ReBlog

2010-01-10T13:22:00.000-05:00

ReVISION, ReBOOTED FOR 2010

http://www.redbankorbit.com/wordpress/2010/01/revision-rebooted-for-2010/

ReVision Theatre Company inaugurates a new series of staged readings of new plays and musicals, beginning Monday, January 11 at The Showroom.
By TOM CHESEK

When last we looked in on ReVision Theatre Company, Asbury Park’s resident professional stage troupe and its triad of Producing Artistic Directors (Thomas Morrissey, David Leidholdt and Stephen Bishop Seely) had returned to the roundhouse stage of the historic Carousel house with a production of The Full Monty — a fun followup to their summer 2008 success with Hair at that same engagingly unorthodox venue.

Fraught with the kind of “frontier theater” eccentricities that the partners had almost become accustomed to (including an opening night power outage that lasted as long as the second act), that go-round at the Carousel capped a rollercoaster year in which the ReVisionaries produced a holiday revue that unfortunately failed to set the till bells jingling (Scrooge in Rouge); a new hip-hop infused musical that proved a winning gambit (Kingdom) and an ambitious fundraiser of Funny Girl (complete with special guest Lainie Kazan) with a leading lady — Streisand specialist Steven Brinberg — who was still “on book” at curtain time.
Live and learn, as they say — and as the company prepares to announce a 2010 season that’s understandably skewed toward the warmer weather months, even while scouting out possible locations for a long-awaited homestage space (another announcement to be made later), there have been some changes made at the company’s downtown Asbury offices, with board veteran Alicia Brooks now joining Leidholdt and Morrissey as the third partner.

Helping ReVision to ReBoot in the new year is an offering that’s potentially very exciting; one designed to keep the company’s name on the public radar throughout the bitter-cold blasts of a long Jersey Shore off-season. Beginning this coming Monday, January 11, and continuing one Monday each month through May is a new series of live workshopped readings of new plays, presented free of charge under the title Readings from Asbury Park.

In a satisfying symbiosis of vaudeville and venue that puts a Tillie-esque grin on our face, the series will be hosted at The Showroom — Mike Sodano and Nancy Sabino’s Cookman Avenue screening space that’s been rewriting the ground rules of what a neighborhood nickelodeon can do, ever since it popped its first batch of popcorn in the spring of last year. The comfortably scaled little stage, flexible seating plan and technical aspects of the storefront auditorium make it a perfect winter home for the troupe, which in true “hermit crab” fashion has inhabited spaces ranging from the cavernous Paramount to the Bingo hall of the city’s historic VFW Post.

Monday’s inaugural event will be a 6:30pm performance of the Jeff Hughes play In the Jersey City Moonlight, in which a 29 year old guy named Bob Burns (TV veteran Andy Powers) yearns to “escape life behind the bar and join the local fire department.” Elaine Bromka (the Emmy winning actress who starred recently in Tea for Three at Two River Theater), Jen Peterman, Gary Martins and Phil Callen also appear, under the direction of Daniella Topol.

Next up on February 15 is The Interpreter by Joe Vitale, an exploration (directed by ReVision board president Bob Angelini) of the fictional relationship between Hitler’s right-hand man Hermann Goering and the young Jewish-American private who serves as his interpreter during the Nuremberg trials. Then on March 8 comes a sneak peek at a much talked-about show — The Cuban and the Redhead, a musical (by Robert Bartley and Danny Whitman) based on TV power couple Lucille Ball and Desi Arnaz.
Just added as an additional show on March 15 is Julie Marino’s Wildfire Season, in which the California wildfires provide a blazing backdrop to a domestic drama of a disillusioned, grieving political activist who drifts away from family and friends as she becomes involved with a contractor on her home. The April 19 show (pitched as a cocktail of Sex in the City and The Women) is the John McMahon-Jay Jeffries musical Friends Like These, with Kelly Briggs directing a story about a group of glamorous, successful NYC friends who help their celeb-newswoman friend achieve even more glamour and success. The series concludes on May 17 with a show to be announced later.

Red Bank oRBit went off-script to quiz David Leidholdt about this promising new series, as well as all of the other potential excitements in the works at ReVision. Read on.

The Showroom on Cookman Avenue, the nimble nickelodeon that’s become something of a multi-platform storefront center for the performing arts.

RED BANK ORBIT: Looking forward to the new Readings series, David. Personally I enjoy those kinds of things, and it’s a good way for you guys to keep your hand in during the colder months.

DAVID LEIDHOLDT: We did do one reading previously with Lou Liberatore over at the VFW; Lou’s been busy doing workshops in New York, so he’s had to step away from being our Literary Manager for a while. But doing readings of new plays goes back to our development days, before we came to Asbury Park — this is what we’ve always done, mostly; try to help writers nurture and grow their plays. And we’ll be doing it in a great, local neighborhood setting.

I can’t argue with that — the room’s just perfect for what you’re doing. You just needed to wait until it came into being.

The Showroom is just great; it’s exactly the right size for our purposes, with a little sound and lighting system. And Nancy and Mike have been very supportive.

One of the things that’s most interesting about attending a play reading, is when you get a chance to catch that same play in a full staging years later and you see how much it’s been brought back to the workshop and revised; sometimes radically so. Will you be doing the talkback sessions after the performance, with the actors and the author?

We’re not sure if we’re going to be doing a formal Q&A with these events — we’ll leave it up to the writers, to see how they want to play it. In the past, we’d solicit comments by passing out forms for the audience to fill out. But whether or not they’re asking questions of the playwright, a lot of people just like to be there on the ground floor, the early stages of a play’s journey. It’s a way for the audience to take a little bit of ownership of the show.

We’re counting on getting a more diverse crowd here also — in New York, it’s all artists who come to these things. Here, hopefully, we’ll get a mix of artist types and regular theatergoers as well. But the variety, the diversity of our audiences has been one of the most satisfying things about the whole experience. With Kingdom, for instance, we just didn’t know what to expect — the older theatergoers might not understand or like it, and the younger people who didn’t normally come to live theater might continue to stay away. But as it turned out, all sorts of people saw it and loved it.

I understand that ReVision had a bit of a revision in its management situation.

Stephen went back to acting, which is what he had been doing several years ago; he decided to pick up his career, which he had to sort of put on hold as we worked to get this thing off the ground. I think the three of us all made a commitment to give up our personal goals in favor of the group goals — I know it’s an entirely different experience, when you’re a person with an artistic background who then has to be concerned with all sorts of administrative matters.

So, Alicia Brooks, who’s been a member of our board, has stepped in to become the third partner; more or less assuming Steven’s place, since we’ve been used to having the three producing partners. As far as the breakdown of responsibilities, everybody pretty much continues to do a little of everything — I think that as we grow, we’ll be able to decide and define our roles.

That’s kind of part and parcel of the frontier spirit that infuses your work — kind of a reflection of Asbury Park itself; reinventing itself by trial and error…

It’s all kind of fun; kind of rough around the edges. You know we’ve had our challenges and our adventures, doing professional theater in a new place; and in the middle of a major recession that hit just as we were getting underway. But we’ve always believed in what we’re doing, we’ve had a lot of support from the people of the city, and we plan on being there for the long run.

Do you have anything you can tell us about the upcoming season of shows?

We’ll be doing two summer shows this year, both in the Carousel — and a fall show at a location to be named later. Hopefully inside our very own home space, which is something else we’re working on right now. But we should have a formal announcement of the season very soon.

Well, you know who to call first. For the time being, you’ve got a good little thing lined up; you’ll be part of what’s happening on the “arts block” of Cookman — kind of a neighborhood, Sesame Street kind of vibe.

Well, it’s probably a little more Avenue Q than Sesame Street!

For more info and updates on ReVision Theatre Company, call (732)455-3059 or take it right here.

Homegrown Cabaret for the Holidays

2009-12-08T18:41:00.001-05:00

PRESS RELEASE
CONTACT: alecia@ReVisionTheatre.org

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

Homegrown Cabaret for the Holidays
New Jersey Talent returns to their roots for one night only

Asbury Park, NJ (December 9, 2009) HOMEGROWN FOR THE HOLIDAYS, December 20 at 6 pm at McCloones Supper Club (on the boardwalk in Asbury Park) A Benefit for ReVision Theatre. Tix are just $20.

"Homegrown for the Holidays" is a special holiday cabaret performance featuring professional talent that all grew up in around the Jersey Shore, many with Broadway, off Broadway and regional theatre credits. For one night, they are coming together to perform and support ReVision Theatre, a professional regional theatre company enriching our very own artistic community. Great music, great fun, great cause!

You may know ReVision Theatre from past productions of Hello, Dolly!, Hair, Scrooge In Rouge, Kingdom, And The Full Monty. ReVision is now in the process of trying to find a permanent theatre space so that we can expand our programming and become a year-round destination for the local and surrounding communities. Please support ReVision Theatre and the arts at events like this one, as we look forward to a continued future of live theatre, workshops, readings, and special events in Asbury Park.

HOMEGROWN FOR THE HOLIDAYS is directed by Bill Coyne (PLASTIC! with Jerry Dixon), Musical Direction by Mike Murray (Kingdom) with performances by: Amy Polumbo (Miss New Jersey 2008), Brett Colby (Madam Butterfly, Virginia Opera), Laura Apruzzese, Ryan Lammer (Irving Berlin’s I Love A Piano), Kaitlyn Williams, Chris Fitz, Marissa Caro ("Ring of Fire- The Music of Johnny Cash”), Freddi Mack, Angela Sytko, Kevin Feehery, Jessica Stephens, Andy Arena (Awesome 80s Prom!), Greg Trimmer, Rich Krakowski.

Tickets are $20. To order tickets or for more information call 732-455-3059 or order on-line at www.revisiontheatre.org You may also purchase tickets at the door. Seating is limited. For guaranteed best seating order in advance.

ReVision Theatre is a professional regional theatre company dedicated to producing invigorating theatre with a fresh new perspective reaching the diverse community of Asbury Park and beyond. ReVision Theatre produces reinventions of previously produced classics, overlooked or forgotten work in a new way, and new work with a fresh voice. ReVision Theatre produces readings, workshops, cabarets, concerts, and mainstage productions. ReVision Theatre is a not for profit 501(c)(3) organization.

FAST FACTS
What: “Homegrown for the Holidays”
A benefit for ReVision Theatre
One night only holiday cabaret of professional New York talent originally from New Jersey

When: Sunday evening at 6:00pm (dinner seating at 5:00 pm)

Where: Tim McLoone’s Supper Club
1200 Ocean Avenue, on the boardwalk in Asbury Park above The Salt Water Café

Cost: $20 per person, food & drink available, no minimum
To order tickets/for more info: By phone at 732-455-3059 On-line at www.ReVisionTheatre.org

You may also purchase tickets at the door. Seating is limited. For guaranteed best seating order in advance.

Press contact: Alecia Brooks
732-455-3059 office
alecia@ReVisionTheatre.org

Monty Offer!

2009-09-01T12:56:00.001-04:00

Thong for Hope

2009-08-24T13:42:00.001-04:00

ReVision Theatre Company's production of The Full Monty will produce A THONG FOR HOPE a benefit concert for Broadway Cares / Equity Fights AIDS on Friday August 29th, 2009 at 11 PM at the Carousel House on the Boardwalk in Asbury Park, NJ. 100% of proceeds will benefit BC/EFA in their mission to fight the AIDS epidemic.

A THONG FOR HOPE will include an eclectic mix of musical theatre, contemporary rock and some fun distractions, including a talkback with Jeanette (Broadway's Jane Strauss), where you can ask your favorite character questions you're dying to know answers to! Also included will be one cast member singing in a thong, but we're not saying who....

ReVision Theatre is a non-profit 501(c)3 professional regional theatre company dedicated to producing invigorating theatre with a fresh new perspective reaching the diverse community of Asbury Park and Monmouth County. ReVision Theatre's Producing Artistic Directors, Thomas Morrissey, David E. Leidholdt, and Stephen Bishop Seely, produce reinventions of previously produced classics, overlooked or forgotten work in a new way, and new work with a fresh voice. The company serves as a home for local artists and writers. ReVision Theatre also believes in the importance of theatre education and teaches children and adult theatre classes. ReVision Theatre produces readings, workshops, cabarets, concerts, and mainstage productions. Equity Fights AIDS was founded in October, 1987 by the Council of Actors' Equity Association. Money raised through the efforts of Equity theatre companies across the country was specifically earmarked for The Actors' Fund's AIDS Initiative.

Broadway Cares was founded in February, 1988 by members of The Producers' Group. Money raised was earmarked to be awarded to AIDS service organizations across the country, including Equity Fights AIDS. In May, 1992, Equity Fights AIDS and Broadway Cares merged to become Broadway Cares/Equity Fights AIDS. Unlike most other nonprofit, grant making organizations, Broadway Cares/Equity Fights AIDS must raise every single dollar of our philanthropic budget, every year, in order to fulfill our mission. In turn, BC/EFA works hard to ensure that the money we raise is spent carefully and wisely, on programs where these hard-earned funds can have the maximum possible impact. www.broadwaycares.org
Single ticket prices are $30.

ReVision Subscribers, students and anyone with a ticket stub from an already played performance of ReVision Theatre's production of The Full Monty pay $25.

Cash or check only at the door, receipts can be made available for tax purposes.

If you would like to donate via credit card, donate online at www.broadwaycares.org and bring a copy of your receipt as your ticket.

For more information visit www.adam-kern.com/thongconcert.html
A Thong for Hope

The Carousel House on the Boardwalk, 700 Ocean Avenue, Asbury Park, NJ 07712

Fri August 28th 2009 at 11 PM

TICKETS:
$30 general admission.
$25 for ReVision subscribers, students and ticket stub holders for any already played performance of ReVision Theatre's production of The Full Monty.

"The Full Monty" - Asbury Park - A Full Night of Fun

2009-08-24T12:42:00.005-04:00

August 24, 6:24 PM
Newark Theater Examiner
Karen Nowosad

f you are looking for an evening of fun complete with good singing and dancing, then go down to Asbury Park to see The Full Monty. The ReVision Theatre assembled a marvelous cast and has mounted a first rate production of the show.

The scenery and staging are sparse inside the Carousel House, which is in use for the run of the show as a theatre. But the bare bones look on stage works well with the concept of the show. Times are tough for a group of laid off mill workers in Buffalo, New York. They’re struggling to find work and pay their bills. But they are also struggling to reclaim their manhood as they are denied their right to be the breadwinners of their families. Unfortunately, this is all too common a theme today. But fortunately, the story is told with compassionate humor so the audience does not journey down a path of too much reality.

The group of unemployed men who decide to do a one time only dance routine in the local male strip joint is led by Jerry Lukowski played by Scott Guthrie. Jerry is going through a divorce from wife Pam played by Erin Evers. Guthrie is very believable as the guy who has a heart of love for his son and interest still in his wife. The son has a load of common sense, which helps in the plot. Andrew Newsome played the role of the son; he was an absolute delight to watch.

Guthrie is a stand out in the group of men. He took the role and made the audience root for him. All the men in the cast were fine actors, but another stand out was “Horse” played by Mark Weekes. His audition is funny stuff but musically he is a true “song and dance man.”

The women were continual sparks of enthusiasm and at times, they stole the show from the men. Stephanie Sine showed lots of fire in her performance as Georgie Butatinsky. Her voice was strong, clear, and energetic; just as we suspect Georgie has to be to keep the home fires burning. Katherine Pecevich’s rendition of Vicki Nichols singing “Life with Harold” brought the house down. And what can be said of Jeanette’s antics and lyrical moments? They are showstoppers. The crowd loved her.

Audiences will not be disappointed – the full monty does take place right in front of your eyes. But of course it is done with the kind of discretion and staging that makes you go “oh yes!” and you want to come back and see it all again.

For more Info: Visit the ReVision Theatre's website. This show is running Wednesdays through Sundays until September 6.

Naughty and nice: 'The Full Monty' strips down to raunchy great fun

2009-08-18T18:22:00.000-04:00

By Peter Filichia, Star-Ledger
August 18, 2009 11:19AM

The show at the Carousel in Asbury Park sure isn't "Carousel."

"The Full Monty," the musical that played the Paper Mill Playhouse in June, is getting yet another production, courtesy of the ReVision Theatre Company. While the set here is not just ugly as sin -- rather, it's as hideous as all 12 mortal sins plus 100,000 venial ones -- the cast is great fun in this raunchy show.

How raunchy? There's more than a dollop of profanity in Terrence McNally's (otherwise solid, amusing and tender) book and David Yazbek's lyrics. With a plot involving six out-of-work men stripping in order to raise much-needed cash, there's also more skin on display than in the average musical.

Yazbek provided the quirky music, too, which is an excellent amalgam of pop rock and genuine show music. Though this is mostly an up-tempo, brassy score (nicely played by a 13-piece band), Yazbek makes room for three beautiful ballads, too.

Scott Guthrie excels as Jerry, the flat-broke father who's as far behind on his child support payment as the Mets are in the standings. His young son Nathan is played by Andrew Newsome, an endearing but not sticky-sweet child actor. Such kids neither grow on trees nor on many stages, so Newsome is to be cherished. So is director David E. Leidholdt for not letting the lad overdo it.

All the would-be strippers score, but Andy R. Jobe is the most impressive. He's Malcolm, who must make a journey from namby-pamby mama's boy to a self-actualized man in love. Jobe does just that. Among the wives, Katherine Pecevich's Vicki has plenty of sizzle as a coddled spouse who turns out to have more character than her husband Harold (the impressive Mark Gerrard) would have expected. So does Erin Evers as Pam, Jerry's ex. McNally was careful not to make her any kind of a shrew, and Evers expertly shows the character still has a great deal of love left in her.
And then there's Jeanette, the veteran of eight marriages whom the men have hired as their pianist. Jane Strauss looks like the Wrath of God with her colorful but eye-offending outfit, and her hair piled atop her head so that it resembles an out-of-control tumor. McNally gave her some sharp lines, but on opening night, Strauss not only got a laugh with all of them, but also acquired applause from most of them.
Too bad, though, that Leidholdt occasionally positions an actor so that the audience can't hear an important piece of information, either because someone's blocking him, or because he's in a too-far-removed place on stage.
Granted, the set used on Broadway and Paper Mill was never attractive enough to pass for the Embassy Ballroom in "My Fair Lady." But at least it was specific enough to let an audience know that it was in such places as a men's room and two posh suburban homes. One can't get the point of the scene of the jokes without knowing the location. What's more, the moment when Malcolm attempts suicidal asphyxiation by carbon monoxide in a car isn't clear because there's only a suggestion of a car.

When one considers those liabilities, "The Full Monty" doesn't seem to be the right show for ReVision. However, with all the talent that the company has on hand -- and how right each actor is for his role -- one can understand why the plucky company just had to do this musical.

The Full Monty
Where: ReVision Theatre, Carousel House, 700 Ocean Ave., Asbury Park
When: Through Sept. 6. Wednesdays through Saturdays at 8 p.m., Sundays at 7 p.m.
How much: $25-$50. Call (732) 455-3059 or visit revisiontheatre.org.

"Monty" a flying circus at Asbury Carousel

2009-08-18T18:17:00.008-04:00

August 19, 2009
By TOM CHESEK
CORRESPONDENT

Theater folk do love to tell stories of their experiences on the live frontlines of show business — so stop us if you've heard the one about the much-ballyhooed musical revival presented inside an old boardwalk carousel roundhouse.

It seems that just prior to the opening night performance, a beach security vehicle with a stuck throttle rammed into the building, reportedly causing a delayed reaction that resulted in the power going out during a big showstopper number just minutes before intermission — a number completed with the help of flashlights, and followed by an unplanned 45-minute break in which the audience enjoyed lemonade and cool ocean breezes (while frantic crews entertained alternatives like science-project batteries made from lemonade-stand lemons).
Ouch. Too soon? Well, the people of Asbury Park's professional ReVision Theater Company needn't apologize, since they managed against some pretty long odds to wrest a successful opening of "The Full Monty" from the jaws of what looked to be certain disaster — as nifty a recovery as anything we've seen, and accomplished largely through the beyond-Monty efforts of a game cast (with all due credit to a patient and supportive audience).
Although it hasn't quite trickled down to the middle-school or church-basement circuits just yet, the Americanized stage adaptation (by Terrence McNally and composer David Yazbek) of the hit British film has been seen on enough community stages to dampen whatever residual shock value remains from a musical about amateur male strippers. It also helps tremendously that the authors have humanized their characters — a set of unemployed factory workers, divorced dads, and lost souls living in a beaten-down Buffalo — in a way that puts the show's gimmicky central conceit into perfect perspective. While the script doesn't run nearly as deep as other McNally efforts, these guys are a pack of underdogs that you can root for from the start.

Between scoring some pertinent points on the psychological effects of joblessness and despair, "Monty" is essentially a fun party — and director David Leidholdt has played up some of the party-atmosphere flourishes in a way that compensates for the generally low-budget look and rough aspects of the unorthodox (but still engagingly funky) venue at the south end of the boardwalk.

While Scott Guthrie and Adam Kern do a fine job anchoring the cast as broke brainstormer Jerry and his "fat bastard" buddy Dave, the show doesn't really spark to life until the "Hot Metal" dance troupe begins to come together toward the end of the first act (unfortunately, right about the time the lights went out on Aug. 14). The audition-scene intros of painfully bad dancer Ethan (Jonathan Gregg) and, especially, the "Big Black Man" known as Horse (Mark Weekes) are comic highlights that are very nearly eclipsed by the presence of Broadway veteran Jane Strauss, as the dance troupe's chain-smoking, wizened old crow of an accompanist (love those hopelessly dated references to Arthur Godfrey and Buddy Greco).

Apart from that surefire crowdpleaser of a role, the capable female performers in the cast (including such returning ReVisioners as Katherine Pecevich and Deidra Grace) necessarily cede the spotlight to the starring sextet of stripping pals rounded out by humiliated former boss Harold (Mark Gerrard) and suicidal lonely guy Malcolm (Andy R. Jobe). Still, one could make the case that the women literally saved the show on that weird opening night, by whooping up the energy level from the audience in the climactic (and briefly full-frontal) "Let It Go" production number.

Struggling to make ends meet in a harsh economic climate; striving valiantly to mount a slick show in what can be called a "quirky" space, the ReVision producers have every right to identify with their underdog protagonists here. While it's ultimately not going to be the sort of legacy-making choice that last spring's "Kingdom" was, their "Monty" is a fun summer show in a dress-down setting (air conditioned exclusively by nature), best enjoyed in that spirit — or with whatever spirits you can take in beforehand.

