Magic Mike...The Musical

Get ready chorus boys! Another chance for you to strip on stage! It's been less than a day before the rumblings of a Broadway-aimed musical version of "Magic Mike." Steven Soderbergh and Channing Tatum will produce the musical while Reid Carolin, who wrote the screenplay, will write the book. Ladies (and gentlemen), don't expect to see Mr. Tatum sing in this version. Thoughts?

Spotlight On...Everywhere Theatre Group

photo by Ben Arons

Name: Everywhere Theatre Group (Lindsay Mack, Chase Voorhees, Leah Winkler, Teddy Nicholas)

Hometown: Brooklyn, New York

Education: We all attended undergrad and most of us graduated, but self-producing in NYC since 2007 is the best education we’ve had.

Favorite Credits: The Internet during the very first Incubator Arts Project residency series (2010) , Dead People at the Ice Factory Ice Cube Series (2011) and A Pale Horse, Death and Hell Followed With (A Lifetime Original Series) when we were 2008-2009 short form artists at the Ontological Hysteric Theater.

Why theater?: We believe theater, when good, is like anything we’ve ever experienced, especially in our technology obsessed society. Also, we as a collective don’t have anything to lose, so it’s great to have an outlet  where we can do and say what we really believe in, and hopefully touch others who share our need to create an art form that is innovative and accessible, powerful and unique.

Tell us about Flying Snakes in 3-D: Flying Snakes in 3-D is an ridiculously fun Sci-Fi parody about flying mutant cobras that go on a killing rampage, but at its heart its a very honest examination of the harsh realities that go along with self producing your own work, and the emotional repercussions of having grown up under circumstances like poverty and abuse and how we took solace in the theater. Against the backdrop of the Sci-Fi narrative, it calls out very important issues for us, ones of nepotism, racism, and class. As artists and a company, we are dedicated to creating theatre that gives voice to people who are struggling, and in this case, we decided to begin with ourselves.

What inspired you to create Flying Snakes in 3-D?: The relationship between movies and theater. We’re interested in our own willingness to watch a movie on our computers over paying $18 to see a show, and wanted to examine why this is happening, what film does that theater can’t in this day and age, and the horror that happens when theater (badly) tries to mimic film. We also think that the dream of young theater artists is changing (not excluding ourselves) into using theater as a stepping stone for television and film, because theater has no money in it and it’s almost impossible to survive, unless of course, you  are an independently wealthy artist who can afford the luxury making theater via self-funding, support from parents, not having to pay for an apartment or work full-time to survive in the most expensive city in the world, etc. We think this is the reason the theater we see doesn’t necessarily reflect the diversity of our world, and we just wanted an avenue to tell our perspective of kids who sort of grew up doing theater for solace who were crazy enough to try for a career that is generally catered toward rich white people. You know, it’s kind of a harrowing realization when there are so many odds against you, and as a theater company, we wanted to explore this unfairness in a funny, touching, cynical yet hopeful way. Also, we love horrible/amazing Sci-Fi original movies.

What kind of theater speaks to you? What or who inspires you as an artist?: Generally, very epic, intense, bold and brutal theatre that says something courageous and truthful. Emotionally honest theatre.

If you could work with anyone you’ve yet to work with, who would it be?: Haley Joel Osment, Mara Wilson, Dakota Fanning, Amanda Bynes, and Alison Porter. We as a company are obsessed with the idea of child stars.

What shows have you recommended to your friends?: Even though its not playing in NYC anymore, Young Jean Lee’s Untitled Feminist Play. Go see it in Calgary! Banana Bag & Bodice’s Space/Space at The Collapsible Hole, and NTUSA’s The Golden Veil at The Kitchen.

Who would play you in a movie about yourself and what would it be called?: We would use the money we got from selling whatever movie this was, and hire all of the actors who have lent their talent to us in the past and make them huge stars. Special shout-out to the Ice Factory cast of Flying Snakes in 3-D!!! T. Ramon Campbell, T.J. Collins, Tricia Cramer, Kim Gainer, Molly Gray, EevinHartsough, Jen Kwok, Lindsay Mack, Sean Patrick McGowan, Jen Taher, Peter Mills Weiss and Chris Tyler!

What’s your biggest guilty pleasure?: Taking cabs home on late nights out even if it means you can’t afford to pay rent. You can also replace “taking cabs” with doing anything social and/or buying groceries.

If you weren’t working in theater, you would be _____?: Much more financially comfortable, probably. Or dead.

What’s up next?: Come see Flying Snakes in 3-D!!! Running July 4-7 at the New Ohio Theater’s 2012 Ice Factory! Get your tickets HERE!

For more on Everywhere Theatre Group, visit everywheretheatre.org

Chicago to Get an Achy Breaky Heart

This winter, country one-hit wonder Billy Ray Cyrus will be joining the cast of Chicago as Billy Flynn. Billy Ray Cyrus, who's either most famous for his 90s song "Achy Breaky Heart" or being Miley Cyrus's dad, will play a limited engagement from November 5th-December 23rd. Chicago is no stranger to the world of stunt casting, but this one seems mildly entertaining!

Spotlight On...Jess Barbagallo

Name: Jess Barbagallo

Hometown: Cato, NY

Education: BFA, New York University (Acting); MFA, Brooklyn College (Playwriting)

Favorite Credits: Performance - The Knock-out Blow (Half Straddle), Room for Cream (Dyke Division of 2HC), Drum of the Waves of Horikawa (Theatre of a Two-Headed Calf), reading Lukewarm Pretzel: A Man on New Year’s Day at the Poetry Project as Joe Ranono.  And I manage an up-and-coming comedienne named Karen Davis.

Why theater?: It’s become a sick addiction to the lifestyle, I think -the instability, the highs, the lows, poverty as a point of pride.  The truth is, I like getting to make my own family.  And I really like how everyone has to show up on every level, be it terrifyingly or gently present.  And I really, really like how hard it is to do well.

Tell us about Good Year for Hunters: Good Year for Hunters is a play I conceived of with my longtime collaborator Chris Giarmo about five years ago, when I was first starting grad school.  I proposed we write a script using Tori Amos’ Little Earthquakes as the source material.  What emerged was this apocalyptic horror show about growing up queer and closeted.  There’s a brother and sister who we discover are mysteriously (or just inexplicably) orphaned and they’re having an affair with a neighboring couple.  It’s a coming-of-age story, but everyone is in this state!  There are lots of different kinds of romance in the piece and I hope Chris and I have been able to tease that out as directors.  The original draft has definitely evolved over these last years and after an initial workshop in early 2012, I really tore the ending apart.  I think we have made something ultimately sadder and more honest about loss and irrevocable choices.  I still want to think of it like a comedy though.  Comedies are often the saddest expressions.

