Sparkly People, Ugly Sweaters & a Great Cause

Sometimes actors come in and audition for TIC who have a real spark, and you know they're one to watch. That's how I felt when I met Kiwi Callahan earlier this year.

Kiwi is co-organizing an amazing benefit cabaret next week, called The Ugly Christmas Sweater Cabaret and Coat Drive. Check out this talented performer on Tuesday, December 4 at 7 pm at the Laurie Beechman Theatre (407 West 42nd Street). Reserve your spot at 212-695-6909 or read up at www.UglySweaterProductions.com.

And of course, Kiwi and I took this opportunity to talk all things holiday-themed...

TIC: Tell me about the Ugly Christmas Sweater Cabaret...
KC: Well, my super-talented friends Alison Rose Munn and Patrick Hudson and I are putting together a Christmas show entitled The Ugly Christmas Sweater Cabaret. We are totally excited about getting to do whatever we want onstage for once. We're doing the whole show ourselves--from getting the space to picking the music, and in some cases arranging and writing it. I think what we're most excited about, though, is that we've successfully partnered with New York Cares to make it an official coat drive and fundraiser for them. So instead of having a cover charge, we're collecting coats and donations. It's been so great working with them, and all three of us are so glad to be doing work that has meaning for us in so many different ways.

TIC: What are you hoping for from Santa?
KC: I'm hoping Santa stops by with lots of chocolate and some awesome boots.

TIC: Favorite holiday treat?
KC: Mint hot chocolate and pie.

TIC: Favorite holiday movie?
KC: It's a toss-up between "It's a Wonderful Life" and "Love, Actually."

Happy holidays, all! 

The Ugly Christmas Sweater Cabaret and Coat Drive
Tuesday, December 4th at 7:00pm (Doors open at 6pm)
NO COVER CHARGE!
Laurie Beechman Theatre
407 W. 42nd St (Between 9th and 10th)
Reservations recommended, call (212) 695-6909
The Laurie Beechman Theatre has a $15 food/beverage minimum. www.UglySweaterProductions.com
Check out the official promo video!

OUR TOWN Q&A with Brian Roach -- George Gibbs

Over the last few weeks, we've been blogging about the talented team assembled for OUR TOWN, running Oct. 17-27.  While we're SOLD OUT (hurrah!), you can try your luck at the door for standby tickets. For more about the show, visit www.tictheater.com.

We sat down with actor Brian Roach and got his thoughts on playing George Gibbs.

1. Which occupation in Grover's Corners would you most like to attempt?

I think that I would like Howie Newsome's.   Delivering the milk each day allows him to be in touch and get to know each person in the town in a way that not many others do.  Howie seems to be one of those people who is a constant presence in town while going about his own business.  Everyone in town relies on him and he is the type of person that everyone is comfortable chatting up, whether it is about the weather, or George Gibbs giving up baseball for the married life.  He seems to be one of those under-the-radar overall good guys.  Plus, who wouldn't want to walk around town with a horse all day?!  

2. What would a time capsule for your life include?

• My copy of the OUR TOWN script! I saw OUR TOWN several years ago at the Barrow St. Theater and left telling my friend I went with that it would be a dream to one day play George Gibbs in a production of it.  The fact that this has become a reality is still a bit surreal and is so meaningful to me.  
• My mother's recipe for deviled eggs.  My cholesterol spikes twice a year when she makes them for holidays and future generations should get to experience the same.  
• The soundtrack for the Broadway show ONCE: A NEW MUSICAL.  The show, for me, was transformative (all three times that I've seen it) and future generations need to experience the brilliance of it.   

