If you haven't been keeping up via CuriousTravelerTravelogues.com (which I highly suggest you subscribe to!), I've been traipsing around the world and ended up in Wellington, New Zealand. Sweet as posts available at the above site.
A Hansel and Gretel Christmas closed as a rousing success. Check out Julia playing the City Mouse's Mother, Bara, in Eeek! A retelling of The Country Mouse and The City Mouse, presented by FACT as part of the Midwinter Children's Theatre Festival. Details to come soon.
The Reindeer Monologues opens this Friday - get your tickets HERE. I'm performing:
Friday 7pm
Saturday 5pm and 7pm
Sunday 9pm
It's a hilarious series of monologues told from Santa's reindeer.
WARNING: MATURE CONTENT. NOT for children!! Deals with dark subject matter such as abuse/rape.
Friday 7pm
Saturday 5pm and 7pm
Sunday 9pm
It's a hilarious series of monologues told from Santa's reindeer.
WARNING: MATURE CONTENT. NOT for children!! Deals with dark subject matter such as abuse/rape.
A Hansel and Gretel Christmas opened with a rousing success. Check out the show details HERE.
We also got a great review from William Kozy at TheaterMania:
THEATREMANIANovember 4, 2013by William Kozy
Follow Hansel and Gretel's Pebbles to the Roy Arias Theatre!
F.A.C.T. (Friends Always Creating Theatre) produces a lot of different enjoyable projects such as staged readings of plays, musicals, and their monthly Words & Wine one-act playreadings. But the best thing they produce is children's theatre. With their current "A Hansel & Gretel Christmas" as with last year's "The Mermaids' Tale" and 2010's "Eeek! A Mousical" they offer up a family show that is pleasing to children but also to the parents accompanying them.
One of the most gratifying things I think a children's theatre production can do is make a show that an adult will appreciate as well; it functions to create a stronger bonding experience between child and guardian if both are enjoying the event. The writing and the performances help to accomplish this with sly asides delivered by the performers with panache that provide the adults with a knowing laugh. But they do it without using risqué double entendres which is even more difficult these days it seems. So the parents are wisely spared the discomfort of explaining those types of jokes in case there is something a child needs explained. But really the story is quite simple enough, so it's easy for children to understand and follow. (one suggestion maybe?: "She's full of beans" perhaps instead of "She's full of bull"). Looking around at the audience, the kids were clearly into the story which is basically an evil stepmother scenario scheming to get rid of Hansel and Gretel in a modern New York City setting.
Their father (Richard Bull), although a weak-willed character isn't quite as easily manipulated as in the Grimm Brothers original tale in which the father agrees reluctantly to the stepmother's plan to abandon the children in the forest. So in this and other ways, this adaptation lightens the mood from the original fairy tale. Similarly, the Gingerbread House Lady (Wendy Lazarus) that Hansel and Gretel meet in the forest is also completely harmless and loving—not the evil witch that she turns out to be in the original.
Julia Menn, with her flaming Blaze Starr red wig and curvaceously enhanced padded derriere (costumes by Lora Jackson)proves a crazily entertaining villainess, providing a welcome energy and terrific way with a line reading. You actually miss her presence when she's not in a scene, but Barry Sheppard and Mary Adams as the titular characters provide a solid foundation of interest for us so that our attention to their plight remains rapt.
Both their characters share an amusing awareness of their stepmother's malevolence, and Hansel in particular has a lot of zippy one-liner comebacks that breaks the audience up. Joris De Graf and Gus Ferrari round out the highly entertaining cast as respectively, a perky Macy's elf, and a policeman to the rescue. Another thing to mention: the performers all project nicely. Sitting in the back row you can hear them all just fine. Even though it's not a big theatre, I'm still surprised sometimes when I see a show in a small theatre often there is a performer not projecting well enough. But that's no problem here and I appreciated it. Jack Dyville and his cast and crew (Vicki Oceguera and Chapman Riedel) organize a lot of extracurricular work in keeping the kids in the audience on their toes what with some candy hand-outs and characters addressing them directly. It's a clever and fun tactic. The children at the opening performance jumped at the chance to have their pictures taken with the characters when the show was over. So did the parents in fact, and in F.A.C.T.!
We also got a great review from William Kozy at TheaterMania:
THEATREMANIANovember 4, 2013by William Kozy
Follow Hansel and Gretel's Pebbles to the Roy Arias Theatre!
