NEW BOOK “WHEN THE LIGHTS ARE BRIGHT AGAIN” TO BE PUBLISHED NOVEMBER 1

Press Contact:

Michael Jorgensen
michael@jorgensenpr.com

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE, PLEASE

THEATER COMMUNITY WRITES BOOK TOGETHER,
AMIDST THEIR INDUSTRY'S 17 MONTH SHUTDOWN

“WHEN THE LIGHTS ARE BRIGHT AGAIN”

THE NEW BOOK
SPOTLIGHTING THE THEATER SHUTDOWN

TO BE PUBLISHED BY
APPLAUSE THEATRE & CINEMA BOOKS
MONDAY, NOVEMBER 1

CREATED BY ANDREW NORLEN

FEATURING PORTRAITS BY
ACCLAIMED BROADWAY PHOTOGRAPHER
MATTHEW MURPHY

PRE-ORDERS NOW BEING ACCEPTED

PORTION OF PROCEEDS BENEFITING THE ACTORS FUND

BOOK COVER AVAILABLE HERE
BOOK TRAILER AVAILABLE HERE
AUTHOR HEADSHOTS AVAILABLE HERE

New York, NY (July 21, 2021) – When The Lights Are Bright Again, the new book created by Andrew Norlen spotlighting the 2020-2021 theater shutdown will be published on Monday, November 1 by Applause Theatre & Cinema Books. The book features letters of loss, hope, and resilience from the theater community, paired with stunning portraiture from acclaimed Broadway photographer Matthew Murphy.

Pre-orders are now being accepted at www.WhenTheLightsAreBrightAgain.com and wherever books are sold, with a portion of the proceeds from each book going to The Actors Fund, the national human services organization for everyone in performing arts and entertainment.

Broadway notables such as Jerry Mitchell, Keala Settle, Ali Stroker, Sergio Trujillo, Eden Espinosa, Rob McClure, Robyn Hurder, Clint Ramos, Arian Moayed, Amber Iman, Andrew Barth Feldman, and more express their personal insights from the past year, alongside the desires and wishes of theater enthusiasts and other arts workers across the world, from Manila to Miami, Puerto Rico to Portland. When The Lights Are Bright Again is dedicated in loving memory to Nick Cordero.

The book cover image is available here, a book trailer is available here, and author headshots are available here.

For more information, please visit www.WhenTheLightsAreBrightAgain.com



BOOK DESCRIPTION

It began as an artist’s desperate desire to express himself inside a worldwide pandemic, but in one year’s time it has grown into a theater industry and country-wide outlet for healing, grief, justice, and hope in the theater community.


The Covid-19 pandemic revealed what a world without live performance looks and feels like. This book captures a small fraction of the powerful and transcendent internal heartbeat that never went away within the theater community. When The Lights Are Bright Again immortalizes the stories, struggles, and successes of an industry that was the first to be shut down and one of the last to return.


Andrew Norlen weaves more than 200 letters from Broadway theater veterans, devout theatergoers, teenage dreamers aching for their day in the spotlight, long-time ushers, designers, creatives, and countless other arts workers with a brand-new, breathtaking photo series by Broadway photographer Matthew Murphy.


Not only has the creation of this book allowed the theater community to grieve and express themselves in a new way, but for every copy purchased, a portion of the profits will directly benefit The Actors Fund. This book will continue to help support arts workers to thrive and maintain financial stability for decades to come with every copy sold.


When The Lights Are Bright Again is a love letter to the arts community and every theatergoer, but, above all else, it is a meditation on the human experience. There is something for every broken, tired, angry, and lost soul inside this book: hope.

There is light in all of us—there always has been!


ABOUT THE AUTHORS

ANDREW NORLEN (Creator), originally from Troutdale, Oregon, is a New York City-based artist. With a BFA from The Boston Conservatory of Music, Norlen was most recently in the closing tour company of Broadway's Kinky Boots. His podcast, Everyday Heroes, is a space where he elevates female identifying voices. Norlen is the creator of When the Lights Are Bright Again and writer of Defining Brave, his memoir. Follow his journey @Anorlen and AndrewNorlen.com.

MATTHEW MURPHY (Photographer) is a New York City-based photographer specializing in theater, dance, and portrait photography. His work is featured in the books Hamilton: The Revolution, Come From Away: Welcome to the Rock, Dear Evan Hansen: Through the Window, and Jagged Little Pill: You Live, You Learn. He travels worldwide photographing productions and lives in New York with his husband and their two dogs.


ABOUT APPLAUSE THEATRE & CINEMA BOOKS

Now in its fourth decade, Applause Theatre & Cinema Books is America's foremost publisher of theatre, cinema, and TV books. Our books range from biographies of film and theatre luminaries to playscripts, librettos, monologue books, and explorations of film, TV, and theatre history. Applause is an imprint of Globe Pequot.

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WhenTheLightsAreBrightAgain.com
Instagram: @WhenTheLightsAreBrightAgain

JorgensenPR.com

LGBTQ+ HORROR COMEDY FEATURE FILM “SUMMONING SYLVIA” WRAPS FILMING

Press Contact:

Michael Jorgensen
michael@jorgensenpr.com

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE, PLEASE

THERE WILL BE WIGS!

LGBTQ+ HORROR COMEDY FEATURE FILM

“SUMMONING SYLVIA”

WRAPS FILMING

STARRING
TRAVIS COLES, MICHAEL URIE,
FRANKIE GRANDE, NICHOLAS LOGAN, TROY IWATA,
NOAH RICKETTS, SEAN GRANDILLO, CAMDEN CARCIA,

AND
VEANNE COX
AS SYLVIA

WRITTEN & DIRECTED BY
ALEX WYSE & WESLEY TAYLOR

HEADSHOTS AVAILABLE HERE


New York, NY (July 1, 2021) – Filming has wrapped on Summoning Sylvia, an LGBTQ+ horror comedy feature film starring Travis Coles (“Superstore”), two-time Screen Actors Guild Award nominee Michael Urie (“Ugly Betty”), People’s Choice Award nominee Frankie Grande (“Henry Danger”), Nicholas Logan (I Care a Lot), Troy Iwata (“Dash & Lily”), Noah Ricketts (Frozen), Sean Grandillo (“Scream: The TV Series”), Camden Garcia (“Station 19”), and Emmy and Tony Award nominee Veanne Cox (You’ve Got Mail). Written and directed by Wesley Taylor and Alex Wyse, who previously created the Emmy-nominated digital series “Indoor Boys,” Summoning Sylvia is produced by Cody Lassen with Diamond Dog Entertainment serving as Executive Producer.

Summoning Sylvia is the story of a gay bachelor party that takes a spooky turn when sinister spirits are suddenly summoned. Lead by the warm and whimsical Larry (Coles) who has been kidnapped by his three best friends Nico (Grande), Reggie (Iwata), and Kevin (Ricketts) for a weekend getaway at a haunted house. But Larry forgot he’d promised his fiancé Jamie (Urie) that he’d entertain his mysterious future brother-in-law Harrison (Logan) this weekend. Larry invites Harrison to join the proceedings, and when the four friends perform a séance to summon the ghost of Sylvia (Cox) who murdered her son Phillip (Garcia) a century ago, a night of terror, laughs, and uninvited guests begins.