What inspired you to create Good Year for Hunters?: When I was a kid I wanted to be a sculptor because I thought it would be an elegant way to function as an artist.  But then I discovered the Tracey Ullman Show and was utterly hooked.  I was largely parented by a television set and I got really turned on by serials.  And then I discovered SNL and started to have some sense of what it would be like to do performance live.  I also have to give a shout-out to my high school drama teacher Lisa Byrne.  She seriously encouraged me to pursue my theatrical goals and actually brought me to my entrance audition at NYU.

What kind of theater speaks to you? What or who inspires you as an artist?: I like theatre that feels really intimate, like Faye Driscoll’s last show at the Kitchen.  The theatre is a romantic space of  temporary agreements.  I agree to be with you for x amount of time.  I agree to love you today in this moment, scene partner.  I like to feel a history between people when I see them onstage together.  I also enjoy some versions of self-conscious performance.  Inspirations: Julia Jarcho’s last play Dreamless Land (neo-Shepardian awesomeness, I thought I could feel the west opening up for me by the end), David Lynch, Mike Kelley (RIP) Ann Liv Young for just being an artist and living that, Tina Satter of Half Straddle (the hardest working woman I know, amazing leader, I love her mind), poetic essays, my part-time muse Emily Davis, my friend Ariel Goldberg.

If you could work with anyone you’ve yet to work with, who would it be?: Ivo van Hove, maybe?  I was in a rehearsal room with Jay Scheib for a couple days developing a show and ultimately had conflicts, but I think it would be fun to do a full production with him.  Richard Maxwell.  Actors - I really think Lucy Taylor was amazing in ERS’s The Sun Also Rises.  All the designers for that company are amazing and that would be a cool collaboration, although I am loyal to my lighting man Zack Tinkelman.  And Chris has done sound work for most of my shows.  Didi O’Connell - dream actor, Bridgett Everett - she is a powerhouse and I would love to see more of what she could do in different containers.

What shows have you recommended to your friends?: The last few shows that have come through Incubator Arts Project, I really enjoyed.  Normandy Sherwood’s The Golden Veil is happening at The Kitchen and I think it’s a fascinating script and gorgeous set.  Big Dance Theater’s revival of Comme Toujours Here I Stand I thought was better than when I saw it the first time … the problem with most things I like is that they have very limited engagements.  I certainly would recommend keeping an eye out for Tina’s Seagull happening at COIL next year.  I participated in the last work-in-progress and I think she’s really taken her game as a writer to another level.

Who would play you in a movie about yourself and what would it be called?: Tilda Swinton’s too tall and not butch enough.  Maybe Kid Krule would make a crossover to star in my movie.  It’s called "My Metrocard Has Expired Again".

What’s your biggest guilty pleasure?: It’s a toss up between Jack Daniel’s and this movie called Wave Babes.

If you weren’t working in theater, you would be _____?: Pursuing a PhD in English probably.

What’s up next?: The day after Hunters closes I begin a residency at BAX to develop a new play called Jess and Joss Are Doing Well.  And also in July, I go into rehearsal for a new show with Big Dance Theater set to premiere in Hartford early next year.

For more visit http://homoflix.wordpress.com/

Oscar Winner and Former American Idol to Guest on Smash

A second "American Idol" contestant is reportedly set to guest on the upcoming season of "Smash." According to tvline.com, Oscar winner Jennifer Hudson will play the role of Veronica, a Broadway star who impacts the lives of Karen and Ivy...which means Ivy is alive...Are you excited to see the person who should have won "American Idol" Season 3 on the show?

Spotlight On...Derek Ahonen

Name: Derek Ahonen

Hometown: Chicago

Education: The American Academy of Dramatic Arts

Favorite Credits: Happy In The Poorhouse

Why theater?: It’s live.

Tell us about The Bad and the Better: It’s a detective story about undercover cops, anarchists, political power players and it has a great score, brilliant lighting, and a director that mined it for all that its worth.

What inspired you to write The Bad and the Better?: I wanted to write a cop trilogy based upon Star Wars, but then I realized that was stupid.  So I just wrote an honest detective story and filtered it through my fucked up personality.

What kind of theater speaks to you? What or who inspires you as an artist?: Theatre created by artists that are equally in touch with both their demons and angels.  Losers with beautiful hearts inspire me the most.

If you could work with anyone you’ve yet to work with, who would it be?: I want to do a play with Cerveris.

What show have you recommended to your friends?: I have recommended Jersey Boys way too often to feel like a real playwright.

Who would play you in a movie about yourself and what would it be called?: Ben Gazzara would play me in a movie called, “The Sloppy Lover.”

What’s your biggest guilty pleasure?: Shark Tank and The Olive Garden.

If you weren’t working in theater, you would be: in AA

What’s up next?: I’m acting in a film down in North Carolina called, Triggerfish.

For more information on The Bad and the Better, visit thebadandthebetter.com 

JCS, Sister Act to Close This Summer

Two shows have announced their closings today, one stating that they'll remain open if business picks up. That show is Jesus Christ Superstar which is now scheduled to close on July 1. It will have played 24 previews and 116 regular performances. Sister Act, currently staring Raven-Symone, is scheduled to close on August 26 after 28 previews and 561 performances.

Spotlight On...Crystal Skillman

Name: Crystal Skillman

Hometown: Born San Diego, grew up in Wappingers Falls NYC

Education: Parsons School of Design

Favorite Credits: Cut (The Management in Spring 2011, Apollinaire Theatre, Boston); Vigil or The Guided Cradle (ITG/Brick; 2010 New York Innovative Theatre Award for Outstanding Full-Length Script); Nobody & Birthday (Directed by Daniel Talbott for Rising Phoenix Rep in NYC; U.K Premiere with Kibo Productions, and Side Project in Chicago).

Why theater?: I love that moment in watching plays where I feel like my own life suspends, jumping into a story in the dark that helps me understand myself, and my place in the world. As a playwright, I strive to to really take my audiences emotionally to a very different place, and hopefully to revelations about choices in their own lives in way with plays that are crazy funny, sad and true.