Continuing through Sept. 6, "The Full Monty" presents performances at 8 p.m. on Wednesdays, Thursdays, Fridays and Saturdays and at 7 p.m. Sundays. Tickets, $35-$50, can be reserved by calling 732-455-3059 or visiting www.ReVisionTheatre.org.

Additional Facts

The Full Monty is Superlative!

2009-08-18T13:36:00.000-04:00

By Carlo Durand
The Coaster

August 18, 2009

In 2001 when the musical “The Producers” won its 715^th Tony Award (slight exaggeration) many wondered if the hype surrounding the sold- out comedic romp had gotten a bit out of hand. Granted, the show was a joy with irreverent humor and catchy tunes and all, but a growing number of dissenters (myself included) began grumbling that there was a Broadway show tragically unawarded and overlooked due to the Juggernaut of Mel Brooks’ campy blitzkrieg. “The Full Monty” (based upon the award-winning, 1997 British film of the same title) managed to run two years and earned the reputation of being a great show that should have run longer. If you missed out on the Broadway run or simply miss the show, then you are in luck because Asbury Park’s ReVision Theatre’s production of “The Full Monty” is sensational.

F or the uninitiated, the story (the movie is set in Northern England, the stage adapters ,Music and lyrics by David Yazbek, book by Terrence McNally, have set the action in Buffalo, NY) concerns a group of six unemployed factory workers who decide to form a Chippendales-esque group and strip for badly needed cash, all for different reasons. Heading the cast as Jerry, a man sorely in arrears for child support and in danger of losing visitation with his son, is the talented Scott Guthrie. Mr. Guthrie establishes his presence from the opening moments with a strong, clear voice. He is the ringleader who dreams up this harebrained idea and convinces others to drop trou with him. It takes an actor of great charisma and conviction to make Jerry believable and likeable; Guthrie succeeds on both fronts. His portly best friend , Dave, is played by the lovable Adam Kern. Dave is much more than the traditional “chubby best friend” role. He is a person in crisis with his life. Unemployment, the assuming of house-husband duties, and the loss of faith in himself and in his marriage (his wife played by the adorable Stephanie Sine) have made Dave miserable, yet Mr. Kern’s performance shows a fully developed character who the audience grows to love more and more throughout the course of the evening.

These two buddies soon enlist the res t of their crew: Andy R. Jobe plays Malcom, a suicidal security guard with mother issues. Jobe has an amazing singing voice and a wonderfully cartoonish physicality (somewhat reminiscent of Shaggy from “Scooby Doo”). His performance is hysterically funny and remarkably touching. Mark Gerrard plays Harold, the group’s reluctant dance instructor. Harold is in a pickle due to his cash-strapped status and over-spending spouse (Vicki, portrayed with gusto and glamour by the fantastic Katherine Pecevich). Gerrard succeeds well as a man fighting to keep up the illusion of stability while slowly crumbling under the weight of the pressure. His duet (“You Rule My World”) with Mr. Kern , as they sing of their respective loves in their lives was a highlight. Mark F. Weekes portrays Noah (aka “Horse”) and brings a charged vitality to the role of an older man seeking re-discovering his youthful inner boogie and Jonathan Gregg plays Ethan, a hapless oaf who has a habit of knocking himself senseless. Gregg is a wonderful performer with a beautiful voice and expert comic timing. These six fellows have the unenviable task of not only needing to sing, act and dance but to be in varying states of undress during part of it. The group does not disappoint , particularly at the end of act one when we see them all begin to gel as a performing group thanks mainly to Connor Gallaghers’s exciting choreography . Ho wever the finale is nothing less than electric as the guys truly go for broke and do go “the full monty” which is British slang for “all the way”, meaning buck naked. The audience was hooting and applauding every member of this delightful cast. The show was directed with finesse by David E. Leidholdt who kept the action flowing seamlessly and guided every performer onstage to memorable moments (particularly local favorite Bob Angelini in his professional debut whose brief “strip audition” was a comic highpoint of the evening). The superlative musical direction was by Andrew Hertz. The entire evening was a complete and total joy, yet there was one factor that truly helped in firmly establishing this production as a deluxe success. The factor is a force of nature named Jane Strauss. A Broadway veteran with highly respectable credits, Ms Strauss quite simply stole the show as Jeanette, the group’s musical director. Line by line, glance by glance, gesture by gesture, Strauss delivered comedic homeruns and had the boys onstage and the audience in the palm of her hand.

Since 2008, Revision has established itself as Asbury Park’s resident professional theatre company and in a short time has become well known=2 0for its professionalism and dedication to quality work. Currently the company utilizes the performance space at the Asbury Park VFW Hall (where their celebrated spring production of the hip-hop musical “Kingdom” was staged to raves) and the Carousel House on the Asbury Boardwalk (where “Monty” is now playing). There is a resonating sense of rebirth here. What was once a vacant shell ready for demolition is now heralding a new era for a city. Peter Allen wrote “Everything Old is New Again”. Asbury is coming alive again and no city can truly thrive without the presence of art. One can only hope that the Carousel House or another empty theatrical venue can soon become this group’s permanent home. They deserve one and the city needs one. In the meantime, see “The Full Monty” and enjoy a bit of Broadway caliber theater right here on the shore.

“The Full Monty” runs Wed-Sat at 8PM, Sundays at 7PM through September 6^th at The Carousel House on the Boardwalk, 700 Ocean Avenue, Asbury Park, NJ 07712. Call 732-455-3059 for tickets and information or visit www.ReVisionTheatre.org

"Full Monty' moves from Buffalo to boardwalk

2009-08-15T18:26:00.001-04:00

ReVision takes strip musical from Buffalo to boardwalk

By TOM CHESEK, APP CORRESPONDENT
August 15, 2009

For the better part of a week, the old place was positively humming with industry. Carpenters, electricians and painters jostled for room to do their thing, while a once-neglected site creaked back to new and purposeful life under the midsummer sun.

So where was this? Certainly not in the Buffalo neighborhoods of "The Full Monty," the musical adapted and Americanized (by Tony winning playwright Terrence McNally) from the Oscar-nominated British comedy film of the same name. In the script's rustbelt world of silenced steel mills and emasculated husbands, a group of unemployed blue-collar joes, depressed over their lack of prospects and the loss of their status as the family breadwinners, regain their self-worth and cement their bonds of friendship when they go into business as a take-it-all-off male stripper act.

All that activity has actually been going on inside the historic Carousel building, just off the south end of the Asbury Park boardwalk. For the second time in as many summers, the ornate roundhouse structure with the spectacular whorls, arches and screaming siren faces has been refitted — re-visioned, if you will — as a performance space for live theater, with the opening weekend of a new and possibly unique revival of "Monty" that's being presented by the city's resident professional stage troupe, ReVision Theatre Company.

As they did with last year's successful production of "Hair: The American Tribal Love-Rock Musical," the ReVision crew has been working with boardwalk developers Madison Marquette to install a state-of-the-art lighting grid, sound system, and an array of seating risers. New in 2009 are waterproofing (and pigeonproofing) improvements to the domed ceiling, and a T-shaped "mini proscenium with thrust" that replaces the in-the-round design employed by "Hair."

All the same, the act of taking in a performance at this truly unique landmark remains an engagingly "frontier" theatrical experience — and, as ReVision's David Leidholdt tells it, the 2000 musical is a "deceptively complicated, conceptual show" that adapts itself well to different staging ideas ("not a lot of costume changes," for one thing).

"As the show's director, I get to brainstorm all sorts of ways to address the challenges and problems," says Leidholdt, one of the three Producing Artistic Directors at ReVision (Thomas Morrissey and Stephen Bishop Seely are the others). "As a producer, I get to tell the director no, we can't afford that!"

Lacking a big budget for special effects, Leidholdt worked with musical director Andy Hertz and choreographer Connor Gallagher to "heighten the musical numbers as much as we can; bump that aspect up a bit."
Although at first glance the selection of "Monty" as the company's summer musical shares with its predecessor a willingness to "Let It Go" in the clothing-optional sense, the ReVision producers would appear to have lucked into (if luck is really the proper word here) the fortuitous downward spiral of the national economy; a backstory that
puts a hypercurrent edge on the plight of the characters.

"The show is timely and fresh that way," observes Leidholdt, whose own working-class family roots in hard-hit Michigan have lent a personal angle to his approach. "It really deals with these issues of unemployment and depression."

Starring here as the sextet of local guys who vow to beat the Chippendales at their own game are Scott Gutherie (Jerry), Adam Kern (Dave), Mark Weekes (Horse), Andy R. Jobe (Malcolm), Jonathan Gregg (Ethan) and Mark Gerard (Harold). Also in the cast are Broadway vet Jane Strauss as the boys' accompanist, plus returning ReVisionists Katherine Pecovich, Deidra Grace, Judah Gavra and Spiro Galiatsatos — with the company's board president Bob Angelini being persuaded to resume his own acting career in a supporting role. Two young actors from Rumson, Andrew Newsome and Jake Cameron (who appeared in the Two River production of "Macbeth") platoon in the role of Jerry's son Nathan.

Opening tonight and continuing through Sept. 6, "The Full Monty" presents performances at 8 p.m. on Wednesdays, Thursdays, Fridays and Saturdays; 7 p.m. on Sundays. Tickets ($35 and $50) can be reserved by calling 732-455-3059 or visiting www.ReVisionTheatre.org.

Additional Facts THE FULL MONTY By Terrence McNally and David Yazbek Carousel building, 700 Ocean Ave., Asbury Park 8 p.m. today; 7 p.m. Sunday; then Wednesdays through Sundays through September $35-$50 732-455-3059 or www.ReVisionTheatre.org

Jane Strauss takes a shot at 'The Full Monty'

2009-08-13T18:39:00.000-04:00

by Peter Filichia, Star-Leger
August 13, 2009 15:42PM

Jane Strauss rehearses for her role as Jeanette in the ReVision Theatre of Asbury Park production of "The Full Monty." (photo credit: Alecia Brooks)

Jane Strauss knows she has a tough act to follow.

Last month, audiences were treated to no less than Elaine Stritch as Jeanette, the tough-as-ivory piano player, in the Paper Mill Playhouse's production of "The Full Monty."

That production is dead and gone, but the new staging of the 2000 Broadway hit musical finds Strauss in the role of the pianist who accompanies some well-meaning amateur strippers. She opens for a three-week run on Friday at the ReVision Theatre in Asbury Park.

"I'm sure Ms. Stritch was very good, but I can't worry about her," Strauss says. "Besides, I'm much too fascinated with the character herself. Jeanette doesn't let anyone walk over her. She's seen it all, done it all and conked out in Buffalo. But she doesn't have regrets -- and I admire anyone who doesn't."

Strauss grew up in Abington, Pa., before coming to New York in the 1970s. "I thought I'd be famous in two years," she says dryly. Looking back, she realizes how naïve she was. "I was a snob about commercial theater. In school, I was fascinated with experimental theater and heavy European theory. I even wound up playing Brutus in 'Julius Caesar.' But how can you make a living doing that?"

So she started auditioning for musical theater. "I said to myself, 'I'm going to be on Broadway -- even though I'm average-looking, and I'm not a charming person. Please God! Just give me one Broadway show!"

She got it, playing "a Londoner" in the 1984 revival of "Oliver!" Recalling that, Strauss lets out a heavy sigh. "These days I tell young actresses, don't say, 'Please God, give me just one Broadway credit!' -- because God might grant that specific wish and never give you a second Broadway show."

Since her break 25 years ago, Strauss has been touring. "That means I've played at least six different maids in six different shows," she says. Other roles have included Carlotta in a non-Webber version of "Phantom of the Opera" and understudying Miss Hannigan in "Annie."

She is still angry with the actress who was playing that role. "My parents were going to be in a town when we were there, so I asked her if she'd let me do the role one night so they could see me," Strauss recalls. "Can you believe she said no? Was she afraid some big producer would be in the audience, and she'd lose her big chance? We were only in Lima, Ohio."

At least she and the actress didn't come to blows. When Strauss did a Neil Simon play with Shelley Berman, she claims, "He kicked me because I touched his props. I cried on that one."

In "The Full Monty," Strauss's character admits to having been married eight times. It's a stretch for Strauss.
"I'm an old maid," says the 59-year-old, without a dot of self-pity. "We have a long line of old maids in my family -- though I do have an aunt who got married for the first time at 74."

She stops and thinks. "There was one man I wanted to marry, and I even proposed to him," she says. "This was Larry David, back when he wasn't anyone yet, when we hung around clubs together. You know, I still wouldn't mind marrying him. But it'd be fine if I just spent the next few years drinking carrot juice, having massages and maybe even adopting a foster child. So in that way, I'm very much unlike Jeanette."

ReVision Theatre: A Year in Review

2009-06-26T13:16:00.001-04:00

Broadway's Brightest Join Cast of Funny Girl Benefit

2009-06-25T11:47:00.001-04:00

ReVision Announces Broadway Cast for Benefit Performance of

Steven Brinberg as Barbra Streisand in

Funny Girl

at the Paramount Theatre on the Boardwalk in Asbury Park

Asbury Park, New Jersey – ReVision Theatre announces star studded cast for benefit performance of Funny Girl starring Steven Brinberg as Barbra Streisand with very special guest Lainie Kazan. The one night only event will be at the Paramount Theatre on the Boardwalk in Asbury Park on Saturday, July 11th, at 8 pm. The show will be directed and choreographed by Connor Gallagher and music directed by John Fischer. Tickets are available online now at www.ReVisionTheatre.org or by calling 732-455-3059. Premium Seats are still available and tickets are priced at $100, $50, and $25.

For the first time in history, Fanny Brice will be played by a male, a complete “revision” of Funny Girl. Steven Brinberg is the premier Barbra Streisand Impressionist, having performed his show, Simply Barbra, both on stage & screen. Steven accurately portrays Streisand physically and vocally. Joining Mr. Brinberg on stage will be Grant Norman (Phantom of the Opera, Beauty and the Beast) as Nicky Arnstein, Loni Ackerman (Evita, Cats) as Mrs. Brice, Nicola Blackman (West End’s Mutiny!, Destry Rides Again) as Mrs. Strakosh, Ivy Austin as Mrs. Meeker, Laura Jordan (Cry-Baby) as Mrs. O’Malley, Claybourne Elder (Road Show) as Eddie Ryan, Harvey Evans (Sunset Boulevard, Oklahoma) as Florenz Ziegfeld, Gene Castle (Original Broadway Productions of Gypsy and George M) as Mr. Keeney, and Bill Coyne as the Ziegfeld Tenor. ReVision’s Funny Girl will also feature a Broadway ensemble of dancers and singers. The creative team includes Dawn von Suskil (Scenic Design), Brian Tovar (Lighting Design), and David Withrow (Costume Design)

Tony, Emmy, and Golden Globe Nominee Lainie Kazan will open the show with a few of her stories based on her experience with the original Broadway production of Funny Girl. Kazan at the time served as understudy to Barbra Streisand, finally getting to go on eighteen months into the run when the star became ill with a serious throat problem. On the Paramount Theatre stage, Ms. Kazan will perform “His is the Only Music that Makes Me Dance”.

With music by Jule Styne and lyrics by Bob Merrill, Funny Girl has some of the most popular songs in the history of musical theatre including “I’m the Greatest Star”, “People”, “You are Woman, I am Man”, and “Don’t Rain on my Parade”. Funny Girl follows the career of Fanny Brice, one of the funniest women of early American musical theatre. Fanny Brice made her first appearance in Vaudeville in 1910 and became “The Greatest Star” when she was discovered by Florenz Ziegfield and performed as a headliner in the Ziegfeld Follies for the next 25 years. Funny Girl is the story of Fanny Brice’s rise to fame and her overcoming a variety of obstacles including her heart wrenching relationship with her husband, Nicky Arnstein.

The Broadway musical Funny Girl, starring Barbra Streisand, opened at the Winter Garden Theatre in March of 1964, and ran until July of 1967. Barbra Streisand went on to star, making her debut, in the 1968 film of Funny Girl opposite Omar Sharif. She was nominated and won an "Oscar" her first time out. The song "People", sung by Barbra Streisand, became a standard around the world. The score to Funny Girl and the song "People" both won Grammy Awards in 1965.

ReVision Theatre is a non-profit 501(c)3 professional regional theatre company dedicated to producing invigorating theatre with a fresh new perspective reaching the diverse community of Asbury Park and Monmouth County. ReVision Theatre’s Producing Artistic Directors, Thomas Morrissey, David E. Leidholdt, and Stephen Bishop Seely, produce reinventions of previously produced classics, overlooked or forgotten work in a new way, and new work with a fresh voice. The company serves as a home for local artists and writers. ReVision Theatre also believes in the importance of theatre education and teaches children and adult theatre classes. ReVision Theatre produces readings, workshops, cabarets, concerts, and mainstage productions. ReVision Theatre’s 2008-2009 Season will end with the blockbuster musical, The Full Monty (August 12-September 6) at the Carousel Theatre on the Boardwalk in Asbury Park.

Visit www.RevisionTheatre.org or call 732-455-3059 for show calendars and more information.

ReVisual: The Collaborative Work of ReVision Theatre

2009-06-09T12:47:00.001-04:00

June 8, 2009

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

NEW ART EXHIBIT OPENS WITH A FRESH TWIST

ReVisual: The Collaborative Work of ReVision Theatre

Opens June 19^th at Market in the Middle

ASBURY PARK- ReVision Theatre is the subject of a new art exhibit, “ReVisual: The Collaborative Work of ReVision Theatre”, featuring the works of designers, photographers, scenic painters, and public artists who have contributed to the overall design of ReVision Theatre’s theatrical productions. The exhibit is an inside look of the process that takes place before the opening of a show. The art show will run June 19through July 19 at local restaurant, Market in the Middle, 516 Cookman Avenue, Asbury Park, New Jersey. Artists whose work will be on display include Kip Marsh, Sarita Fellows, Russell Schramm, Kathy Polenberg, Jason Sisino, and Chris Hartsgrove and feature designs and work from Hair, Scrooge in Rouge, Hello, Dolly!, and Kingdom.

The public is invited to the opening on June 19 at 7 pm which will also be a fundraiser for ReVision Theatre. All donations will go to ReVision Theatre and its programs. The opening is also in conjunction with Collide-A-Scope, a monthly arts event, sponsored by ArtsCAP, the Arts Coalition of Asbury Park.

“This is a very exciting opportunity for the community to come and see the “process art” work that happens before the actors take center stage,” says Dawn von Suskil, Artistic Coordinator of “ReVisual” and ReVision Theatre. “The work gives voice to each artist’s unique style. The theatre is a collaborative art form, and this exhibit will really show how all visions come together.”

ReVision Theatre is a non-profit 501(c)3 professional regional theatre company dedicated to producing invigorating theatre with a fresh new perspective reaching the diverse community of Asbury Park and beyond. ReVision Theatre’s Producing Artistic Directors, Thomas Morrissey, David E. Leidholdt, and Stephen Bishop Seely, produce reinventions of previously produced classics, overlooked or forgotten work in a new way, and new work with a fresh voice. The company serves as a home for local artists and writers. ReVision Theatre also believes in the importance of theatre education and teaches children and adult theatre classes. ReVision Theatre produces readings, workshops, cabarets, concerts, and mainstage productions. ReVision Theatre’s 2008-2009 Season includes a one night only benefit performance of Steven Brinberg as Barbra Streisand in Funny Girl on Saturday, July 11, at the Paramount Theatre with special guest star, Lainie Kazan and the blockbuster musical, The Full Monty running August 12 to September 6 at the Carousel Theater on the Boardwalk in Asbury Park.

Visit www.RevisionTheatre.org or call 732-455-3059 for more information.

CONTACT: Dawn von Suskil

Artistic Coordinator for Revision Theatre

Dawn@ReVisionTheatre.org

732-822-8371

Tray Pressner

Market in the Middle

732-776-8886

2 Great Shows 1 Hot Summer!

2009-05-28T09:19:00.001-04:00

Audiences Rave

2009-04-30T15:31:00.001-04:00

'Kingdom' is a first-rate effort

2009-04-24T15:37:00.001-04:00

ReVision marks its "Kingdom" in Asbury

By TOM CHESEK
Asbury Park Press
April 24, 2009

You may not completely catch what's being said onstage in "Kingdom," the hip-hop-flavored, bilingual musical drama now in its East Coast premiere engagement in Asbury Park. You might not be on the same page as its non-moralizing, largely sympathetic view of urban gang life. And you're probably not going to exit the auditorium humming the score.

But if you're interested in seeing a piece of modern musical theater that compels the attention, not through gimmicky stagecraft but through purely people-powered energy, then you've knocked on the right door.

When they set up shop in Asbury Park last year, the founders of the professional ReVision Theatre Company quickly distinguished themselves with their passion for musicals, their stated mission to bring some fresh and challenging fare to the local stage and their remarkable ability to transform the most oddball of spaces into a functional site for live performance.

"Kingdom" carries irrefutable evidence of the first two points, and the troupe's host venue — the generously scaled bingo hall inside the city's historic VFW building — shows that this young, essentially "homeless" company continues to earn its name daily. This is the same place where ReVision presented a silly holiday show last December. But this time, the room is configured so that the action takes place basketball-court style, with the actors inhabiting a long central area, a four-piece band on the raised stage and the audience set up on either side of the performance.

In the story by book author and lyricist Aaron Jafferis, a pair of Latino kids in an unspecified city — naive Juan (Christian Amaraut) and the ever-so-slightly more streetwise Andres (Miguel Jarquin-Moreland) — are on the lookout for more out of life, having quit their Dunkin Donuts jobs (and shared quarters when Juan's mom skips out on him). A dust-up at a neighborhood dance introduces them to tart-tongued Marisa (Desiree Rodriguez), sister of Cano (Dell Howlett), the charismatic head of the local chapter of the Latin Kings.

Hot music

Taking Juan and Andres into the fold — and dedicating himself to maintaining a fragile peace in his Portingale Park neighborhood — Cano finds it necessary to intervene when his hotheaded young charges get in a confrontation with drug dealers Hector and Danny (Keith Antone, Jose Candelaria). It's all done to a rocked-up score by Ian Williams.Jafferis makes some points about the ways in which wars begin and spiral out of control, using the litter-strewn park in the 'hood as his flashpoint. It's all done as realistically as possible for a show in which characters break out into song or scripted freestyle (the actors under the direction of Carlos Armesto and supervision of choreographer Tiffany Rachelle Stewart prove adept at both).

The two young leads remain strong and credible throughout, inhabiting the invisible cityscape of the show like they've lived there all their lives. There is such a thing as theater magic, after all, and in the end this first-rate company works to break down all barriers — cultural, generational, logistical — in bringing this highly charged show to life.