B I O G R A P H I E S

ALEX WYSE (Co-Writer/Director) is the co-creator/writer/star of “Indoor Boys,” for which he won Indie Series Awards for Best Actor, Best Writing, and Best Comedy Series. As an actor, he appeared on Broadway in Waitress, Spring Awakening, and Lysistrata Jones; Off-Broadway in Ride the Cyclone, Bare, and Triassic Parq, and in the National Tour of Wicked. His television credits include “Iron Fist,” “Masters of Sex,” “NCIS: LA,” “The Bold and the Beautiful,” “Modern Family,” “Switched at Birth,” and “Bored to Death.” He co-produced the Tony-nominated play What the Constitution Means to Me. He holds a BFA from Boston University. Alex is repped by ICM.

WESLEY TAYLOR (Co-Writer/Director) is the co-creator/writer/star of “Billy Green,” “It Could Be Worse,” and “Indoor Boys,” which won the 2019 Indie Series Awards for Best Writing and Best Comedy Series. His work has been produced by Manhattan Repertory Theatre, The Artists’ Exchange, the LGBT Center, and at New World Stages. As an actor, he is a Theatre World Award Winner, a Chita Rivera Award Winner, and an Outer Critics Circle nominee, having starred in the original Broadway casts of Rock of Ages, The Addams Family, and SpongeBob SquarePants. Taylor’s television credits include “Smash” (26 episodes), “The Good Wife,” “The Tomorrow People,” “One Life to Live,” “Looking,” “I’m Dying up Here,” and “Difficult People.” He holds a BFA from North Carolina School of the Arts. Wes is repped by ICM.

TRAVIS COLES (Larry) was listed on TIME magazine’s “Best TV Characters of 2019” for his role in OWN’s “David Makes Man,” created by Tarell McCraney. This year he appeared in two feature films, including Togetherish, starring Ed Helms and Patti Harrison, and Aftermath, opposite Ashley Greene. Travis also returned to his recurring roles on “Liza on Demand” and NBC’s “Superstore.” Other credits include his starring role in the JAX Media pilot presentation “Berlin,” “Brooklyn Nine-Nine,” and “Great News.” Travis performs monthly on two UCB sketch teams. 

MICHAEL URIE (Jamie) is an actor, presenter, director, and producer, best known for known for his portrayal of Marc St. James on ABC's “Ugly Betty.” He was recently seen in “Younger” and as the host of 
“Clipped,” with Martha Stewart. Recent Broadway credits include Torch Song and Grand Horizons and the upcoming Chicken & Biscuits.

FRANKIE GRANDE (Nico) is an activist, performer, producer, reality TV personality, and social media mogul. He became known to the world as a stand-out finalist on the CBS series “Big Brother 16.” Frankie followed that as a judge on MTV's “America's Best Dance Crew,” a houseguest on “Celebrity Big Brother” in the U.K., and a co-host on “Style Code Live.” He has guest starred on Nickelodeon's “Henry Danger” and “Danger Force,” Netflix's “Haters Back Off,” and “RuPaul's Drag Race.” He co-starred in the film Spree and the comedy series “Indoor Boys,” for which he won the 2020 ‘Best Guest Actor – Comedy’ award at the Indie Series Awards. On Broadway, Frankie made his debut in the mega-hit Mamma Mia! and starred as Franz in the closing cast of Rock of Ages, a role that he reprised in the Hollywood production. In spring 2021, he reprised his roles in Rock of Ages and Titanique for live streaming concerts, which served as a kickoff to welcoming back Broadway following the pandemic. Frankie is also passionate about supporting the Los Angeles LGBT Center.

NICHOLAS LOGAN (Harrison) can currently be seen opposite Rosamund Pike and Peter Dinklage in the Netflix feature I Care a Lot, which premiered at TIFF last fall. Nicholas stars alongside Sam Rockwell and Taraji P. Henson in the STX Films film The Best of Enemies and has a supporting role in the Paramount comedy Instant Family, opposite Mark Wahlberg and Rose Byrne. He will next be seen recurring opposite Michael Keaton in the Hulu limited series “Dopesick.”

TROY IWATA (Reggie) is an actor and writer originally from Lake Arrowhead, CA. You know Arrowhead Water? That’s not where it’s from. Find him in Netflix’s “Dash & Lily” playing Lily’s hopelessly romantic and snarky older brother Langston. You can also hear him in various new musical theatre albums and sometimes mentioned amongst the fandom of the cult hit musical Be More Chill which he helped open on Broadway. TroyIwata.com @mrtroyiwata

NOAH J. RICKETTS (Kevin) is an actor and singer from Louisville, Kentucky. He’s enjoyed roles on Broadway in Beautiful the Carole King Musical and most recently as Kristoff in Frozen: The Musical. Television and in Film: Kai in “American Gods” on STARZ; River in “High Fidelity” on Hulu; Nico in “The Sixth Borough”; Matthew in “Christmas Déjà vu” on BET. #blm @noahjrkts

SEAN GRANDILLO (PB) is an American actor, singer, and musician, known for his roles as the Voice of Otto in the 2015 Broadway revival of Spring Awakening, Eli Hudson in MTV's horror series “Scream,” Brett Young in ABC's comedy series “The Real O'Neals,” and “The OA” for Netflix. He most recently was a series regular on YouTube Red's “Youth & Consequences,” from producer Mark Gordon. On the feature side, Sean had a scene-stealing supporting role in Justin Kelly's Tribeca Film Festival stand-out King Cobra.

CAMDEN GARCIA (Phillip) most recently guest starred on ABC’s “Station 19” after returning to the industry after getting a degree. Garcia has recurred on numerous series including Fox’s “Raising Hope” and Fox’s “My Name Is Earl,” and guest starred on NBC’s “Superstore,” TBS’ “The Guest Book,” and CBS’ “Yes, Dear.” Also an accomplished singer, stage actor, and musical theater performer, Garcia has starred in regional and university productions of Newsies, Particularly in the Heartland, Black Snow, Speech and Debate, Saturday Night Fever, and Hairspray.

VEANNE COX (Sylvia) was nominated for an Emmy for her performance of Lenora in the digital series “Indoor Boys”; and has been featured on Broadway in An American in Paris; La Cage aux Folles; A Free Man of Color; Caroline, or Change; The Dinner Party; Company (Tony nomination); and Smile. She has received Obie and Drama Desk Awards. Her television credits include “Cinderella,” “The Marvelous Mrs. Maisel,” “NCIS: New Orleans,” “Pan Am,” “Seinfeld,” etc. She has been seen in many films including Erin Brockovich, You’ve Got Mail, and Big Eden.

CODY LASSEN (Producer) is a Tony award-winning theatre and film producer most recently represented on Broadway by Paula Vogel’s Indecent and the Deaf West Theatre revival of Spring Awakening. Upcoming: How I Learned to Drive (opening on Broadway April 19) and A Commercial Jingle for Regina Comet (opening Off-Broadway September 17). He produced the Emmy-nominated digital series “Indoor Boys.” Upcoming: Some Lovers, a new musical by Burt Bacharach & Steven Sater; The Flamingo Kid by Robert Freidman & Scott Frankel; and The 12 by Robert Schenkkan & Neil Berg, directed by John Doyle.