Tell us about Wild: Wild is a real relationship roller coaster ride. As Kid Brooklyn puts it: “Peter and Bobby graduated from Northwestern together, live together, work together, sleep together. But when one of them cheats with a woman – Nikki – they dive into in a world of wild sexual affairs that threaten what they once had.” It was joyous and exciting and scary to write a relationship play that was all about big, huge dramatic moments through an intimate lens – all the moments that we catch in the play happen on a beach in Chicago (Oak Street) where Peter and Bobby once realized they were in love. The place holds that hope for them even as they lose – and find their way – through other lovers.

What inspired you to write Wild?: I created Peter and Bobby for a short play directed by Chris Tyler in a great site specific class run by director Daniel Talbott (who wrote the wonderful play Slipping and directed by my plays Birthday & Nobody) for Primary Stages ESPA Studios. I really adored these characters - felt there was so much more to them -- it’s important to me to create new, diverse characters. When the wonderful and brilliant Evan Caccioppoli (Daniel Talbott suggested he work with me) commissioned me to write a play for his company Kid Brooklyn Productions I got excited that he was looking for plays about young 20 somethings - excited to tackle an “explosive” play that pushed the envelope -  and I instantly thought of Wild. I shared it with Evan and he fell in love with Bobby and Peter just as I had. This was in August believe it or not and there were still only 10 pages! From there, I’d bring in scenes every month that we talked about at a little café in Brooklyn called Bein Cut. (I had confidence working this way – similar to how Cut, just published by Sam French, commissioned last spring by The Management, was written). As I wrote I realized, there is a lot about love in my plays but I never tackled the subject of infidelity. It always fascinated me. Not why those in love have affairs but WHY they stay together. The play’s drive comes from that tension - completely comes from the relationships – as opposed to a traditionally plot based play – it’s really about what is being lost and gained as these characters lash out at each other, hold onto each other, fight against - and for each other - just trying to love – to be loved. When the play was read in New York at the Lucille Lortel in MCC Theater’s Playlab series this spring, the reaction was so great for Evan and I. It’s scary for us both as the play digs deep and our wonderful Chicago actors are really baring their souls and selves up there. It's a tremendous cast (Julia Daubert, Jude Hansen, Justin Harner, Evan Linder, Michael Manocchio, and Adam Schulmerich!) they're doing terrific work. There is a lot of intimate staging and um, well, very “stripping bare” moments. We wanted to push the way sex is used in the play. What I ultimately discovered in writing the play was that having affairs, and staying together, is actually about being obsessed with the person you’re cheating on. It’s like you’re looking for what they were, what you think you’ve lost, in someone else. In that way, sex with a stranger or lover, is about trying to capture love again. The play has dark moments, extremely crazy ass funny ones, and a lot of hope.

What kind of theater speaks to you? What or who inspires you as an artist?: I love theater that is very human with characters that are. When I watch a play I like to feel like I’m a fly on the wall. I love plays that tell their stories in unique ways but never lose sight of following the story they want to tell dramatically. I love plays that say something. I never care if a play is perfect – I care if it dares to be timely and timeless. So it’s everything from Pinter’s Betrayal to Penelope Skinner’s The Sound of Heavy Rain (love London playwrights) to Amy Herzog’s 4000 Miles or anything by Lynn Nottage. I’ve also been really jazzed by a lot of the work in Chicago. I read Lisa D’Amour’s Detroit and I went crazy. Loved it! I was lucky to first be produced in Chicago a few summers ago at the wonderful Side Project, which did my plays Birthday and Nobody last summer (I was honored to work with Adam Webster and Derek Garza as directors – Evan actually directed his first Kid Brooklyn play there!). Out there have gotten to know so many writers I love - I’m a huge fan of Chicago playwrights  - Laura Eason and Laura Jacqmin are friends and I adore the hell out of their work. So honored to be a part of this scene this summer.

If you could work with anyone you’ve yet to work with, who would it be?: So many! Of course to name folks is going to leave someone out. So I’ll give you one secret wish - one of my great joys is to have worked with so many great directors (most recently like Evan, Daniel Talbott, Sean Kelly, GT Upchurch, Robert Ross Parker, Michael Padden). One great director I have a dream of working with at some point is director Pam MacKinnon. I love her work so much - can't wait to see Clybourne Park!

What show have you recommended to your friends?: There are lots of indie shows that have closed that I would have, but for now in NYC I’d suggest not missing out on Mac Rogers’s play Sovereign (the last in a sci-fi trilogy); 3C by David Adjimi at Rattlestick, Women’s Project’s We Play for the Gods, The Caretaker at BAM. For Chicago I’m super excited by all the pieces in Collaboration’s Sketchbook Reincarnate (I’m lucky to be in it as well with a super pop play fun I co-wrote with James Asmus called Psychonaut Librarians for the New Colony Theater, featured in the series called “The Three”. The whole festival runs June-July!), the upcoming Oedipus El Rey by Louis Alfaro at Victory Gardens looks awesome, and how cool is it that Strange Tree Group is putting on Robert Ross Parker’s adaptation of Goodbye Cruel World? Saw that show in NYC. It’s freakin’ brilliant! Also Christopher Shinn's Four is now a movie! Exciting stuff. Love that play and Chris's work.

Who would play you in a movie about yourself and what would it be called?: Anne Hathaway (but only if Rachel Zoe styles and she wears huge classes and is forced to play the total geek that I am) it would totally be called: “ESCAPE FROM PLAYWRIGHT ISLAND!” Maybe with a subtitle? "A Documentary Filmed in Real Time!"

What’s your biggest guilty pleasure?: It used to be reality TV, but now it might be listening to the X-Men soundtrack while I run?! It’s sooo good!

If you weren’t working in theater, you would be a … photographer! I studied at Parsons School of Design and Hartford Art School. I’m entertaining the idea of a new play set in art school called F&*(&* Art actually. J

What’s up next?: Wild opens in Chicago on June 15th and there’s Psychonaut Librarians which just opened in Sketchbook. Upcoming productions in NYC include Geek, about two girls racing through a comic-con to get the signature of their childhood idol, which Vampire Cowboys will rock in Spring 2013. We just did a workshop of the play here that got a tremendous response. I just finished my new full length Another Kind of Love, about a family of rock star sisters that we just workshopped at in an Overturn Residency at IRT with director GT Upchurch - hope you’ll hear more about that play in the future. Short play wise I’m thrilled to be writing a site specific play set in Southampton for actors Jelena Stupljanin and J. Stephen Brantley that Daniel Talbott will be directing for Hardsparks Theater on June 25th (the night features plays by J. Stephen and Daniel too!)

