Blogging About: Tracy Willet, 'Sarah' in WHALE SONG!

Tongue in Cheek Theater's fall 2014 season opens in a few weeks with Whale Song or: Learning to Live with Mobyphobia by Claire Kiechel, which runs 9 performances, from October 29-November 8, 2014 at 8 pm.  All shows are at The Bridge Theatre @ Shetler Studios, 244 West 54th Street, 12th Floor in midtown NYC.  Tickets are $18 at www.tictheater.com and by calling 212-868-4444.

We recently sat down with the amazing actress Tracy Willet to ask her a few questions!

If you were an animal, what would you be?
I would be a wild horse, running through the outback of Australia.  Complete freedom in nature, with no boundaries or limits.

Tracy Willet

When you sing for fun, what do you usually sing?
Depends on my mood.  Often times, I make up random songs based on how I'm feeling, so it's a lot of original shower compositions!

What's your favorite line in the play?
"You are all very real little people," -- said by 'Maya,' a pre-school teacher, to her students

Kids can teach us so much, especially about being real and honest in the moment.  Especially before they become truly socialized.  Their truth is perfect.

We can't wait to have you see Tracy in Whale Song!  Get your tickets now at www.tictheater.com and by calling 212-868-4444.

Blogging About: Shelley Little, 'Maya' in WHALE SONG

Tongue in Cheek Theater's fall 2014 season opens later this month with Whale Song or: Learning to Live with Mobyphobia by Claire Kiechel which runs 9 performances, from October 29-November 8, 2014 at 8 pm.  All shows are at The Bridge Theatre @ Shetler Studios, 244 West 54th Street, 12th Floor in midtown NYC.  Tickets are $18 at www.tictheater.com and by calling 212-868-4444.

We recently sat down with actress Shelley Little, who stars as 'Maya' to ask a few questions about whales and bears and doing her sixth show with Tongue in Cheek!

Shelley Little

You play 'Maya,' the protagonist in Whale Song, who is afraid of whales.  Did you do any research into whales?
After I was cast in this play, I started dating a hot single dad. We're both really busy, so in an effort to multi-task, I asked if he would want to watch Blackfish with me the only night I had free one week.  I felt like I should watch it before rehearsal started.  He said yes.  It was our second date.  Here's what I'll say.

1. Definitely watch Blackfish.
2. Definitely don't watch Blackfish when you want someone to kiss you.

How do YOU feel about whales?
I love whales!  I went through that phase in middle school where I wanted to be a marine biologist.  In high school, I volunteered at a science center and we had an exhibit on whales for a while.  I got to teach elementary school kids all the things I'd loved at their age.  There's something very mysterious about whales -- their secret communication systems, their family units, how deep they go into the ocean (into places we know nothing about).  This play has been a great excuse for me to start geeking out about whales again!

So, what animal would you be, if you could magically turn into another species?
I'd probably be a bear.  I like to sleep all day and I throw a lot of temper tantrums.  All my friends should be warned -- tied your food up out of my reach and don't try to steal any of mine.  I don't share well.

We can't wait to have you see Whale Song or: Learning to Live with Mobyphobia!  Get your tickets now at www.tictheater.com and by calling 212-868-4444.

Rehearsals for WHALE SONG Underway!

I'm glad the piece isn't called Free Whale-y.

So exciting to have TIC's 28th production, Whale Song or: Learning to Live with Mobyphobia underway with rehearsals this week.

Playwright Claire Kiechel came to our first read-through on Tuesday night and may slightly tweak/update the script from its FringeNYC debut in 2011.

In the meantime, the cast of 6 is comprised of Brady Adair (prior TIC productions include 'Principal Pettlogg' in Dead White Males and 'Doc Gibbs' in Our Town), Shelley Little (recently seen onstage as 'Principal Washington' in Buffalo Heights, which she helped develop with TIC), and three TIC newcomers: Jared Shirkey, Matt Sydney and Tracy Willet.