Additional Facts

KINGDOM

VFW Theatre, 701 Lake Ave., Asbury Park — 8 p.m. Thursdays, Fridays and Saturdays; 7 p.m. Sundays through May 3 — $25-$35

(732) 455-3059

www.ReVisionTheatre.org

'Kingdom' brings realistic gang life on stage

2009-04-24T13:08:00.001-04:00

By Peter Filichia
April 24, 2009
The Star-Ledger

The current Broadway revival of "West Side Story" has garnered some criticism because its rival gang members don't seem tough, raw or real enough.

That won't be a charge leveled against the cast members of "Kingdom," the gritty and rather successful urban musical now at ReVision Theatre in Asbury Park. Director Carlos Armesto has found young performers, both male and female, who look as if they just came off New Jersey's most dangerous streets.

Thank the Lord, though, that they aren't out there, but onstage -- because they have channeled their energies in a far more rewarding and effective fashion. Every one of the 10 cast members has much more talent and training than the lost souls whose story they're telling in Aaron Jafferis' hard-hitting book and lyrics. Every one of them does an excellent job in singing Ian Williams' rock, hip-hop, and salsa music, as well as dancing Tiffany Rachelle Stewart's flashy choreography.

Juan, sensitively played by Christian Amaraut, wants to be a doctor, but he's going to have a hard time reaching that goal. At the moment, Juan has no place to live, because his mother has demanded he leave so her new boyfriend can move in. Has there ever been another musical as frank about the poor parenting that causes kids to go wrong?

Then Juan, because he was late for his donut shop shift, is fired. His good friend and co-worker Andres quits in a rash moment of solidarity. A theatergoer couldn't ask for a better Andres than Miguel Jarquin-Moreland, a hot-headed scene-stealer.

Where else is there for these boys to turn, but drugs? They hope that dealer Hector, played with convincing menace by Keith Antone, will give them some freebies (though they should know better). When Hector flashes his money, the lads steal it, and, in the show's least convincing moment, Hector doesn't chase them, but just watches them run.

Now that the two young men are flush, they look for romance. At a dance, both are smitten by Marisa. Says Andres, "I don't deserve to dance with you" -- to which Marisa snaps back, "You don't." Desiree Rodriguez has the perfect attitude of a lass that believes it her right and privilege to be haughty simply because she's attractive.

Marisa's brother Cano, enacted with steel-eyed cool by Dell Howlett, sneers at Andres, "You're so insecure you're not even sure you're there." The boys find that Cano is the self-appointed king of the neighborhood. Even in ad hoc street government, there's a hierarchy -- and good deal of bureaucracy to boot.

But here's where Jafferis' script takes a startling and welcome turn. Cano isn't just another street punk, but is someone in the Guardian Angels' mold. He wants to improve the neighborhood, and enlists Juan and Andreas to help. But such distressed streets aren't easy to clean up, and the rest of the show underlines the great obstacles in everyone's way.

Jafferis never neglects to show that these kids have a native intelligence that could bring them to greatness if they only got a break here or there. Whenever characters step to the bad side, they're not happy they're doing it. They simply can't see other options. A second act highlight has Rodriguez deliver a soliloquy message that all kids at society's crossroads should hear.

Williams' music delivers, especially in an anthem to Latino power. That fits the musical's conclusion that as much as people want money, they want and need respect just as much. En route, "Kingdom" becomes a show that itself deserves a good deal of respect.

Kingdom
Where: ReVision Theatre, 701 Lake Ave., Asbury Park
When: Through May 3. Thursdays through Saturdays at 8 p.m., Sundays at 7 p.m.
How much: $15-$35. Call (732) 455-3059 or visit revisiontheatre.org

Danny Glover, Faith Evans, & Tony Plano Support KINGDOM

2009-04-16T17:09:00.002-04:00

"Kingdom is raw and powerful. Kingdom is real. Kingdom speaks to today’s youth in their language. It is important.”

“I am proud to support Revision Theatre’s production of Kingdom by being an Honorary Member of the Community Outreach Committee.”

- Danny Glover, actor

"Through dance, Kingdom makes young people feel stronger. Through Music, Kingdom opens the mind. Kingdom shows choice and decision and will allow people to learn about themselves. The minds of youth are impressionable.”

“It transcends race. It transcends politics. It transcends…”

- Faith Evans, Grammy award winning R&B artist

“¡Una gran exposición! Through spoken word, hip hop and salsa, Kingdom reveals the struggles of poverty and choices that haunt today’s youth.”

“Kingdom will impact your audience! To work. To live. To die. To help. To hurt. Individualism vs groups. Money equals power. Power equals peace. The minds of youth are impressionable.”

- Tony Plana, actor, star of TV’s “Ugly Betty”

The Kingdom and the Power

2009-04-13T10:09:00.000-04:00

By Tom Chesek

April 13, 2009

RedBankOrbit.com

It’s Theater Week here in Red Bank oRBit! Actually, it just sort of worked out that way, as the coming days see the openings of no less than five new productions in the area — some professional and some proudly community; some serious and some silly; some popular revivals and some premieres — and all of them worth checking out for their own reasons.

When we first met up with the ReVision Theatre Company last year in oRBit, the newly established professional stage company in Asbury Park was in the process of transforming the seaside albatross Carousel building into a viable venue for live performance (for last summer’s successful run of Hair), while setting up offices, workshop and rehearsal space inside the city’s venerable VFW Post 1333 on 701 Lake Avenue at Bond Street.

When we looked in on them back in December, ReVision’s triad of Producing Artistic Directors (Thomas Morrissey, David Leidholdt and Stephen Bishop Seely) had turned the VFW’s amply scaled Bingo hall into a working playhouse for Scrooge in Rouge, a colorfully daffy parody of a vintage English music-hall barnstormer.

ReVision returns for anther go-round at the Carousel this August with The Full Monty, and in July they’ll spotlight Steven Brinberg’s uncanny Streisand portrayal in a benefit performance of Funny Girl, the show that catapulted Babs to stardom. But one production here in ReVision’s first full season sticks out against the otherwise light and lively slate of offerings — and that’s Kingdom.

Described as a “Latin Hip Hop musical” study of two friends from the barrio whose need to belong — in this case, to the Nation of the Latin Kings — tears them apart, the show by Aaron Jafferis and Ian Williams previews this Thursday at 8pm, opens this Friday, April 17 and runs through May 3 at the VFW Theatre.

This is an East Coast premiere of a work that’s only recently been fully staged in San Diego — and the cast is headed up by two veterans of the California production, Christian Amaraut and Miguel Jarquin-Moreland, whose respective roles as Juan and Andres saw their origins in true stories of current and former Latin Kings. Carlos Armesto directs an all-Latino cast that further features Dell Howlett (Cano), Desiree Rodriguez (Marisa), Keith Antone (Hector), Jose Candleria (Danny), Erikamarie Rumore (Queen 1), Judah Gavra (King 2), and Chelsea Zeno (Queen 2). Andre Da Silva replaced David Del Rio as King 1 when Del Rio was cast in a Nickelodeon TV series.

It’s a bold move for the ReVisionaries, with both an unknown quantity of a show and a subject matter that most communities would rather sweep under the sidewalk if they could. ReVision, however, took the opposite tack; hosting a Kingdom Kick-Off Party on March 6 that introduced and explained the show to the public, as well as a Kingdom Exploration Symposium on March 19, in which the show’s cast and crew joined a panel of gang experts in discussing the presence of gangs in Monmouth County, and the ways in which parents, teachers and community leaders can take action to prevent gang violence. Audiences are also being invited to take part in after-show forums that follow each performance.

After the jump, Red Bank oRBit speaks with director Armesto on the hows and whys of this much-anticipated show.

The cast of Kingdom includes (Back Row, L-R) Dell Howlett, David Del Rio (replaced by Andre Da Silva), Miguel Jarquin-Moreland, Desiree Rodriguez, Keith Antone, and Jose Candleria; (Front Row, L-R) Erikamarie Rumore, Christian Amaraut, and Chelsea Zeno. Absent on picture day: Judah Gavra. (Photo by Dennis Carroll)

RED BANK ORBIT: It seems that ReVision is working this show hard and they have a lot invested with it, but most of us know next to nothing about KINGDOM. What’s your take on it?
CARLOS ARMESTO: It’s a daring play, a play for people who don’t usually come to the theater — and it’s got a hip hop bounce to it, which we’re taking a little further. Mostly the score is either rapped or sung — in Spanish and in English.

The poster and advertising image makes it clear that this isn’t HELLO DOLLY we’re dealing with here.

It’s an intense image, appropriate to what we’re doing, since the subject matter is so intense. I wouldn’t call it a children’s play — the parental advisory is there for a reason.

But at the same time it is a musical; people break into song and dance, so how much of a challenge is it to put forth these dramatic themes in a genre that’s always been better suited to light comedy?
There is a harshness, a naturalistic energy in the show — but it’s also very stylized. A fight is not a fight; there’s no blood, and the movement is very choreographed. The set is pretty bare — mostly just a floor and door frames. The lighting, which is by Sean Lindsay Manuel, and how the actors move, are how we convey the ideas in the show.

What are you doing differently from the San Diego production?
It’s much more choreographed; we have a choreographer, Tiffany Rachelle Stewart, whereas in the past only one of the numbers had any choreography. There’s a formal element of movement to it now. And our two lead actors, Christian and Miguel, were both in the San Diego production. Not as Juan and Andres, but in supporting roles.

The show turns out to have a much larger cast than I expected it would.
It is a big cast, and we double up, triple up on some of the parts. But the gangs are about belonging to a crowd, having safety in numbers, and we have to get creative in creating crowds. There are times when the audience kind of plays the part of the crowd!

So how would you describe the dynamic between those two lead characters?
They’re two young guys in the barrio — and the city is not named; there’s a sense that this could happen anywhere. Juan’s mother has walked out on him, and Andres, who lives in the projects, basically says I’ll take care of you. They embark upon a journey to have a real brotherhood, and they meet up with the Latin Kings and get involved in this thing, which in real life is very organized.

They’re trying to be peaceful; trying to survive, dealing drugs for income. They’re surrounded with a lot of guns, a lot of levels of protection.

What kind of response did you guys get with the community outreach events that you scheduled?
Very encouraging. The kickoff event was attended by people from all sides of the tracks. The writer of the show said that success for us is community engagement; using that in creating solutions — and I think we have the beginnings of a dialogue going on. If the audience listens, if the community hears about this, then it can happen.

Sounds like the show strikes a hopeful note.
It is tragic in many ways; it’s about survival, and some Shakespearean sort of father-son themes. But there’s solace, and there is hope.

Tickets for Kingdom are $25 and $35 (with a special $15 rate for students and teachers) and can be reserved right here or by calling (732)455-3059. Further information is available on a special open captioning performance, as well as a Ticket Fund Campaign for teens who are unable to afford admission.

Latin Hip Hop Rock Musical KINGDOM Comes To ReVision Theater 4/16-5/3

2009-04-09T14:41:00.001-04:00

by BroadwayWorld.Com News Desk

April 9, 2009

ReVision Theatre will present the East Coast Premiere of the new Latin Hip Hop rock musical Kingdom, to play the VFW Theatre, 701 Lake Avenue, in Asbury Park, New Jersey, April 16-May 3. Carlos Armesto will direct, with music direction by Michael Thomas Murray and choreography by Tiffany Rachelle Stewart.

Inspired by the true stories of current and former Latin Kings, the show explores the tragic impact of gangs and gang violence on a small urban community. A musical that speaks directly to today's youth through rap and hip hop music, the show is inspired by the true stories of current and former gang members of the Latin Kings. The show chronicles the journey of two kids from the barrio in a quest to belong and the power struggle that tears the two friends apart. The musical features book and lyrics by Aaron Jafferis, with music by Ian Williams.

The all-Latino cast will include Dell Howlett (Cano), Desiree Rodriguez (Marisa), Miguel Jarquin-Moreland (Andres), Christian Amaraut (Juan), Keith Antone (Hector), Jose Candleria (Danny), Andre Da Silva (King 1), Erikamarie Rumore (Queen 1), Judah Gavra (King 2), and Chelsea Zeno (Queen 2).

The creative team will include Sean Lindsey Manuel (scenic and lighting design), Kristyn R. Smith (sound design), and Sarita P. Fellows (costume design).

ReVision Theatre is adding an interactive After-Show Forum to each performance that will add context to the themes presented in the show. Each Forum will generate a dialogue between a moderator, audience members, and actors in the show. This will include a general survey of audience members, an exploration with cast members in character, and a reflection of final thoughts and collective commentary.

Kingdom was developed and will be first produced by the Old Globe Theatre in San Diego, California, just prior to the ReVision Theatre's East Coast Premiere production. Kingdom was the winner of the 2008 Richard Rodgers Award for stage readings, administered by the American Academy of Arts and Letters and presented at the National Alliance for Musical Theatre's Festival of New Musicals in 2007, the 2006 New York Musical Theatre Festival, developed by Eric Louie, The Public Theater, Queens Theatre in the Park, Weston Playhouse, John Jay College, Bregamos Community Theater, and at NYU's Graduate Musical Theatre Writing Program.

Tickets are available online at www.ReVisionTheatre.org or by calling the box office at 732-455-3059. Ticket prices are $25 and $35. Special $15 tickets are available for Students and Teachers at each performance. ReVision Theatre has started a Ticket Fund Campaign where ticket buyers have the opportunity to sponsor additional tickets for teenagers who cannot afford admission.

A special Open Captioning performance for the hearing impaired will be available on Thursday, April 23rd at 8 pm.

ReVision Theatre is a non-profit 501(c)3 professional regional theatre company dedicated to producing invigorating theatre with a fresh new perspective reaching the diverse community of Asbury Park and Monmouth County. ReVision Theatre's Producing Artistic Directors, Thomas Morrissey, David E. Leidholdt, and Stephen Bishop Seely, produce reinventions of previously produced classics, overlooked or forgotten work in a new way, and new work with a fresh voice. The company serves as a home for local artists and writers. ReVision Theatre also believes in the importance of theatre education and teaches children and adult theatre classes. ReVision Theatre produces readings, workshops, cabarets, concerts, and mainstage productions. ReVision Theatre's 2008-2009 Season includes a one night only benefit performance of Steven Brinberg as Barbra Streisand in Funny Girl (July 11) at The Paramount Theatre in Asbury Park, and the blockbuster musical, The Full Monty (August 12-September 6) at the Carousel House on the Boardwalk in Asbury Park.

Visit www.RevisionTheatre.org or call 732-455-3059 for show calendars and more information.

Three Kings

2009-04-09T13:25:00.001-04:00

by Steven Froias TriCityNews
April 9, 2009

Here's another entry in my gay leaders series. Actually, this time around it's a trio of guys. Hey - threesomes are best!

You've already been introduced to Thomas Morrissey, Stephen Bishop Seely, and David E. Leidholdt, elsewhere in these pages in the past year. But in this column, I'd like to put their achievements and endeavors into a broader context. Because these three have swiftly assumed a leadership role in the artistic community, and they are poised to reach a new plateau next weekend when their ReVision Theatre company stages the East Coast premier of 'Kingdom" beginning next weekend.

Thomas, Stephen, and David launched ReVision Theatre here in Asbury Park over a year ago with the goal of integrating the company completely into the local community. They brought with them years of experience in theatre across the country, and more specifically from the East Village in New York City where they plied their trade for about a decade.

In choosing Asbury as their new home base, they knew what they were looking for - a community from which they could draw as well as bestow artistic inspiration. Towards that end they have mounted productions in some of the city's iconic structures, such as the Paramount Theatre and the Carousel building.

They'll be doing it again next weekend with "Kingdom" in another piece of history, the VFW building at 701 Lake Avenue. Indeed, by seizing the initiative and furthering the transformation of that building into a performing arts center, they have guaranteed themselves a place in the pantheon of movers and shakers in this town, along with the many others groups (not to mention Cmmdr. Lou Pirsisi) who have facilitated this exciting development.

In a short amount of time, Thomas Morrissey, Stephen Bishop Seely, and David E. Leidholdt have raised the cultural bar through their work with ReVision and their participation in the vibrant arts scene that Asbury Park is home too. Next weekend, though, they go for broke with a potentially history making production that could fulfill their destiny as a major professional, regional theatre company. And not coincidently, the fact that "Kingdom" is being produced here also raises the status of Asbury Park as cultural destination like no other.

Here's the back story: ReVision Theatre, as a professional, Equity-associated company, is part of the National Alliance for Musical Theatre. Once a year, they hold a Festival of New Musicals, works just at the stage of development where they warrant full productions, just short of off-Broadway or Broadway. "Thoroughly Modern Millie," "The Drowsy Chaperone," and "Light in the Piazza"came to light via this route.

This year, "Kingdom" was one of those shows. But as is often the case with groundbreaking work, most theatre companies were too afraid to touch it. They were afraid that it would be impossible to market because of its theme.

"Kingdom" is a hip-hop musical. The subject matter is gang life. Other theatre companies were concerned that the term 'hip-hop' were alienate their traditional patrons, and that they also wouldn't be able to attract the younger crowd who could relate to its themes. You know - probably the same thing that was said about "West Side Story" some 50 years ago.

Only two theatre companies had the balls to snag "Kingdom" and take on the challenge of assuring loyal customers that yes, they were indeed going to see a musical, but also that yes, the boys in the hood could also find something to like up on the stage.

Those two companies were the world renowned Old Globe Theatre in San Diego, where "Kingdom" had its West Coast premier, and.

ReVision Theatre Company in Asbury Park, New Jersey where "Kingdom" will have its East Coast premier next weekend, beginning Thursday, April 16.

That's what makes these guys leaders. They move the ball forward. They inspire themselves as well as the broader community to reach higher. And they don't take the easy way out.

And as exemplified by "Kingdom," though they are of the gay community they are part of the broader community, leaders who build bridges between the many parts of a city or region and thereby strengthen the whole. As is the case with all such folks - gay or straight - they make up the unique fabric of the triCities and are indispensible to its success as a region.

So, be sure to get your tickets for "Kingdom" ASAP. As Thomas said to me, this important theatrical event is something that could have you saying years from now.

"I can't believe it happened in Asbury Park."

Believe it.

"Kingdom" will run from Thursday, April 16 through Sunday, May 3. You can purchase tickets online at ReVisionTheatre.org, Call 732-455-3059 or them in person at: Flying Saucers Retro Kitchenware, 658 Cookman Avenue (Shoppes at the Arcade - Lower Level); and Thurs, Fri, Sun & Mon 11 am to 5pm & Sat 11 am to 9 pm at The VFW Hall in Asbury Park - Theatre Box Office, 701 Lake Avenue (Entrance on Bond Street between Cookman and Lake Avenues. Monday thru Sunday 1pm to 6pm;open to 8pm on show days.

Cast Set for Latin Hip Hop Rock Musical Kingdom in Asbury Park

2009-04-09T11:37:00.000-04:00

By: Dan Bacalzo · Apr 8, 2009 · New Jersey

TheaterMania.com

The cast of Kingdom
(© Dennis Carroll)

ReVision Theatre will present the new Latin Hip Hop rock musical Kingdom, to play the VFW Theatre in Asbury Park, New Jersey, April 16-May 3. Carlos Armesto will direct, with music direction by Michael Thomas Murray and choreography by Tiffany Rachelle Stewart.

Inspired by the true stories of current and former Latin Kings, the show explores the tragic impact of gangs and gang violence on a small urban community. The musical features book and lyrics by Aaron Jafferis, with music by Ian Williams.
The all-Latino cast will include Dell Howlett (Cano), Desiree Rodriguez (Marisa), Miguel Jarquin-Moreland (Andres), Christian Amaraut (Juan), Keith Antone (Hector), Jose Candleria (Danny), Andre Da Silva (King 1), Erikamarie Rumore (Queen 1), Judah Gavra (King 2), and Chelsea Zeno (Queen 2).

The creative team will include Sean Lindsey Manuel (scenic and lighting design), Kristyn R. Smith (sound design), and Sarita P. Fellows (costume design).

Following each performance, there will be an "After Show Forum" where actors stay in character and take questions from the audience.

For more information, visit www.revisiontheatre.org.

Kingdom

2009-04-04T16:32:00.001-04:00

Kingdom Rehearsal Blog #30 - Behind the Scenes Silliness w/Judah

2009-04-04T16:31:00.003-04:00

Kingdom Rehearsal Blog #29- Scene Work w/Carlos

2009-04-04T16:31:00.001-04:00

Kingdom Rehearsal Blog #28- Behind the Scenes: Scene Work

2009-04-04T16:30:00.005-04:00

Kingdom Rehearsal Blog #27- Behind the Scenes: Tiffany Schooling on how to WORK

2009-04-04T16:30:00.003-04:00

Kingdom Rehearsal Blog #26 - Tiffany working the cast

2009-04-04T16:30:00.001-04:00

Kingdom Rehearsal Blog #25- Desiree Ties Up Week 2

2009-04-04T16:29:00.003-04:00

Kingdom Rehearsal Blog #24- Learn How to Git Shot

2009-04-04T16:29:00.001-04:00

Kingdom Rehearsal Blog #22- Dancing at the Club Rehearsal

2009-04-04T16:28:00.001-04:00

Kingdom Rehearsal Blog #21 - Behind the Scenes: Music Rehearsal

2009-04-04T16:27:00.005-04:00

Kingdom Rehearsal Blog #20- Interview w/Miguel Jarquin-Moreland

2009-04-04T16:27:00.003-04:00

Kingdom Rehearsal Blog # 19- Meet Judah Gavra

2009-04-04T16:27:00.001-04:00

Kingdom Rehearsal Blog #17 - Rooftop Adventure

2009-04-04T16:26:00.005-04:00

Kingdom Rehearsal Blog #16 - Ensemble After Run

2009-04-04T16:26:00.003-04:00

Kingdom Rehearsal Blog #15 - David's Thoughts After the Run of Act 1

2009-04-04T16:26:00.001-04:00

Kingdom Rehearsal Blog #14- Act 1 Run After Thoughts w/ Miguel

2009-04-04T16:25:00.001-04:00

Kingdom Rehearsal Blog #13- Act 1 Run After Thoughts w/ Desiree

2009-04-04T16:24:00.003-04:00

Kingdom Rehearsal Blog #12

2009-04-04T16:24:00.001-04:00

Kingdom Rehearsal Blog #9 - Silliness with David Del Rio

2009-04-04T16:23:00.003-04:00

Kingdom Rehearsal Blog #8 - Power Music Rehearsal

2009-04-04T16:23:00.001-04:00

Kingdom Rehearsal Blog #7- Boricua Schooling a Colombian

2009-04-04T16:22:00.005-04:00

Kingdom Rehearsal Blog # 6- Lunchtime Chatter

2009-04-04T16:22:00.003-04:00

Kingdom Rehearsal Blog #5- Meet Jaciel

2009-04-04T16:22:00.001-04:00

Kingdom Rehearsal Blog #4

2009-04-04T16:21:00.003-04:00

Kingdom Rehearsal Blog #3

2009-04-04T16:21:00.001-04:00

Chelsea Zeno Rehearsal Video Blog #2

2009-03-30T13:40:00.000-04:00

Chelsea Zeno Rehearsal Video Blog #1

2009-03-30T13:27:00.000-04:00

Announcing Kingdom Cast

2009-03-30T12:30:00.001-04:00

Kingdom in Rehearsal

2009-03-27T09:13:00.000-04:00

Kingdom in Rehearsal (Left to Right): Aaron Jafferis, Carlos Armesto, John D. Murdock, Christian Amaraut, David Del Rio, Erikamarie Rumore, Miguel Jarquin-Moreland, Desiree' Rodriguez, Dell Howlett, Chelsea Zeno, Keith Antone, Tiffany Rachelle Stewart, Jose Candelaria

Musical focuses on gang issues

2009-03-13T11:49:00.000-04:00

March 13, 2009

By NANCY SHIELDS
COASTAL MONMOUTH BUREAU

ReVision Theatre will hold a symposium for students, parents, teachers and community leaders to discuss the devastating effect of gangs in New Jersey at 7 p.m. Thursday at the VFW Hall, 701 Lake Ave.
The forum is being held in conjunction with the theater group's upcoming musical "Kingdom," a hip-hop/rock production with salsa music that goes inside the world of the Latin Kings and the destruction of young lives ensnared by the sense of family a gang offers.