# # # #


www.SummoningSylvia.com
Facebook: @SummoningSylvia
Twitter: @SummoningSylvia

Instagram: @SummoningSylvia

JorgensenPR.com

"MICHAEL KUSHNER SINGS HIS HITS FOR PRIDE" TONIGHT AT FEINSTEIN'S/54 BELOW WITH SPECIAL GUEST ALICE RIPLEY

Press Contact:
Michael Jorgensen
michael@jorgensenpr.com

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE, PLEASE


“MICHAEL KUSHNER
SINGS HIS HITS FOR PRIDE”

TONIGHT AT 9:45PM

AT
FEINSTEIN’S/54 BELOW
BROADWAY’S SUPPER CLUB

WITH SPECIAL APPEARANCE BY ALICE RIPLEY


New York, NY (June 30, 2021) – Tonight, Feinstein’s/54 Below (254 West 54th Street), Broadway’s supper club, welcomes back actor/photographer/producer Michael Kushner with his show Michael Kushner Sings His Hits For Pride at 9:45 PM. There is a $35-45 cover charge and $25 food and beverage minimum. For tickets and more information, please visit www.54below.com

Join Broadway legend (in his mind) Michael Kushner as he regales his glory days on Broadway (again, in his mind) while singing the tunes that made him famous (once again… in his mind). This vaudevillian, gay romp is the perfect musical theater comedy way to celebrate Pride as we collectively recover from a global pandemic. This show was reviewed by The Jewish Journal as “not to be believed, mainly because we haven’t seen it yet!” Enjoy personal and hysterical stories complete with tunes from musicals such as The Producers, I’m Getting My Act Together and Taking It on the Road, Gypsy, and more.

With a special guest appearance from Alice Ripley, Michael Kushner Sings His Hits For Pridefeatures Musical Direction by Debbie Tjong, Nate Hopkins on piano, Debbie Tjong on bass, Devon Medock on trumpet, and Joe Cogen on drums.


B I O G R A P H I E S

MICHAEL KUSHNER is NYC’s leading multi-hyphenate and the Executive Producer of the Emmy-nominated series “Indoor Boys”. Performance: On the Town at Barrington Stage (pre-Broadway, directed by John Rando), Much Ado About Nothing at Barrington Stage (directed by Julie Boyd), Sons on the Prophet at GableStage (directed by Joe Adler). He is the creator of his one man show, Moo With Me (directed by Max Crumm). Photography: Featured in The New York Times, Vogue, The Tony Awards, Playbill, and more. Creator of The Dressing Room Project. Michael has photographed Idina Menzel, Julie Andrews, and many more notable artists. Producing: Emmy-nominated web series, “Indoor Boys,” created by Wes Taylor and Alex Wyse, “XaveMePlease,” starring Isaac Powell (Frameline43 Festival in San Fran). Michael is one of the founding members of Musical Theatre Factory, currently in residency with Playwrights Horizons, and was awarded the first ever MTF Builder Award. Upcoming Producing: The Pink Unicorn, a film starring Alice Ripley, written by Elise Forier Edie. During COVID-19, Michael has stayed active in the theatre community by serving as Director of Photography and producing virtual events such as Moments in the Woods(a virtual gala for the HFWAA featuring Lin-Manuel Miranda, nominated for a BroadwayWorld Award), Betsy Wolfe’s A Pants Optional Holiday, and It’s A Wonderful Life: A Live Radio Play featuring The Skivvies with Laguna Playhouse, and Leslie Kritzer’s Holiday Show for The Actors’ Home. Active participant with Covenant House. In 2020, Michael served as 2020 KeyNote speaker for Florida Thespians. www.michaelkushneronline.com or www.michaelkushnerphotography.com. Podcasts: “Dear Multi-Hyphenate” and “My Broadway Memory” with Broadway Podcast Network. Proud AEA Member. Ithaca College BFA Musical Theatre. @themichaelkushner on IG and TikTok.

FEINSTEIN’S/54 BELOW, Broadway’s Supper Club & Private Event Destination, is a performance venue in the grand tradition of New York City nightlife. A few blocks from the heart of Times Square and just below the legendary Studio 54, Feinstein’s/54 Below is a classically designed state-of-the art nightclub in the theatre district that hosts audiences with warmth and style. Feinstein’s/54 Below presents iconic and rising stars from the worlds of Broadway and popular music and has set a new standard for culinary excellence worthy of the world-class entertainment on the stage. In their description of the venue, The New York Times writes, “Feinstein’s/54 Below has the intimacy of a large living room with unimpeded views and impeccable sound; there is not a bad seat in the house. Its sultry after-hours ambience is enhanced by brocade-patterned wall panels planted with orange-shaded lanterns. And the atmosphere is warmer and sexier than in Manhattan’s other major supper clubs.” Located at 254 West 54th Street, Feinstein’s/54 Below features up to three shows nightly with cover charges ranging from $5-$105. 54Below.com/Feinsteins


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JorgensenPR.com

NEW MUSICAL “A COMMERCIAL JINGLE FOR REGINA COMET” TO PLAY OFF-BROADWAY

Press Contact:

Michael Jorgensen
michael@jorgensenpr.com

FOR RELEASE ON THURSDAY, JUNE 24, 2021


WORLD PREMIERE OF THE NEW OFF-BROADWAY MUSICAL

“A COMMERCIAL JINGLE FOR REGINA COMET”

TO PLAY THE DR2 THEATRE

BOOK, MUSIC, AND LYRICS BY
ALEX WYSE & BEN FANKHAUSER

DIRECTED BY
MARSHALL PAILET

PREVIEWS BEGIN SEPTEMBER 17

OPENING NIGHT SET FOR SEPTEMBER 27

TICKETS ARE NOW ON SALE

ARTWORK AVAILABLE HERE


New York, NY – Announced today is the first new musical to premiere off-Broadway since the pandemic shutdown: A Commercial Jingle for Regina Comet. Featuring book, music, and lyrics by Alex Wyse (“Indoor Boys”, Spring Awakening) and Ben Fankhauser (Newsies, Beautiful), with direction by Marshall Pailet (Baghdaddy, Triassic Parq), this world premiere musical begins previews on Friday, September 17th, at the DR2 Theatre (103 E. 15th Street), with an opening night set for Monday, September 27th. The strictly limited engagement is set to run through Sunday, November 14th, 2021.

Two nobodies dream of writing one hit song for everybody, but their day job composing jingles for commercials isn’t the big break they hoped. That is, until they’re plucked from obscurity by a world-famous pop star named Regina Comet (if destiny had a child, it would be her) and she wants them to create an anthem for her supernova pipes... and her new perfume. They’re so close to the big-time they can smell it, but following your passion doesn’t always lead where you expect. Making a hit song can be a shit-show.

“…Regina Comet is everything you want the first new musical premiering in NYC to be: whip-smart and stupid funny, packed with songs as catchy as a jingle, and only 80 minutes. You won’t want to miss this show that’s for anyone who has a dream and isn’t ashamed it’s unrealistic,” said producer Cody Lassen.

The creative team for A Commercial Jingle for Regina Comet also includes Lucille Lortel Award nominee Wilson Chin (Scenic Design), Antonyo Award winner Sarita Fellows (Costume Design), Aja M. Jackson (Lighting Design), Twi McCallum (Sound Design), Emily Marshall (Music Director), and Katie Kennedy (Production Stage Manager).