For information on Kid Brooklyn Productions, visit  http://www.kidbrooklynproductions.org/. For information on The New Colony, visit http://thenewcolony.org/. For information on Hardsparks Theater, visit http://www.hardsparks.com/.

Spotlight On...Evan Linder

Name: Evan Linder

Hometown: Memphis, TN

Education: BA in Theatre Performance, College of Charleston

Select Credits: Chicago credits include Amelia Earhart: Jungle Princess, Pancake Breakfast, Hearts Full of Blood (all with The New Colony), Smart (the side project), Gross Indecency (Bohemian Theatre Ensemble), Six Characters in Search of an Author (Promethean Theatre Ensemble) and Torch Song Trilogy (Hubris Productions).

Why theater?: After playing Mike Teevee in Charlie and the Chocolate Factory when I was eleven, I was done for. I was allowed to yell as loud as I wanted to indoors. I was home.

Tell us about Wild: Wild is a love story that rarely gets told. It explores what happens when two people break up and still have so much love between them. What do you do with the love that remains? That was incredibly interesting to me.

What is it like being a part of Wild?: It's a blast. I wanted to be in this show so badly. I love these characters and how they communicate with each other. I had been workshopping a show of Crystal's that she is writing for The New Colony. During those workshops, I got the Wild script and read 10 pages and said "I want to audition for this."

What or who inspires you as an artist?: New work. Anyone creating, performing or producing it. I rarely want to go see anything that I've seen before.  Seeking out new stories that haven't been told yet is important to me.

Any roles you’re dying to play?: One of the great things about being an actor in my company The New Colony is that you can create your own characters for new works. What you do in the room during workshops is then used by the playwright to create their script. So I'd say the roles that I'm dying to play haven't been created yet. I love working in that process.

What’s your favorite showtune?: "Midnight Radio" from Hedwig

What’s up next?: I'm currently writing a show for The New Colony called The Bearsuit of Happiness that is about four soldiers in WWII who are tasked with putting together a burlesque show for the men in their camp. We are in initial character workshops for that right now. I'm also gearing up for the remount of 5 Lesbians Eating a Quiche which we are taking to NYC Fringe this August. My next gig onstage is as the manager and home announcer for a Rollerderby team in a new show that Aaron Weissman is writing for The New Colony. That will be premiering this fall.

Spotlight On...Michael Manocchio

Name: Michael Manocchio

Hometown: Cleveland, Ohio

Education: BA in Theatre and English, Elmhurst College (Elmhurst, Illinois)
Certificate in Thai and Southeast Asian Studies, Payap University (Chiang Mai, Thailand)

Select Credits: The Seagull (Konstantin, Moscow Art Theatre School); My Night with Reg (Eric, Pride Films and Plays); A Chorus Line (Bobby, Aurora Summer Theatre); A Midsummer Night’s Dream (Puck, Elmhurst College); The Glass Menagerie (Tom, Elmhurst College); Cloud 9 (Betty/Gerry, Elmhurst College)

Why theater?: People need to come together in one room and talk things out more often. I enjoy facilitating that discussion.

Tell us about Wild: In a very small nutshell: I play Bobby, a young man whose boyfriend of four years cheats on him with a woman. The play lives in the aftermath of that betrayal and explores the road to recovery. It’s an intense look at relationships in the 21st century. But don’t worry - there are some laughs along the way.

What is it like being a part of Wild?: To be perfectly honest, it’s intimidating. It’s a tough role, and I haven’t been on stage in almost two years. I’m rusty and I’m surrounded by a tremendously talented group of actors. But beating myself up aside, I’m enjoying every minute of it. It’s great to be back and I couldn’t ask for a better team.

What kind of theater speaks to you? What or who inspires you as an artist?: There is no particular genre or style of theatre that speaks to me more than any other. What I look for is pretty simple: a story that contains a truth that is absolutely screaming to be told...and if the form surprises me along the way, that’s icing on the cake. To name some writers and directors in no particular order: Anna D. Shapiro, Charles Newell, Thomas Bradshaw, Sarah Ruhl, Mary Zimmerman, A Rey Pamatmat, Tracy Letts

Any roles you’re dying to play?: Right now: Alan in Equus. A little later: Elyot in Private Lives. Much later: George in Who’s Afraid of Virginia Woolf?

What’s your favorite showtune?: Stephen Sondheim’s “I’m Still Here” from Follies. I’m only beginning to learn what it means to live a life in the theatre, and this is the ultimate song of surviving that life. I hope that when all is said and done, I understand what every line of what that song means. So I guess that’s a goal...and I have a thing for brassy old broads, so there you go.

If you could work with anyone you’ve yet to work with, who would it be?: Tracy Letts. He can write as well as he acts. I have a thing for multi-talented theatre artists. See also: Amy Morton, Martha Lavey... there’s a pattern here...

Who would play you in a movie about yourself and what would it be called?: I think Meryl should do it. She can play anyone. And I want my movie to win an Oscar. The title would more than likely be profane.

What show have you recommended to your friends?: The New Colony’s Rise of the Numberless and the Court’s Angels in America

What’s up next?: I’m not a full-time actor. I spend about half of my time working as a dramaturg, and my next project is a devised piece of documentary theatre that will be produced as part of Red Tape Theatre’s Fresh Eyes festival. I’m really excited about it. I get to work with Lizzie Lovelady again, who is a wonderful theatre artist in Chicago, and we get to explore autism, which is my latest fascination. As far as acting is concerned... If anyone would like to give me a job for the fall, I would love to hear from you.

Spotlight On...Julia Daubert

Name: Julia Daubert

Hometown: Hendersonville, NC

Education: BFA in Acting from Boston University, Spring 08 Semester Grad from LAMDA

Select Credits: Unbroken (Zoe, Kid Brooklyn Productions); Katarina (Billie, AML Entertainment); Coriolanus (Volumnia, LAMDA); Uncommon Women and Others (Kate, BU)

Why theater?: I'd like to tell you that I do theater because I have something really important to say and I'm trying to make a difference... but that would be a lie. The truth is, I do theater because it makes me happy. I love the community and I love the bittersweet beauty of creating something that can only ever be done once. No moment in live theater is ever the same moment twice and no two productions of the same show can ever duplicate the other. I think there's real magic in that elusiveness. I also am, quite honestly, obsessed with relationships. Romantic relationships, friendships, familial bonds--- the people in my life are my utmost priority--- and I am fascinated with the way we all interact. The Julia my parents see is a different Julia than the one my lover sees, but neither is any less real or honest than the other. I love those subtleties in people and theater really gives space to explore those truths. I am firm believer that love really is what makes the world go round and I am passionate about exploring in that in my art.