3. Which birthday would you want to relive, and why?

I would relive my 14th birthday.  My best friend Wendy's parents brought us to New York City to see Titanic on broadway.  We took the train down from upstate NY for my first broadway experience and the first trip to NYC that I can remember.  I would like to relive this birthday for two reasons.  First, the show was incredible and I would love the experience of seeing it again and spending the day in New York with those who mean the most to me.  Second, I did not have any realistic aspirations of becoming an actor at the time and don't think that I was fully able to appreciate the performances and all that went into the production.  I would love to revisit the experience, like Emily in Our Town, knowing what I know now and truly have an appreciation for the show as well as the incredible gift that I was given for my birthday.

OUR TOWN Q&A with Stephanie Pezolano

Over the last few weeks, we've been blogging about the talented team assembled for OUR TOWN, running Oct. 17-27.  While we're SOLD OUT (hurrah!), you can try your luck at the door for standby tickets. For more about the show, visit www.tictheater.com.

We sat down with the incomparable Stephanie Pezolano, who plays a towns person in the piece.  She's done her homework...

From Princeton to Boston to New York City to the Pulitzer Prize....it's mind-blowing to think OUR TOWN was almost a "flop." Boston theatre goers did not like it! To think that Jed Harris (the director and producer at the time) was actually persuaded by theatre critics (Brooks Atkinson and Alexander Woolcott) to not close the show, and bring OUR TOWN to New York ahead of time...moving to the Henry Miller Theatre, and then the Morosco Theatre...and the rest is...the lofty bar by which so many American plays are measured.... And, it's also interesting to note that "Mr. Harris insisted that the playbills were to be distributed after the final curtain, not before the show. His reason for that was that he did not want his actors bothered or disturbed by the rustling of the pages." I love that! I have always thought that was the way to go...this would encourage the audience to be enveloped by the play and the performances...without any distraction, nor pre-conceived notions which may influence his or her experience as a fully-engaged and objective audience member.

1. You're sitting at Mr. Morgan's drugstore.  What would you order as an old-time-y treat?

I would have a Boston Cooler (which is described as a soda fountain drink "for the sophisticate"): a tall glass of dry ginger ale with a scoop of vanilla ice cream. No whipped cream.

2. What job would you most like to attempt in Grover's Corners?

I would like to assist "those scientific fellas" who have come up with silicate glue to preserve "all the reading matter" for the Cornerstone.This would not only satisfy my interest in (and appreciation of) history and preservation, but intelligent men as well. Perhaps this may also provide me with some type of legitimate income while I pursue my artistic endeavors in a town which suffers from a dearth of culture and creative opportunity. I would clearly need to carve my own artistic path, and recruit as many neighbors and friends (perhaps the Stage Manager and girls who reluctantly play the piano at Commencement might be coaxed into joining my crusade) as possible. We could form a theatre company, for instance.... I would of course ask my scientist colleagues, Professor Willard and Editor Webb to be on our Board of Directors...

3. Our slogan for this production is "a sweet and tart slice of small town life."  What kind of pie would your character be?

I would be a Sour Cream Apple Crumb Pie. The recipe below is one I have tried personally, and it is absolutely delicious! I highly recommend it with a cup of mulled cider (and a spiked cup for Mr. Stimson, naturally!).

http://www.realsimple.com/food-recipes/browse-all-recipes/sour-cream-apple-crumb-pie-10000001694308/index.html

Plus One Fest: Sun Oct. 21-Mon Oct. 22 - Q&A with singer/songwriter Matt Sucich

During the Dark Nights of OUR TOWN, Tongue in Cheek celebrates the solo show with our Plus One Solo Show Festival, which runs Sunday October 21 and Monday, October 22 at 7:30 pm at Theatre 54 @ Shetler Studios (244 West 54th Street, 12th floor).  Plus One features 5 short solo shows and a musical guest.  Tickets are $18 online and at 212-868-4444.

We sat down with singer/songwriter Matt Sucich to learn a bit more how his songs are like an oatmeal raisin cookie.

One other thing: Matt's record is going to be released on Friday, November 16 at 9:30 pm at Rockwood Music Hall.  You should be there.
 