F.A.C.T. (Friends Always Creating Theatre) produces a lot of different enjoyable projects such as staged readings of plays, musicals, and their monthly Words & Wine one-act playreadings. But the best thing they produce is children's theatre. With their current "A Hansel & Gretel Christmas" as with last year's "The Mermaids' Tale" and 2010's "Eeek! A Mousical" they offer up a family show that is pleasing to children but also to the parents accompanying them.
One of the most gratifying things I think a children's theatre production can do is make a show that an adult will appreciate as well; it functions to create a stronger bonding experience between child and guardian if both are enjoying the event. The writing and the performances help to accomplish this with sly asides delivered by the performers with panache that provide the adults with a knowing laugh. But they do it without using risqué double entendres which is even more difficult these days it seems. So the parents are wisely spared the discomfort of explaining those types of jokes in case there is something a child needs explained. But really the story is quite simple enough, so it's easy for children to understand and follow. (one suggestion maybe?: "She's full of beans" perhaps instead of "She's full of bull"). Looking around at the audience, the kids were clearly into the story which is basically an evil stepmother scenario scheming to get rid of Hansel and Gretel in a modern New York City setting.
Their father (Richard Bull), although a weak-willed character isn't quite as easily manipulated as in the Grimm Brothers original tale in which the father agrees reluctantly to the stepmother's plan to abandon the children in the forest. So in this and other ways, this adaptation lightens the mood from the original fairy tale. Similarly, the Gingerbread House Lady (Wendy Lazarus) that Hansel and Gretel meet in the forest is also completely harmless and loving—not the evil witch that she turns out to be in the original.
Julia Menn, with her flaming Blaze Starr red wig and curvaceously enhanced padded derriere (costumes by Lora Jackson)proves a crazily entertaining villainess, providing a welcome energy and terrific way with a line reading. You actually miss her presence when she's not in a scene, but Barry Sheppard and Mary Adams as the titular characters provide a solid foundation of interest for us so that our attention to their plight remains rapt.
Both their characters share an amusing awareness of their stepmother's malevolence, and Hansel in particular has a lot of zippy one-liner comebacks that breaks the audience up. Joris De Graf and Gus Ferrari round out the highly entertaining cast as respectively, a perky Macy's elf, and a policeman to the rescue. Another thing to mention: the performers all project nicely. Sitting in the back row you can hear them all just fine. Even though it's not a big theatre, I'm still surprised sometimes when I see a show in a small theatre often there is a performer not projecting well enough. But that's no problem here and I appreciated it. Jack Dyville and his cast and crew (Vicki Oceguera and Chapman Riedel) organize a lot of extracurricular work in keeping the kids in the audience on their toes what with some candy hand-outs and characters addressing them directly. It's a clever and fun tactic. The children at the opening performance jumped at the chance to have their pictures taken with the characters when the show was over. So did the parents in fact, and in F.A.C.T.!
10.13.13
TONIGHT 7pm at The Producer's Club, come see Julia in Abstract Sentiment Theatre Co.'s BLOCK and TALK. FREE!
TONIGHT 7pm at The Producer's Club, come see Julia in Abstract Sentiment Theatre Co.'s BLOCK and TALK. FREE!
9.28.13
Julia has just been cast as Priscilla, the evil stepmother, in A Hansel and Gretel Christmas! This FACT production will perform at the Roy Arias stage Saturdays, November 2-January 4th at 1pm. You won't want to miss this fabulous Christmas adventure!
7.16.13
Come see Julia star as Rosalind in Shakespeare's As You Like It
Saturday, July 20 - 6pm
Sunday, July 21 - 6pm
Saturday, July 27 - 2pm
Sunday, July 28 - 6pm
Tickets
$10 suggested donation
Narrows Botanical Garden
7200-7398 Shore Rd
Directions to the Park:
Take the N or D train to 59th St. station, then transfer to the R. Take the R one stop to Bay Ridge Ave. station. Walk WEST on Bay Ridge Ave. to Shore Road. Alternatively, take the B9 or B64 bus from Bay Ridge Ave to Bay Shore Rd (the last stop). Entrance on the south side of the park.
Julia has just been cast as Priscilla, the evil stepmother, in A Hansel and Gretel Christmas! This FACT production will perform at the Roy Arias stage Saturdays, November 2-January 4th at 1pm. You won't want to miss this fabulous Christmas adventure!