Tell us about Wild: Put simply, Wild is a dream show for me. It is all about relationships. Wild explores what it means to love and the idea that we all love in different ways. I think what is exciting to me is that as Nikki, I get to ask the questions that I am constantly asking myself in real life. When you find love, how far should you be willing to go to hold onto it? Do you forgive betrayal and sacrifice your pride? How do we know when it is time to walk away? What kind of love is enough? Do you love someone because of, or in spite of, their flaws? Honestly, I could go on forever. It's my favorite topic.

What is it like being a part of Wild?: It's like having another family already. The support and kindness I have been shown in that rehearsal room already astounds me. I feel fortunate to not only be working with artists that I can respect, but people whom I genuinely admire. Each one of my fellow actors has such a particular style and they all are such intelligent actors-- I am just trying to absorb as much of their skill as I can. Five and a half hours a night seemed like a daunting rehearsal schedule at first, but the truth is, you can barely shut us all up at any given moment. The energy and excitement is palpable and I think just carries right over into the work. It's also such a blessing to be working so closely with such a gifted playwright. Crystal has been so hands on even though she's so far away. Her generous spirit is present not just in the words on the page but in her continued involvement and understanding. She is so supportive of our ensemble and I feel so lucky to be reading her words.

What kind of theater speaks to you? What or who inspires you as an artist?: I think that goes back to what I was saying before. I am absolutely attracted to theater that speaks to relationships. Dinner With Friends by Donald Margulies, Betrayal by Harold Pinter, The Goat, or Who Is Sylvia? by Edward Albee, Fool for Love by Sam Shepard...again, I could go on forever, but what these playwrights have in common is an uncanny ability to write the way people speak. I love that they don't elevate their language in order to play to a point or a theme. As an actor, I value the opportunity these playwrights give actors to play real people having emotions we are all so, oftentimes, painfully familiar with. I am inspired by the mundane day to day struggle to find love or acceptance or success because I find it so easy to relate to.

Any roles you’re dying to play?: I would kill to play May in Fool for Love and am secretly desperate for a chance to try my hand at Shakespeare's Juliet. I think it'd be a little against type but I just know I have it in me. I'm also sort of obsessed with Time Stands Still by Donald Margulies right now and am just counting the years until I can play Sarah.

What’s your favorite showtune?: I have a long standing love affair going with "Buenos Aires". I used put up shows of Evita with my sister and only play Evita-- Elizabeth got stuck running around playing everyone else. Girl got a work out.

If you could work with anyone you’ve yet to work with, who would it be?: You know, I never got a chance to work with my two of my best friends, Sally Hughes and Alejandra Escalante, in college. It's such a shame-- their grasp of language is really awe-inspiring. I think I would learn so much with an opportunity to work on something classical with them. I also feel like dreaming big here-- I just can't get over Margulies and Shepard. I would probably not be able to get a word out in front of them! However, after that initial shock wore off, I firmly believe we speak the same language and we would be matches made in heaven. 

Who would play you in a movie about yourself and what would it be called?: I know she is so trendy right now but I have to say, Jennifer Lawrence would definitely play me. She has the right kind of sassy bluntness about her. I am known for not watching my mouth and it gets me into trouble way too often. It would probably be called something like "High Heels and Xanax." Does that sound too much like a chick flick?

What show have you recommended to your friends?: The Rise of the Numberless with The New Colony. Such an amazing ensemble. Their energy threw me for a loop and made me jealous I wasn't up there with them.

What’s up next?: Well, since an actor can't ever have a moment to breathe, it's back to the audition grind. Wish me luck!

theaterinthenow.com Turns 1!

One year ago today, theaterinthenow.com began! And in honor of its first birthday, theaterinthenow.com will officially be going from Broadway and Beyond. We will begin some National coverage. So thanks for reading and keep on keeping on!

Recent Tony Nominee to Join Smash

It's been reported that the first of the many new roles created for the second season of Smash have been filled. Newsies star and Tony nominee Jeremy Jordan is said to be playing a singer from Brooklyn in the upcoming season, presumably a love interest for Katherine McPhee's Karen. Jordan will continue his role in Newsies while he films the series. What are you thoughts? Excited? Glad they're keeping it in "the family?"

Godspell to Close June 24

The current revival of Godspell, starring Corbin Bleu, formally starring Hunter Parrish, will close on June 24th. The production, which is set to tour in the 2013-2014 season, will have played 30 previews and 264 productions. Despite its performance at the Tonys, the production was not selling well at the box office.

Casting Couch: Al Pacino Back Again; The Best Man to Get New Blood

After the Tony mania dies down, swarms of announcements follow. While no show has posted a closing notice yet, The Best Man will be welcoming a new foursome of actors. Cybil Shepherd, Kristin Davis, John Stamos, and Elizabeth Ashley are set to replace Candice Bergen, Kerry Butler, Eric McCormack, and Angela Lansbury respectively. The rest of the cast will remain intact. Al Pacino is said to returning to the stage in a new production of David Mamet's Glen Garry Glen Ross, a show that was recently revived in 2005.

Tony Highs, Tony Lows

Best Speech: Steve Kazee
Steve Kazee was one of a few first time winners on the night, but it was his heartfelt speech that brought tears to everyone’s eyes. Kazee’s earnest speech was especially touching when he spoke of his mother who he lost on Easter. Don't be shocked if another Kazee speech happens in the near future for whatever he does next.


Weirdest Moment: The “Movement Piece” that was the Best Play presentation
It’s always a challenge to showcase the Best Plays during the awards, but this year’s display was just strange. Jim Parsons spoke about each of the four nominees as he was accompanied by an awkward silhouetted movement piece behind him that somehow related to the plays.

Biggest Shocker of the Night: No Audio Issues!
For one of the first times in recent Tony memory, there were nearly no audio issues during the presentation! We heard all the actors and there were no actors chiming in backstage. Kudos CBS.

Funniest OMG Moment: Nina Arianda admitting Christopher Plummer was her first crush
Nina Arianda had one of the best podium moments of the night, but it was her admission to Christopher Plummer that he was her first crush that had the crowd roaring. “When that whistle was blown, you made my day”, Arianda squealed, making the 82 year old star of “The Sound of Music” blush.


Cringe Worthy Moment: Patti and Mandy do the Best Musical Revival songs
Mandy Patinkin and Patti LuPone had the honor of revealing the winner of Best Revival of a Musical. But their bit included the duo singing snippets of songs from each song that was cringe worthy. It wasn’t cute, it was rather sad.