A Commercial Jingle for Regina Comet will play the following schedule: Tuesdays at 7pm, Wednesdays at 7pm, Thursdays at 8pm, Fridays at 8pm, Saturdays at 3pm and 8pm, and Sundays at 3pm and 7pm.

A Commercial Jingle for Regina Comet is produced by Cody Lassen, joined by Kate Cannova, Sue Gilad & Larry Rogowsky, Chaz Naor, Brad Blume, Jo-Ann Dean, Jamie deRoy/Luigi Caiola, Wayne Holland Hampton, III, Jamie Joeyen-Waldorf, Robert Laurita, Benny Lumpkins Jr., Raindrop Valley, and Samantha Squeri.


Tickets, starting at $55, are now available and can be purchased by visiting www.Telecharge.com or by calling 800-447-7400.

Additional information, including casting, will be announced at a later date. For more information, visit www.ReginaComet.com.


B I O G R A P H I E S

CODY LASSEN (Producer) was most recently represented on Broadway by Paula Vogel’s Indecent and the Deaf West Theatre revival of Spring Awakening. Upcoming: How I Learned to Drive (opening April 19.) Recent co-producing credits include Thoughts of a Colored Man, What The Constitution Means To Me, Tootsie, Torch Song, The Band's Visit, and Significant Other. Upcoming: Some Lovers, a new musical by Burt Bacharach & Steven Sater; The Flamingo Kid by Robert Freidman & Scott Frankel; Alice By Heart, by Duncan Sheik, Steven Sater & Jessie Nelson; and The 12 by Robert Schenkkan & Neil Berg, directed by John Doyle.

ALEX WYSE (Book/Music/Lyrics) co-created “Indoor Boys,” which was nominated for an Emmy and acquired by Here TV, and he’s currently co-directing his debut feature film. Also, he co-produced What the Constitution Means to Me. He’s been seen on Broadway in Waitress, Spring Awakening, Lysistrata Jones, on Tour in Wicked, off-Broadway in Ride the Cyclone, Bare, and Triassic Parq, and on TV in “The Other Two,” “Iron Fist,” “Masters of Sex,” “NCIS: LA,” “The Bold and the Beautiful,” “Modern Family,” “Agent X,” “Bad Judge,” “A to Z,” “Switched at Birth,” and “Bored to Death.”

BEN FANKHAUSER (Book/Music/Lyrics). Regina Comet marks Ben’s writing debut! As a performer he is known for playing Davey in Newsies (Original Broadway Cast). Other New York theatre: Mack & Mabel (Encores!), Saturday Night and Bar-mitzvah Boy (York Theatre). First National Tours: Beautiful: The Carole King Musical and Spring Awakening. Regionally Ben has been seen in The Flamingo Kid (Hartford Stage), An American In Paris (MTW), Big River (Sacramento Music Circus), I Hate Hamlet (Bucks County Playhouse), and Next To Normal (North Carolina Theatre). Television: “The Deuce,” “Indoor Boys,” “The Tony Awards.” Find more on Spotify/iTunes/YouTube. BFA: Ithaca College.

MARSHALL PAILET (Director) is a director and writer, and the proud owner of a wildly untrained, but ultimately well-meaning terrier-mix. He directed, composed, and co-wrote the off-Broadway musicals Who’s Your Baghdaddy, which was a two-time NY Times Critic’s Pick, and Triassic Parq, which went on to win the Ovation Award for Best Musical for its LA premiere. He’s written and directed for Dreamworks’ Shrek and Veggie Tales franchises, The Magic School Bus, Atlantic Theater Company, PBS, NYMF, NAMT, among others. Upcoming projects include Private Gomer Jones, A Girl and a Boy Dance, Loch Ness, Nikola Tesla Drops the Beat, and the film The Intervenors. Graduate Yale University.

WILSON CHIN (Scenic Design). Designs include Pass Over (Broadway, Lortel Award nominee), the Pulitzer Prize-winning Cost of Living (Manhattan Theatre Club), Next Fall (Broadway), The Thanksgiving Play (Playwrights Horizons), Wild Goose Dreams (Public Theater/La Jolla Playhouse), Teenage Dick (Ma-Yi Theater/Public Theater). Opera: Lucia di Lammermoor (Lyric Opera of Chicago), Eine Florentinische Tragodie/Gianni Schicchi (Canadian Opera, Dora Award). Film/TV: Pass Over (directed by Spike Lee), “Blindspot” (NBC). IG: @wilsonchindesign

SARITA FELLOWS (Costume Design). Her selected credits include: Social! (The Armory), A Bright Room Called Day (The Public Theater); Native Son (The Acting Co); Original Sound (Cherry Lane Theater); Hatef**k (The Women’s Project); Macbeth, The Winter’s Tale, and Measure for Measure (The Classical Theatre); A Chronicle of the Death of Two Worlds (New York Theater Workshop); Fur, MUD, Prospect, and Fabuloso! (The Boundless Theater Co); Her regional credits include Seize the King (Alliance Theater Co.); Top Girls and Her Portmaneau (A.C.T); The Royale (Arizona Theater Co); Ain’t Misbehavin’ (The Signature Theatre); Pipeline (Studio Theatre); The African School Girl Play (Pittsburgh Public Theater); Haunted Life (M.R.T); Two Trains Running (Weston Playhouse); Berta Berta, A Late Morning with Reagan (C.A.T.F); Having Our Say (Philadelphia Theater Co). Lecturer Princeton University. Associate Professor NYU@ Playwrights. MFA NYU/Tisch.

AJA M. JACKSON (Lighting Design) is a lighting designer working in theater, dance, and immersive performances. She has designed for companies such as the American Repertory Theatre, The Public Theater's Under the Radar Festival, North Carolina Black Rep, Boston Center for the Arts, and the Boston Conservatory. Aja is the Resident Lighting Designer and core collaborator for site-specific movement company, HOLDTIGHT, and serves as Board Chair on the Board of Directors for Brighter Boston. An alumnus from the Johnny Carson School of Theater and Film she graduated with a BFA in Theatrical Design, later receiving her MFA in Lighting Design from Boston University.

TWI MCCALLUM (Sound Design) is a sound designer in NYC, from Baltimore, MD. She is thrilled to make her musical debut, and hopes to primarily design musicals in the future. Her favorite theatrical credits include Kansas City Rep, Baltimore Center Stage, Atlantic Theater Company, and her Broadway debut in fall 2021. She has worked in television/digital production for STARZ, NBC, and Marvel. Most importantly, she is a former student of Howard University’s theatre department and a graduate of Yale School of Drama’s one-year sound program. When not working, she loves archery, zombie video games, and taking care of her pet snails.

EMILY MARSHALL (Music Director). Credits include: Broadway - Be More Chill, Elf; Ain't Too Proud, Beautiful, School Of Rock, Mean Girls, Charlie & The Chocolate Factory (keyboard sub); Waitress (rehearsal pianist); Annie (keyboard programmer). Tours/Benefits: Ratatouille: The TikTok Musical; 1st National Tour of We Will Rock You, A Chorus Line, Beauty and the Beast, Flashdance, Elf. Off-Broadway/Labs: Rock of Ages (New World Stages), The Remarkable Journey to Tianguo (Developmental Lab), PRELUDES (LCT3), Head Over Heels (Developmental Lab), Clueless (Dev. Lab), Chix 6 (La Mama). Marshall also works as a supervisor, producer, contractor, accompanist, vocal coach, keyboard programmer, arranger & orchestrator.