7.16.13
Come see Julia star as Rosalind in Shakespeare's As You Like It
Saturday, July 20 - 6pm
Sunday, July 21 - 6pm
Saturday, July 27 - 2pm
Sunday, July 28 - 6pm
Tickets
$10 suggested donation
Narrows Botanical Garden
7200-7398 Shore Rd
Directions to the Park:
Take the N or D train to 59th St. station, then transfer to the R. Take the R one stop to Bay Ridge Ave. station. Walk WEST on Bay Ridge Ave. to Shore Road. Alternatively, take the B9 or B64 bus from Bay Ridge Ave to Bay Shore Rd (the last stop). Entrance on the south side of the park.
2.15.13
Act-Out Presents Romeo and Juliet: A School Wars Adaptation.
Join Us! As we congratulate the graduating classes of Montague High School and Capulet Prep.
Witness the story that lead up to today’s proceedings, a tale of Love and Tragedy. Look deep into the lives of five of our elite students Romeo, Juliet, Benvolio, Mercutio and Tybalt. The class war that separated them, and the blindness that brought the forbidden love of Romeo and Juliet to pass. A story filled with action, romance, music and dance. Fall in love again this Valentine’s Day.
When: Friday February 15th at 7pm
Saturday Febuary 16th at 5pm
Where: The Block Institute
376 Bay 44th Street
Brooklyn, NY
For Reservations, questions and group rates Contact John Stillwaggon at John_Stillwaggon@yahoo.com or via phone 1347-720-0235
TICKETS ONLY $10!!!
Estimated Run Time 2 hours
Directed by John Stillwaggon
Concept by Eric Fitzgerald
Script revised by John Stillwaggon and Carolyn Dellinger
Starring
Adele Wendt as Juliet Capulet
Rafael Sochakov as Romeo Montague
Ashley Zaragoza as Ericka Benvolio
Mike Collins as Mercutio Prince
Brandon Collins as Tybalt Capulet
Mohammed Sadd Ali as Montague
Julia Menn as Aunt Nurse
John Stillwaggon as Headmaster Capulet
Carolyn Dellinger as Lady Capulet
Aidan Lawrence as Paris Jobs
Andrew Guzman as Lieutenant Prince
Alice Foppiani as Balthazar
Mary Elizabeth Ronan as Gregory
And Viano as Coach Laurence
1.30.13
Julia had the pleasure of being part of a staged reading at Roy Arias last Sunday, narrating the new farce Signal Malfunction.
She is currently in rehearsal for Romeo and Juliet, bring the role of the Nurse to life in this modern-day telling. Shows will be February 15th and 16th. Details to follow.
9.3.12.
Madam Fury Playbill Press Release
We are thrilled to invite you to attend Madam Fury's Traveling Show at the 45th Street Theatre (354 W. 45th Street)running
September 2, 8pm
September 3, 4pm
September 5, 8pm
September 6, 8pm
September 7, 8pm
September 8, 2pm and 8pm
This workshop production of Madam Fury's Traveling Show is meant to be the first of many steps in its development. The authors began writing it just two years ago, and in the context of musicals, which can have an incubation period of a decade or more, this show is still in its infancy.
With this in mind, the performances in September are designed to advance three goals:
1. To provide the creators their first opportunity to experience the show beyond a table read.
2. To provide all artists involved with an opportunity to showcase their talents and abilities.
3. To present a new musical that is in search of experienced advisers to help guide it through its next stages of development as it continues to evolve and grow.
We are reaching out to members of the greater theatrical community who may be interested in becoming associated with the work itself, or the artists involved.
We are pleased to offer these friends and colleagues a complimentary ticket to see the performance of their choice. To reserve your ticket, please email madamfurymusical@gmail.com with your name and preferred performance date and time. For more information, please visit www.madamfury.com.
Come join us as we showcase, not only this exciting new work, but also the collective talents of all the people involved.
8.18.12
Julia is part of Madam Fury's Traveling Show! This production, partnering with NYMF, is a brand new musical set in 1930's Oklahoma. Performances the first week of September. For details: Madamfury.com
5.17.12
Lots lots lots has been going on. Auditions, classes, meeting new people, taking part in readings of new plays, blogging, cooking - good stuff is happening.
And June brings a trip to Guatemala to check out firsthand the work of International Justice Mission. Then, back to NYC for a reading and then jumping right into the BAA pro series, culminating in a showcase for an Industry Panel.
4.4.12
Unlikely Allies was a smashing success and the best attended festival yet for The Full Circle Theatre Co.
Monday night Julia took part in a reading of a new musical at NYU Tisch.
