

More Summer Opportunities...

I recently posted about Wagner College's Summer Theater Institute Program to be held over the upcoming summer. The college is also home to another theater program known as the Actor Children's Theatre (ACT.) 

It is a new children's theatre program that encompasses a "triple threat" which teaches acting, musical performance, and movement. Actors will focus on building confidence, performing improvisations, character studies, and theater games. Children enrolled in this program will be able to audition for our spring performance of The Wizard of Oz. Directed by Solange Bila, who has staged more than 30 shows on Staten Island, a great show is sure to be the result. Children not cast in the show will continue with our spring theatre program. Give your child the opportunity to explore his/her inner self and express ideas through the art of drama. 

This spring program ran from January 23, 2010 - June 19, 2010. It is a twenty week program. It is too late to join the spring season this year, but the summer program is still open to apply. Wagner College ACT Children's Theatre Open House for children and parents to discuss summer stock and auditions for Beauty and the Beast, Jr. is being held on May 15th from 1:15 PM - 2:15 PM at the Campus Hall Musical Performance Center. The audition and registration date is Saturday, May 22, 2010 at  2:00 PM, in the Main Hall Theatre.

This is a great opportunity for children who have a passion for theater to spend their summer doing something that they love. 

Staten Island's Finest

Brittany Rubino is a senior at St. Joseph Hill Academy. Some of my loyal readers might notice Brittany's name from my post about the "Hill Singers." She was one of the highlighted solo performers in the choral concert. She was thrilled to answer some questions for me about being a performer on Staten Island as well as some of her dreams and experiences.

MN: Where were you born and raised?

BR: I was born in Brooklyn, New York and raised in Staten Island, New York. 

MN: How old were you when you were first introduced to theater?

BR: I was first introduced to theater around the age of five. 



MN: What is your favorite Broadway play?

BR:My favorite Broadway play would definitely be Wicked. I absolutely love the music and the story line is so touching. 


MN: What is your dream role?

BR: My dream role is Reno Sweeney from the musical Anything Goes.



MN:What theater groups have you been involved in on Staten Island?

BR: In addition to my high school’s theater department, I have been involved with the Actor’s Workshop and the Actors Children’s Theater (ACT)

MN: Have you performed in places outside of our little borough?

BR: Recently I have not, but when I was younger I performed a lot in Manhattan as well as New Jersey.



MN:What has been your favorite role that you played so far?

BR: My favorite role so far would be Belle in Beauty and the Beast.

MN: What is your favorite thing to do sing, act or dance? (If you can choose.)

BR: It is a really close tie between acting and singing! (I’m not the greatest dancer in the world) However, if I had to chose, I would pick singing because it makes me feel very calm and I have so much fun with it! 


MN: Has there been anyone in your life who has influenced you in the theater world?

BR:An actress in the theater world who has influenced me is Sutton Foster. 


MN: Have you taken any lessons or practiced with any voice teachers?

BR: I haven’t had steady vocal lessons since I was about 9 years old, but recently I studied with Katie Agresta! (one of Bon Jovi’s vocal coaches)

MN: What is the most difficult thing about performing?

BR: The most difficult thing about performing, for me, is remembering the choreography of the dance numbers!



MN: Do you plan on pursuing this passion in college?

BR: Although I am not majoring in Theater, I do plan to pursue my passion! I will audition for any theater opportunities that come my way!


I would like to take this time to thank Brittany for taking the time out to answer these questions for me. I was surprised by some of her responses because after seeing her preform I would have bet that she would have had heavy training in singing. It just goes to show how some people truly have an innate talent. I want to congratulate and wish Brittany the best of luck as she graduates this June and goes on to pursue the world of higher education.

Whose Line Is It Anyway?

Monsignor Farrell is hosting their annual Improv Show this upcoming Wednesday, May 12th from 7:00 PM- 9:00 PM in the Farrell Lobby. Those of you who aren't familiar with what an "Improv Show" is, it is very similar to the show Whose Line Is It Anyway? It is very comedic and promises to keep you laughing all night.