1. What excites you about writing and performing your own work? 

Seeing how some songs never change from the day they were written, while others need time and performance to take shape.

2. What scares you about writing and performing your own work?

I wouldn't say anything really scares me about the process. That's the beauty of artistic expression. There are no "rights" or "wrongs."

3. Where do you do your best writing? 

 Kitchen table and in the subway.

4. When you're developing new work, how do you know you're on the right path with it? 

When the pieces start presenting themselves easier, and all you have to do is place them together.

5. If your life and songs were turned into a big network sitcom/1-hour long drama, who would you cast in the supporting roles? 

 Duh, Clooney & Hanks.  Next question.

6. Recount the most surprising thing that ever happened to you while performing. 

I thought my zipper was down once (it wasn't...phew.)

7. If you held a bake sale inspired by your piece, what kind of food would you serve, and why? 

Oatmeal raisin cookies. Because songs are a lot like oats...and I like oatmeal raisin cookies.

http://esmatteo.com

Plus One Fest: Sun Oct. 21-Mon Oct. 22 - Q&A with Aladdin Ullah

During the Dark Nights of OUR TOWN, Tongue in Cheek celebrates the solo show with our Plus One Solo Show Festival, which runs Sunday October 21 and Monday, October 22 at 7:30 pm at Theatre 54 @ Shetler Studios (244 West 54th Street, 12th floor).  Plus One features 5 short solo shows and a musical guest.  Tickets are $18 online and at 212-868-4444.

We sat down with writer/performer Aladdin Ullah to hear how he likes to develop work and who is favorite writing companion is.

1. What excites you about writing and performing your own work?

Writing a piece that is very personal is the most exhilarating and frightening thing one can do. It is always fulfilling to see how an idea develops from a thought, to a word, to an actual living, breathing piece brought to life on stage. That process whenever it works with the audience either laughing or being moved is what inspires me to keep creating.

 2. What scares you about writing and performing your own work?

Whenever I attempt to write something funny I'm always cognizant whether or not someone will laugh, while writing a more dramatic piece I often tend to wonder is this serving the story? Are my characters sounding like real people? Whenever I write I like to bare my soul which is always a scary thing. Being that vulnerable is a big risk, which makes me love the process of developing new work.  

3. Where do you do your best writing?

Late at night in my bedroom with my tiny dog Pebbles sleeping on the floor making funny noises while she is sleeping.

Plus One Fest: Sun Oct. 21-Mon Oct. 22 - Q&A with Ira Gamerman

During the Dark Nights of OUR TOWN, Tongue in Cheek celebrates the solo show with our Plus One Solo Show Festival, which runs Sunday October 21 and Monday, October 22 at 7:30 pm at Theatre 54 @ Shetler Studios (244 West 54th Street, 12th floor).  Plus One features 5 short solo shows and a musical guest.  Tickets are $18 online and at 212-868-4444.

We sat down with writer/performer Ira Gamerman to hear how this piece came to be and he likes living in NYC.

1. What excites you about writing and performing your own work? 

These days, I primarily consider myself to be a playwright. But, way back in undergrad- before I decided that writing was the butter on my toast--I studied acting.

The thing is: in order to be a devoted writer, you've kinda gotta spend a lot of hours sitting alone in your room in the practice of putting words on paper- which consumes WAY more of your energy and concentration than you'd, maybe, expect it to- and doesn't really leave you with much time to memorize lines, or do as much yoga as you'd like, or rehearse a play 5 nights a week.

One of those sad adult lessons that artists occasionally have to learn is: sometimes unfortunately, when you have more than one passion, you've gotta make a choice between them and figure out which one is DEFINITIVELY your thing. It's mostly a practical decision. Pursuing any art takes time and practice (Your 10,000 Malcolm Gladwell genius hours and such), and at the end of the day, I figured it was better to be a REALLY GOOD playwright OR actor, than a moderately passable playwright AND actor who could stand to be significantly better at both. (And I'm a musician to boot... but don't even get me started on that). So, I sort of unofficially "retired" from acting at 23. And even though it was absolutely the correct decision to make and I have no regrets, I still miss acting a whole lot.