The accompanying photo features the cutest whale cookies ever, a thoughtful first rehearsal gift from Brady to the cast.

Whale Song or: Learning to Live with Mobyphobia runs October 29-November 8, 2014 at The Bridge Theatre @ Shetler Studios, 244 West 54th Street, 12th Floor, NYC.  Tickets are $18 online or by calling 212-868-4444.

3 Questions with Moti Margolin

I first met Moti Margolin in grad school at Actors Studio Drama School and we even did a show together way back when.  Since earning his MFA, Moti has kept very busy in a variety of ways: as an actor, translator, musician, filmmaker and writer.

He has a very exciting fall lined up, including the reading of his first full-length play, The Last Shall Be First, this Sunday, September 21 at 2 pm at CAP 21 Studio Black Box Theater, 18 West 18th Street, presented by the Dutchkills Theater Company.

In October, he's appearing onstage in That Poor Dream, a devised piece that takes inspiration from Dicken's Great Expectations.  It runs October 4-26 at The New Ohio Theatre, produced by The Assembly Theater Company.

In short, Moti is as talented as he is thoughtful.  Read on...

Moti Margolin

Tell me about your production company, Samovar Film Productions.

We call it Samovar because I'm Russian, and I met my wife Emily while doing a production of The Three Sisters, and because samovar is a symbol of comfort, warmth and hospitality.  We keep that idea and approach with all our clients on their artistic goals.  As a production company, we have a broad range of services, from creating content for reels to shooting performances, to creating commercials or promos.  For more information, visit samovarfilmproductions.com

This weekend you're premiering a full length play you wrote, The Last Shall Be First -- how exciting!

In the past, I've written short scripts and translated works, and with The Last Shall Be First, I was working on several different ideas that I then came to realize were originating from the same sources of anxiety and concern: the difficulty of doing good for others, charity.  Once I realized that these different pieces had a common core, I was able to bind it up into The Last Shall Be First.  Since then, the play has, of course, continued to evolve.  My buddy Mike Piazza, the director of the reading, has been great with helping me refine the piece further.  I wouldn't consider myself a playwright, but felt I had something I wanted and needed to share.  I am excited and nervous about it and hope people can come.

I know you got married in the last year, to fellow thespian Emily Perkins, with whom you often collaborate.  Any words of advice to couples out there who work together?

I might not have the best advice to give here, I am too full of foibles!  But one thing I appreciate about her, and I believe she appreciates in me, is that we really do try to listen to each other.  I take very seriously whatever she wants to pursue artistically and otherwise.  That is not to say we don't critique each other.  It is helpful, and I am grateful for it, and I don't know if I would have done half of what I have done over the last couple of years without her.  Certainly not this reading of The Last Shall Be First without her telling me that she believes in it.

Announcing TIC's Plus 1 Festival Line Up Nov. 2-3

After a record-number of submissions for Tongue in Cheek's twelfth Plus 1 Solo Show Festival, we are pleased to announce our line up for our November fest!

If you love thought-provoking comedies, catch our talented story tellers Sunday, November 2 and Monday, November 3 at 8 pm at  The Bridge Theatre @ Shetler Studios (244 West 54th Street, 12th Floor, NYC).

Get your $20 tickets here or by calling 212-868-4444.

The line up includes 5 original solo shows, plus musical guest Ellia Bisker of Sweet Soubrette.

A Story about a Sandwich by David De Almo
Extra Magic Hours offer a rare and unique opportunity to enjoy additional time. On line.

Social Studies by Elizabeth Phillips
How far would you go to make history?

Home by Karen Elliott
A woman's on-going search to find home leads her to unexpected places.

Just Leave Me Here by Caralie Chrisco
If you’ve given up all vices to no big prize, should you stop doing burpees and go back to burgers?

New Year's Eve Party Crash by Dale Davidson
The biggest party of the year entails facing your fears.