The show consists of a panel of performers who create characters, scenes and songs on the spot, in the style of short-form improvisation games, many taken from theatresports. Topics for the games were based on either audience suggestions or predetermined prompts from the host. 


The doors open at 7:00 and the show will start at approximately 7:30 PM. Admission costs $8 and will once again be held in the Monsignor Farrell Lobby. If you were fortunate enough to catch the "Farrell Players'" performance of Anything Goes this year, you will definitely see some familiar faces in the show.


For those of you who haven't seen the famous Whose Line Is It Anyway? show, take a look at the clip below to get a feel for what Improv is all about.

Say A Little Prayer for "Promises Promises"

"Promises, Promises" was one of the most anticipated shows opening on Broadway this season. The show officially opened on March 27th of this year and I had the opportunity to see it at the Broadway Theater on May 2nd. The show runs almost a full three hours with a fifteen minute intermission (a little too long for my liking.) Walking away with just four Tony Award nominations, Promises, Promises proves to be a great show for about $50 a ticket. The story-line is based on the 1960's film The Apartment. For me, the plot seems a tad bit outdated, causing the performance having a dull feel to it. 

Their four nominations include: 

Best Performance by a Leading Actor in a Musical

Best Performance by a Featured Actress in a Musical

Best Choreography

Best Orchestrations

Let's not forget to mention the fact that Will & Grace's Sean Hayes, and Kristin Chenoweth from the original cast of Wicked are headlining this show. Personally, it was difficult for me to look at Sean Hayes in the role of Chuck, an ambitious, charming, and shrewd bachelor who works for the Consolidated Life Insurance Company. All I kept picturing was him saying "Just Jack." In addition, Kristin Chenoweth plays the role of Fran Kubelik, a rather boring part when compared to the bubbly, happy and humorous "Glinda the Good Witch." Kristin Chenoweth did not receive a nomination for her role, however Sean Hayes received one for Best Performance by a Leading Actor in a Musical against another big name, Kelsey Grammer in La Cage aux Folles. 

A few of the most famous songs from the musical include: "I Say a Little Prayer," "Turkey Lurkey Time," and "I'll Never Fall in Love Again." I was so psyched to hear Chenoweth's version of "Say a Little Prayer," however, it wound up being a number that went completely unnoticed. There was not one number in the show that really stuck with me when I walked out of the theater, and that to me is a problem.

On the other hand, Kate Finneran (nomination for Best Performance by a Featured Actress in a Musical) utterly steals the show. The audience would not stop laughing at her humorous one-liners. Her acting is superior to any other actor/actress on the stage. To be honest, the role she was cast in is very dynamic, as opposed to that of Fran Kubelik. I will give credit where credit is due though, Finneran has definitely found her niche. 

Take a look at a blog I follow "On The Boards," and specifically their post about Kristin Chenoweth's plea for her role to be "spiced" up. 

Tune in to the Tony Awards on June 13th at 8:00 PM on CBS to see if "Promises, Promises" will walk away with any awards. There are also discount tickets available. If you are still interested in seeing the show, I would not recommend spending $126 per ticket, you run the risk of most likely being disappointed for a great deal of money.

Take a look at Sean Hayes and Kristin Chenoweth singing "I'll Never Fall in Love Again" below. 

"Promises, Promises" winds up not being able to promise too much. 

St. Joseph Hill Singers "Walk on Sunshine"

Every Spring I look forward to heading back to my alma mater (St. Joseph Hill Academy) to see the "Hill Singers" put on their Choral Concert. As a former singer and president of the school's "Glee Club," it is always a joy to return back and see familiar faces. Twenty-four girls that range from freshmen to seniors are broken up on the stage onto high risers in three sections: first sopranos, second sopranos, and altos. Separating the singers into these sections allows for harmonies that deeply resonate into the crowd. The concert also contains about six specialty dancers that do some extra movement than just the hand motions the others do as a group on the high risers. The singers start preparing for this show in January. From September through December they practice Christmas songs that they perform at St. Joseph Hill's "Coffee House." The Coffee House is a celebration of the upcoming holidays right before Christmas break. The setting in which they perform the Christmas songs is not as formal, they pretty much just sing in front of their fellow schoolmates and faculty members (tickets are not sold for this event.) 