"This speaks to kids in a gut place, an emotional place," said Thomas Morrissey, one of ReVision's producing artistic directors.

"I believe this show has the power to change lives. People can understand how gangs work."

Follow-up workshops designed to give context to the show are planned with students.

Morrissey said the production also provides a way to reach a generation that is not going to the theater anymore.
"Kingdom" will run Thursdays through Sundays, April 16 through May 3, at the VFW Hall. Tickets cost $25 and $35, and $15 for students and teachers.

ReVision, a professional regional theater company, relocated to Asbury Park in 2008.

It began as The Genesius Guild in 1995 in New York City, where it was founded by Morrissey.

State, federal and local authorities have made significant inroads over the past two years in curbing an outbreak of Bloods and Crips gang activity.

"Even though the overall issue is being dealt with in the city, it's still an issue," Asbury Park City Manager Terence Reidy said last Friday.

He described the upcoming musical and symposium as a "great opportunity" to get high school kids and teachers communicating about gangs.

"This is the first show I'm aware of that talks in an honest, truthful way, written for kids and adults," Morrissey said.

Asbury Park High School Principal Tyler Blackmore is working on a way to have the play performed at the high school so that all students can see it.

He hopes to get $8,000 to pay for it either through the school budget or from private donors, the principal said.

Additional Facts IF YOU GO
For more information about the symposium, call (732) 455-3059, or visit www.revisiontheatre.org.

Kingdom Event, March 19th 7-9pm

2009-02-21T14:38:00.000-05:00

Playbill Online: Simply Barbra Salutes the Oscars to Play Florida's Rising Action Theatre

2009-02-18T12:26:00.000-05:00

Acclaimed Barbra Streisand impersonator Steven Brinberg will offer Simply Barbra Salutes the Oscars Feb. 19-March 15 at the Rising Action Theatre Company in Fort Lauderdale, FL.
The evenings will feature Oscar-nominated and Oscar-winning tunes, including Streisand's "Evergreen," among others.

The Florida venue will also offer Roberto Aguirre-Sacasa's Say You Love Satan (Feb. 13-March 15) and Roger Bean's The Andrews Brothers (March 27-April 26).

Steven Brinberg has performed his Streisand impersonation on stages in Atlantic City, Las Vegas, Los Angeles, San Francisco, Miami, Houston and the U.K. He recently completed a sold-out tour of the U.K. and the West End, following record-breaking runs at London's Playhouse and Jermyn Street theatres. Brinberg is the winner of the MAC Award and the Bistro Award for his Simply Barbra performances. He also appeared in the workshops of Ken Page's musical Nightlife and can be heard on "Simply Barbra Duets."

Brinberg's upcoming appearances also include Brooklyn's BAM Cafe (March 20), New Orleans' Voila (March 26-27), the Adelaide Cabaret Festival (June) and the Revision Theatre Company's Funny Girl concert at the Paramount Theatre in Asbury Park, NJ (July 12).

Rising Action Theatre Company is located at 840 East Oakland Park Blvd. in Fort Lauderdale, FL. For tickets call (954) 561-2225 or visit www.risingactiontheatre.com.

KINGDOM, a new musical, at The Old Globe Theatre

2009-02-05T10:41:00.006-05:00

ReVision Theatre Reacts to Gang Violence

2009-02-04T10:25:00.014-05:00

RVT Reaches Out to Community Offering Gang Related Forums and Events
Hopes to draw large audience to new Hip Hop rock musical, KINGDOM

Asbury Park, New Jersey – ReVision Theatre is hitting the streets with a new show that exposes the impact of gang violence on the local community. The East Coast Premiere of Kingdom, a new Hip Hop Rock musical about the gang, the Latin Kings, will open in April, but the theatre company is already working hard to educate Asbury Park and surrounding communities about the growing number of gang members in Monmouth County. Events include a Kingdom Kick Off Party on March 7th, a Kingdom Exploration Symposium on March 19th, a Ticket Fund Campaign, and a cutting-edge interactive forum after every performance.

Kingdom will run Thursdays through Sunday, April 16th through May 3rd, at the VFW Theatre, 701 Lake Avenue in Asbury Park. A musical that speaks directly to today's youth through rap and hip hop music, the show is inspired by the true stories of current and former gang members of the Latin Kings. The show chronicles the journey of two kids from the barrio in a quest to belong and the power struggle that tears the two friends apart. Music by Ian Williams and book and lyrics by Aaron Jafferis, Kingdom will be directed by Carlos Armesto.

The public is invited to a Kingdom Kick-Off Party at 6:00 pm on Saturday, March 7th at the VFW Theatre, 701 Lake Avenue in Asbury Park. RVT staff, audiences, and sponsors will come together to generate support and enthusiasm for Kingdom and create a united stand against gang violence. This free event is open to the public and will include food, drink, and a live preview performance of Kingdom. Guests are encouraged to RSVP by calling 732-455-3059.

On Thursday, March 19th, ReVision Theatre will sponsor a Kingdom Exploration Symposium at the VFW Theatre, 701 Lake Avenue, in Asbury Park that is open to the public. Teachers, community leaders, and parents are encouraged to attend. This symposium will feature gang experts as moderators that will discuss the affect of gangs in Monmouth County and how parents and leaders can take action to prevent gang violence.

ReVision Theatre is adding an interactive After-Show Forum to each performance that will add context to the themes presented in the show. Each Forum will generate a dialogue between a moderator, audience members, and actors in the show. This will include a general survey of audience members, an exploration with cast members in character, and a reflection of final thoughts and collective commentary.

Kingdom was developed and will be first produced by the Old Globe Theatre in San Diego, California, just prior to the ReVision Theatre's East Coast Premiere production. Kingdom was the winner of the 2008 Richard Rodgers Award for stage readings, administered by the American Academy of Arts and Letters and presented at the National Alliance for Musical Theatre's Festival of New Musicals in 2007, the 2006 New York Musical Theatre Festival, developed by Eric Louie, The Public Theater, Queens Theatre in the Park, Weston Playhouse, John Jay College, Bregamos Community Theater, and at NYU's Graduate Musical Theatre Writing Program.

Tickets are available online at www.ReVisionTheatre.org or by calling the box office at 732-455-3059. Ticket prices are $25 and $35. Special $15 tickets are available for Students and Teachers at each performance. ReVision Theatre has started a Ticket Fund Campaign where ticket buyers have the opportunity to sponsor additional tickets for teenagers who cannot afford admission.

A special Open Captioning performance for the hearing impaired will be available on Thursday, April 23rd at 8 pm.

ReVision Theatre is a non-profit 501(c)3 professional regional theatre company dedicated to producing invigorating theatre with a fresh new perspective reaching the diverse community of Asbury Park and Monmouth County. ReVision Theatre's Producing Artistic Directors, Thomas Morrissey, David E. Leidholdt, and Stephen Bishop Seely, produce reinventions of previously produced classics, overlooked or forgotten work in a new way, and new work with a fresh voice. The company serves as a home for local artists and writers. ReVision Theatre also believes in the importance of theatre education and teaches children and adult theatre classes. ReVision Theatre produces readings, workshops, cabarets, concerts, and mainstage productions. ReVision Theatre's 2008-2009 Season includes a one night only benefit performance of Steven Brinberg as Barbra Streisand in Funny Girl (July 11) at The Paramount Theatre in Asbury Park, and the blockbuster musical, The Full Monty (August 12-September 6) at the Carousel House on the Boardwalk in Asbury Park.

Visit www.RevisionTheatre.org or call 732-455-3059 for show calendars and more information.

ReVision Theatre ReActs to Economic Recession: 3 shows for $92.50

2009-01-12T16:57:00.000-05:00

January 12, 2009
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

ReVision Theatre in Asbury Park Announces
WINTER SUBSCRIPTION SALE
THREE SHOWS FOR $92.50
50% OFF REGULAR SUBSCRIPTION PRICE
RVT HELPS PUT A FREEZE ON THE RECESSION
Limited Time Only!

Asbury Park, New Jersey – As a reaction to the state of the economy, ReVision Theatre announces their Winter Subscription Sale. New and current ReVision Theatre Members may purchase all three tickets to three great shows for only $92.50, which is 50% off the regular price. Winter Sale Subscribers will receive tickets to each of the remaining shows of the 2009 Season which includes the new hip hop rock musical, Kingdom (April 16-May 3), a one night only benefit performance of Steven Brinberg as Barbra Streisand in Funny Girl (July 11), and the blockbuster musical, The Full Monty (August 12-September 6). Subscriptions may be ordered online at www.ReVisionTheatre.org or by calling the ReVision Theatre Box office at 732-455-3059.

“We know that times are tough and we wanted to give people who have thought about coming to see a show the best opportunity to see all three of our exciting shows,” says Thomas Morrissey, one of the three Producing Artistic Directors (along with David E. Leidholdt and Stephen Bishop Seely). “This is a great deal! People can see all three shows and still pay less than a regular priced single ticket to our benefit performance of Funny Girl.”

A controversial new musical, Kingdom, is scheduled for ReVision Theatre’s next production this Spring. The music is by Ian Williams and the book and lyrics are by Aaron Jaferis. This hip hop rock musical is inspired by the true stories of current and former gang members of the Latin Kings. The show chronicles the journey of two kids from the barrio in a quest to belong and the power struggle that tears the two friends apart. The show will be performed April 16th through May 3rd at the VFW Theatre, 701 Lake Avenue in Asbury Park.

The Second Annual ReVision Theatre Benefit Concert is set for Saturday, July 11, 2009. This season, the one night only performance will star Steven Brinberg as Barbra Streisand in Funny Girl with a full cast of Broadway actors, singers, and dancers and a full live on-stage orchestra. Steven Brinberg, the premiere Barbra Streisand impressionist, will star in the lead role of Fanny Brice. This will be the first time in history that a man will play the female lead. This special performance will be directed and choreographed by Connor Gallagher and music directed by John Fischer.

The Broadway smash hit, The Full Monty will be the finale to ReVision Theatre’s season with performances August 12th through September 6th at the Historic Carousel House on the Boardwalk, 700 Ocean Avenue in Asbury Park. The story of unemployed steel workers frustrated with life, women, and work decide that regardless of looks or ability they are going to be the best male strippers anyone has ever seen. In the process they find renewed self-esteem, the importance of friendship and the ability to have fun. This show will be directed by one of ReVision Theatre’s Producing Artistic Directors, David E. Leidholdt.

ReVision Theatre is a non-profit 501(c)3 professional regional theatre company dedicated to producing invigorating theatre with a fresh new perspective reaching the diverse community of Asbury Park and Monmouth County. ReVision Theatre produces reinventions of previously produced classics, overlooked or forgotten work in a new way, and new work with a fresh voice. The company serves as a home for local artists and writers. ReVision Theatre also believes in the importance of theatre education and teaches children and adult theatre classes. ReVision Theatre produces readings, workshops, cabarets, concerts, and mainstage productions. ReVision Theatre’s 2008-2009 Season includes the new hip hop musical, Kingdom (April 16-May 3), a one night only benefit performance of Steven Brinberg as Barbra Streisand in Funny Girl (July 11), and the blockbuster musical, The Full Monty (August 12-September 6).

Visit www.RevisionTheatre.org or call 732-455-3059 for show calendars and more information.

CONTACT: Stephen Bishop Seely
Stephen@ReVisionTheatre.org
732-455-3059

Scrooge in Rouge in 180 Seconds

2008-12-17T13:36:00.000-05:00

A Zany Christmas Carol In Asbury Park

2008-12-12T12:13:00.000-05:00

Two River Times
December 12, 2008

Scene On Stage

A Zany Christmas Carol
In Asbury Park
Check your bah-humbug at the door. . .
By Philip Dorian

And now for something new and different: a musical adaptation of Charles Dickens’s A Christmas Carol. Say what? New and different? There’s one around every corner, isn’t there?

Well, yes, but they’re not like ReVision Theatre’s Scrooge in Rouge, running through December 28 in Asbury Park. And ‘thanks’ are definitely in order for this irreverent and outrageously funny tale of ye olde Scrooge.

What to do when all but three , Lottie Obligato (Linda Marie Larson), Vesta Virile (Katherine Pecevich), and Charlie Schmaltz (Doug Shapiro), to play all 23 roles.

And healthy they are. The three careen through the Ghosts of Christmases Past, Present and Future; various Cratchits; numerous Fezziwigs; and assorted other Victorian Londoners. The result is a fast-paced 90 minutes with lively song-and-dance and about a hundred gags that are corny, bawdy or a combination thereof. That nearly all (nobody’s perfect) are laughworthy is a tribute to a performers and to writers Rich Graham (book and lyrics) Jeffery Roberson (additional material) and Yvette Hargis, who is credited with “other interesting bits,” which is the year’s most intriguing credit.

Ms. Pecevich plays Ebeneezer and a couple of other bit parts along the way. She’s as accurate (if offhand) a Scrooge as I’ve seen locally. Out of character, commenting in asides to the audience, she’s a droll delight. (If “walk this way” isn’t among your favorite comic bits, go watch Miracle on 34th Street again.)

Mr. Shapiro’s antic take on Marley’s Ghost is supremely funny, but darned if he doesn’t top himself with his loose-limbed Fezziwig nephew. (His manic cavorting would drive even a kind-hearted uncle away.)

You cannot acquire pinpoint-perfect timing. Like Ms. Larson, you must be born with it. Introducing the show with the wrong author’s name – an excellent joke so obvious I’m surprised I never heard it before – and slipping in and out of a dozen fully realized roles, including a pickle (see it to believe it), she doesn’t miss a beat – of music or comedy.

Musical director Justin Stoney is positioned off to the side with his piano, where he provides faultless accompaniment and an occasional impertinent out-of-the-blue remark, and choreographer Mimi Quillin keeps the flailing arms and legs under control (barely). Costumer Abby Walton deserves co-star status. It’s not just the number – 23 outfits for 23 characters – that impresses. The outlandish styles and even the colors provide a comic context on their own.

The key to staging a deceptively loose show like Scrooge in Rouge lies in balancing control with freedom. Michael Barakiva’s direction is disciplined, but not at the expense of devil-may-care. (His rest-cure is progressing nicely, I hear.)

A song lyric promises “fancy scenery and acting with panache.” Kip marsh’s sets might not be fancy, but you’ll fancy the clever devices that enhance the goings-on. (An upright bed on the back of a door? Why not?) As for panache, “flamboyant confidence of style or manner,” that’s an understatement!

Doug Shapiro, Linda Marie Larson and Katherine Pecevich as three of the 23 characters they play in Scrooge in Rouge.

“Scrooge in Rouge” runs through Dec. 28 at the refurbished VFW Hall, 701 Lake Avenue, Asbury Park. Performance are Thurs-Sat at 8 pm (no performance Dec. 25); Sun. at 7 pm; matinees Sat. Dec 27 at 3 pm and Sun. Dec. 28 at 3 pm. For information and tickets ($25 - $35): 732-455-3059 or online at www.revisiontheatre.org.

Scrooge in Rouge in 30 Seconds

2008-12-10T08:43:00.000-05:00

Scrooge in Rouge in Asbury Park - Star-Ledger

2008-12-03T15:11:00.001-05:00

Actor Linda Marie Larson and Actor Katherine Pecevich,who's playing Ebenezer Scrooge under strange circumstances. SCROOGE IN ROUGE is a show where a troupe of British Musical Hall actors intended to put on A CHRISTMAS CAROL -- but then most of the troupe got sick from food poisoning. As a result, this WOMAN, Vesta Virile, must play Scrooge PHOTO BY NOAH K. MURRAY/THE STAR-LEDGER

Scrooge in Rouge in Asbury Park - Star-Ledger

2008-12-03T15:09:00.001-05:00

Katherine Pecevich,who's playing Ebenezer Scrooge under strange circumstances. SCROOGE IN ROUGE is a show where a troupe of British Musical Hall actors intended to put on A CHRISTMAS CAROL but then most of the troupe got sick from food poisoning. As a result, this WOMAN, Vesta Virile, must play Scrooge . PHOTO BY NOAH K. MURRAY/THE STAR-LEDGER

Scrooge in Rouge in Asbury Park - Star-Ledger

2008-12-03T14:57:00.001-05:00

Actors Doug Shapiro ,Charlie and Katherine Pecevich,who's playing Ebenezer Scrooge under strange circumstances. SCROOGE IN ROUGE is a show where a troupe of British Musical Hall actors intended to put on A CHRSTMAS CAROL -- but then most of the troupe got sick from food poisoning. As a result, this WOMAN, Vesta Virile, must play Scrooge . Asbury Park, NJ 12/2/08 4:15:28 AM NOAH K. MURRAY/THE STAR-LEDGER

Press Release: Scrooge in Rouge, an English Music Hall Christmas Carol

2008-11-24T16:08:00.002-05:00

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

ReVision Theatre in Asbury Park Announces

The East Coast Premiere of

Scrooge in Rouge

An English Music Hall Christmas Carol

3 actors play 23 roles in the fast paced, quick change musical

A Holiday Family Comedy

December 4^th-28^th

Asbury Park, New Jersey – ReVision Theatre kicks off their 2008–2009 inaugural season with the holiday family musical comedy, Scrooge in Rouge, an English Music Hall Christmas Carol, is a fast paced, quick change musical version of the Dickens’ classic, A Christmas Carol, set in a Victorian music hall where three actors perform 23 characters. Running December 4^th – 28^th, ReVision Theatre will present the East Coast Premiere of the show which was created last holiday season in New Orleans. Directed by Michael Barakiva the cast features Linda Marie Larson (Broadway’s Jackie, Deuce, Morning’s at Seven), Katherine Pecevich (National Tour of Annie), and Doug Shapiro. The show is choreographed by Mimi Quillin and music directed by Justin Stoney, who will also be at piano. The creative team includes scenic design by Kip Marsh, costume design by Abby Walton, lighting design by Nick Francone, and sound design by Benjamin Furiga.

The show was created by a company of actors at the cabaret Le Chat Noir, with book and lyrics by Ricky Graham, additional material by Jeffery Roberson (aka Varla Jean Merman), other interesting bits by Yvette Hargis, and original music composed by Jefferson Turner.

A mixture of Monty Python’s Flying Circus and Noises Off, Scrooge in Rouge is a Victorian-era music hall version of Charles Dickens' A Christmas Carol, in which 17 members of the Royal Music Hall 20-Member Variety Players have taken ill from the cast party the night before, leaving only Charlie Schmaltz (Shapiro), an animated character actor; Lottie Obligato (Larson), a bubbly, over-the-hill ingénue; and Vesta Virile (Pecevich), a male impersonating diva, to play and sing all the male and female parts in the show. The Gambit Weekly wrote, “Though we tend to associate this type of gender bending with our confused, postmodern world, it actually has a history on the stage that reaches back to music hall entertainment and beyond.”

Scrooge in Rouge, an English Music Hall Christmas Carol will preview on Thursday, December 4th and open on Friday, December 5th and run through Sunday, December 28. Performance times are: Thursday at 8:00 pm, Friday & Saturday at 8:00 pm, and Sunday at 7:00 pm. Scrooge in Rouge will be performed at the VFW Hall, 701 Lake Avenue, in Asbury Park. ReVision Theatre will be transforming this 100 year old building into a 350 seat theatre. Single adult tickets, priced $35 and $25, and half price tickets for children under 12 are now on sale. Call the ReVision Theatre box office at 732-455-3059 or go on line at www.ReVisionTheatre.org for tickets and information.

ReVision Theatre is a non-profit 501(c)3 professional regional theatre company dedicated to producing invigorating theatre with a fresh new perspective reaching the diverse community of Asbury Park and Monmouth County. ReVision Theatre produces reinventions of previously produced classics, overlooked or forgotten work in a new way, and new work with a fresh voice. The company serves as a home for local artists and writers. ReVision Theatre also believes in the importance of theatre education and teaches children and adult theatre classes. ReVision Theatre produces readings, workshops, cabarets, concerts, and mainstage productions. ReVision Theatre’s 2008-2009 Season includes the new hip hop musical, Kingdom (April 16-May 3), a one night only benefit performance of Steven Brinberg as Barbra Streisand in Funny Girl (July 11), and the blockbuster musical, The Full Monty (August 12-September 6).

Visit www.RevisionTheatre.org or call 732-455-3059 for show calendars and more information.