KATIE KENNEDY (Production Stage Manager) is a proud West Virginian currently living in Brooklyn, NY. She is also a founding member of West Virginia Artists Aligned, an alumni group from West Virginia University that works to promote diversity, equity, and inclusion within the WVU School of Theatre and Dance. Her resume includes: for colored girls…, SKiNFoLK: An American Show, Throw Me on the Burnpile and Light Me Up, Wickedest Woman, Pedro Pan, Latin History for Morons, RETREAT (a radio play), the 2019 Play On! Shakespeare Festival, the LCT 2019 Directors Lab, The Tempest, and A Midsummer Night’s Dream.

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www.ReginaComet.com

Facebook:@ReginaCometMusical
Instagram: @ReginaCometMusical
Twitter: @ReginaComet
TikTok: @ReginaCometMusical

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"FRAGMENTS, A LIVE AUDIO STORY" ENTERS FINAL WEEKEND OF LIVE PERFORMANCES

Press Contact:
Michael Jorgensen
michael@jorgensenpr.com


FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE, PLEASE


“It’s been a long road since March 2020, but FRAGMENTS is a welcomed and much needed breath of fresh air” -BroadwayWorld


“FRAGMENTS
A LIVE AUDIO STORY”

ENTERS FINAL WEEKEND OF LIVE PERFORMANCES
MAY 15 & 16

LIVE DANCE, VIDEO PROJECTIONS, ORIGINAL COMPOSITIONS, AND A TIMELESS STORY
FULLY ENGULF THIS
LIVE ART EXPERIENCE

TRAILER, PHOTOS, AND ARTWORK AVAILABLE HERE


New York, NY (May 10, 2021) – The performance art piece Fragments, a live audio storyconcludes this weekend, with performances on Saturday, May 15th, and Sunday, May 16th, at 6:00pm and 7:30pm on both days. Featuring a stunning array of live dance, video projections, and original composition, Fragments is based on the real-life experiences of Herta Sales and interviews taken with her. For tickets and more information, please visit www.MandieRapoza.com/Fragments.

Through the fog of Alzheimer's, Austrian-born Herta wrestles with the foundational moments of her past, including a childhood involvement with the Hitler Youth. Through interactions with her caregiver, her estranged daughter, and her own fractured memories, Herta is forced to confront deep-held regrets and hard truths left unspoken. Fragments centers on one fundamental question: "How much of ourselves must give to the ones we love?"

Fragments premiered at Dixon Place to a sold-out audience in the summer of 2019. Originally produced as a dance/theater fusion piece, it was adapted in November 2020 to be presented in the current, deeply changed, COVID-19 world. Now, rather than a traditional narrative, the production has been reimagined as a live audio installation, supplemented with two live dancers and projected video content. Audiences will get to experience Fragments in a brand new, deeply intimate way, with the soundscape and original musical score serving as the primary design element.

Fragments began performances on May 1st, playing three consecutive weekends concluding this Saturday, May 15th, and Sunday, May 16th, with performances on both days at 6:00pm and 7:30pm at Liberated Fitness (1005 Columbus Avenue). In accordance with New York State health guidelines, all performances will accommodate socially distanced seating at a maximum of 10 people per performance, with face coverings required for everyone including performers, as well as a contactless temperature check upon arrival and health questionnaire in order to get into the building.

Tickets, priced $20-25, are available for purchase by visiting fragments.ticketleap.com/fragments. Private pod performances, priced at $300 for up to 10 guests, can be arranged on the days of existing performances by emailing fragmentstickets@gmail.com. A portion of all proceeds will benefit the Alzheimer’s Foundation of America.

Conceived, directed, and choreographed by Mandie Rapoza, Fragments is written by Brian Kettler and features an entirely original score by Kate Marlais, with videography by Julia Discenza, sound design and engineering by Maxine Gutierrez, and lighting design by Riley Cavanaugh.

The piece features live dance performances by Hannah Balagot and Celia Mei Rubin(Natasha, Pierre & The Great Comet of 1812), with virtual appearances from Jennifer Smith(Anastasia), Autumn Hurlbert (Legally Blonde, runner-up “The Search for Elle Woods”), Patrick John Moran (Something Rotten! tour), Sophie Lee Morris (Dirty Dancing tour), James Patterson (Gigi), and Oumou Traore.

For more information, please visit www.MandieRapoza.com/Fragments.


Praise for FRAGMENTS

“It’s been a long road since March 2020, but FRAGMENTS is a welcomed and much needed breath of fresh air” -BroadwayWorld

“Hannah Balagot dances with captivating emotional clarity and youthful joy” -BroadwayWorld

“A richly introspective experience” -BroadwayWorld


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www.MandieRapoza.com/Fragments
Instagram: @FragmentsLive
JorgensenPR.com

ROCK-BAROQUE FARCE "MY CYRANO" TO PLAY TWO NIGHTS ONLY AT THE CENTER AT WEST PARK

Press Contact:
Michael Jorgensen

michael@jorgensenpr.com

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE, PLEASE


ROCK-BAROQUE FARCE

“MY CYRANO”

TO PLAY TWO NIGHTS ONLY
AT THE CENTER AT WEST PARK

JUNE 11 & 12

FEATURING MUSIC FROM
HEAVY-ROCK BAND “THE BLACKFIRES”
AND BAROQUE LEGEND JORDI SAVALL

STARRING “THE BLACKFIRES” FRONT-MAN
ANDREY ‘CHEGGI’ CHEGODAEV
AS CYRANO

MODERN ADAPTATION BY TANYA LEBEDINSKAYA
FROM EDMOND ROSTAND’S CLASSIC HEROIC COMEDY “CYRANO DE BERGERAC”

TRAILER, PHOTOS, AND ARTWORK AVAILABLE HERE


New York, NY (April 28, 2021) – New Wave Arts in association with Salon Z announced today the latest installation in their “Inspired by Baroque” Series, a two-night-only premiere of My Cyrano, an improvisation featuring extracts from Edmond Rostand’s classic heroic comedy Cyrano de Bergerac and extracts from the poem “My Cyrano” by Tanya Lebedinskaya. Presented in Russian with English supertitles, My Cyrano blends musical, dance, and theatrical performance in the style of Rock-Baroque.

“Cyrano is an eternal love story that is well known all over the world. This time, we’ve skillfully matched the romantic tale with the hard-rock band The Blackfires, mixed in with classical music prowess from Jordi Savall, all set to a modern poetic Russian adaptation by Tanya Lebedinskaya, creating one unforgettable show we hope you enjoy!” said producer and actress Zeyna Gagne. “We know that all our guests, including English-speaking ones, will find it entertaining, since the story of Cyrano is so universal - full of music, poetry, dance, and theater, which is the same in all the languages of the world!”