Best Dressed: Condola Rashad
Condola Rashad, the Best Featured Actress in a Play nominee for Stick Fly, looked absolutely stunning in her silver dress. She could have rocked the outfit on any of the major red carpets. 

Worst Dressed: Amanda Seyfried
Amanda Seyfried may not gotten the memo on how accessories work. A big, bold orangy-red belt looked strange on her dress to begin with, but the matching red lips called more attention to it.


Biggest Upset: James Corden beats Phillip Seymour Hoffman for Best Actor in a Play
Phillip Seymour Hoffman was heavily favored to win Best Actor in a Play for his role as Willy Loman in Death of a Salesman, but when James Corden, the only nominee without a heft, prevailed, I literally fell out of my seat. It was the only real big shocker of the night.

Best Joke: Movie Musical Mashup
In a pretty bland night of jokes for Neil Patrick Harris, his highlight was probably his Movie Musical Mashup idea. Some of the pairings went over better than others, but that was the trend for the evening in joke world. Coming in a close second was his “50 Shades of Gay” nod.


Biggest Low Blow: Theater Wing/Neil Patrick Harris Spider-Man moment
Spider-Man: Turn Off the Dark got no love from the Tonys. Not even an official mention. But it did get mocked during the oft boring Theater Wing speech. This time, while Angela Lansbury and Ted Chaplin were speaking, they threw in official jabs at the massive budget musical while Neil Patrick Harris dangled behind them like a faulty stunt in the show.





Best Presenter: Trey Parker and Matt Stone
Leave it to Parker and Stone to call themselves Broadway royalty after one win last season. As they played hoity toity, they got massive laughs almost begging for an encore before they revealed Best Musical.

Weirdest Presenter: Tyler Perry
Tyler Perry at the Tonys. Well, it was justified because they were at the Beacon Theater where Perry sold out many performances of his “hit” show Medea. Well, if that’s the best you could come up with…yeah, I still don’t buy it. Even Sheryl Crow had a better reason for being there.

Best Performance: Newsies
The night was a slugfest between Newsies and Once, but in the best performance of the night, I think Newsies had the slight edge. Maybe the camera directions were partially to blame for the odd focus shifts during Once’s performance, but Newsies brought it, reminding why people are flocking to the show.

Worst Performance: Ghost
It was a gift that Ghost was given the opportunity to perform. But if this was their attempt at selling the show, they failed miserably. It was odd and static and you couldn’t help but feel sorry for them. Coming in at a VERY close second was the Cruise performance of “Hairspray” (and I use that title loosely).

Once, Clybourne Park, Porgy and Bess, and Death of a Salesman the Big Winners

Well it's over. A pretty lackluster Tony Awards, but all the awards have been handed out. Check back tomorrow with a full round up of the "Hot and Not List" and some of the night's best and worst moments. The winners are below:

Best Musical: Once

Best Play: Clybourne Park

Best Revival of a Musical: The Gershwin's Porgy and Bess
 
Best Revival of a Play: Death of a Salesman

Best Actor in a Musical: Steve Kazee (Once)

Best Actress in a Musical: Audra McDonald (The Gershwin's Porgy and Bess)

Best Actor in a Play: James Corden (One Man, Two Guvnors)

Best Actress in a Play: Nina Arianda (Venus in Fur)

Best Featured Actor in a Musical: Michael McGrath (Nice Work If You Can Get It)

Best Featured Actress in a Musical: Judy Kaye (Nice Work If You Can Get It)

Best Featured Actor in a Play: Christian Borle (Peter and the Starcatcher)

Best Featured Actress in a Play: Judith Light (Other Desert Cities)

Best Director of a Musical: John Tiffany (Once)

Best Director of a Play: Mike Nichols (Death of a Salesman)

Best Original Score: Alan Menken, Jack Feldman (Newsies)

Best Book of a Musical: Enda Walsh (Once)

Best Choreography: Christopher Gattelli (Newsies)

Best Orchestrations: Martin Lowe (Once)

Best Scenic Design of a Musical: Bob Crowley (Once)

Best Scenic Design of a Play: Donyale Werle (Peter and the Starcatcher)

Best Lighting Design of a Play: Jeff Croiter (Peter and the Starcatcher)

Best Lighting Design of a Musical: Natasha Katz (Once)

Best Costume Design of a Musical: Gregg Barnes (Follies)

Best Costume Design of a Play: Paloma Young (Peter and the Starcatcher)

Best Sound Design of a Play: Darron L. West (Peter and the Starcatcher)

Best Sound Design of a Musical: Clive Goodwin (Once)

theaterinthenow's Tony Picks

Excited for the Tonys? It's only days away and it's time for theaterinthenow.com's picks for Sunday night's winners in the big categories.  

Best Musical
Will Win: Once
Should Win: Newsies

It's a battle between the heavyweight and the indie underdog. The Disney Company hasn't faired so well in the Tony world since The Lion King, and it's likely it still won't. Both musicals based on movies have packed in the fans, but the Tonys in recent years have been known to give it to the little show that could (see 2004's Avenue Q and 2010's Memphis). Are both shows likely to take the crown? Absolutely. Will "Falling Slowly" be playing as the company excitedly walks on stage to accept the award? Probably.




Best Play
Will Win: Clyboure Park
Should Win: Clybourne Park

It's quite possible that the 2011-2012 season has produced the stiffest competition in new plays. In previous years, all four Best Play nominees could have easily walked away with the title, but this year it'll most likely go to the Pulitzer Prize winning Clybourne Park.

Best Revival of a Musical
Will Win: The Gershwin's Porgy and Bess
Should Win: Follies

The two Andrew Lloyd Weber shows are likely to cancel each other out, rather Jesus Christ Superstar will receive no votes, but it's really a race between two other big shows. Porgy and Bess has been laced with controversy started by Stephen Sondheim himself, but with Porgy and Bess still running in New York and Follies out in Los Angeles, voters are likely to remember what they still can see.

Best Revival of a Play
Will Win: Death of a Salesman
Should Win: Death of a Salesman

Death of a Salesman has been considered by many to be one of the greatest American plays written, and with a Grade A cast, led by Philip Seymour Hoffman, and directed by Mike Nichols, both likely to win awards, there's very little chance it won't win. The All-Star cast of The Best Man has the best chance of knocking down Death of a Salesman.