Ms. Donna D'Ermilio-Miller has been the musical director here at the Academy for years. In addition to working effortlessly with the singers she directs a fall musical that takes place once a year every November. Most recently they have performed Once Upon a Mattress, Cinderella, Carousel, and Oklahoma. She also teachers a Music Appreciation class to sophomores and an Opera elective to juniors and seniors. Ms. D'Ermilio plays the piano for the girls about three days a week after school to practice and does most of the staging and choreography for the group.


The concert starts out with the blue curtain opening and the audience is exposed to a sea of girls with black skirts, white blouses, and blue cummerbunds (a traditional singer costume.) There are many group numbers with solos and trios dispersed throughout the show. There was no intermission and the concert ran about an hour and a half (well worth the price of $10 admission.)

Just to give you an idea of the type of music the girls sing, here is the list of songs they sang this year:
Halo/Walking on Sunshine (As seen on the show Glee)
The Beatles in Revue
Sister Act Medley (Including "I Will Follow Him"
The Pink Panther
Electricity (From the Broadway show Billy Elliot- with American Sign Language)
Not While I'm Around (From the Broadway show Sweeney Todd)
We Go Together (From the Broadway show Grease)
Aquarius (From the Broadway show Hair)
Seasons of Love (From the Broadway show Rent)
Don't Rain on My Parade (From Funny Girl)
and my personal favorite Disney Dazzle: Be Our Guest, Belle, Arabian Nights, Kiss the Girl, Part of Your World, She's in Love, A Whole New World, Beauty and the Beast, Under the Sea, My Strongest Suit, Chim-Chim-Cheree, Step in Time, Supercalifraglisticexpialidocious, and Colors of the Wind. 








It may seem like there are a lot of songs, maybe even a little bit too much. Trust me, the hour and a half flew by. The singers are able to do this by adding various solos. For example, Candace Hevia, Brittany Rubio, Kim Onah, Gabrielle Ardolino, Sabrina Bogen, and many more were sparatically placed throughout the show singing in the various groups of songs. They even broke down a few numbers into just freshmen and sophomores and just juniors and seniors.

For Disney Dazzle part of the show, the singers changed their outfits to black shirts with turquoise lettering that read St. Joseph Hill Singers and khaki pants. It allowed for a little change of pace as well as a more informal feel. One of my favorite performances of the night was that by senior Brittany Rubino. Ms. Rubino is currently a senior at St. Joseph Hill. Those of you who saw this years performance of Once Upon a Mattress might've caught Brittany in the phenomenal role of "Fred." As an alto, Brittany has a strong low voice that allows her belt out notes like one could ever fathom. In addition to her one of a kind voice, she uses her acting ability to her advantage. When she played the part of "Fred" she kept the audience laughing throughout the whole show. Another one of Brittany's performances I should note would be of that in Cinderella. She played one of the evil stepsisters in 2008. This one was a performance where Brittany's acting ability really shone through. Unfortunately, as part of this concert she did not have the opportunity to display her acting and dancing ability, but her solo number,  Don't Rain on My Parade was definitely a show stopper. Watch part of Brittany's solo in the clip below:

Being part of the Hill singers will be one of my favorite memories I will take away from my high school years. I made so many friends and had much fun that I am so thankful I joined this group. Even if you have never had any type of voice training, Ms. D'Ermilio and the St. Joseph Hill Singers welcome you with open arms. There is no other way I would've chose to spend these last couple of months than practicing for our successful concert.- Alyssa Carmusciano, Class of 2010 (Solo, She's In Love) 

One of my least favorite performances was that of The Pink Panther. It was an interesting choice because the singers were making noises throughout the whole piece and managed to harmonize it beautifully. However, there were many other numbers that "Wowed" me much more. Electricity from Billy Elliot was a very heartfelt number due do the fact that the girls learned the American Sign Language to the lyrics thanks to Mrs. Marlene Folvik.