Fast Facts:

Who: ReVision Theatre

David E. Leidholdt, Thomas Morrissey, and Stephen Bishop Seely

Producing Artistic Directors

PO BOX 973, Asbury Park, New Jersey 07712

What: Scrooge in Rouge, an English Music Hall Christmas Carol

East Coast Premiere

December 4^th – 28^th, 2008

Book & Lyrics by Ricky Graham

Additional Material by Jeffery Roberson

Other Interesting Bits by Yvette Hargis

Music by Jefferson Turner

Directed by Michael Barakiva

Choreographed by Mimi Quillin

Music Directed by Justin Stoney

Scenic Design by Kip Marsh

Lighting Design by Nick Francone

Sound Design by Benjamin Furiga

Costume Design by Abby Walton

Cast includes Lisa Marie Larson (Lottie), Katherine Pecevich (Vesta), &

Doug Shapiro (Charlie)

When: December 4^th – 28^th

Thursdays, Fridays, & Saturdays at 8:00 pm

Sundays at 7:00 pm

(No show on Christmas Day)

Friday, December 26th at 8:00 pm

Saturday, December 27th at 3:00 pm & 8:00 pm

Sunday, December 28th at 3:00 pm

Where: VFW Hall

701 Lake Avenue

Asbury Park, New Jersey 07712

Entrance on Bond Street between Lake and Cookman Avenues

How: Buy tickets online at www.ReVisionTheatre.org

Or call 732-455-3059.

Adults $35.00 & $25.00

Children under 12 $17.50 & $12.50

Limited seating is available.

ReVision Theatre Announces 2008-2009 Season

2008-11-07T10:21:00.002-05:00

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

ReVision Theatre in Asbury Park Announces

2008-2009 Premiere Season
4 MUSICALS --2 BRAND NEW AND 2 REVISIONED
A Christmas Family Musical Comedy, Scrooge in Rouge
Steven Brinberg as Barbra Streisand in Funny Girl

Asbury Park, New Jersey – After a successful run of Hair at the Carousel House, ReVision Theatre announces their 2008-2009 Premiere Season.

The 2008 – 2009 inaugural season begins with the east coast premiere of the family musical comedy, Scrooge in Rouge, an English Music Hall Christmas Carol (written by Ricky Graham, Jeffery Roberson, Yvette Hargis, and Jefferson Turner). Set in a British Music Hall in the 1800s, three actors perform 23 characters in the musical version of the Dickens’ classic A Christmas Carol. A mixture of Monty Python’s Flying Circus and Noises Off, this fast paced comedy will be performed at VFW Hall, 701 Lake Avenue, on December 4th through December 28th in Asbury Park. The show will be directed by Michael Barakiva, choreographed by Mimi Quillin, and music directed by Justin Stoney. The cast includes Linda Marie Larson (Broadway’s Jackie, Deuce, Morning’s at Seven), Katherin Pecevich (National Tour of Annie), and Doug Shapiro.

A controversial new musical, Kingdom, is scheduled for ReVision Theatre’s Spring slot. The music is by Ian Williams and the book and lyrics are by Aaron Jaferis. This hip hop style musical is inspired by the true stories of current and former gang members of the Latin Kings. The show chronicles the journey of two kids from the barrio in a quest to belong and the power struggle that tears the two friends apart. The show will be performed April 16th through May 3rd at the VFW Hall, 701 Lake Avenue in Asbury Park.

The Second Annual ReVision Theatre Benefit Concert is set for Saturday, July 11, 2009. This season, the one night only performance will star Steven Brinberg as Barbra Streisand in Funny Girl. Steven Brinberg, the premiere Barbra Streisand impressionist, will star in the lead role of Fanny Brice. This will be the first time in history that a man will play the female lead. This special performance will be directed and choreographed by Connor Gallagher and music directed by John Fischer.

The Full Monty will be the finale to ReVision Theatre’s season with performances August 12th through September 6that the Carousel on the Boardwalk, 700 Ocean Avenue in Asbury Park. The story of unemployed steel workers frustrated with life, women, and work decide that regardless of looks or ability they are going to be the best male strippers anyone has ever seen! In the process they find renewed self-esteem, the importance of friendship and the ability to have fun.

Single tickets and season subscriptions are available online at www.ReVisionTheatre.org or by phone 732-455-3059.

ReVision Theatre is a non-profit 501(c)3 professional regional theatre company dedicated to producing invigorating theatre with a fresh new perspective reaching the diverse community of Asbury Park and Monmouth County. ReVision Theatre produces reinventions of previously produced classics, overlooked or forgotten work in a new way, and new work with a fresh voice. The company serves as a home for local artists and writers. ReVision Theatre also believes in the importance of theatre education and teaches children and adult theatre classes. ReVision Theatre produces readings, workshops, cabarets, concerts, and mainstage productions.

Visit www.RevisionTheatre.org or call 732-455-3059 for show calendars and more information.

November 4th by the writer of Kingdom

2008-10-31T14:07:00.001-04:00

Hip hop poem about the election. Words by Aaron Jafferis. Music by KronZilla. Thanks to Angela, April, Daniene, Derrick, Dexter, Dontae, Doug, Gabe, Hillary, Jay, Jessie, Joel, Kesa, Laki, Layla, Liz, Magalis, Mike, Red.

---------------------------

Lyrics:

My father was African, my mother American.
I have brothers blue-black, and cousins with fairer skin
who pale in comparison to Sarah Palin.
Like blues, my family trees roots shoot
deep through the earth, but only in America
could my parents have given birth to me.
Conceived when cultures
collided and made love, previously divided states
(of mind) united and gave blood and life.
Husband and wife split the difference between
hope and change, between cope and pain,
and even though they split, all of it their hope and pain
still fit in their sons open brain
and over time became his/my over-arching aim:
give me your tired, your poor, your huddled masses,
give me liberty from war, lift, lift the underclasses,
and if this economy looks fundamentally strong,
your fundamentals are wrong
or youre looking through muddy glasses,
or your fundamental heads are stuck up your metaphorical...

Ask me who I am, and I will tell you true:
my name is not Barack, though this is his story too.
My name is hip hop. Its my history Im telling you:

My father was African, my mother American.
I have brothers blue-black, and cousins with fairer skin
who pale in comparison to Sarah Palin, who isnt
the only illustration of true-blooded Americanism.
Like blues, I am he whose family trees
roots shoot deep through the earth,
but only America could have given birth to me.
I was given the gift of speech, and I use it
to outreach and uplift the youth, and if you
wanna use me as a servant to you in order to form
a more perfect union, then do...organize

and do mobilize and open eyes to truth and show that lies
misled the poor and led to war and broken lives.
Do give the tools to cope and rise,
and as the movement grows in size
and breaks the ropes that hope defies,
and as the youth vote multiplies,
well break the race right open wide,
wide open eyes will vote
and take this nation by surprise. Surprise!

I am the native son, the bought and traded one,
the sometimes hated drum talking of change to come,
I am the underrated, the wonder-if-hell-make-it one,
the character-assassinated but still not jaded son,
even though over time I become the front-page-aided one,
the allegedly overrated, celebrity-associated one,
some people thought I blew up and went pop-
ular, grew up and then dropped the urban
working class who, from first to last, I have worked
to bring from last to first, and if you think my values
are in trouble...your (thought) bubble is burst.
I still cast my lot with the tired, the poor,
the huddled masses. Give me liberty from war,
lift, lift the underclasses, and if this economy
looks fundamentally strong, your fundamentals are wrong
or youre lookin through muddy glasses,
or your fundamental heads are stuck up your metaphorical...

As for us:
if hip hop is the entrance to what is in store
lit hot from the embers of what came before,
if Barack is the belief that God demands more
than a war in Iraq and abandoning the poor,
if America can stare itself in the face and be sure
we want to end poverty, and end endless war,
then we are the ones we have been waiting for.
You are the ones you have been waiting for.

Your name is...My name is...
Our name is...
Our name is America, our very existence, a miracle.
We survived insistent attempts to make our lives unbearable.
Dehumanize us, brutalize and downsize divide us,
still we rise through the work of the multitudes inside us.
Though generations have lived and died,
we pride ourselves on our youth
and keep our eyes on the prize of that self-evident truth
that we know is not a lie even though Americas broke:
Our birthright is equality. Our inheritance is hope.
Our name is America, and you better be ready,
cause on the 4th of November, we are going to vote.

ReVISIONIST HISTORY IN THE MAKING

2008-10-28T15:56:00.000-04:00

by Tom Chesek
Red Bank Orbit

Steven Brinberg brings his uncanny and un-campy Streisand characterization back to Asbury Park, when ReVision Theatre Company presents a special performance of FUNNY GIRL.

Red Bank has the Two River Theater Company and its gleaming, glass-facade showplace of a home stage. Long Branch boasts the New Jersey Repertory Company, which works some pretty potent magic in its converted downtown storefront while they preparing for an eventual move to new custom-made digs.

There’s a third professional stage company headquartered in this neck of Monmouth County, and if you haven’t quite processed the name ReVision Theatre Company, don’t sweat it. The based-in-Asbury Park troupe is still really getting itself established, having set up shop in Asbury’s historic VFW building with a busy slate of classes, workshops and readings.

And when we say it’s “based in Asbury,” we do mean that its members use the whole city as their canvas; inhabiting historic halls, rejuvenated business buildings and long-vacant boardwalk structures like a bunch of wondrous hermit crabs.

These are the guys, after all, who famously teamed with boardwalk developers Madison Marquette to convert the amazing Carousel building into a viable venue for live performance — something it had never managed to be in its long history — when they mounted their smash revival of Hair: The American Tribal Love-Rock Musical last summer. And to think they almost considered moving to Paducah.

An actual season’s worth of entertainments was always on the drawing board for ReVision’s triad of Producing Artistic Directors (Thomas Morrissey, David Leidholdt and Stephen Bishop Seely; all veterans of Manhattan’s Genesius Theatre), and this past Saturday night, the partners and board president Bob Angelini convened a special season announcement party at Mattison Park Restaurant, itself a re-visioned bank building. Red Bank oRBit, as you probably figured, was on the scene, working the room and knocking back rootbeer martinis.

The cast of ReVision Theatre’s HAIR posed with the groundbreaking show’s co-creator James Rado, when he took in one of their sold-out performances last August.

Cast members of Hair were on hand, performing numbers from the 1967 show as well as from a couple of the new projects announced onstage by the producing partners. As Liedholdt, Morrissey and Seely revealed to the packed house, the ReVision company’s inaugural season begins in earnest on December 4, with the East Coast premiere of Scrooge in Rouge, a “British music hall Christmas Carol” that puts a manic spin on the well-roasted holiday chestnut.

In the comic piece conceived and adapted by book writer and lyricist Ricky Graham, a circa-1900 theatrical troupe is in the midst of preparations for their Christmas Carol show when seventeen of the twenty actors take ill — leaving three intrepid players to perform 23 Dickensian characters in what can only be described as a tour de farce. Presented at Asbury’s VFW Post 1333 on Lake Avenue and Bond Street, the show offers sixteen performances through December 28.

ReVision returns in 2009 with Kingdom, a “Hip Hop musical” study of two friends from the barrio whose need to belong — in this case, to the Nation of the Latin Kings — tears them apart. Featuring a score by Aaron Jafferis and Ian Williams, the show runs from April 16 to May 3 at the VFW building.

Last summer, the ReVision crew presented a one-shot fundraiser event at the historic Paramount Theatre; a revival of Hello Dolly! starring Carol Channing tribute artist Richard Skipper in the role made famous by Channing herself. “In the spirit of Dolly,” ReVision takes over the Paramount once again on July 11 for a benefit performance of the Jule Styne-Bob Merrill musical Funny Girl. Steven Brinberg, an actor-vocalist whose celebrated portrayal of Barbra Streisand has won him raves throughout the cabaret circuit (including Tim McLoone’s Supper Club) channels Babs as Fanny Brice in the show that made her a star.

Still coming together as we post this, ReVision’s summer-show production of The Full Monty comes to a location that’s yet to be determined, on the confirmed dates of August 12 through September 6. Acclaimed playwright Terrence McNally wrote the book to David Yazbek’s musicalization of the hit British film, in which a group of unemployed steelworkers find a new sense of purpose as male strippers. Doing this show in the round at the Carousel would make it the Full Monty and then some.

Info on single-ticket prices and subscription plans can be found right here. Watch Red Bank oRBit for updates; and we’ll let David Leidholdt have the last word.

“We have three specific challenges,” says the veteran director. “To find pieces that represent us, to develop shows that are able to be produced anywhere — and to get people off the beach and into the theatre!”

James Rado with the Cast of ReVision Theatre's Production of HAIR

2008-08-25T14:51:00.003-04:00

Newsflash: Hippies Spotted In Asbury Park "Hair" on the Boardwalk

2008-08-22T15:16:00.000-04:00

By Philip Dorian
Two River Times
August 22nd 2008

On opening night of Hair at the Carousel on the Asbury Park boardwalk, heavy rain (precipitation) fell during the song about snow (not precipitation). Dripping through the roof in several spots, including onto the stage, the rain did not dampen the spirits of the show's anti-Vietnam War protesters or of their adoring capacity audience. The particular scene is a hippie be-in, and the downpour brought us all, audience and cast, together for a precious two hours.
That's what Hair was supposed to do, before we traded tie-dye for navy blue and activism for going-along-to-get-along. Two years ago I wrote that Hair, 40 years after emerging as the American Tribal Love-Rock Musical, had become passe and that its relevance might be mainly historical. Dated Hair is, but despite some valid criticisms, ReVision's quality re-vision makes for a valid time-study. Director Andy Goldberg imbued his energetic cast with respect for the era as well as the material.
Don't go to Hair looking for a plot or even a linear story. It's New York City, 1968. Claude (Casey Gensler), drafted to serve in Vietnam, vows to burn his draft card and refuse induction. In the end he does go, with predictable consequences.
Claude's tribe includes his sex-and-drugs-obsessed friend Berger (Scoop Slone); his girlfriend Sheila (Ephie Aardema); Jeanie (Julia Arazi), who's pregnant by Claude; Hud (Kyle Taylor Parker), a tough "colored" guy; sweet, vulnerable Crissy (Marah Meese); and diverse hippies.
Claude is ambivalent about serving, while Berger is in the 'hell no, I won't go' camp. Gensler and Slone, contrasting types, match up well. Their friendship rings true.
Musically, The Tribe rediscovers "Aquarius," Good Morning Starshine" and "Let the Sunshine In" with enthusiasm and "Frank Mills" gets the proper wistful treatment from Meese. Ms. Aardema, an accomplished singer, is a potent presence throughout, and Arazi makes of pregnant Jeanie the waif you want to protect. Britt Johnson's cameo as a curious tourist is a comic highlight.
Hair ushered in the era of amplification, and there is a tendency for companies to treat their theater spaces like 15,000-seat concert venues. ReVision is no exception. The band, offstage at the rear, provides excellent backing, but a sizeable portion of the lyrics is lost in vocal volume and over-amplification, a significant flaw, considering the absence of a coherent book. While a choreographer is listed, the dancing is free-form and more Stone Pony-ish than stageworthy.
On the big-plus side: Most of act two is Claude's war-themed hallucination. Vietnam is represented of course, as are the American Revolution, the Civil War, both World Wars and '60s Civil Rights issues. The extended scene can be as fuzzy as Claude's drug-addled brain, but here it's clear as a bell and ethereal all at once. Director Goldberg uses the Carousel's many aisles and levels, and costumer Steven Epstein's creations blend accuracy with a sense of humor. The second act works better here than anywhere else I've seen it.
The fortitude that turned the recently-decrepit carousel building into a viable theater venue is praiseworthy in itself. What a pleasure to see Asbury Park's Boardwalk, virtually deserted for decades, bustling again with shops, strolling couples, laughing teenagers and, would you believe, even theatergoers.
"Hair" runs through August 31 at The Carousel, south end of the Boardwalk in Asbury Park. Performances are Thurs-Fri at 8pm; Sat at 7 and 10:30; and Sun at 7pm. For tickets ($35): 732-455-3059 or online at www.revisiontheatre.org
About Hair's fleeting nude scene: Here it's semi. A few of the 17 hippies are starkers and a few topless, but the once-shocking display is redundant now anyway - silly even. Of far more importance, the audience is not invited on stage to dance with the cast after the curtain call. C'mon, ReVision; get with the program.

"Hair' grabs gold ring

2008-08-19T15:02:00.002-04:00

Scoop Slone, Casey Gensler and Ephie Aardema are co-stars in ReVision Theatre Company's production of "Hair," being staged at the carousel house in Asbury Park.
(Dennis Carroll)

August 19, 2008

by TOM CHESEK, Asbury Park Press

What a piece of work is "Hair: the American Tribal Love-Rock Musical" that caught Broadway with its pants down more than 40 years ago.

Welded to its Summer of Love origins, devoid of all but the barest-bones plot points, populated by the sketchiest of characters, the 1967 show created by James Rado and Gerome Ragni might have been little more than a vanity project for its writer-stars if it weren't for one crucial distinction — those songs.

Working with composer Galt MacDermot, the authors crafted a set of generational anthems, emotional ballads and satiric sing-alongs that stand very well on their own, even as they shoulder the entire weight of moving the show along. All this, without owing a thing to the conventions of Tin Pan Alley's Golden Age.

Along the way to revolutionizing the whole musical template as practiced in postwar America, "Hair" managed to shed a number of Broadway bugaboos — against sex and drug references, interracial romancing and liberal dropping of the f-bomb, to name but a few. Most of all, it's famous for the shedding of clothing, which the cast does during the "Be-In" sequence that forms the climax to the first act.

ReVision Theatre Company, the new professional troupe based in Asbury Park, has selected this unorthodox show as its first extended-engagement production — and they've opted to do it in an unorthodox venue, the Carousel building that adjoins the old Casino at the south end of the boardwalk.

Unless you're a recovering 1990s skate punk, you probably haven't been inside that historic roundhouse for many years; not since the hand-painted ponies of the old wooden ride stampeded out of state. Boardwalk developer Madison Marquette has done a tremendous job getting the unique structure up to speed as a live performance venue, a purpose it was never designed for.

Director Andy Goldberg (whose 1970s-retro tribute to the Aussie pop group Boney M was a smash on European stages) and the ReVision team have also worked hard in orienting this show to its unusual space, keeping the cast of 17 actors mostly above the audience on a central riser, side platforms and scaffolds.

As Claude, the conflicted "Tribe" member whose drafting into the Vietnam-era army forms the crux of the drama here, Casey Gensler shares the spotlight with Scoop Slone, who displays some solid rock-star cred as the Puckish, self-centered Tribesman Berger. If anything, however, "Hair" is an unusually democratic show in which pretty much everyone gets their turn to shine — with stand-out moments delivered by Kyle Taylor Parker ("Colored Spade"), Julia Arazi ("Air"), Mike Russo ("Don't Put It Down") and Ephie Aardema ("Easy To Be Hard").

Special kudos should go out to lighting designer George Hansel, who's met the considerable challenges of rigging and illuminating this oddball space with an effort that pays off in full during the extended "trip" and hallucination sequences of the second act.

Celebrating diversity with 'Hair'

2008-08-18T16:48:00.000-04:00

Asbury Park troupe stages alternate production to one in Central Park

Monday, August 18, 2008
BY PETER FILICHIA

To paraphrase a famous Cole Porter lyric, is it Granada he sees, or only Asbury Park?

Both, in fact. Thomas Morrissey feels that ReVision Theatre, the new troupe he's co-founded, is in the right place and time to benefit from Asbury Park's continued renaissance.

"And because we're in such a diverse community," he says, "we decided to put on the most diverse show we could: 'Hair.'"

The famous 1968 rock musical had already been announced for a summer engagement in New York City's Central Park before Morrissey and his partners, David E. Leidholdt and Stephen Bishop Seely, chose it.

In Asbury Park, the musical is being staged in the Carousel on the Boardwalk by Andy Goldberg, who had an off-Broadway hit with "The Bomb-ity of Errors." Scoop Slone, the lead singer of the rock band Maslow, stars.

The 54-year-old Morrissey and his co-artistic directors are expecting a great many Baby Boomers.

"We'd like it if people from Deal and Spring Lake would drop by, too," he says. "They embraced 'Hair' when they were young, for this was the generation that broke the rules and helped change the perception of the Vietnam War.

"But," he says, "these kids believed they had the answers, and we now know they weren't always right. Sex and drugs don't cure things. So 'Hair' offers the good and bad of the era."

It was quite a different musical that got Morrissey interested in theater.

"'My Fair Lady,'" he says. "My parents and I came to New York from Davenport, Iowa, when I was about 5. Pretty soon into it, I whispered to my parents, 'I want to do that when I grow up."

"That," however, didn't necessarily mean performing, though Morrissey did plenty of that in community theaters and children's stages in Iowa.

"When I did summer stock," he says, "I became more aware of what it takes to put on a show. So I watched the people who did lights and sound. I went to the box office and learned the system of ticket-selling. I checked out how the press agents wrote their press releases. It wasn't just about performing for me."

In the '80s, Morrissey worked as a house manager for two Greenwich Village theaters and became a member of the illustrious Circle Repertory Company.

"It got too entrenched in doing one specific kind of play," Morrissey says, "and then it seemed to be repeating itself. And that's why they closed down."

Morrissey responded in 1995, a year before Circle folded, by starting a company called the Genesius Guild, named for the patron saint of actors. It centered on developing new work. ReVision, though, will do new and old works, hoping to mount three next year in a space that will become a 300-seat theater.

A redevelopment company named Madison Marquette has greatly helped. "They rehabilitated the Paramount Theatre in town, and they gave it to us for a recent benefit. That went so well, they gave us some money to do 'Hair,' too."

So sure is Morrissey that ReVision will succeed that he's bought a home in Asbury Park, though he's keeping his Manhattan digs as well.

Only one question left, and Morrissey knows it's coming before it's asked. "Yes, of course, we'll do the famous nude scene."

Peter Filichia may be reached at pfilichia@starledger.com or (973) 392-5995.

Woof's Super Fruity Party Punch

2008-08-17T17:06:00.000-04:00

posted by Karl Wilder
Sunday, August 17, 2008
Fusion on the Fly Blog
http://chefprivato.blogspot.com/2008/08/woofs-super-fruity-party-punch.html

For those of you who thought that the Public Theatre's production of Hair was too clean, that it lacked grit, soul, energy, love, sweat, tears and anger; run, or take a train to Asbury Park, New Jersey and see this definitive production of the Love Rock Musical Hair. Staged by the Revision Theatre .

I was in a cast many years ago and have seen this show in several incarnations and have never been left with such a powerful punch as this version provides. If for any reason the director and choreographer of the Public version do not go to Broadway the producers need look no further than Andy Goldberg (director) and Elisabetta Spuria (choreographer) to find the talent needed to have audiences on their feet, not because they have been invited to join a Mama Mia type dance party, but because they have been touched deeply.

From the moment the lights come up and Aquarius begins as the souls of our pasts are given a summons from a Royal medium the chills begin. All around us the ghosts appear and as they grow stronger in voice they become real and it isn't a nostalgic look back, we are there. It's 1968 and we are at war, young men are needlessly dying in a war we know is wrong.