3.14.12
Come see Julia taking part in a festival of one acts titled Unlikely Allies currently at the The Triple Crown. She's starring in a play called Kiss With A Fist - a raunchy romp of a comedy with plenty of adult language and hilarious situations to go around.
Full Circle Theater Company Presents
"Unlikely Allies", A Festival Of New One-Act Plays
Sundays March 11, 18, 25, and April 1, 4 PM
Basement Theater at The Triple Crown, 330 7th Avenue (Between 28th and 29th Streets)
$10 Cash At The Door
No Drink Minimum
$4 Domestic Drafts Before, During, and After The Show
2.25.12
It's been a busy few weeks for Ms. Menn. She recently took part in creating a new musical, Holiday in Heaven, where she played a funky Heavenly angel from the south in delicious counterpoint to her large, manly, British co-star. A riotous time was had by all - and audiences loved the show. She also took a turn behind the scenes by working as a Production Assistant on the new, independent movie musical Vivace, directed by Ben Feuer. It was a completely thrilling three days working with such a talented cast and crew, and she is eager to dive into more work soon.
Julia is preparing for a theatre festival taking place in March at The Triple Crown. Details to come soon!
1.30.12
Julia just took part in a 24hr play festival with Perchance To Dream Theatre Company, entitled A Day Dream: A Brisk Night's Journey. It was quite an experience and extremely well-received. She played Marin in the short piece Whiny Bags - three sisters and their lesbian friend get stuck on the road in the middle of no-where on the way to their mother's funeral. Hilarity ensues.
Julia is currently working on several new projects. Updates to come soon.
10.21.11
East in Red opened last night at the Roy Arias Theatre and was a smashing success. 7 more chances to see this bloody fantastic, thrilling new drama. Thurs-Sat 8pm, Sundays 7pm. 300 w. 43rd street 5th floor.
And two more chances to see the great little comedy, Southern Werewolf. Sundays at 4pm. The Triple Crown (basement theatre) 330 7th ave (btwn 28th/29th).
Be sure to catch these wonderful shows!
9.27.11
Julia is starring in two productions which begin in October.
Full Circle Theater Company presents: Love in the Dark - And October One-Act Festival, featuring original plays.
Southern Werewolf (by John Patrick Bray)- a 10 minute, 2 person comedy about a vampire and a werewolf getting their signals crossed (starring Julia Menn and Corydon Merritt).
Sundays, October 9, 16, 23, & 30 at 4pm. The Triple Crown (basement theatre), 330 7th Ave (btwn 28th/29th st).
$10 cash at the door. No drink min.
East in Red - a new play by Ryan Sprague
The grisly murders of Jack the Ripper take on a whole new level of brutality in modern day New York City. As a sadistic serial killer terrorizes the streets of the East Village, four women fall victim to ghastly acts of contempt. But a dark secret slowly rises to the surface on the night of the final and most brutal murder. A psychological thriller filled with calculated accusations, sharp knives, and scathing twists, East in Red digs deep in to the darkest corners of our minds to reveal our greatest fears.
Show Runs Oct 20-Oct 30th, Thurs-Sat @ 8:00pm and Sun @ 7:00pm
Off-Off Broadway Playhouse300 W. 43rd St - 5th FloorNew York, NY
To purchase tickets, click on the following link: http://dreamcatcherentertainment.biz/21.html
6.15.11
Come see Julia as Titania in A Midsummer Night's Dream! (She also does all of the Faerie's makeup, which has been hailed as "Top-notch quality!")
A classic tale of love and magic re-imagined and set in modern day Brooklyn.
Come along for a fantastical adventure you won't forget as you join us in the Narrow's Community Gardens for a stellar production of William Shakespeare's A Midsummer Night's Dream.
This is an interactive production where you, the audience, follow the performers on their journey through the "woods". Along the way you'll cross paths with tyrants, love-sick maidens, mischief causing spirits, love-sick gentlemen, fights, feuding faeries, and all manner of exciting scenarios - with a guaranteed happy ending for all. Please feel free to bring a chair with you if you don't want to sit on the grass when watching the scenes.
The production runs about 1hr 30min.
Where: Narrow's Community Gardens (69th St. and Shore Rd in Brooklyn)
4 Shows:
Saturday July 16th - 5pm
Sunday July 17th - 5pm
Saturday July 23rd - 5pm
Sunday July 24th - 5pm
Tickets $15 suggested donation
Produced by: Genesis Repertory Theatre and ACT OUT! School
Director: John Stillwagon