My Cyrano will play Friday, June 11, and Saturday, June 12, at 7:30pm at The Center at West Park(165 West 86th Street, entrance on Amsterdam Avenue) in the historic West Park Presbyterian Church. For VIP ticket holders, there will be a pre-show reception featuring the company beginning at 6:00pm at the Russian Arts Theater & Studio’s Pushkin Hall (165 West 86th Street, 2nd Floor). In accordance with New York State guidelines, all activities will accommodate socially distanced seating at a maximum of 100 people, with face coverings required for everyone, as well as a temperature check upon arrival.

Tickets, priced at $65 for show-only tickets and $100 for VIP tickets, are available for purchase by visiting tinyurl.com/2021MyCyrano.

Adapted from Edmond Rostand’s classic comedy by Tanya Lebedinskaya, My Cyrano is directed by Mariya Kotlova, and includes music by hard-rock band The Blackfires. Also included in the production is "Marche Pour La Ceremonie Des Turcs” (J.B. Lully) played by Jordi Savall conducting Le concert Des Nations, from the album ‘Tous les matins du monde’ loaned by Alia Vox records.

The Blackfires’ front man Andrey ‘Cheggi’ Chegodaev leads the cast as Cyrano with Marina Wonder as Roxanne, and also features Leo Grine, Carlo Maria Velardi, Gala Orlovskaya, Zeyna Gagne, Badimir, Lev Grzhonko, Vadim Kroll, Valentina Kvasova, Nina Ros, and Anna Zinenko.

My Cyrano is produced by New Wave Arts, Salon Z, Zeyna Gagne, Lev Grzhonko, and Donya Khaselev. Salon Z has delighted viewers in the past with unique conceptual productions from famous European actors such as Yuri Naumkin and Elena Solovey, as well as director Gary Chernyakhovsky, and more.

For more information, please visit tinyurl.com/2021MyCyrano.


BIOGRAPHIES – PRODUCTION

MARIYA KOTLOVA (Director) is a renowned actress of musicals, who starred in Russian Musicals such as Nord Ost, Cats, Chicago, and 12 Chairs. She started as a theater actress at the age of 16 while studying theater art at the Russian Academy of Theater. In 2005, while performing on stage every day as an actress in musicals, Mariya received her training as a musical theater director at Stage Entertainment Production (London). After many years of performing in musicals, in 2006 she became an actress and director at drama theater research lab at School or Drama Art in Moscow, Russia, and later in Italy, founded by Anatoliy Vasilyev. She has been working under his apprenticeship since. Mariya served as a Judge at the musical theater contest Musical Heart of Theater (Russia); won Best Director awards at Head Read Festival (Estonia, Europe) three years in a row starting 2016; won Lars Noren Award as Best Actress in 2011 for the part of Kate in the play Cold; served as a Director of an international Dovlatov Festival in Tallin, Estonia, in 2018; directed acknowledged plays in multiple theaters in Europe: Silver Hoop, Russia 2018; Romeo and Juliette Macbeth, Estonia, 2018; A Lost Tram, Estonia, 2017; Sparrow and the Beast, Estonia, 2017; A Swan Zero (Based on Idiot by Dostoyevsky), Russia, 2013 and others. Mariya moved to New York in 2019 and presently is directing the play My Cyrano.

TANYA LEBEDINSKAYA (Playwright) is a poet and songwriting legend of the Russian-American community, known to Russian-speaking audiences all around the world. In 1999, she wrote a poem dedicated to Rostand's play Cyrano the Bergerac. Almost two decades later in 2018, by invitation from Zeyna Gagne, Donya Khaselev, Leo Grzhonko, and director Mariya Kotlova, this poem was converted to a play in the Rock-Baroque style, and was titled My Cyrano. Songs based on her other poems and melodies have been performed by popular Soviet, Russian, and American artists including Mikhail Shufutinsky, Oleg Frish, Philip Kirkorov, the Rose Sisters, and many others. Tanya’s program of musical parodies, The Mighty Handful, which perpetuated the golden age of the third wave of immigration, have become landmark in the history of Russian diaspora culture. She is also a performer and the author of several books, including poetry, epigrams, and parodies. Despite the fact that Tanya has lived in New York for over 40 years, she has retained the beautiful Russian language, sensuality, and humor that permeate her works.

THE BLACKFIRES (Music) are a hard-rock band that thrives on the live stage. The band originated in New York City, but members hail from Russia, Costa Rica, Uruguay, the UK, and exotic New Jersey, which has earned them the nickname “The United Nations of Rock.” After only a few years together, they have managed to perform with some of the biggest names in rock, including Europe, Skid Row, Glenn Hughes, Jason Bonham, Thin Lizzy/Black Star Riders, Whitford/St. Holmes, Dizzy Reed, Frank Ferrer, and most notably some time on the Moscow stadium circuit: with Aerosmith at the Olympic Stadium, and more recently Bon Jovi at the Luzhniki Stadium in front of 90,000. The band is led by Andrey “Cheggi” Chegodaev on vocals, with Englishman Anthony Mullin and Costa Rican Hector Marin on guitars, Uruguayan Grasebo Doe on rock bass, and American Joe Mitch on drums and additional vocals.

JORDI SAVALL (Additional Music) is a Spanish-Catalan viol player and composer. He is one of the major figures in the field of early music since the 1970s, largely responsible for bringing the viol (viola da gamba) back to life on the stage. His repertory ranges from Medieval to Renaissance and Baroque music. Savall's musical training started in the school choir of his native town as well as at the Barcelona Conservatory of Music, and at the Schola Cantorum Basiliensis in Basel, Switzerland. In 1974, he formed the ensemble Hespèrion XX (since 2000 as Hespèrion XXI), together with the soprano Montserrat Figueras (his wife), Lorenzo Alpert and Hopkinson Smith. In 1987, he returned to Barcelona to found La Capella Reial de Catalunya, a vocal ensemble devoted to the interpretation of music prior to the 18th century. Finally, in 1989, Savall created Le Concert des Nations, an orchestra that is generally dedicated to the baroque repertoire, but which sometimes also serves as an outlet for music that hails from the classical/romantic repertoire. Savall's discography includes more than 140 recordings. Since 1998 he has released his records with his own label, Alia Vox. Jordi Savall is also a two-time Grammy nominee, who scored the 1991 Alain Corneau film, Tous les matins du monde (also awarded the César of the French film industry in 1992). The soundtrack, re-released on his own Alia Vox label, has sold more than a million copies worldwide.

DONYA KHASELEV (Producer), musician and singer by education, worked with Salon Z, produced various events, including a show Peculiarities of Love, Wearable Sculpture, and many other theatrical and visual art events for American and International audiences.

ILYA KOZIN (Acting Coach) is an actor, director, teacher, and student of Anatoly Vasiliev since 2002. Education: Saratov State Conservatory, A.A. Vasiliev’s School of Dramatic Art, Moscow School of New Cinema. Acting: Iliad, The Stone Guest or Don Juan is Dead, Medea, All Day Long Under The Trees, and Heiner Müller’s Medeamaterial, all directed or produced by A.A. Vasiliev. Ilya acted in various movies and theatrical stagings in Russia and abroad. In addition to acting, Ilya also teaches young actors and directors in his “theatrical laboratory” by developing a unique method combining the best theatrical theories from director Anatoly Vasiliev with his own approach.