The voices are powerful and strong as the past comes to life as real and vital as anything we have experienced.

Many versions of hair make Berger the 'star'. Here we see him on his own methadrine trip, one of those selfish types who talk a good game and will someday be a Republican excusing his life with a yearly cheque to some charity.

As we become fully a part of the tribe, the tribe moves above us, around us, in front of us immersing us in their world.

When Claude sings 'Where do I go?" and the cast turns to him in the final chorus we are a part of them beseeching him to join them in being free, not to give his life for some idiotic thought of patriotism. We as the audience know no matter what the sacrifice, nothing changes.

As the show draws to a close we want them to stay, celebrate their youth just a little longer, be a part of something important, sing and dance for as long as you can. Don't become us.

It can't happen.

We know who they are, and we know who they will become. A population that has allowed the president and the congress to run roughshod over our constitution. We, who are complacent sheep going along with anything to be perpetuate the illusion that we are 'safe'. We who as the lights go on and souls of who we used to be depart sit stunned with tears in our eyes for what we have allowed ourselves and our country to be.

Theatre this evocative should run much longer than 3 weeks. The City of Asbury needs to give this amazing company an extension on the Carousal building and when it finally closes spend their resources turning the space into a Theatre, not some wasteful shopping court. If equity is an issue, guys bend your rules, you do it all the time to screw actors. Bend them again to give them a chance to be seen.

I'll make the trip to New Jersey again for this, but not to buy a pair of sunglasses.

Go to the website, read the names, remember these performers. Keep your eyes on them as they continue to work and hopefully fulfill the promises so many of us have failed.

So how do we go from here to a punch recipe? Hey, I'm a food writer, it may not always be a smooth transition but what is?

The one thing I remember about the 60's was punch, fruit juice (always eventually spiked) was served in big Christal or glass bowls. As hard as this cast works an Angel Hair pasta recipe just wouldn't cut it. They need something to rehydrate as they skinny dip til the sun comes up.

2 cups sugar
1 huge ginger root cut up
2 cups water

Warm the water on the stove and simmer the ginger root in the water for 30 minutes then stir in the sugar to make a syrup.

1 cup lemon juice
1 cup lime juice
1 cup unsweetened Cranberry juice
1 cup Cherry juice (tart if you can get it)
1 cup Pineapple juice
7 cups water

Once the syrup is made, stir in all the fruit juices and chill. Serve like a lemonade over ice and if the party calls for it spike it with some booze. Vodka, rum, or tequila blend best with fruit juices, but hippies can't be choosers so use what you've got.

Best served at final cast parties to celebrate a job well done. For this cast I would man the Barbecue at no fee, and I'm expensive.

Ephie Aardema, Julia Arazi, Casey Gensler, Kyle Taylor Parker, Marah Meese, Mike Russo, Scoop Slone, Keith Antone, Steven Charles, Joay Caldwell, Spiro Gallatsatos, Martin Gould Cummings, Deidra Grace, Iliana Inocencio, Britt Johnson, Hannah Shankman, Anita Welch

The Band
Brian Green, All Coffey, John Gronert, John Manga, Jim Mcilvain, Steve Pleasnarki, John Luckenbil
Band Conductor: Andrew Hertz
Set Design: Russell Michael Scramm
Lighting: George Hansel
Costumes: Steven Epstein
Sound: Simon Ghezzi
Assistant Director: Heather Foard
Associate Set Design: Dawn Von suskill
Production Stage Manager: Julie Meyer
Assistant Stage Manager: Ann Marie Chiatia
Music Direction: Andres Hertz
Choreography: Elisabetta Spuria
Director: Andy Goldberg

“Hair” in Asbury’s Carousel House

2008-08-12T01:10:00.000-04:00

NJMonthly
NJ My Way
August 11, 2008 04:47 AM ET Permanent Link

It’s two revivals in one.“Hair,” the rock musical that revolutionized Broadway 40 years ago, is opening Friday as the first event held inside Asbury Park’s newly refurbished Carousel House, the boardwalk landmark that for decades sat empty and falling apart like much of this Shore town.
The show is being produced by ReVision Theater, which was founded in Asbury Park in November by members of the Genesius Theatre Group in New York. Stephen Bishop, one of the founders of ReVision, says he left New York for the Jersey Shore because the renaissance going on in Asbury provides good opportunities for the arts.
He also thinks it’s good for his production that another “Hair” revival recently opened at the Public Theater in New York. “Several people from that “Hair” helped us,” he says. “And lots of people don’t want to drive to New York, so they can come here to see us.”The play explores the hippie counterculture of the 1960s; it scandalized the nation with scenes that included profanity, drug use and sexuality in ways never before seen on the American musical stage. Still, songs such as “Aquarius,” the title song “Hair,” “Easy To Be Hard” “Good Morning Starshine,” and “Let The Sunshine In” became hits.
Bishop hopes staging the play at the Carousel House will be a hit too. “We were looking for alternative spaces, storefronts, garages, parks,” he says. “We had worked with [Asbury’s oceanfront developer] Madison Marquette and they were working on the Carousel House. We drove over and said: This will work, it’s a fantastic venue.”
The Carousel House was built in the late 1920s as part of the Casino entertainment complex on the south end of Asbury Park’s Boardwalk. During Asbury’s glory days as a resort, the building housed amusement rides including a large carousel. As the rides were dismantled through the 1980s the building fell into disrepair.
Madison Marquette has restored the copper roof and green cupola with elaborate trim, and reinstalled ornate glasswork windows. The show will be staged as theater-in-the-round. “It’s perfect for ‘Hair,” a show about hippies who come in and take over a space,” says Bishop. The show runs until August 31. Check here for times and tickets.

Former Carousel House Now a Home for ‘Hair’ - New York Times

2008-08-09T14:18:00.003-04:00

By GWEN OREL
Published: August 9, 2008

ASBURY PARK - THE Carousel House has been empty for years, but from Aug. 15 to 31, it will be filled with the sounds and sights of the Age of Aquarius. The recently restored building is the setting for “Hair,” the first fully staged production by the nonprofit ReVision Theater here.

ReVision’s founders, Tom Morrissey, David E. Leidholdt and Stephen Bishop Seely, came to know one another through the Genesius Theater Guild, based in Manhattan and started in 1995 by Mr. Morrissey, 52. ReVision became the new incarnation of Genesius this year. The three men, who share a house as well as the title of producing artistic director, moved to Asbury Park this spring.
They wanted to start a regional theater that could incubate work for Broadway, like the Barrington Stage Company in Massachusetts, where Mr. Leidholdt, 43, had worked as an associate producer. “We opened atlases, picking out cities,” said Mr. Seely, 35.

They sought a town that was developing, diverse and gay-friendly. Mr. Morrissey added: “All the other towns we looked at didn’t need us. We want to make an impact.”

The performance of “Hair” will be in the round; seats will be on risers and on floor cushions, with the cast performing on a platform and on three scaffolding towers. The director is Andy Goldberg, of “Bomb-itty of Errors,” the hip-hop Shakespearean play.

Built as part of the Casino entertainment complex on the Boardwalk, the Carousel House, which dates to 1929, had a carousel in place from about 1932 to 1990, according to Helen Chantal Pike, a historian and author of “Asbury Park’s Glory Days” (Rutgers University Press, 2005). Later occupants included a skateboard park and flea market.

According to Courtney Johnson, marketing director for the real estate company Madison Marquette, one of the owners of the Carousel House, it has been given a new roof and cupola, replacement glass and iron gates. Other performances and art exhibits will take place there in the future, she said.

ReVision’s plans include smaller shows during the year, a holiday show and summer musicals in a variety of places, with both new works and reimagined classics expected.

ReVision has a group, ReScript, that reads submitted plays and is run by Lou Liberatore, another Asbury Park resident. Mr. Liberatore also runs the Jersey Shore Writer’s Studio and was nominated for a Tony Award in 1988 for his featured role in Lanford Wilson’s “Burn This.”
ReVision’s three producers have other jobs: Mr. Leidholdt teaches at a summer theater camp in Manasquan and will be a producer for American Family Theater in Philadelphia in the fall. Mr. Morrissey teaches musical theater at Wagner College in Staten Island and at the American Musical and Dramatic Academy in New York. Mr. Seely tends bar in Asbury Park.

At a pool party fund-raiser for ReVision, George Hansel, the lighting designer for “Hair,” said he was happy to see the group in the city. A resident for 25 years — “I’m a townie,” he said — he runs a local performing arts company called the Black Box Theater. Noting that a lot of “carpetbagger” types have come through Asbury Park, he said, “ReVision fills a niche of quality.”
Besides, he added: “They pay everybody, which is rare.”

“Hair” runs from Aug. 15 to 31 at the Carousel House on the Boardwalk in Asbury Park, 700 Ocean Avenue at Asbury Avenue. Information: (732) 455-3059 or http://www.revisiontheatre.org/.

LET THE SUN SHINE IN Cast members of “Hair,” from left: Martin Gould Cummings, Julia Arazi, Mike Russo, Marah Meese and Spiro Galiatsatos. (David Hunsinger for The New York Times)

Hair Cast

2008-08-08T18:45:00.003-04:00

Mike Russo, Brit Johnson, Martin Gould Cummings, Hannah Shankman, Scoop Slone, Ephie Aardema, Kyle Taylor Parker, Anita Welch, Joy Caldwell, Keith Antone, Spiro Galiatsatos, Iliana Inocencio, Deidre Grace, Marah Meese, Casey Gensler, and Steven Charles (not pictured Julia Arazi)

A NEW HEAD OF ‘HAIR’ AT AP’s CAROUSEL

2008-08-08T14:47:00.002-04:00

A NEW HEAD OF ‘HAIR’ AT AP’s CAROUSEL --by Tom Chesek

Having a Be-In: James “JT” Thom of Madison Marquette and David Leidholdt of ReVision Theatre survey the work-in-progress that is Asbury Park’s Carousel building, where a revival of the “tribal love-rock musical” HAIR promises to jumpstart a new era for the venerable boardwalk landmark. (Photos by Diana Moore)

Asbury Park - Once there was a carousel upon this very space, with painted horses carved of wood in a wondrous steeplechase. When we were young, we’d ride each day and reach for rings of brass…

Nah, strike that opening — too maudlin. Besides, we’ve all heard enough of those sentimental recollections of Asbury Park’s storied Carousel building. The reason we’re here right now, peering through padlocked gates at the gutted expanse adjoining the grand ruin of the Casino, is all about the future. A future that says this long-quiet place will rock within just a matter of days, as the ornate roundhouse at the south end of the boards plays host to a major revival of the musical Hair.

It’s the latest bit of buzz on the boardwalk in what’s turned out to be a milestone summer for developer Madison Marquette, which doesn’t seem to have gotten the memo regarding that recession thing. It also represents a triumph for the city-based ReVision Theatre Company, the fledgling enterprise that’s marking its first extended engagement with this production. The two entities joined forces for this novel staging of the “American Tribal Love-Rock Musical” (book and lyrics by James Rado and Gerome Ragni; music by Galt MacDermot) after working together on the troupe’s benefit production of Hello, Dolly! at the Paramount, a show that starred Carol Channing tribute artist Richard Skipper.

When Red Bank oRBit heard that the guys at ReVision were tackling the famous counter-culture touchstone of the 1960s sexual revolution — in the semi-round, in the buff, and in a long-neglected building that had last done duty as an indoor skate park and punk rock hall — we just had to investigate.

We got ourselves an exclusive look at this work in progress, when we met up with James “JT” Thom of Madison Marquette — the man with the official golf cart and those all-important keys — and ReVision Producing Artistic Director David Leidholdt, for a discussion of what it’s taken to get this faded treasure of the Shore into shape for something that, frankly, it was never really designed to do.

Let the Sun Shine In: The interior of Asbury Park’s Carousel has been gutted, cleaned up and fitted with new equipment in preparation for the musical HAIR, opening August 15.

It was Asbury’s own George Hansel, a veteran arts advocate and lighting designer who will be supervising that aspect of the production, who tipped us off to the story possibilities here. As George told it, there were peculiar challenges in staging a show within an oddly shaped structure with no lighting grid, no sound system, no seats, no backstage, no climate control, and a location across the street from the busy bass-beats of the Paradise nightclub.

“Plus, the place has been an aviary for the past ten years,” said Hansel in reference to the cooing pigeons that have made it their luxury seaside condo. “There must have been eight inches of birdshit on the floor.”

The concrete-floored roundhouse of ornate glasswork and patina’d copper accents was subject to a massive cleanup, in anticipation of hosting a Big Art Party in early June. While the permits didn’t come through in time for that event, the necessary paperwork has been put in order for Hair. A new metal roof radiates from the domed skylight; the eerie wailing siren faces continue to register their displeasure, and someone has even taken the trouble of replacing the light bulbs that adorn the cherry-on-top dome.

“This came together quicker than any sane person would have attempted,” says Leidholdt, a veteran freelance director and co-founder of ReVision with fellow AP’ers Thomas Morrissey and Stephen Bishop Seely.

“It’s organized chaos,” explains JT, looking skyward as a feathered resident casually goes about his business. “And we still haven’t solved our bird issues.”

Playing the Ponies: The actual Casino Carousel is long gone, but Madison Marquette and ReVision Theatre are wagering that one of the Shore’s most distinctive buildings will perform like a winner.

Bird issues notwithstanding, JT and his crews have been able to plan for temporary seating of up to 150 patrons. Trusses will be installed for tech equipment, and a generator will be brought in to augment the old building’s plug-in power sources. The cooling ocean breezes are expected to provide a natural a/c, and a series of black curtains will be hung over the windows — addressing the question of how to charge admission for a show that could conceivably be viewed by passersby through the glass that wraps around most of its perimeter.

Anybody who steals a glance should be getting an eyeful, too. Famous for its taboo-busting take on profanity, free love, dope, patriotism and, especially, its full-on nude frolicking, Hair really set tongues to clucking during its smash 1968 Broadway run and even longer-running London engagement. This is to say nothing of its (gasp) racially integrated cast, its groundbreaking interaction with audience members, and its vanguard status as the grandaddy of all rock musicals. In between all the controversy, its mega-hit soundtrack album yielded such sweet anthems as “Age of Aquarius/Let the Sun Shine” and “Good Morning, Starshine,” a staple on Sesame Street in its early days.

Suffice to say that the pikachu’s, paneenee’s and papayas will be on display — as could conceivably also be the skin-tags, witchy hairs and corn-chip toes — when this love-in gets going. Fortunately, director Andy Goldberg (The Bomb-itty of Errors, Nerds, and West End’s Boney M tribute showDaddy Cool) and the ReVision team have cast what Liedholdt calls a “young, dynamite, age-appropriate” collection of players — highlighted by Scoop Slone, frontman of the NYC band Maslow, as the passionate “Tribe” member Berger.

Berger King: Rock singer Scoop Slone takes the spotlight as the Tribal free-spirit in HAIR. (Photo by Lex Kolychev)

Other major cast members include Casey Gensler (Claude), Ephie Aardema (Sheila), Julia Arazi (Jeanie), Mike Russo (Woof), Marah Meese (Crissy), and Kyle Taylor Parker (Hud). The Tribe is completed by Keith Antone, Joy Caldwell, Steven Charles, Martin Gould Cummings, Spiro Galiatsatos (who starred in tick…tick…BOOM at Brookdale College last winter), Deidra Grace, Iliana Inocencio, Britt Johnson, Hannah Shankman and Anita Welch. Choreography is by Elisabetta Spuria and Andy Hertz directs the live band.

Housing, moving and otherwise wrangling 17 actors (as well as an assistant director and a handful of technicians) for the three-week duration of the show is just one of the challenges facing Liedholdt and company. Primary dressing room facilities have been established at the nearby Wesley Grove condominium complex, and a tent set up in the Carousel parking lot will serve as a “backstage” area. All in a day’s work for a “homeless” organization that maintains temporary headquarters at Asbury Park’s VFW building on Lake Avenue, where they’ve conducted workshops, classes and auditions.

Leidholdt, who as one of the show’s producers faces a challenge “to get people off the beach and into the theatre,” offers that this unorthodox midsummer night’s dream of a musical is just the sort of thing to experience “in a bathing suit or a tank top.”

“It’s a risky thing, doing a show here,” he admits, adding that “for our purposes it’s a more manageable size than the Paramount, and this could be the first of a number of ReVision events in the space.”

In the meantime? “Maybe we’ll do a bit of island-hopping around town until we find a permanent home!”

Hair opens August 15 and continues through August 31, with performances on Thursdays and Fridays at 8pm, Saturdays at 7pm and 10:30 pm, and Sundays at 7pm. Tickets ($35) can be had right here.

Hair is Here!

2008-08-07T17:38:00.000-04:00

ReVision Theatre takes off - and takes it all off - in Asbury

By Steven Froias

TriCity News
August 7, 2008

ASBURY PARK - We can't think of a better way to add an exclamation point to a comeback summer on the Asbury boardwalk than an event musical staged in the newly restored Carousel building.We can only picture it in our mind's eye, however. But ReVision Theatre of Asbury Park can see it through from concept to execution. And that's exactly what's happening right now as they gear up to present their next production, a staging of HAIR in the Carousel opening Friday, August 15 and running through Sunday, August 31. It's certain to add a dash of bold creativity to the scene with it's uncompromising artistic commitment to the original intent of the show - which contains strong language and full nudity - and what's certain to be ReVision's own unique take on this timeless, but timely, piece of theatre. We're not surprised that ReVision isn't afraid to cross new cultural terrain in the triCities. We interviewed the directors back in May and were impressed with their street cred.The guiding lights of the company are Stephen Bishop Seely, David E. Leidholdt, and Thomas Morrissey. The trio first came together in New York at ReVision's precursor, Genesius Guild years ago. After many successful seasons in the Big Apple, they found themselves swimming in critical acclaim but suffocated by New York's tight space and notoriously high operating costs. So they began to search for a new home in which to base their evolving group, which they began to envision as a regional theatre company which would provide opportunities for actors, directors and the like, as well as develop new material for Broadway or Off-Broadway bound productions.They chose Asbury Park and the triCity region - simply fell in love with the possibilities this area afforded them. As we wrote back in May, it's a win-win situation; for Asbury, and the triCity region, it's an opportunity to claim ownership of an organization that could bring national cultural attention to the area.Before planning the coming week's production of HAIR in the Carousel, they set up shop in our funky, little city by establishing an office in the VFW building on Lake Avenue, held acting classes and readings, and laid the groundwork for realizing their potential by staging a few special performances."DayDreaming: Channeling Doris Day" held June 1st at Mattison Park was one. The enthusiasm generated that day helped propel them to their next event - in the most expansive sense of the word. That was a one-night only musical concert of Richard Skipper as Carol Channing in "Hello, Dolly" at the Paramount Theatre on June 14th. It was, both in our view and in the opinions we heard by many in the audience that evening, the night magic returned to that venerable stage. Now, ReVision Theatre is poised to work their spell on another historic Asbury venue. As with everything they've done and everything we hope they'll do, it's an informed and inspired choice - just like the selection of HAIR itself as their next production.Stephen Bishop Seely tells us that he and the other directors of ReVision literally hopped in a car with representatives from Madison Marquette and went on a tour of available performance spaces on and around the boardwalk. But it was a short trip; the marriage of tribal rock musical and the siren call of the somewhat gritty, raw space of the Carousel was a pitch perfect match. Stephen calls the opportunity to stage HAIR there "environmental staging."He says they settled on HAIR as their next project, after initially planning to select and stage an original work, because he and the other directors felt the excitement generated by Asbury Park, particularly the boardwalk, demanded an 'event' show.HAIR is certainly that event - for the times, generally, and for Asbury Park now specifically.Born 41 years ago in another - at the time - somewhat scrappy space, Joe Papp's Public Theater in lower Manhattan, HAIR burst onto the theatrical scene a year later on Broadway pulsing with freshness and vitality. Though the summer of love is 40 years gone, many of the same issues - war, racism, sexism and sexuality - are churning beneath the surface of our society today. "HAIR is more relevant today than in any other time during the past 30 years," Stephen says.ReVision solicited resumes for the directing chores from all over the country and settled on Andy Goldberg, an up and coming theatrical talent who has already made a mark in Berlin, Germany with Boney M., a tribute show to the Australian answer to ABBA, Daddy Cool. Andy tells triCity that he concurs with Seely. "HAIR isn't a museum piece," he says. "The present day will creep into this production, more by implication than by beating people over the head." He leapt at the chance to help re-invent the musical, which coincidently is also being revived in New York this week. It's a testament to the tenacity of the ReVision team that they were able to secure the rights for this production, a mere 60 miles away. It's that determination to push the envelope that Asbury should embrace. Just as it should the more controversial elements of HAIR, including its full frontal nudity. With the success of Asbury's boardwalk this summer comes danger - the danger of creeping conformity. We've always hoped this city would never fall into that abyss. And ReVision Theatre - as all good artistic endeavors should - is helping to prevent that from happening. It's a challenge Asbury should accept gratefully."The cast is excited to take their clothes off!" Stephen told us. Which probably isn't surprising since Andy told us that while they've been rehearsing up in New York City, they're steeping themselves in the time period of the 60s. That's when the raw energy of the young was channeled into a cultural war of their own choosing and making in an effort to effect.change.How much - and how little - has changed from 1968 to 2008 in the country, and in Asbury Park.Hats -and everything else - off to the exuberance of youth. And ReVision Theatre. HAIR will run August 15 through August 31; Thursdays & Fridays at 8:00 pm; Saturdays at 7:00 pm & 10:30 pm; and Sundays at 7:00 pm. At the Carousel on the Boardwalk, 700 Ocean Avenue, Asbury Park. All Tickets $35, General Admission. Buy tickets online at www.ReVisionTheatre.org.

