Philadelphia Theatre Workshop opens its 2008/2009 season with Roberto Aguirre-Sacasa's The Mystery Plays. A thrilling, mysterious meditation on life's big questions, this show uses an ensemble cast with each of the six actors playing multiple roles. I am one of only two women, and have "the only comic relief" in the whole play, according to director Bill Felty! Snippets will be presented at the PTW fundraiser on Saturday, September 20th, and the run is from November 14-30. I worked with Bill in 2005 on Swimming In The Shallows, which was a wonderful experience, so I am really looking forward to working with him again.

I'm counting down to March 14th, when the show I created, Belles of Dublin, An Evening of Irish Theatre and Music, returns to The Red Room at Society Hill Playhouse. This will be the 3rd year now, so I guess it's turning into a Philly institution! I portray a contemporary Irish woman in four monologues I adapted from the works of Irish novelist Edna O'Brien. The stories of coming of age, a disastrous adulterous afternoon tryst, an unforgettable tale of revenge, and its aftermath, are surrounded by Irish music: beautiful ballads sung by soprano Kim Robson, accompanied by Evangeline Williams on the celtic harp.
I have been interviewed for Irishphiladelphia.com, and will be talking about the show on WTMR's Irish show, Come West Along the Road, on Sunday May 2nd. Belles will ring March 14-17 (tix/info at www.societyhillplayhouse.org) and I hope you will come check me out in this unique and delightful St. Patrick's Day weekend celebration.

I performed in a staged reading Sunday of a new play by Paul Kuhn, as part of the Independence Starts Here festival, presented by Amaryllis Theater in the Adrienne Theater. The play looks at disabilities from many angles, and I got to play a manipulating bitch who actually says
"he's deformed!" - that took guts!

I'm off to London Tuesday for a quick Thanksgiving vacation with my family - can't wait, especially as we have tickets to see Sir Ian McKellan starring in King Lear!

Last night was opening night, at the historic Plays and Players theater in Center City. It was a new script, so I got to create the role of Fran, the newly rich sister from New York. I had a blast - we had a good house as it was also a fundraiser for a breast cancer foundation, and there was a lovely dessert/champagne reception after, at which many guests collared me to tell me how much they loved my oerformance! During the final working rehearsal, I was inspired to throw in a cartwheel (within some lines about how young and fit I am), which is a showstopper, since no one expects that from a middle-aged woman! Did I mention I make my first entrance in a fur coat down a staircase? It does make for a wonderful entrance, and my costumes are funny and fabulous (for example, a black boa!), and I'm doing tacky things w my hair, too. Alas, it ends Sunday after five performances - ah, the theatre!

Last Sunday, Oct 7, I performed my solo show, She Moved Through the Fair, at the Studio Off Broadway in Houston, Texas. This show premiered last fall at the invitation of the Six Figures Theater Company Artists of Tomorrow Festival at the West End Theater in New York City. It consisted of 3 monologues, with underlying music, that I adapted from the works of Edna O'Brien, illuminating the romantic and sexual life of a contemporary Irish woman. Since the premier, I'd added a 4th part, and was very pleased with its reception. I also made my radio debut the night before. My opening act, Constant Billy, who are known for new takes on traditional Celtic Music, host the Irish Aires radio show on KPFT public radio, and they invited me on the air. I did a brief snippet of the show, and they interviewed me, too. The show runs 52 minutes, and I was a little worried, as I'd been sick for a week with a sore throat, etc. But that all important adrenalyn kicked in, and I was in good voice with energy to spare!

I've been busy rehearsing the new play Are the Lights Still On In Paris, by Norman Shabel. I am creating the role of Fran, which is a wonderful character role. I grew up on Long Island, and over time eradicated my NY accent, yet longed to play a role with a NY accent, since it is very easy for me to slip into. So, finally, I'm getting my chance, and am having a ball! We run Oct 24-28 at the historic Plays and Players theater in Center City. Opening Night is a benefit for breast cancer awareness.

I booked the live medical industrial I auditioned for a few weeks ago. There will be a 3 hour rehearsal and then a 6 hour day (the next day), all in the Philadelphia Convention Center. Oddly enough, my skills as a standardized patient actor helped me to get this job, and this job will probably open more doors as a standardized patient!

Today I had a callback at Philly Casting for a live medical job at a convention - I felt well-prepared from my work as a standardized patient. The timing on this was great, as I leave for Paris tomorrow! It is my 7th trip, as I'm lucky to have friends to stay with there. I'm planning to check out Sudden Theatre, which has an English series on Monday nights - I would love to bring my solo show there next trip!
I will have access to email while I'm away, so feel free to offer me work after Sept 28th!

Still haven't heard from the Constitution Center, and the little inner monologue of wonder has started - "well, they probably didn't make any calls Tuesday after the holiday, and maybe there were other pressing work items Wednesday....but wouldn't I have heard by now?!" The fact is, one never knows! And the trick is to forget about it and be pleasantly surprised when that call (or email) does come! How to do it? Go to other auditions! Or work on one's own projects - I'll report on those later...

Today I auditioned for Freedom Rising, the show at the National Constitutional Center. I had never been there before, and was able to see the show about an hour before my audition. I'd gotten the goosebumps reading the script, and the live show was even more thrilling! There were only a few actors brought in, and I felt honored to be in such a select group. My monologue went well (it's hard to get a laugh from only 2 auditors!), as did the cold reading.
I would love to be cast in this show - the "holy grail" of actors' day jobs!