 

Best Actor in a Musical
Will Win: Jeremy Jordan (Newsies)
Should Win: Steve Kazee (Once)

Like the race for Best Musical, it's down to Newsies and Once. This time it will go the opposite of Best Musical. The Tonys love to give first timer's their shining moment, but with two heavy-hitting first timers, Jeremy Jordan is the more likely choice having appeared in two shows this season. Those voters who are still reeling in the loss of the ill-fated Bonnie and Clyde are likely to give Jordan the Bonnie and Clyde sympathy vote.

Best Actress in a Musical
Will Win: Audra McDonald (The Gershwin's Porgy and Bess)
Should Win: Jan Maxwell (Follies)

In any other season, Jan Maxwell would be a shoe in for the Tony but the Tonys have a love affair with Audra McDonald so expect her to be walking away with her fifth Tony. A Maxwell win would not be an upset, but with McDonald taking away other awards this season for her turn as Bess, the chances are diminishing.

Best Actor in a Play
Will Win: Philip Seymour Hoffman (Death of a Salesman)
Should Win: Philip Seymour Hoffman (Death of a Salesman)

Will Loman is the epitome of dream roles for many actors. Was Philip Seymour Hoffman the likely choice for the role? Absolutely not, but he's done something right to get everyone to fall for him. With a fresh face and three other big names in the category, Hoffman will be able to overcome any competition.

Best Actress in a Play
Will Win: Nina Arianda (Venus in Fur)
Should Win: Nina Arianda (Venus in Fur)

With all the brilliant plays this season, there were many brilliant performances by leading ladies. All of the women in the category, with possibly the exception of Cynthia Nixon, could walk away with the award, but no woman had a tour de force performance like Nina Arianda in Venus in Fur. Tracie Bennet as Judy Garland may have a chance if this was the Oscars (because they love giving actors awards for playing real life people), but Arianda's star-making performance will be talked about for ages.

Best Featured Actor in a Musical
Will Win: Michael Cerveris (Evita
Should Win: Josh Young (Jesus Christ Superstar)

While Michael McGrath and Michael Cerveris are really the front runners for the award, as the Porgy and Bess boys are likely to cancel each other out, it was Josh Young's Judas that made Jesus Christ Superstar remotely bearable. Unfortunately for Young, missing performances due to illness meant voters missed him. Expect the gold to go to Broadway's golden boy, Michael Cerveris.

Best Featured Actress in a Musical
Will Win: Judy Kaye (Nice Work If You Can Get It)
Should Win: Judy Kaye (Nice Work If You Can Get It)

In a fairly, weak, category, Judy Kaye's crowd pleasing performance will probably win. If the night turns into a Once love fest, you may see Elizabeth A. Davis making a speech, but those chances are minimal.

Best Featured Actor in a Play
Will Win: Christian Borle (Peter and the Starcatcher)
Should Win: Christian Borle (Peter and the Starcatcher)

If Christian Borle was in the Best Actor category, he would have won. Putting him in the Featured Actor category is basically a guaranteed win. Borle's remarkable performance as Black Stache was nothing short of brilliant. Expect one of the night's best speeches. It's worth noting, in any other season, Jeremy Shamos would have taken the prize, but Borle is Black Stache.

Best Featured Actress in a Play
Will Win: Judith Light (Other Desert Cities)
Should Win: Condola Rashad (Stick Fly)

Hands down, Judith Light will win. There's no question. Unless the voters play the young actress card that has happened in the past. Many have already counted out Condola Rashad, but being the sole nomination from Stick Fly in a big year for plays says wonders. Rashad was mentioned as a stand out in all the reviews for a reason. 

Review: A Bad BBQ

 As they say, kids will be kids. But at some point kids should grow up and become real adults. Unfortunately the adults in this play are still stuck in the past, not wanting to grow up. The Bad Guys, Alena Smith’s overstuffed and very static play, is a coming of age story for characters who are too old to come of age. Filmmaker Noah is ready to go off to see his “based on a true story” film in Los Angeles, but before he can go, he’s coincidently forced to deal with the pending aftermath of what could happen if the people involved in the incident the movie is based on, discover they’ve been movified. It’s a reunion story of sorts where the past comes back with little explanation. Noah, who’s randomly asked one of his actors, Paul, to drive him to the airport, is reunited with his drug dealing hick neighbor, Jesse, his stepbrother Frink, and, in a completely unnecessary plot diversion, his former college buddy turned army boy, Whit.  Jam-packed in ninety minutes, the story seems to unfold as a story about boys trying to let go of the past but once Whit walks through the gate, the story goes in a completely different direction. As Noah says, “I don’t know what he’s doing here.” Even outsider Paul, our way into the story, has moments of confusion as to why stuff is happening. If one of your characters is confused, it’s likely your audience will be too. But that could have been the fault of his, and most of the other character’s, constant state of inebriation.
It’s hard to say if the acting was off or if the five guys did their best at making the dialogue they were given actable, but Alena Smith’s bro-talk seemed quite forced, making for some cringe worthy line readings. Continuity also seemed to bog down the story. We learn that our characters, with perhaps the exception of Paul, are in their thirties, but through some discussion of the past, their age seemed to jump all over the place. Through these exchanges, many of the character’s credibility came into question. The older they seemed to grow, the more contrived the story seemed to get. James McMenamin’s Noah had a seemingly true objective: get to the airport. Of course he couldn’t accomplish his objective because that’s the main action for his character. But McManamin’s Noah just didn’t seem to try too hard or care too much. His character was quite bland and one-dimensional. Fink, Noah’s stepbrother via both their mothers getting hitched, was the character you instantly hated. He had some embarrassing moments and “please be quiet” lines. It was very difficult to care for Michael Braun’s Fink, especially when he lost “everything” in the end. Braun seemed to turn Fink into a caricature. Roe Hartrampf as Whit looked the part of the Iraq-vet but had some painful preachy lines that made us wish he never showed up. After learning why he arrived, the payoff was quite cheap. His character was really only there to be a foil for Tobias Segal’s Jesse to banter about the war. Segal sold his redneck character as an outsider, angry at life. His character did have some good lines, though not quite plausible. And why his character was wearing a “Free Lil’ Kim” sleeveless shirt is beyond me. The only actor to have some color was Raviv Ullman’s Paul. At times he played the stereotypical gay, but Paul was the only character you wanted to root for. Ullman was the highlight of the ensemble.
Jason Simms did a nice job creating a back porch where all the action is set. The tight space was key for some of the necessary close interactions. Jessica Pabst’s costumes were questionable. Why Jesse was wearing the shirt he was wearing was the big head-scratcher. Coming in close behind him was Noah’s outfit. Sure, he may be humble, but he’s on his way to the debut of his movie. Wouldn’t he wear something a little classier than a t-shirt over a long sleeve shirt?
The Bad Guys was one bad mess. Unnatural dialogue and questionable acting makes this show a big miss.