Cast Announced for ReVision Theatre’s Production of HAIR

2008-07-30T13:08:00.001-04:00

July 30, 2008
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
Cast Announced for ReVision Theatre’s Production of
HAIR
The American Tribal Love-Rock Musical
At the CAROUSEL on the Boardwalk in Asbury Park
Andy Goldberg (The Bomb-itty of Errors) Directs
Scoop Slone (Lead singer of rock band Maslow) stars

Asbury Park, New Jersey -- Scoop Slone, the lead singer of the rock band Maslow, will perform the role of Berger in ReVision Theatre’s upcoming production of Hair, The American Tribal Love-Rock Musical at the Carousel on the Boardwalk in Asbury Park, New Jersey. The show will run August 15th to the 31st (Thursdays and Fridays at 8 pm, Saturdays at 7 pm & 10:30 pm, and Sundays at 7pm) with additional late night performances on Saturday evenings at 10:30 pm.
Directed by Andy Goldberg (The Bomb-itty of Errors, Nerds, and West End’s Daddy Cool), the performance features choreography by Elisabetta Spuria and musical direction by Andy Hertz.
The cast includes Casey Gensler (Claude), Ephie Aardema (Sheila), Julia Arazi (Jeanie), Mike Russo (Woof), Marah Meese (Crissy), and Kyle Taylor Parker (Hud). The production also features tribe members Keith Antone, Joy Caldwell, Steven Charles, Martin Gould Cummings, Spiro Galiatsatos, Deidra Grace, Iliana Inocencio, Britt Johnson, Hannah Shankman, and Anita Welch.
The design team comprises Russel Schramm (set designer), Dawn von Suskil (associate set designer), George Hansel (lighting designer), Simon Ghezzi (sound designer), and Steven Epstein (costume designer).
The newly restored historic Carousel on the Boardwalk is located at 700 Ocean Avenue in Asbury Park, New Jersey. Tickets, priced $35, are available by visiting www.ReVisionTheatre.org or by calling (732) 455-3059. The show will contain nudity and strong language.
Hair, The American Tribal Love-Rock Musical is a rock musical with book and lyrics by James Rado and Gerome Ragni and music by Galt MacDermot. A product of the hippie counter-culture and sexual revolution of the 1960s, several of its songs became anthems of the anti-Vietnam War peace movement which include: “Aquarius,” the title song “Hair,” “Easy To Be Hard,” “Good Morning Starshine,” and “Let The Sunshine In”. The musical's profanity, its depiction of the use of illegal drugs, its treatment of sexuality, its irreverence for the American flag, and its nude scene caused much comment and controversy. The musical broke new ground in musical theatre by defining the genre of the "rock musical", utilizing a racially-integrated cast and inviting the audience onstage for a "Be-in" finale.
Hair tells the story of the "tribe", a group of politically active, long-haired "Hippies of the Age of Aquarius" fighting against conscription to the Vietnam War and living a bohemian life together in New York City. They struggle to balance their young lives, loves and the sexual revolution with their pacifist rebellion against the war and the conservative impulses of their parents and society.
After an Off-Broadway debut in October 1967 at Joseph Papp's Public Theater and another run in a midtown discothèque space, the show opened on Broadway in April 1968 and ran for 1,750 performances, followed by a successful London production, which ran for 1,997 performances. Numerous productions have been staged around the world since then, and numerous recordings of the musical have been released. Several of the songs from its score became Top 40 hits, and a successful movie adaptation was released in 1979.
ReVision Theatre is a non-profit 501(c)3 professional regional theatre company dedicated to producing invigorating theatre with a fresh new perspective reaching the diverse community of Asbury Park and Monmouth County. ReVision Theatre produces reinventions of previously produced classics, overlooked or forgotten work in a new way, and new work with a fresh voice. The company serves as a home for local artists and writers. ReVision Theatre also believes in the importance of theatre education and teaches children and adult theatre classes. ReVision Theatre produces readings, workshops, cabarets, concerts, and mainstage productions.

Visit www.RevisionTheatre.org or call 732-455-3059 for tickets or for more information.

CONTACT: Stephen Bishop Seely
Stephen@ReVisionTheatre.org
732-455-3059
Fast Facts:

Who: ReVision Theatre
David E. Leidholdt, Thomas Morrissey, and Stephen Bishop Seely
Producing Artistic Directors
PO BOX 973, Asbury Park, New Jersey 07712

What: HAIR, The American Tribal Love-Rock Musical
Book and Lyrics by James Rado and Gerome Ragni
Music by Galt MacDermot.
Directed by Andy Goldberg
Choreographed by Elisabetta Spuria
Scenic Design by Russel Schramm
Associate Scenic Design by Dawn von Suskil
Lighting Design by George Hansel
Sound Design by Simon Ghezzi
Cast includes Scoop Slone (Berger), Casey Gensler (Claude), Ephie Aardema (Sheila),
Julia Arazi (Jeanie), Mike Russo (Woof), Marah Meese (Crissy), Kyle Taylor Parker (Hud).
Keith Antone, Joy Caldwell, Steven Charles, Martin Gould Cummings, Spiro Galiatsatos,
Deidra Grace, Iliana Inocencio, Britt Johnson, Hannah Shankman, and Anita Welch.

Where: The Carousel on the Boardwalk in Asbury Park, New Jersey
700 Ocean Avenue at Asbury Avenue
Asbury Park, New Jersey 07712

When: Opens Friday, August 15 thru Sunday, August 31
Performances Thursdays & Fridays at 8pm
Saturdays at 7 & 10:30pm
Sundays at 7pm

How: All tickets are $35.
Buy tickets online at www.ReVisionTheatre.org
Or call 732-455-3059.
Limited seating is available.

Contains Nudity & Strong Language

PRESS RELEASE HAIR opens August 15th at the Carousel on the Boardwalk in Asbury Park, NJ

2008-07-16T15:43:00.003-04:00

July 16, 2008
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

Tickets on Sale Now!
HAIR
The American Tribal Love-Rock Musical
At the CAROUSEL on the Boardwalk in Asbury Park
Andy Goldberg (The Bomb-itty of Errors) Directs

Asbury Park, NJ – The newly restored historic Carousel House on the Boardwalk in Asbury Park comes alive again with the American Tribal Love-Rock Musical, HAIR. David Leidholdt, one of the producing artistic directors reminds us “The ReVision Theatre is known for its ‘not-what you-expect’ productions and our HAIR will do the same. While at the same time it promises to retain all the vibrancy, excitement, and immediacy that made the original Broadway production a hit. This will be the first time that the Carousel Building will be utilized since its restoration and we will use its unique characteristics to the fullest. Our plans include creating a very unconventional performance space that will envelop the audience.” The cast will include professionals from both New York and the local area. “This will be an event not to be missed,” adds Mr. Leidholdt.

Tickets on sale now! Performances begin Friday, August 15 and runs through August 31 (Thursdays (8:00 pm), Fridays (8:00 pm), 2 show Saturdays (7:00 pm & 10:30 pm), and Sunday (7:00 pm)). Tickets are available online now at www.ReVisionTheatre.org or by calling 732-455-3059. All tickets are $35.00. Seating is limited.

Hair, The American Tribal Love-Rock Musical is a rock musical with book and lyrics by James Rado and Gerome Ragni and music by Galt MacDermot. A product of the hippie counter-culture and sexual revolution of the 1960s, several of its songs became anthems of the anti-Vietnam War peace movement which include: “Aquarius,” the title song “Hair,” “Easy To Be Hard,” “Good Morning Starshine,” and “Let The Sunshine In”. The musical's profanity, its depiction of the use of illegal drugs, its treatment of sexuality, its irreverence for the American flag, and its nude scene caused much comment and controversy. The musical broke new ground in musical theatre by defining the genre of the "rock musical", utilizing a racially-integrated cast and inviting the audience onstage for a "Be-in" finale.

Hair tells the story of the "tribe", a group of politically active, long-haired "Hippies of the Age of Aquarius" fighting against conscription to the Vietnam War and living a bohemian life together in New York City. They struggle to balance their young lives, loves and the sexual revolution with their pacifist rebellion against the war and the conservative impulses of their parents and society.

After an Off-Broadway debut in October 1967 at Joseph Papp's Public Theater and another run in a midtown discothèque space, the show opened on Broadway in April 1968 and ran for 1,750 performances, followed by a successful London production, which ran for 1,997 performances. Numerous productions have been staged around the world since then, and numerous recordings of the musical have been released. Several of the songs from its score became Top 40 hits, and a successful movie adaptation was released in 1979.

The Revision Theatre’s production will be directed by Andy Goldberg. Mr. Goldberg’s credits include the critically acclaimed The Bomb-itty of Errors (Off-Broadway), Love Sucks (NYMF), Nerds (NYMF), and Romeo and Juliet (American Stage). Russ Schramm (Scenic Designer), Dawn von Suskil (Associate Scenic Designer), and George Hansel (Lighting Designer) round out the creative team.

ReVision Theatre is a non-profit 501(c)3 professional regional theatre company dedicated to producing invigorating theatre with a fresh new perspective reaching the diverse community of Asbury Park and Monmouth County. ReVision Theatre produces reinventions of previously produced classics, overlooked or forgotten work in a new way, and new work with a fresh voice. The company serves as a home for local artists and writers. ReVision Theatre also believes in the importance of theatre education and teaches children and adult theatre classes. ReVision Theatre produces readings, workshops, cabarets, concerts, and mainstage productions.

Visit www.RevisionTheatre.org or call 732-455-3059 for tickets or for more information.

CONTACT: Stephen Bishop Seely
Stephen@ReVisionTheatre.org 732-455-3059

Fast Facts:

Who:
ReVision Theatre
David E. Leidholdt, Thomas Morrissey, and Stephen Bishop Seely
Producing Artistic Directors
PO BOX 973
Asbury Park, New Jersey 07712

What:
HAIR, The American Tribal Love-Rock Musical
Book and Lyrics by James Rado and Gerome Ragni
Music by Galt MacDermot.
Directed by Andy Goldberg
Scenic Design by Russ Schramm
Associate Scenic Design by Dawn von Suskil
Lighting Design by George Hansel

Where:
The Carousel on the Boardwalk in Asbury Park, NJ
700 Ocean Avenue at Asbury Avenue
Asbury Park, New Jersey 07712

When:
Opens Friday, August 15
Thru Sunday, August 31
Performances Thursdays & Fridays at 8 pm
Saturdays at 7 & 10:30pm
Sundays at 7 pm

How:
All tickets are $35.
Buy tickets online at www.ReVisionTheatre.org
Or call 732-455-3059.
Limited seating is available.

This 'Dolly' isn't a clone, he's an admirer

2008-06-13T08:10:00.002-04:00

Friday, June 13, 2008
BY PETER FILICHIA Star-Ledger Staff
NEW JERSEY STAGE

In a manner of speaking, Carol Channing is doing "Hello, Dolly!" one more time.
Only Richard Skipper will be standing in -- and singing and performing -- for her. Skipper is by trade a Carol Channing impersonator.

"Not a female impersonator," he emphasizes. "Not a drag queen," he insists. "I'm an actor who's not just playing Carol Channing, but Carol Channing as that meddlesome matchmaker Dolly Gallagher Levi in Jerry Herman's famous musical."

This one-night concert of "Hello, Dolly!" is a benefit for the ReVision Theatre of Asbury Park, a new professional company "dedicated to producing invigorating theater with a fresh new perspective." Having a man perform as Channing certainly supports the mission statement.

Skipper says that on Saturday night, he'll be "off-book" -- meaning he'll have memorized his lines and songs -- and so will his co-star, Charles Karel, who plays Horace Vandergelder (the object of Dolly's affection). Those portraying the other characters will carry their scripts on stage, where an orchestra will sit as well. Lest it all sound too Spartan, Skipper says "a generous choir and chorus of 125 voices" will back up the proceedings.

Though he lives in Sparkill, N.Y., Skipper grew up on a tobacco farm in Conway, N.C., to a father who was one of 10 children, and a mother who was the oldest of 16.

"And nobody in the whole family had a bit of interest in show business. I learned it all from watching variety shows on TV in the era when those were on," says the 47-year-old.

While he was in middle school, a local acting teacher gave him voice lessons in exchange for lawn work. At 13, Skipper made a vow that he'd move to New York in five years, and indeed did, on the fifth anniversary of the oath. Some stock jobs followed, though his friends constantly told him he should do something with his ability to mimic stars' voices.

"Bette Davis, Judy Garland, Lucille Ball and Phyllis Diller, among others," he says. "The one everyone seemed to like best, though, was Carol Channing. They liked that I wasn't making fun of her, but really wanted to sound like her."

So, reluctantly, Skipper acquired a wardrobe worthy of Channing, did meticulous research on her life, and forged an act.

When Channing was announced to perform at Carnegie Hall in 1994, a pianist friend of Skipper's said he was playing the after-party, and that Skipper should come dressed as Channing and meet his inspiration.

"I agonized on whether or not I should chance it," he says. "Then I finally decided I would. I figured, if she doesn't like what I'm doing, I'll never do it again."

He went to the party, approached her, and she asked balefully, "How long have you been impersonating me?" Says Skipper, "And when I said, 'Well, who says you're not impersonating me?' she screamed with delight. I knew at that moment I had her."

When Channing asked him about himself, Skipper stayed in character, and instead gave Channing's own biographical details, down to the name of a classmate she had in fourth grade. "That's when she said, 'Let me see you do your act,' and my pianist friend and I were ready."
Channing gave her blessing. "She told me that others she'd seen impersonate her had been nasty, mean and vicious. 'This,' she said, 'is a valentine.' And that's kept me going ever since."

Peter Filichia may be reached at pfilichia@starledger.com or (973) 392-5995.

PLAYBILL ONLINE: Skipper, Karel, Cates, Weitzer and More to Star in Hello, Dolly! Benefit

2008-06-03T14:07:00.002-04:00

Famed Carol Channing "tribute artist" Richard Skipper will star in a one-night-only benefit performance of Hello, Dolly! at the Paramount Theatre in Asbury Park, NJ.

http://www.playbill.com/news/article/118325.html

Hello, Dolly! Benefit Cast Announced with Broadway Stars

2008-06-03T12:46:00.005-04:00

June 3, 2008

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
Broadway Stars among the Full Cast of
Richard Skipper as CAROL CHANNING IN
HELLO, DOLLY! Benefit
Saturday, June 14th at 8:00 PM
A Special One Night Benefit Performance at the Paramount Theatre

Asbury Park, NJ – The full cast and crew has been announced for ReVision Theatre’s one night only benefit production of Richard Skipper as Carol Channing in Hello, Dolly! at the Paramount Theatre on the evening of Saturday, June 14th at 8 pm. The production will be directed by Thomas Morrissey, choreographed by Connor Gallagher, and musical directed by John Fischer.

Richard Skipper, a tribute artist, will play Carol Channing in the title role of Dolly Levi Gallagher. This is the first time in the United States a man will be playing the lead role. Charles Karel (Milk and Honey, Dear World, & Zorba), who was in the original Broadway cast of Hello, Dolly!, will be playing Horace Vandergelder. Kristy Cates (Wicked, Jerry Springer) will be playing Irene Malloy. Jim Weitzer (Little Women, Phantom) and Chris Gunn (Little Women, Jerry Springer) will be taking on the roles of Cornelius Hackl and Barnaby Tucker, respectively. Minnie Fay will be played by Jenna Coker-Jones (Evil Dead The Musical). Anne Kissel (Ernestina), Jack Hallett (Rudolph), Hernando Umana (Ambrose), Brooke Wallace (Ermengarde), and Gary Mottola (Judge) round out the supporting roles.

The show will feature ten professional dancers and a singing ensemble of twenty-two. Hello, Dolly! will also feature a chorus of local talent from the Arcadian Chorale under the direction of Marina Alexander.

The production designers include Dawn von Suskil (Set Designer), George Hansel (Lighting Designer), and Linda Delaney (Costume Coordinator).

Tickets are available online now at http://www.revisiontheatre.org/ or by calling 732-455-3059. Tickets for Premium Seats are priced at $50.00. $25.00 and $15.00 seats are also available.

With music and lyrics by Jerry Herman and book by Michael Stewart, Hello Dolly! is one of the most popular musicals of all time. This touching musical is based on Thorton Wilder’s The Matchmaker and is about Dolly Levi who puts herself up as a candidate for marriage when she falls in love with a wealthy businessman, Horace Vandergelder. With unforgettable songs (Before the Parade Passes By, Put on Your Sunday Clothes, and Hello, Dolly!) and unforgettable dancing, this musical will be fun for the entire family. It ran on Broadway for 2,844 performances at the St. James Theatre with Carol Channing in the title role. Carol Channing went on to perform Dolly Levi for the next 30 years becoming a staple in American Musical Theatre.

Richard Skipper for more than a decade he has been paying tribute to Ms. Channing in a host of original shows which have been performed in New York and all over the world. Richard Skipper is a two-time winner of the MAC (Manhattan Association of Cabaret and Clubs) Award, a winner of the Back Stage Bistro Award for Outstanding Achievement in Impersonation, and the 2006 recipient of The IGCITA (International Guild of Celebrity and Tribute Artists) Clony Award for Outstanding Tribute to a Legend in Las Vegas. Other career highlights have included appearances at Carnegie Hall, long running engagements at Trump's Taj Mahal and The Hilton Hotel in Atlantic City, engagements at Casino Windsor and The Windsor Hilton Hotel in Windsor, Ontario, The Friars Club, the Russian Tea Room, Tavern on the Green, Le Cirque, and an appearance on Late Night with Conan O'Brien. Richard Skipper's work has been endorsed and supported by Carol Channing herself. Carol Channing wrote, “. . . the first time ever I have been shown with so much love, respect, and polish. Richard Skipper is a true musical comedy star! He is fabulous as me!”

This performance will benefit ReVision Theatre’s summer mainstage musical (which will be announced at the event).

ReVision Theatre is a non-profit 501(c)3 professional regional theatre company dedicated to producing invigorating theatre with a fresh new perspective reaching the diverse community of Asbury Park and Monmouth County. ReVision Theatre produces reinventions of previously produced classics, overlooked or forgotten work in a new way, and new work with a fresh voice. The company serves as a home for local artists and writers. ReVision Theatre also believes in the importance of theatre education and teaches children and adult theatre classes. ReVision Theatre produces readings, workshops, cabarets, concerts, and mainstage productions.

Visit http://www.revisiontheatre.org/ or http://www.richardskipper.com/ for tickets or for more information.

CONTACT: Stephen Bishop Seely
Stephen@ReVisionTheatre.org
732-455-3059

Fast Facts:

Who: ReVision Theatre
David E. Leidholdt, Thomas Morrissey, and Stephen Bishop Seely
Producing Artistic Directors
PO BOX 973
Asbury Park, New Jersey 07712

What: A One Night Only Benefit Performance of
Richard Skipper as
Carol Channing in
Hello, Dolly!
Music and Lyrics by Jerry Herman
Book by Michael Stewart
Directed by Thomas Morrissey
Choreographed by Connor Gallagher
Cast to includes Charles Karel, Kristy Cates, Jim Weitzer, Chris Gunn, Jenna Coker-Jones, Anne Kissel, Brooke Wallace, Hernando Umana, Jack Hallett, and Gary Mottola

Where: The Paramount Theatre on the Boardwalk in Asbury Park
1300 Ocean Avenue
Asbury Park, New Jersey 07712

When: Saturday, June 14, 2008 at 8:00 PM

How: Buy tickets ($50, $25, and $15) online at http://www.revisiontheatre.org/
Or call 732-455-3059

Before the Parade Passes By

2008-06-02T17:38:00.001-04:00

STAGE TROUPE FINDS A HOME IN ASBURY PARK

2008-05-30T09:18:00.002-04:00

By TOM CHESEK • Correspondent • May 30, 2008 • Asbury Park Press

It's a classic Asbury Park story. A team of dedicated artists, boasting an impeccable set of credentials, leave the big city to seek their fortune on a new and unfamiliar frontier — and find a home here in the fabled city by the sea. Taken under their wing by a supportive local arts community, they make friends, forge connections and work to establish Asbury Park's place as the true heart and soul of the Shore artscape.

Sounds inspiring, for sure — a pity it almost didn't happen in Asbury.

When Thomas Morrissey returned to Genesius Theatre Guild, the Manhattan-based stage company he founded in 1995, he and his fellow Genesius directors David Leidholdt and Stephen Bishop Seely made the rather daring decision to relocate the acclaimed troupe to a different city — one that could conceivably support the guild's innovative range of offerings, while offering in turn a more reasonable cost of doing business. The producing partners visited several locations on the West Coast, and researched dozens of others — including Paducah, Kentucky, a city that has lured a new generation of artists and entrepreneurs by renting vacant lofts for the price of one dollar a month.

"People kept mentioning Asbury Park to us," says Leidholdt, adding that "we had been here a couple of years ago and thought it wasn't quite ready yet."

Still, with an influx of artists and creative professionals finding friendly harbor here in recent years — people like Marjorie Conn, who relocated her Provincetown Fringe Festival lock-stock-and-name to Asbury Park — the prospect of setting up in such a manageably sized, conveniently located, artistically attuned place was ultimately too much to resist. Following Morrissey to town, Leidholdt and Seely rented a house and began to take a good look at their company's mission in this new locale.

With Tom, David and Stephen sharing the title of Producing Artistic Director, the principals took on Shore-based, Tony-nominated actor Lou Liberatore (who had worked with Morrissey at Circle Repertory Company) as their Literary Director — and, in what was perhaps their boldest move to date, decided to retire the Genesius name in favor of a new identity.

"We thought of things like Three Guys in a Theater, Three's Company," says Seely, a prolific actor and director who worked on the musicals "Tarzan" and "On the Record" during his tenure at Disney Theatrical Productions.

According to Leidholdt, a veteran freelance director and co-founder of the New York Musical Theatre Festival, "We settled upon ReVision, since this was going to be sort of a re-visioning of what we'd done before."

The partners officially opened for business late last year, moved to join such organizations as the Monmouth County Arts Council, ARTSCAP, and the local Chamber of Commerce, and applied for New Jersey non-profit status. They even set up temporary headquarters at Asbury Park's VFW building; where they've conducted workshops, classes and auditions. All that's been missing is a performance space to call their own.

Enter Mattison Park, the downtown martini lounge and restaurant whose owners "asked if we could recommend or supply an act," recalls Leidholdt. Taking the request and running with it, ReVision assembled what's slated to be the first East Coast staging of a buzzworthy new musical bio on one of the most iconic ladies of the silver screen — just in time for the gay pride celebration.

Presented for a single performance this Sunday, "Daydreaming: Channeling Doris Day" presents Broadway actress Kathy Morath (who co-scripted with director Dennis Bailey) as a successful but troubled businesswoman who "finds she has to channel Doris Day to get through the day."
It's a "musical journey" framework for a score of songs made famous by the wholesome golden goddess of Hollywood, including "Que Sera, Sera," "Secret Love" and the title tune.

Actor-accompanist Christopher Stephens co-stars in the 5 p.m. program, for which tickets are available at $10 each, and seating can be reserved by calling (732) 455-3059 or visiting www.ReVisionTheatre.org.