Cast Announced for WHALE SONG, Oct. 29-Nov. 8

After over a thousand submissions, auditions and call backs, we are thrilled to announce our cast for Tongue in Cheek Theater's fall show, Whale Song by Claire Kiechel.

Whale Song will run for 9 performances, Wed. Oct. 29-Sat. Nov. 1 and Tue. Nov. 4-Sat. Nov. 8 at The Bridge Theatre @ Shetler Studios (244 West 54th Street, 12th Floor, NYC).  Tickets are available here and by calling 212-868-4444.

The dark comedy follows a pre-school teacher named Maya, who is troubled by the unseemly death of her father in a whale tank in Florida.  When a humpback whale starts circling the island of Manhattan, Maya can't believe it's all a coincidence.

The cast is as follows:

• Shelley Little plays 'Maya,' a teacher who happens to hate whales.
• Tracy Willet plays 'Sarah,' Maya's practical older sister.
• Brady Adair plays 'James' and other assorted characters, all versions of Maya's eccentric father.
• Jared Shirkey plays 'Mark,' Maya's boyfriend.
• Matt Sydney plays 'Shep, the Motherf*cking Drummer,' who helps Maya cope.
• Jake Lipman plays 'The Reporter,' who chronicles the breaking news in NYC when a whale starts circling the island.

The production will be directed by Jake Lipman and assistant directed by Molly Ballerstein.

We'll be posting more about the talented team leading up to the show in October. We look forward to seeing you at the show!

Casting WHALE SONG, TIC's Fall 2014 Show!

Calling all comedic actors for our 29th production, Whale Song by Claire Kiechel, to be directed by Jake Lipman.

Casting notice:  3 men and 2 women (union and non-union) for fall production of the comedic play WHALE SONG by Claire Kiechel.

AEA showcase, approval pending. Stipend is $200 for the run.

Whale Song is a thought-provoking dark comedy about Maya, a NY school teacher at the end of her rope. First her father dies in a whale tank, and now a whale is circling the island of Manhattan, singing and making it nearly impossible for Maya to teach her students, talk to her sister or her boyfriend, and to deal with life. First produced in 2011 at FringeNYC, Tongue in Cheek Theater's revival will run Oct. 28-Nov. 8 in midtown.

CASTING:
2 women:
• MAYA SWAN (Caucasian, 28). A dedicated kindergarten teacher, struggling to concentrate following the untimely death of her father. All actresses may be seen for both Maya and Sarah roles, no need to submit twice.
• SARAH SWAN (Caucasian, 32). Logical big sister to Maya. Plays an additional small comedic character later in the play. All actresses may be seen for both Maya and Sarah roles, no need to submit twice.
3 men:
• JAMES SWAN (Caucasian, 45+). Sweet, smart, if erratic father of Maya and Sarah. Plays a few other small, comedic roles throughout the play.
• MARK (any ethnicity, 29). Charismatic boyfriend, puzzled by Maya’s behavior.
• SHEP (any ethnicity, 28-32). A mellow, charming drummer (note any musical/rhythmic abilities – drums with drumsticks throughout) hired by Maya to drown out the whale song. Plays a few other small, comedic roles throughout the play.

IMPORTANT DATES:
Auditions will be held in midtown Saturday, August 16 from 12:30-4:30 pm and callbacks on Sunday, August 17 from 1-3 pm.

First read-through will be Tuesday, September 9 in midtown.

Rehearsals will be Tue/Wed/Thur evenings, September 16-October 23 in midtown.

Tech: evenings of Monday October 27 and Tuesday, October 28.

9 evening performances: Wednesday, October 29-Saturday, November 1 and Tuesday, November 4-Saturday, November 8 at The Bridge Theatre @ Shetler Studios in midtown NYC.

Please only submit if you can commit to the majority of rehearsals and all tech/performance dates.

SUBMISSION NOTES:
Interested actors should send a brief e-mail including head shot, resume and website/links, union status, and note any scheduling conflicts to auditions@tictheater.com