BIOGRAPHIES – CAST

ANDREY ‘CHEGGI’ CHEGODAEV (Cyrano) was born in Moscow, Russia. Graduated from Moscow State University faculty of journalism, worked as TV reporter, director, and a script writer on various TV channels in Russia. In 2010 he moved to New York City to pursue his music career where he established a hard-rock band “The Blackfires.” Gained local recognition, he toured across USA opening for known band such as Europe, Thin Lizzy, Skid Row, Glen Hughes (Deep Purple), Aerosmith, and Bon Jovi. Graduated from New York Film Academy as film director and worked on a several film projects in USA/ Russia. As an actor gained his training in acting studio led by Sergey Puskepalis (Moscow GITIS graduate, Silver Bear Award for Best Male Actor in Berlin International Movie Festival 2010 How I Ended This Summer) and Ilya Kozin acting laboratory. Works as a radio host at Russian New York Radio Freedom FM 104.7FM - Morning Show “Cheggi, Rodos, Rock’n’Roll.”

MARINA WONDER (Roxanne). Born in a military town in Russia’s Nizhny Novgorod region, Marina often participated in school plays and holiday performances starting in middle school, and discovered love for music in college where she picked up a bass guitar and played with a few local rock bands. When life brought Marina to New York she entered the world of modeling, working for print and runway, gracing the covers of several magazines, and also got interested in photography. As an actor, Marina has completed on-camera courses at Kimball's studio and was coached by theater teacher Ilia Kozin of Anatoly Vasiliev school of acting. Marina has done several short films, participated in network TV productions, co-created and starred in a pilot for a TV series, and done some commercials and music videos. A couple years ago Marina was invited to host a morning show at a Russian radio station, where she currently continues to work.

LEO GRINE (DeGuish). Originally from Magadan, Russia, Leo traveled to the US 15 years ago pursuing career in theatre. He has received his education in Anchorage Alaska, then moved to New York City for additional training at The Acting Studio and Matt Farnsworth Voice studio. Regional: Oklahoma! (Curly), Jesus Christ Superstar (Jesus, Judas), Hedwig And The Angry Inch (Hedwig), Rocky Horror Show (Frankenfurter, Riff Raff, Rocky), Goldrush Girls (School boy). Off Broadway: The Final Days of Vincent Van Gogh (Theo Van Gogh), Pentecost (Grigory). Film: Big Miracle, The Frozen Ground, Wildlike. AEA/SAG-AFTRA.

CARLO MARIA VELARDI (Lebre) is a classically trained actor and musician, who graduated from Lee Strasberg Theater and Film Institute. He also obtained a diploma from the world renown Gnesin's Musical Academy in Moscow. Appeared in numerous theater productions in New York, Europe, and Russia.

GALA ORLOVSKAYA (Duenna) graduated from Kiev State University of Theater and Cinematography. She was studying acting with outstanding Artistic Director professor N.N.Rushkovskiy. Before graduating, Gala was invited to play the leading part in the Astrid Lingren's Pippi Long Stockings in the Theater for the Young Audience, for which she received the ‘Debut of the Year’ Award. For years, Gala played various characters in theater and movies, on TV and Radio shows. She received the 1st Prize at the Golden Lion Theater Festival in Lviv for her acting in the show based on the poetry of A. Galich. For her exceptional work of many years, Gala was awarded a title of Honored Artist of Ukranian Republic in 1988. In 1990, Gala emigrated to Israel where she worked as an actress in Jerusalem Short Plays Theater, playing one of the leading roles in the show Island of Shabbat, produced by JDC Israel (Joint), and did voiceovers for several movies on the Channel "Cinema". Recently, Gala lives in New Jersey. You might have seen her performing in NY Steps Theatre and Russian Art Theatre and Studio productions.

ZEYNA GAGNE (Madame Z, Producer). Originally from Russia, Zeyna Gagne studied classical piano, ballet, and acting in both Riga, Latvia, as well as Paris, France. As an actress, she has appeared in the theatrical shows Peculiarities of Love and Inspired by Baroque at Spy Club NYC. Zeyna worked as an assistant producer for the Steve Leber/David Krebs US tour of the Moscow Circus including an engagement at Radio City Music Hall, produced the choreographic fashion show Wearable Sculpture, as well putting on many evenings of Russian theater and art exhibitions in Paris and NYC, including at La Maison de Russie a Paris (Russian Cultural House in Paris). Zeyna participated as an actress in the production of the short feature films including Drolle de Drames and Hors Piste. She is a financial analyst in addition to producing artistic projects in America and Europe (France, Latvia, Georgia).

BADIMIR (Christian) is very excited to be a part of My Cyrano. Originally from Russia, he has always been interested in theater and continued his studies in drama school in Nizhny Novgorod where he started playing supporting roles in Theater of Comedy. After moving to New York City he has mostly been seen as a DJ and music producer, and now Badimir is back to the stage making his debut as Christian.

LEV GRZHONKO (Rostand, Producer). Harvard graduate economist, Lev pursued different creative directions, he directed short films that were featured in the New York Film Festival as well as in France in Les etrange festival, he is a connoisseur of arts and is currently acting/producing in the My Cyrano production as well as in Miami Theater.

VADIM KROLL (Ragno). TV: “The Blacklist,” “Allegiance” (guest star). Film: John Wick: Chapter 2(guest star). Off-Broadway: The Killer. Over 20 productions at The Metropolitan Opera. Performed in numerous off-off-Broadway shows.

VALENTINA KVASOVA (Luisa) is a professional singer and dancer from Rostov on Don, and graduated from the Voronezh State Choreographic School. She worked in the ensemble of Don Cossacks named after Kvasov. For 15 years was choreographer, dancer, and singer in the ensemble Barynya New York. Valentina is the founder of the Kvasova band and Russian Social singing club projects. She starred in films, participated in various theatrical projects in New York, as well as being an improviser and multi-instrumentalist.

NINA ROS (u/s Roxanne) is a New York-based Russian actress, dancer, choreographer, and singer. She graduated from Bordeaux National School of the Theater in France. Nina was born in Saratov, Russia, where she started her acting career. At the age of 18 she moved to France to pursue her study as an actress at the Bordeaux National School of The Theater. She worked in European National Theaters such as Grand Theater of Luxembourg, National Theater of Limoges, National Theater of Bordeaux, National Theater of Liege, Bouffes du Nord, etc. Nina also starred in numerous TV shows and films in Russia and Europe.

ANNA ZINENKO (Koko) has danced in a folk ensemble since childhood. While studying Spanish philology at Kiev University, Anna played in student theater, went to international festivals with a folk group. After moving to New York, Anna worked as a presenter on radio and television, starred in films and TV shows, studied at the Broadway Dance Center, was a guest artist of the Aspen Santa Fe Ballet in The Nutcracker ballet, and attended the Russian Theater Lab.


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tinyurl.com/2021MyCyrano

JorgensenPR.com

"FRAGMENTS, A LIVE AUDIO STORY" TO RETURN FOR 12 PERFORMANCES ONLY THIS MAY

Press Contact:
Michael Jorgensen
michael@jorgensenpr.com

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE, PLEASE

“FRAGMENTS
A LIVE AUDIO STORY”

TO RETURN FOR 12 PERFORMANCES ONLY
MAY 1-2, 8-9, AND 15-16

LIVE DANCE, VIDEO PROJECTIONS, ORIGINAL COMPOSITIONS, AND A TIMELESS STORY
FULLY ENGULF THIS
LIVE ART EXPERIENCE

TRAILER, PHOTOS, AND ARTWORK AVAILABLE HERE


New York, NY (April 8, 2021) – The performance art piece Fragments, a live audio story will return this spring, playing three successive weekends in May. Featuring a stunning array of live dance, video projections, original composition, and a timeless story, Fragments has been adapted in accordance with current New York State health guidelines. For tickets and more information, please visit www.MandieRapoza.com/Fragments.

