My 2007 Theatre Season Retrospective

This is traditionally the time of year when we reflect on things...our lives, our careers and our overall experiences. When I reflect on my year in theatre, I am usually amazed. I'm amazed by the talented people I've gotten to work with and by the fact that I'm even able to fit all the projects into my schedule. Here's a summary of my projects from 2007, and a little about what they meant to me:

In January, I performed in an original musical entitled Familiar Strangers at MusicalFare Theatre. This show was very special for me in many ways. First of all it was conceived, written, directed and choreographed by one man, my bestest friend, Michael Walline. The story concerned a woman whose husband committed suicide. She subsequently had a breakdown of sorts and became psychologically unable to leave her home (agoraphobia). She lived her life vicariously through those she observed through her window. I played the dead husband and was seen in flashbacks or fantasy sequences. The cool thing about the show is that there was one vocalist (the sublime Loraine O'Donnell) who sang the entire show...all music of Joni Mitchell's. The rest of us danced the entire story. No ensemble singing, no dialogue (except for three lines at the very end of the show).

As an almost 40 year old man, it was a challenge to dance again. This wasn't "musical theatre" choreography. This was modern, interperetive, contemporary dance like I used to do back in my college dance company. Granted, I wasn't in a lot of numbers as my character was dead. But those I was in really challenged me and moved me when I performed them. And, when you do certain shows and everything fits together, it's a blessing. This show was like that not just because of the material and concept, but because of the cast. This is one of the those shows where the cast was very close and very special to one another. Every one of them is a good friend of mine. Some of them have been my friend for almost 20 years: Michael (of course), Kelly Cammarata (whom I went to college with) and Terrie George (who has been a part of my theatrical life ever since I can remember). Some of them are long-time friends whom I've known and worked with for years: Loraine, Bobby Cooke, Nicole Marrale, Kristy Schupp and my other bestest friend (and housemate), Marc Sacco (pictured above with me). And a new friend, who I love like a little brother, Christopher M. Howard. Familiar Strangers is truly one of those experiences I'll hold close to my heart, forever.

In April/May, I performed in another new work at MusicalFare entitled A Rainbow Journey: The Harold Arlen Story. It told the story of Buffalo-born composer Harold Arlen. New works are always fun because no one else has been able to put a stamp on a character you're playing. And the text can change day-to-day. The best part of this show for me was the fact that it was the first time I was able to perform with both John Fredo and Kathy Weese (the three of us pictured, above) at the same time in over ten years. That' s kinda bizarre as the three of us used to do shows together constantly. Throw Norm Sham and Todd Benzin in the mix, and that made the experience even better.

My summer was spent working in Amherst and Lewiston. First, I started rehearsals for Sisters of Swing: The Andrews Sisters Musical at MusicalFare, which was being re-mounted for a few weeks in the summer after having been a big success the previous fall. I directed and choreographed. My original dream cast (Kathy Weese, Debbie Pappas, Kelly Meg Brennan, Phil Farugia and Todd Benzin - all but Phil pictured above) were back. In certain ways, I was happier with the re-mount than the original production. Don't get me wrong: I was damn proud of the original. But I was able to tweak some things (like my sometimes awakward blocking) for the re-mount that made the show, I believe, better. The day Sisters... started prevues, I began rehearsal stage managing Aida up at Artpark in Lewiston, NY. It was a hoot-and-a-half! The cast was lovely and talented, and included Nikki Renee Daniels (from Broadway's Les Miserables) and the ridiculously talented Michael Hunsaker. It was directed by my MusicalFare boss, Randall Kramer (nicely done, btw) and choreographed by my longtime mentor and friend, the brilliant Lynne Kurdziel-Formato. I also met some new, fantastic people (Steven Baker, Ashlea Potts) and got closer to some I previously knew (Kevin Kennedy, Allan Paglia).

This fall, I performed in a play. I love doing plays. This one was a coup, in itself. It was the World Premiere since the New York production of Terrance McNally's Some Men, directed by Javier Bustillos. It was a really great experience and I got to work opposite some fantastic actors and wonderful friends. Jimmy Janowski and Bill Schmidt blew me away. And working opposite Chris Kelly, Matthew Hurley and Matthew Crehan Higgins was beyond fantastic. The biggest challenge to this show was that I had to appear fully nude...several times...for long stretches. I'd never had to do it before, but I'm glad I did it. None of my nudity was gratuitous; it was all necessary. I miss this show, as well. I thank Javier for the opportunity.

The rest of my autumn was spent choreographing Dear Edwina for Orchard Park Middle School. I've done ten shows there over a 14 year span. Next year will be the last for our production team. The kids are great and Syndi and Cindy make me smile every day I'm there. (If you do scholastic theatre, I highly recommend this show.)

Currently, I'm in rehearsal for 12 Angry Men (another play!) at the Kavinoky Theatre. It opens in January, so we're rehearsing through the holidays. Everyone's very talented and I'm looking forward to being directed by my old friend (and a superb lighting designer!), Brian Cavanagh.

As if that wasn't enough, those are only the shows in which I performed or which I directed, choreographed or stage managed. I also worked on Tick, Tick...Boom! (props), Altar Boyz (props, lighting board-op), A Brief History of White Music (co-rehearsal stage mgr, props) - all at MusicalFare; MusicalFare's Bat Boy at Studio Arena for which I did preliminary production coordination, and MusicalFare's Sophie Tucker: Last of the Red Hot Mamas at ICTC for which I ran sound. I'm also working on props for MusicalFare's upcoming Sweeney Todd and doing some basic production work for Charles Dickens Presents: A Christmas Carol.

That's 14 shows in 12 months. I'm not bragging. I'm just grateful. I love what I do and can't wait to do more! (Maybe not 14 shows this year, though. Some sleep would be good, too...)