Look at some clips of the show below and don't miss the concert again next fall!

"It Is Not a Dream, It Is Our Reality"

Susan Uberti is currently the director of the Academy of St. Dorothy Drama Club program here on Staten Island. Check out this previous post for more about the program. 
Susan has been my mentor and friend since I was in the fifth grade. I have worked with her as an actress and more recently beside her as a choreographer. She has much experience on both sides of the stage that have helped children all over the island. Anyone who has worked with "Miss Susan" knows that she is not just your director, but someone with a heart of gold who is always willing to help you (personally or to grow as an actor/actress.)

MN: Where were you born and raised?
SU: I was born  in Manhattan but my family moved to Brooklyn when I was a year and a half old. 

MN: Did you always have a passion for theater?
SU: We didn’t  have the financial means to be exposed to Broadway as such, but we did listen to the music and watched all the theatrical events on TV. This began my journey, the passion came later in High School. 

MN: Was there anyone who put you on this path to acting?
SU: Yes, Sr Joseph Ignatius, my very strict Spanish teacher, who was put in charge of the High School play. 

MN: What were some of your best experiences as an actress?
SU: The first time I took a curtain call, I couldn’t believe they were clapping for me. As a matter of fact I actually looked behind me to see who was there. My first standing ovation for my portrayal of Mae Petersen in Bye Bye Birdie. The audience recognition and applause when I returned after a two year absence to play General Matilda B. Cartwright in Guys and Dolls. Last and my very favorite one:  the look on my parent s’ faces when I sang , “Not While I’m Around” directly to them  from the stage at our reunion show in 1991. 
 
MN: If you had to pick your favorite role, which would it be and why?
SU: That’s a hard one, because each of them hold a special place for a different reason. But if I had to choose, it would have to be Aunt Eller in Oklahoma, my debut performance. That began my journey, my passion and my discovery of the real “me”. 

MN: What is your favorite musical and why?
SU: Man of La Mancha. I guess because I too dream the impossible dream and if truth be known, like Don Quijote, it is not a dream, it is our reality! 

MN: Do you feel more comfortable being behind the stage directing or being on the stage performing?
SU: At this point I guess I would say directing for so many reasons. But all in all I would say that I have had equal happiness and satisfaction doing both.
 
MN: How long have you been the director for the Can-Do Kids?
SU: 11 wonderful years. 

MN: What was the first show you worked on with the program?
SU: “I remember Mama” 

MN: Where did the name "Can-Do Kids" originate?
SU: Originally, the children and I got the inspiration from the song in “Guys and Dolls.” From the beginning, “can’t” was a dirty word and “love” was the only way.

MN: I'm sure it is difficult to sometimes get through to the young children you direct, what is the best advice you can give others when instructing children?
SU: Teach and direct as a collaborator and never a dictator. Remember  what it was like to be a kid. Always  come from a stand point of  “Do as I  do” never just “As I say”. Believe in them, see each and everyone of their special talents, and never give up even when they start to. Push them  relentlessly towards excellence and they will never disappoint you. Hold them close and protect their very fragile egos and hearts, you’ll never regret it.  

MN: How do you feel being part of the drama club can help these kids in the long run?
SU: I believe it teaches them many things. It gives them a good sense of themselves as they learn to present themselves in the best possible way. This will be useful not only on a stage, but at a job interview, a business presentation , a college interview etc. It  teaches them the importance of working as a team for a common goal. It gives them a sense of responsiblity and how their actions not only affect them but the group as a whole. It teaches them, discipline and focus. And I guess best of all, It make them feel really good about themselves and perhaps begins their journey of self discovery and passion.
 


I would like to extend a special and heartfelt thank you to Susan for donating her time and for helping me out once again. 
Don't forget to check out the Academy of St. Dorothy's Drama Club performance next March!