So, writing work that I actually intend for myself to perform is like planning a business trip that's ACTUALLY secretly just an excuse to hang out with a close childhood friend who lives three states away.

2. If you held a bake sale inspired by your piece, what kind of food would you serve, and why? 

Well, since my piece takes place in Ireland and involves alcohol, I think a bake-sale full of cakes, brownies, and pastries baked with Bailey's Irish Cream would be culturally and thematically appropriate. But really, it'd just be an excuse for me to eat lots of Bailey's infused pastries, which- seriously- ARE SO DELICIOUS, YOU GUYS! (I'm pretty much of the opinion that all pastries should be baked using Bailey's. The Irish are totally on to something there).

3. You're new to New York, right? 

I am! I just moved to the city in September after finishing my MFA in Playwriting at Ohio University. It's my first time living in New York (I'm a native Baltimorean), so it's pretty exciting/ scary. My performance in Plus One is actually my first official acting gig in the city (hopefully not the last!). So, thanks a bunch to Tongue In Cheek, for taking a gamble on the new guy! Really happy to be here!

Plus One Fest: Sun Oct. 21-Mon Oct. 22 - Q&A with Andrea Alton

During the Dark Nights of OUR TOWN, Tongue in Cheek celebrates the solo show with our Plus One Solo Show Festival, which runs Sunday October 21 and Monday, October 22 at 7:30 pm at Theatre 54 @ Shetler Studios (244 West 54th Street, 12th floor).  Plus One features 5 short solo shows and a musical guest.  Tickets are $18 online and at 212-868-4444.

We sat down with solo show artist Andrea Alton and asked her a few questions about her process as a writer and performer.  For more on this funny lady, read on!

Where do you do your best writing?

On the subway.

When you're developing new work, how do you know when you're on the right path with it?

I get really excited to write and I can't stop thinking about the story and the characters.  If I feel that passion and excitement at the beginning, then I know I'm on the right path.

What scares you about writing and performing your own work? 

For me, the scariest part is the minutes before the first show when all of a sudden, I'm standing backstage by myself and I think, "What if nobody laughs?  What if what I wrote is crap and no one told me?"  I usually stand there in sheer terror for 30 seconds and then I let it go, because if I'm not confident in what I wrote, why should other people take the journey with me?

www.AndreaAlton.com

[Editor's note: Phew.  So we're all terrified.  Somehow that's reassuring!]

OUR TOWN Q&A with Stacie Capone

We are chatting with cast and crew on OUR TOWN, running Oct. 17-27.  Get your tickets now and for more about the show, visit www.tictheater.com. 

OUR TOWN Q&A with Stacie Capone (playing Mrs. Soames--town gossip)

1. You're sitting at Mr. Morgan's drugstore counter.  What would you order for an old-time-y treat? 

A chocolate egg cream, of course - my parents both grew up in Brooklyn and it was favorite treat we used to make at my grandparents' with their seltzer bottle and Fox's U-bet Syrup. 

2. Of the four kids in the play, who did you resemble, and why? (Emily, Wally, George, or Rebecca?) 

Rebecca, because she's a bit of a know it all...I may be a "bit" of a know it all.  After all, I am a Leo.  We're perfect and we know everything!
 

3. Our tag line for the show is "A Sweet And Tart Slice of Small Town Life." If we made a kind of pie in tribute to your character, what kind of pie would you be? 

I wanted to answer this one because I love dessert, but I couldn't seem to come up with the perfect pie.  I turned to my really good friend who also happens to be an amazing pastry chef.  I don't think I could have come up with a better pie, so I give you her words: "the very rare sour cherry pie whose crust is painted with hidden dark chocolate."

http://staciecapone.com