Through the fog of Alzheimer's, Austrian-born Herta wrestles with the foundational moments of her past, including a childhood involvement with the Hitler Youth. Through interactions with her caregiver, her estranged daughter, and her own fractured memories, Herta is forced to confront deep-held regrets and hard truths left unspoken. Fragments centers on one fundamental question: "How much of ourselves must give to the ones we love?"

Fragments premiered at Dixon Place to a sold-out audience in the summer of 2019. Originally produced as a dance/theater fusion piece, it was adapted in November 2020 to be presented in the current, deeply changed, COVID-19 world. Now, rather than a traditional narrative, the production has been reimagined as a live audio installation, supplemented with two live dancers and projected video content. Audiences will get to experience Fragments in a brand new, deeply intimate way, with the soundscape and original musical score serving as the primary design element.

Fragments will play Saturdays and Sundays at 6:00pm and 7:30pm, on May 1-2, May 8-9, and May 15-16, at Liberated Fitness (1005 Columbus Avenue). In accordance with New York State guidelines, all performances will accommodate socially distanced seating at a maximum of 10 people per performance, with face coverings required for everyone including performers, as well as a contactless temperature check upon arrival and health questionnaire in order to get into the building.

Tickets, priced $20-25, are available for purchase by visiting fragments.ticketleap.com/fragments. Private pod performances, priced at $300 for up to 10 guests, can be arranged on the days of existing performances by emailing fragmentstickets@gmail.com. A portion of all proceeds will benefit the Alzheimer’s Foundation of America.

Conceived, directed, and choreographed by Mandie Rapoza, Fragments is written by Brian Kettler and features an entirely original score by Kate Marlais, with videography by Julia Discenza, sound design and engineering by Maxine Gutierrez, and lighting design by Riley Cavanaugh.

The piece features live dance performances by Hannah Balagot and Celia Mei Rubin (Natasha, Pierre & The Great Comet of 1812), with virtual appearances from Autumn Hurlbert (Legally Blonde, runner-up “The Search for Elle Woods”), Patrick John Moran (Something Rotten! tour), Sophie Lee Morris (Dirty Dancing tour), James Patterson (Gigi), Jennifer Smith (Anastasia), and Oumou Traore.

For more information, please visit www.MandieRapoza.com/Fragments.


BIOGRAPHIES

MANDIE RAPOZA (Director/Choreographer/Creator). Mandie's performance and creative work has played on stages from London to LA including Broadway, National Tours and downtown New York theatres. Originally from London, Mandie moved to NYC in 2012. She was the 2016 SDCF Traube Fellow, and worked under the mentorship of Casey Nicholaw. Select credits include Something Rotten! (1st National Tour, Dance Captain), You’re A Good Man Charlie Brown (The York Theatre, Assistant Director), The Parlor (SOHO Rep, Movement Director), Flocking (The Old Vic Tunnels, ensemble), and Pandemic Voices (Choreographer/ Artistic Director, UptownWorks NYC). This March, Mandie was Artist in Residence at New Dance Alliance, working on a new piece exploring The American dream.

BRIAN KETTLER (Playwright) was a Resident Playwright at The Flea Theater for the past two years. He was a finalist for the 2020 Nickelodeon Writing Program and a former recipient of the Oregon Literary Fellowship in Drama. His full-length plays include: Lyla School 3 (UTNT, Austin, TX), Fragments (Dixon Place, NYC), and Poor Boys’ Chorus (Broadway Bound Festival, NYC). He earned his MFA in Playwriting from the University of Texas-Austin. In Portland, Brian has worked for several arts education organizations, including Literary Arts Writers in the Schools, Oregon Children’s Theatre Young Playwrights for Change, The Red Door Project and Playwrite Inc.

KATE MARLAIS (Composer) is a composer, writer, musician and performer based in London. She gained a Music degree with Composition major from King’s College London, and recently was made an Associate of the Royal Academy of Music for her work in music. She was the 2018-19 Cameron Mackintosh Resident Composer at Lyric Theatre, Hammersmith. Recent composer credits include Anahera (Finborough Theatre; Composer); Abandon (Lyric Theatre, Hammersmith; nominated for Best Composer Stage Debut Award). Own projects currently in development include I Cannot Make Noise When I Scream in collaboration with Luke Brown Dance Company (workshop at Lyric, Hammersmith) – project’s concept album released soon. Other recent work in music includes Enter Achilles (DV8/Rambert Ballet); Musik (Jonathan Harvey/Pet Shop Boys); The Niceties (Finborough Theatre; Sound Designer); Chorus of Others (Frantic Assembly, National Theatre), Princess (Luke Brown Dance Company, National Theatre); Leave To Remain (Kele Okereke - Bloc Party, Lyric Theatre, Hammersmith); For You I Long the Longest (Luke Brown Dance Company, Tour), Fatherland (Frantic Assembly/Karl Hyde Underworld, Lyric Theatre, Hammersmith & Royal Exchange Theatre, Manchester).

HANNAH BALAGOT (Live Dance Performer) (she/her) is an actor, dancer, and singer of mixed Filipino and Eastern European descent. She believes art is a way to investigate how we are connected and that by seeing ourselves more clearly, we can cultivate a path to healing. She has performed and collaborated to develop dance/movement based theatre, musical theatre, plays, and short films. Hannah loves to delve into storytelling mediums that blur traditional lines and her work has been seen on major US and international stages. Hannah grew up dancing in the San Francisco Bay Area then graduated from UC Irvine with a BFA in Music Theatre, Honors in Acting. She is based in NYC and can talk your ears off about her favorite authors, her students, or her Toni Collette fandom.

CELIA MEI RUBIN (Live Dance Performer). Broadway: A Christmas Carol; Natasha, Pierre and the Great Comet of 1812; Matilda. West End: Parade, Joseph and the Amazing Technicolor Dreamcoat, Candide. Favorite touring: Chicago as Hunyak (U.S. national). Favorite regional: A Chorus Line as Val (TUTS Houston). Cast albums: Parade (OLC), Matilda (OBC), The Great Comet(OBC). Other appearances: Tony Awards, Olivier Awards, “Good Morning America,” “The Late Show with David Letterman.” Love: Mom, Dad, Joyce, Victor. @celia_mei

JENNIFER SMITH (Virtual Artist). 15 Broadway shows including original companies of La Cage, The Producers, The Drowsy Chaperone, A Gentleman’s Guide to Love and Murder, and Tuck Everlasting. Film and television: “Law and Order: SVU” and “Criminal Intent,” “High Maintenance,” Dead Beat, and Skeleton Twins. Lubbock, Texas native and proud Actor’s Equity Association member.


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www.MandieRapoza.com/Fragments
Instagram: @FragmentsLive

JorgensenPR.com