Asbury’s ReVision:

2008-05-29T22:24:00.003-04:00

How a theatre company will garner national applause for the triCity region

By Steven Froias
Tri-City News
May 29, 2008

ASBURY PARK – Regular readers of this newspaper may be forgiven if they feel that our editorial coverage sometimes borders on hyperbole if not down right hyperventilation. Hey – we admit that our zeal to uncover the promise and possibility of the triCity area sometimes gives us the vapors.

This isn’t one of those times, however. Rather, with the ReVision Theatre Company, we’re bringing you the real deal, straight up. Because the vision – or ReVision, if you will – of this group has the potential to garner for itself, Asbury and the triCity region the sort of national attention all three deserve.

ReVision Theatre has set up shop in Asbury Park, with offices in the VFW Post 1333 building (which is becoming an arts haven under Lou Parisi, commander).

The creative brain trust behind the ReVision Theatres consists of David E. Leidholt, Thomas Morrissey, and Stephen Bishop Seely, its Producing Artistic Directors. Lou Liberatore is its Literary Director. They’re joined by other members of their Board of Directors in launching this impressive endeavor in Asbury Park.

Here’s how they came to be here, in a proverbial nutshell. Thomas Morrissey founded the Genesius Theatre Guild in New York City in 1995. For ten years he served as its Artistic Director, gathering much acclaim in the role before deciding to take a break and cast himself in another. When he decided a comeback to Genesius was in the stars, the timing was fortuitous; the folks he had given the keys to were ready to move on.

As was Genesius – now with the surname Theatre Group. Morrissey sized up the landscape in New York, evaluated it through refreshed eyes, and decided it was time to hit the road – this time with company in tow rather than solo.

The bottom line aspect of theatrical production has been shifting for some time. That movement is largely leading out of the city and toward regional theatre groups like the Barrington Stage Company in the Massachusetts Berkshires, which work shopped and developed the Tony award-winning “The 25th Annual Putnam County Spelling Bee” before it ended up on Broadway. The prohibitive cost of nurturing new theatre in a gentrified New York is largely the cause.
The effect is the ReVision Theatre in Asbury Park, the re-branded Genesius. Its significance to the city – and the triCity region – could be profound.

ReVision plans to be a regional theatrical resource, just like the Barrington Stage Company. A breeding ground for developing new shows, plays, talent, ideas, you name it. It’s the cultural equivalent of nationally recognized, great architecture on the waterfront, or even Asbury’s historic role in the music industry. This is exciting, heady stuff.

And the people behind ReVision have the professional credentials and chops to pull it off. Their list of accomplishments could fill this issue, so instead we’d rather direct you to the ReVision website (http://www.revisiontheatre.org/) where you’ll find a page dedicated to their bios. They will be operating as a professional regional theatre under Equity (Actor’s Equity Association, the union for professional actors and stage managers) and SSDC (Society of Stage Directors & Choreographers union) contracts. They will also be utilizing and contracting professional musicians, non-union professionals, interns and volunteers. They’re a non-profit 501(c)3 organization and are registered with both the NJ & NY Charities Registration Bureaus.
But forget about the technical and legal jargon. What most impressed us about the four men we met listed above last week, at their office in the VFW Building of Lake Avenue, was their enthusiasm, and urban as well as urbane attitudes.

Let’s be clear – this isn’t a gang on New Yorkers dropping down sixty miles to impose some sort of creative fiat on the triCities. Hardly.

Rather, they carefully searched and researched their move to Asbury and chose their new home based on what the region has to offer. Think about that.

This is a company of first rate theatre professionals with national, industry-wide reputations impressed by what they saw and excited by the opportunity to plant roots, harness the artistic vibe they sense and make some hay here. For Asbury, and the triCity region, it’s an opportunity to claim ownership of an organization that could bring national cultural attention to the area. It’s a win-win for everybody.

The diversity within and without Asbury makes the area appealing to ReVision, and is what will help fuel the company’s artistic destiny. Part of the new theatrical paradigm means finding and tailoring plays and performances to specific audiences, with an emphasis on outreach to the young, the hip, and the hip-hop. ReVision wants to embrace them all. Indeed, they’ll be looking to Asbury and the triCities for inspiration and guidance.

The guys told us that they very much want the city to “take ownership” of ReVision Theatre. In essence, that means participating in their workshops (they have writing, acting and script-reading events scheduled; see the website for a complete list), supporting them financially and, of course, attending their productions.

They’ve spent some time preparing the stage, as it were, and are now ready to fill the seats. On Sunday, June 1st, they’ll be presenting a touring production of “Daydreaming: Channeling Doris Day” at Mattison Park. (Ticket and reservation info follows the story.)

And on Saturday, June 14th they’ll be producing a very special version of “Hello, Dolly”, with Richard Skipper as Carol Channing, at the Paramount Theatre as a fundraiser. (Again, info follows.)

So – what’s up with a new kind of theatre company doing “Hello, Dolly” as an introduction?
Leidholt belted out a laugh at that one, but then quickly explained that it’s done with a twist, as befits an outfit call ReVision. He was quickly baked up be the entire group with a chorus of clarification that, yes, the company will be on the edge at times, and yes, it’ll be dynamic and creative, but also every now and then they have to sell some tickets. That means some musicals.
As stated above, these guys are professionals; they know they have to turn a buck. And hey – what’s not to like about Dolly Levi? (Or Carol Channing for that matter.)

Immediately after saying “Hello,” ReVision will plunge into getting their next production ready. This will be one that serves to define they’re creative aspirations, as it will be a debut musical, developed from submission they’ve solicited and want to workshop. It’s scheduled for August and we’ll bring you more about it when we get the details.

Because reporting on ReVision Theatre is something we plan on turning into a long running production, it’s always been our contention that in order to be a great city, Asbury Park should act like a great city.

ReVision is just the stage to play upon.

Ticket and Show Information:

Daydreaming: Channeling Doris Day, a new musical starring Kathy Morath and Christopher Stephens at Mattison park Martini Lounge & Restaurant, 649 Mattison Avenue, Asbury Park, Sunday June 1 at 5pm. Tickets are $10, seating limited. Call 732 – 455 – 5039 or log onto http://www.revision.org/. Synopsis: Flash back to the “50’s” when Doris Day was one of the biggest names in show business. Kitsch is alive and well and has never been so much fun than at the east coast premiere of this intimate new musical directed by Broadway’s Dennis Bailey. The show is a rollicking musical journey through a roadmap of songs made popular by Doris Day. The musical features many Day songs including Daydreaming, I’ll Never Stop Loving You, I Gotta Sing Away These Blues, Someone Like You, Away the Wind Blows, Secret Love, and the Oscar winning song Que Sera, Sera (Whatever Will Be Will Be).

Richard Skipper as Carol Channing in Hello, Dolly! a one night only benefit performance for ReVision Theatre at the paramount Theatre, Saturday, June 14 8 p.m. Tickets are $50, $25, and $15. Call 732 – 455 – 5039 or log onto http://www.revision.org/. Synopsis: The show, you know. Let’s introduce you to Richard Skipper. He’s made impersonating Carol Channing an art form, winning numerous NYC cabaret performance awards in the process. His sell-out performances attract Senators (Lautenberg), gossip columnists, and even Ms. Channing herself.

Brett Colby at the Count Basie Awards

2008-05-24T16:20:00.003-04:00

Free Previews

2008-05-24T14:18:00.000-04:00

FREE PREVIEWS
of
Richard Skipper
as
CAROL CHANNING
performing highlights from
HELLO, DOLLY!
in the role of
Dolly Levi!

www.ReVisionTheatre.org

Sunday June 1, 2008 NJ GAY PRIDE DAY
Mattison Park Martini Lounge & Restaurant 6:30pm – FREE
www.mattisonpark.com
Richard Skipper as CAROL CHANNING
Following DAYDREAMING: Channeling Doris Day starring Kathy Morath & Christopher Stephens
Tickets for DAYDREAMING $10 at 5:00pm, Richard Skipper FREE at 6:30pm

Sunday June 8, 2008 TRI-CITY ARTS TOUR
Richard Skipper as CAROL CHANNING - FREE
www.tricityartstour.com
3:00pm Outdoor Mainstage – Cookman Ave. Asbury Park, NJ
4:00pm PM Mattison Park Martini Lounge & Restaurant – 649 Mattison Ave., Asbury Park, NJ

SEE Richard Skipper in the role of Dolly Levi as
CAROL CHANNING in HELLO, DOLLY!
Paramount Theatre – Saturday June 14 at 8:00pm
Tickets on sale now – www.ReVisionTheatre.org
$75 Premium Show Tickets & After Party Reception with the cast
$50 Premium Tickets
$25 & $15 tickets also available

www.RichardSkipper.com

PRESS RELEASE: DAYDREAMING: CHANNELING DORIS DAY

2008-05-21T08:10:00.004-04:00

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

Tickets on Sale Now!

DAYDREAMING: CHANNELING DORIS DAY
New Jersey Gay Pride Day, Sunday, June 1st at 5:00 PM
At Mattison Park Martini Lounge and Restaurant at 649 Mattison Avenue in Asbury Park

Asbury Park, NJ – Asbury Park is flashing back to the “50’s” when Doris Day was one of the biggest names in show business. Kitch is alive and well and has never been so much fun than at the Mattison Park Martini Lounge and Restaurant for the east coast premiere of this intimate new musical, DayDreaming: Channeling Doris Day directed by Broadway’s Dennis Bailey. Fittingly, the performance will be on New Jersey’s GAY PRIDE DAY in Asbury Park on Sunday, June 1st, at 5:00 pm and stars Broadway actress Kathy Morath and Christopher Stephens.

Tickets are available online now at www.ReVisionTheatre.org or by calling 732-455-3059. All tickets are $10.00. Seating is limited.

DayDreaming chronicles the soul-searching of a successful businesswoman at the crossroads of a particularly quirky midlife crisis. Much to her chagrin and consternation, she finds she has to channel Doris Day to get through the day. In a session with her psychiatrist, she realizes she has somehow subconsciously patterned her life after the pert actress/singer. The show is a rollicking musical journey through a roadmap of songs made popular by Doris Day. The musical features many Doris Day songs including Daydreaming, I'll Never Stop Loving You, I Gotta Sing Away These Blues, Someone Like You, Away The Wind Blows, Secret Love, and the Oscar winning song Que Sera, Sera (Whatever Will Be Will Be).

Kathy Morath has worked as an actress On and Off Broadway and in regional theatre. She made her Broadway Debut in The Pirates of Penzance and also performed in Nick & Nora and A Change in the Heir. Christopher Stephens has directed and played piano for many shows including Burly-Q (Amas), Shout! the mod musical (off-Broadway; recording on Rhino Records), Screams of Kitty Genovese (NY Musical Theatre Festival), and Captain Louie (off-Broadway). Dennis Bailey performed on Broadway in the The Marriage of Figaro and The Leader of the Pack. He is the co-author (with David Mixner) of the recent #1 Los Angeles Times best selling non-fiction book Brave Journeys, as well as the author (with Stuart Stone) of the industry manual Acting Out: A Guide For The Commercial Actor.

ReVision Theatre is a non-profit 501(c)3 professional regional theatre company dedicated to producing invigorating theatre with a fresh new perspective reaching the diverse community of Asbury Park and Monmouth County. ReVision Theatre produces reinventions of previously produced classics, overlooked or forgotten work in a new way, and new work with a fresh voice. The company serves as a home for local artists and writers. ReVision Theatre also believes in the importance of theatre education and teaches children and adult theatre classes. ReVision Theatre produces readings, workshops, cabarets, concerts, and fully staged productions.

Visit www.RevisionTheatre.org for tickets or for more information.

CONTACT: Stephen Bishop Seely
Stephen@ReVisionTheatre.org
732-455-3059

Fast Facts:

Who: ReVision Theatre
David E. Leidholdt, Thomas Morrissey, and Stephen Bishop Seely
Producing Artistic Directors
PO BOX 973
Asbury Park, New Jersey 07712

What: DayDreaming: Channeling Doris Day
Starring Broadway Actress Kathy Morath & Christopher Stephens
Written by Dennis Bailey & Kathy Morath
Musical Arrangements by Christopher Stephens
Directed by Dennis Bailey

Where: Mattison Park Martini Lounge and Restaurant
649 Mattison Avenue
Asbury Park, New Jersey 07712

When: Sunday, June 1, 2008 at 5:00 PM
New Jersey’s GAY PRIDE DAY!

How: All tickets are $10. Buy tickets online at www.ReVisionTheatre.org
Or call 732-455-3059. Limited seating is available.

www.BroadwayWorld.com

2008-05-17T07:55:00.003-04:00

Richard Skipper is Carol Channing June 14th

http://broadwayworld.com/viewcolumn.cfm?colid=28024

Richard Skipper as Carol Channing in Hello, Dolly!

2008-05-05T18:13:00.004-04:00

May 5, 2008

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

Tickets on Sale Now!
Richard Skipper as
CAROL CHANNING IN
HELLO, DOLLY!

Saturday, June 14th at 8:00 PM
A Special One Night Benefit Performance at the Paramount Theatre

Asbury Park, NJ – Put on your Sunday clothes and head out to the Paramount Theatre on the evening of Saturday, June 14th at 8 pm. ReVision Theatre opens its premiere season with a special one night only performance of Richard Skipper as Carol Channing in Hello, Dolly! directed by Thomas Morrissey and choreographed by Connor Gallagher the cast will include Broadway performers and local talent.

Tickets are available online now at http://www.revisiontheatre.org/ or by calling 732-455-3059. Tickets for Premium Seats are priced at $50.00. $25.00 and $15.00 seats are also available.

With music and lyrics by Jerry Herman and book by Michael Stewart, Hello Dolly! is one of the most popular musicals of all time. This touching musical is based on Thorton Wilder’s The Matchmaker and is about Dolly Levi who puts herself up as a candidate for marriage when she falls in love with a wealthy businessman, Horace Vandergelder. With unforgettable songs (Before the Parade Passes By, Put on Your Sunday Clothes, and Hello, Dolly!) and unforgettable dancing, this musical will be fun for the entire family. It ran on Broadway for 2,844 performances at the St. James Theatre with Carol Channing in the title role. Carol Channing went on to perform Dolly Levi for the next 30 years becoming a staple in American Musical Theatre.

Richard Skipper for more than a decade he has been paying tribute to Ms. Channing in a host of original shows which have been performed in New York and all over the world. Richard Skipper is a two-time winner of the MAC (Manhattan Association of Cabaret and Clubs) Award, a winner of the Back Stage Bistro Award for Outstanding Achievement in Impersonation, and the 2006 recipient of The IGCITA (International Guild of Celebrity and Tribute Artists) Clony Award for Outstanding Tribute to a Legend in Las Vegas. Other career highlights have included appearances at Carnegie Hall, long running engagements at Trump's Taj Mahal and The Hilton Hotel in Atlantic City, engagements at Casino Windsor and The Windsor Hilton Hotel in Windsor, Ontario, The Friars Club, the Russian Tea Room, Tavern on the Green, Le Cirque, and an appearance on Late Night with Conan O'Brien. Richard Skipper's work has been endorsed and supported by Carol Channing herself. Carol Channing wrote, “. . . the first time ever I have been shown with so much love, respect, and polish. Richard Skipper is a true musical comedy star! He is fabulous as me!”

This performance will benefit ReVision Theatre’s summer mainstage musical (which will be announced at the event).

ReVision Theatre is a non-profit 501(c)3 professional regional theatre company dedicated to producing invigorating theatre with a fresh new perspective reaching the diverse community of Asbury Park and Monmouth County. ReVision Theatre produces reinventions of previously produced classics, overlooked or forgotten work in a new way, and new work with a fresh voice. The company serves as a home for local artists and writers. ReVision Theatre also believes in the importance of theatre education and teaches children and adult theatre classes. ReVision Theatre produces readings, workshops, cabarets, concerts, and mainstage productions.

Visit http://www.revisiontheatre.org/ or http://www.richardskipper.com/ for tickets or for more information.

CONTACT: Stephen Bishop Seely
Stephen@ReVisionTheatre.org
732-455-3059

Fast Facts:

Who: ReVision Theatre
David E. Leidholdt, Thomas Morrissey, and Stephen Bishop Seely
Producing Artistic Directors
PO BOX 973
Asbury Park, New Jersey 07712

What: A One Night Only Benefit Performance of
Richard Skipper as
Carol Channing in
Hello, Dolly!
Music and Lyrics by Jerry Herman
Book by Michael Stewart
Directed by Thomas Morrissey
Choreographed by Connor Gallagher
Cast to include Broadway performers & local talent

Where: The Paramount Theatre on the Boardwalk in Asbury Park
1300 Ocean Avenue
Asbury Park, New Jersey 07712

When: Saturday, June 14, 2008 at 8:00 PM

How: Buy tickets ($50, $25, and $15) online at http://www.revisiontheatre.org/
Or call 732-455-3059

ReVision Theatre is Holding Auditions

2008-04-29T14:43:00.000-04:00

AUDITION NOTICE
ReVision Theatre is Holding Auditions
Saturday, May 10th and Sunday, 11th, 2008

Seeking actors & musical theatre performers, New Jersey regional theatre.

ReVision Theatre (Producing Artistic Directors; David Leidholdt, Stephen Bishop Seely, Thomas Morrissey), a professional regional theatre in Asbury Park, New Jersey, will be holding auditions for actors and musical theatre performers by appointment only on Saturday, May 10th and Sunday, May 11th, in Asbury Park, NJ for their upcoming benefit performance of Hello, Dolly! The benefit performance will be held on Saturday, June 14th at the Paramount Theatre in Asbury Park. The show will be directed by Thomas Morrissey and choreographed by Connor Gallagher. Those auditioning will also be considered for future productions, workshops, staged readings, and theatre for young audiences. Please email your audition request to casting@ReVisionTheatre.org (preferred) or call 732-455-3059 ext. 2# to make an appointment. Those unable to attend should send submissions to: Casting, ReVision Theatre, PO Box 973, Asbury Park, NJ 07712. Please do not submit large files by email, instead email links for pictures or thumbnails. Actors should prepare a one minute monologue and singers should prepare one song (accompanist will be provided). Seeking all types, children, minority and mature actors/singers strongly encouraged to audition. Pay dependent on contract. ReVision Theatre is also seeking submissions from Directors, Designers and Tech Personnel for our files. For more info: www.ReVisionTheatre.org

Hello, Dolly! Cast Breakdown

Horace Vandergelder - A widower of some means, 30s to 50s
Cornelius Hackl - Vandergelder’s chief clerk, 20s to 30s
Barnaby Tucker - Assistant to Cornelius, teens to 20s
Irene Molloy - A millineress with a hat shop in New York, 20s to 30s
Minnie Fay - A young girl who works in Irene’s shop, teens to 20s
Ernestina - A heavy-set girl in need of Mrs Levi’s services, teens to ??
Ermengarde - Horace’s niece, teens to 20s
Ambrose Kemper - A young artist seeking to marry Ermengarde, teens to 20s
Mrs Rose - Sells vegetables from a street cart, friend of Dolly, any age
Rudolph Reisenweber - The Prussian major-domo of the Harmonia Gardens Stanley - A young waiter.
Judge White - A whiskered, red nose, New York night court.

There are a few other minor roles and a chorus of townspeople, customers etc who must sing. We also need dancers. Ages quoted above are as a guide and are adaptable.

ReVision Theatre is a professional regional theatre company dedicated to producing invigorating theatre with a fresh new perspective reaching the diverse community of Asbury Park and Monmouth County. ReVision Theatre produces reinventions of previously produced classics, overlooked or forgotten work in a new way, and new work with a fresh voice. The company serves as a home for local artists and writers. ReVision Theatre also believes in the importance of theatre education and teaches children and adult theatre classes. ReVision Theatre produces readings, workshops, cabarets, concerts, and mainstage productions.

Email, call or visit our website (www.RevisionTheatre.org) for more information

CONTACT: Stephen@ReVisionTheatre.org
Stephen@ReVisionTheatre.org
732-455-3059

Do You Know? Lou Liberatore

2008-04-02T13:40:00.004-04:00

By JOANNE L. PAPAIANNI

The Coaster, March 20, 2008

Lou Liberatore is just one more example of the talent and commitment of some of the new residents to Asbury Park.

He’s an accomplished Tony-nominated actor who moved to the city full-time only a year ago, a board member of ArtsCap where he brings his years of experience as an actor and his new found love of writing and a member of the Black Box Theater Group.

Liberatore and his partner, Steve Albert, bought a home in the city three years ago, but did not make it their primary residence until a year ago. Albert, who has a masters degree in public health, is the residence director at The Center in the city.

Last year Liberatore, who continues to audition for parts, lent his expertise to the West Park Players cast of “The Laramie Project.”

When he learned of the controversy surrounding the play he stepped forward and offered to lend assistance, coaching the young high school actors and staging the set with the play’s director Bob Angelini.

Liberatore is also a member of the new Revision Theater, which moved from New York City, and he established the Jersey Shore Writer’s Studio which meets once a month at the Stephen Crane House, where aspiring writers can hear their words read out loud without being criticized.
Whoever shows up on a given night is given a part to read.

“It gives them an opportunity to hear their words out loud,” he said.

But for all his community minded activities, Liberatore still auditions for parts, mainly in New York and says he would love to become part of an ensemble cast for a television show.

He was nominated for a Tony award, Broadway’s most prestigious, along with other awards, for his part in the four character play “Burn This.”

He played along side John Malkovich and Joan Allen.

When the play was taken to London, Liberatore was stopped by his union, Actor’s Equity, because of the organization’s rules.

Malkovich told the producers he would not do the play in London without Liberatore.
“John held out for me, I was very happy about that.”

He has also had minor parts in TV shows like “Sex and the City,” “Law and Order” and the daytime soap “One Life to Live.”

He would love to work with Malkovich, who he said has a very funny dry sense of humor, or Sean Penn.

“He’s done very well with the way he chooses roles.”

A graduate of Fordham University’s Lincoln Center campus, he worked as an intern at the famed Circle Repertory Theater in New York City.

He ended up doing a workshop with the group on a play by William Hoffman called “As Is.”
It was the first play produced on Broadway about the AIDS epidemic.

“I played eight different roles.”

Liberatore then spent 10 years acting in New York and 10 years in Los Angeles.

But today back in the city by the sea, the actor is focused on “raising the artistic profile of the city.”

He is very happy to advocate for artists living in the city through ArtsCap and to speak on their behalf to city officials and developers.

Although he grew up in Bergen County, he spent summers in Belmar. As a resident of Asbury Park he said he wants to make sure the arts aren’t forgotten during the city’s redevelopment.
So far he has been very impressed.

“I’m impressed with the attitudes and commitment…..I just want it (the arts) to contribute to benefit the town.”