Review: A Refreshing Dose of Mexican Food and Pills

Everybody has some deep, dark secret that’s messed up their life that in turn affects the lives of the people around them. And that happens to be very true for Sonia Martinez, the trailblazer of secrets in Fernanda Coppel’s cunning and witty play Chimichangas and Zoloft. The story follows Sonia’s husband and teenage daughter, Ricardo and Jackie, along with friend carpool buddy Alejandro Lopez and his teenage daughter, Penelope, as they all deal with their inner demons while struggling to keep a grasp on reality after Sonia’s sudden disappearance. Jackie and Penelope are bffs who are on a mission to get Sonia back by hatching a plan texting Sonia that Jackie was pregnant, when in reality, it’s Penelope who got knocked up by her pot dealer. While Jackie, who has just come out to her mother, and Penelope are off causing trouble, Alejandro and Ricardo are causing trouble of their own. They have been having a torrid affair behind Sonia and their daughters’ backs. Alejandro is afraid of being caught while Ricardo just wants to love. As the play progresses, Sonia appears offering insight on her situation as the other characters drop bombshell after bombshell, attempting to pick up the pieces of the mess they’ve created.
The play is a true ensemble tour de force. No one actor steals spotlight, allowing for a cohesive, free-flowing story to unfold. Zabryna Guevara’s Sonia, though only having a brief moment with a scene partner other than the audience, does a mesmerizing job in her monologues. Guevara would easily be able to tackle a one-woman show that is engaging. She is the perfect mix of funny and unsettled. Tedd Cañez and Alfredo Narciso are the perfect ying and yang as Ricardo and Alejandro. Narciso’s tender moments with Xochitl Romero’s Penelope, especially the scene in the doctor’s office, make for some of the nights best. Both Romero and Carmen Zilles do a superb job at believably playing the teenagers. Zilles’s subtly as Jackie is wondrous against her stern father. It’s truly tough to give a single gold star to anyone in the ensemble, but if one had to be given out, it would go to Zilles. Fernanda Coppel’s script is something special. Coppel has taken the basic family dramedy and turned it into something more. Like it’s predecessors, such as August: Osage County, Chimichangas and Zoloft is filled with plot twists and turns, but what sets it apart, they’re actually believable and not overwhelming to the action. Sure, every character has one, they just happen to be “current.” What’s refreshing to me about the script is her young characters tend to have a foul vocabulary, it happens to be natural and realistic. There are very few moments of forced dialogue. To some audience members, the language could be “shocking” to be used on stage, but let’s face it, you walk out of the building and you’ll hear it in real life. The otherwise drab Atlantic Stage 2 has been transformed into a Los Angeles setting, smartly designed by Lauren Helpern. Simply painting the room white worked wonders, especially giving Grant W.S. Yeager a blank canvas to light for each scene.
If you’re looking for a refreshing, genuine night of theater, check out Chimichangas and Zoloft. Fernanda Coppel is a voice that you’ll likely hear from in the future.

Casting Couch: Two Iconic Roles Get Filled

The roles of Cyrano de Bergerac and Daddy Warbucks have been cast. Who gets to put on the nose and shave their head? Tony Winner Douglas Hodge will play the title role of Cyrano in Roundabout's revival. This will be Hodge's second foray in stage transformation after winning a Tony for his drag turn in La Cage aux Folles. Australian stage star Anthony Warlow will play billionaire Oliver "Daddy" Warbucks in Annie on Broadway. Guess this show will officially be all about Katie Finneran.

Paul Rudd Back to Broadway

Paul Rudd, Michael Shannon, Ed Asner, and Kate Arrington are set for Craig Wright's Grace. The limited engagement will begin September 14 with an opening of October 4th. Dexter Bullard will direct the show which has not announced a theater. The biggest burning question: will this affect the filming of "Anchorman 2"?

Spotlight On...Crystal A. Dickinson

Name: Crystal Anne Dickinson

Hometown: Born in Belleville, NJ Raised in Irvington, NJ

Education: I have a BA in Elementary Ed. & English from Seton Hall University
and an MFA in Acting from the University of Illinois Champaign/Urbana

Select Credits: Clybourne Park (Broadway, Mark Taper, Playwrights Horizons); Broke-ology (Lincoln Center); Ruined (Manhattan Theater Club); The First Breeze of Summer (Signature Theatre); Born Bad (Soho Rep); Bottom of the World (Atlantic Theater Company)

Why theater?: I think theater found me. My intention was to be an elementary school teacher but God had other plans for me.

What is it like being a part of Clybourne Park?: Being in this play is like a great dream I never knew I wanted. It is a fantastic, challenging role, a phenomenal and important play, a kind, generous funny cast, top notch production crew and we are in one of the greatest theaters on Broadway! Who could ask for more?

What kind of theater speaks to you? What or who inspires you as an artist?: The role I am working on now is a dream. It is something I got to create from the ground up and I am really proud of that accomplishment. I love new plays! So I guess my dream is to continue to be a part of creating new work that moves people in some way. I am not sure what that will look like but I am excited by the possibilities. I am inspired by no artist in particular but I have a list of writers, directors, and casting agents that I would love to work with someday. If I see something I think is great I look that person up and add them to my list.

Any roles you’re dying to play?: Not really. I like being in new plays because no one can tell you how it should be done. I think I would like to play Richard in Richard III someday.

What’s your favorite showtune?: Sorry, I do not have one. But I think they are great!

If you could work with anyone you’ve yet to work with, who would it be?: Jack O'Brian, Dan Sullivan, or George C. Wolf

Who would play you in a movie about yourself and what would it be called?: I would like to be played by some beautiful, unknown, breakout star and the movie would be called "Crystal"

What show have you recommended to your friends?: I told people to see The Columnist and My Children! My Africa!

What’s the best advice you can give someone trying to make it in theater?: Do it because you love it and you don't want to do anything else. Don't do it because you want to be famous.

What’s up next?: If all goes well and there are no surprises, Brandon (my husband) and I will be going back to Atlanta to play the MacBeth's in Georgia Shakespeare's fall slot! I am excited to go back to what I believe to be my artistic home base!

For more information on Crystal, visit www.crystaldickinson.com. For more information on Clybourne Park, visit www.clybournepark.com.