Director
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2nd 1/2 of my interview with Actor, Director Tony Award Winning Playwright Frank Galati
4-18-22 In the second half of my interview with Frank Galati, Frank continues to describe the serendipity of his extraordinary career, and talk about the creation, with Stephen Flaherty and Lynn Ahrens, of the brand new musical Knoxville, based on the on the Pulitzer Prize winning book A Death in the Family by James Agee and Pulitzer Prize winning play All the Way Home by Tad Mosel which will have its premier at the Asolo on Saturday 4-23-22.
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First 1/2 of my Interviews with Actor, Director, Ton Aware Winning Playwright Frank Galati
4-15-22 Interview with Actor, Director, Teacher Tony Award winning Playwright Frank Galati. I began my interview with the indefinable Frank Galati while he was directing a production of 1776 for the Asolo Theater. He was summarily whisked away for rehearsal so we never got to talk about 1776. In this half our conversation Frank talks about his early life.
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Memorial to director and costume/set designer Tony Walton
http://www.thelynneshow.com/Audio/Podcasts/Show_643_3_7_22_Memorial_to_Tony%20Walton.mp3
3/7/22 Memorial to Director, Costume and Set Designer Tony Walton
I interviewed the remarkable Tony Walton when he directed George Bernard Shaw’s The Devil’s Disciple for the Asolo Repertory Company in Sarasota FL. Known primarily for his design work, Tony was delighted to be interviewed as a director. Listen to this generous, delightful, funny, charming, man describe his astounding career, the success of which he self-deprecatingly credits to “dumb luck.” See below some of his awards
Tony Awards for Pippin, House of Blue Leaves, and Guys and Dolls.
Oscar, for All That Jazz,
Emmy, TV version of Death of a Salesman
Academy Award for Best Production Design 1980,
Drama Desk Award for Outstanding Set Design 1992, 1986, 1973
Primetime Emmy Award for Outstanding Art Direction – Miniseries, Movie or a Special 1986
Lucille Lortel Award for Outstanding Scenic Design 1996
Art Directors Guild Lifetime Achievement Award 2012
Academy Award nominations for Mary Poppins (1964), Murder on the Orient Express (1974), and The Wiz (1978).[1]
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Introducing Lee Gundersheimer – The Players Theater’s new Artistic Director
-31-22 Actor, Director, Playwright, Administrator, and Educator. Lee Gundersheimer has done it all. Actor in 75 shows in New York and more all over the country. Director of over 80 plays, from Shakespeare to Annie. Playwright of 7 full length plays and 4 one acts including “Incommunicado,” nominated for four Audelco Awards, and opened the new Federal Theater Season off Broadway and Pas De Deux which won Best play in the New Play Festival on Theater Row. Administrator – he built and ran two theaters in New York; a Rep Company an off Broadway theater, was the Managing Director of a professional Shakespeare Festival and Arts and Culture Coordinator for the city of Winona, MN. Educator he taught at 7 University’s. Listen to this passionate man describe a lifelong commitment to every aspect of Theater.
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Actor, Director Jim Weaver talks about his life and his direction of the upcoming WBTT production of Eubie
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9-27-21 Actor, Choreographer, Director Jim Weaver is the Artistic Associate and Director of Education at Westcoast Black Theater Troupe. In this interview Jim talks about his life and his current project, directing the upcoming production of the musical revue Eubie. Like many artists, Jim always knew he wanted to be a performer. Unlike many however, he talked his parents into providing acting lessons when he was ten years old and, by the time he was fourteen, he had an agent and was a working actor. Listen to this veteran describe his journey from fourteen year old model, spokesperson and actor, to chorus, dance captain, choreographer, director and artistic associate . Also hear him talk about the exciting and moving, (in the physical sense) production of Eubie.
FYI in conjunction with all of the theaters in Sarasota, WBTT is requiring proof of vaccination, or proof of a negative Covid test within 72 hours, and the wearing of masks – the audience will also be social distanced -
Interview with Carolyn Michel and Howard Millman,
The Anatomy of an Artist Series with Lynne Bernfield
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can be heard and downloaded https://thelynneshow.com/Audio/Podcasts/Show_628_1_14_21_Carolyn_and_Howard_SJT.mp3
1-14-21 Interviews with Carolyn Michel and Howard Millman.
On Sunday, January 31, 3:00 the first show of the brand new Sarasota Jewish Theater season will feature Carolyn, directed by Howard, performing Women I Have Loved featuring monologues from her favorite characters, and stories from her career, ranging from Sid Caesar and Broadway to performances in Regional Theaters and 24 seasons with Asolo Rep.
Carolyn Michel has had a storied career, from her success as a baby ballerina, to the early days at the Golden Apple Dinner Theatre, to performing with Sid Caesar on Broadway and on tour, major performances in Regional Theaters across the country, and 24 seasons on the Asolo stage.
Howard J. Millman was Producing Artistic Director of the Asolo Repertory Theatre from 1995 until he retired in 2006. Prior to rejoining the Asolo in 1995 he was Producing Artistic Director for Geva Theatre in Rochester, New York, Executive director of Pittsburgh Public Theatre and Managing Director of the Asolo. From 1968 to 1980. .
Today is Carolyn’s birthday, a great birthday gift would be buying a ticket and supporting the theater.
Get tickets at https://jfedsrq.org/events, -
Interview with Andy Sandberg
The board of the Hermitage Artist Retreat in Florida announced today that the organization has chosen Andy Sandberg as its Artistic Director and Chief Executive Officer as of January 1, 2020. Sandberg succeeds Bruce Rodgers, who is retiring after serving as the Hermitage’s Executive Director since 2005. Sandberg, an accomplished director, writer, and Tony Award-winning producer whose national and international career has been committed to new work and artist development, was selected following an extensive national search. In his new role, Sandberg will be responsible for overseeing the organization’s operations, artistic programs, administration, and strategic plan.
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Interview with Artistic Director Laura Kepley
2-17-120 Laura Kepley, is in Sarasota to direct Into the Breeches at the Asolo Repertory Company. Laura fell in love with theater the first time she saw a play at 3 or 4 years old, and she can still remember the sticks with twirling lollipops. Not basically an extravert Laura persevered studying acting and theater until she realized that what she wanted to be was an Artistic Director. Apparently the Cleveland Playhouse though so too and so now she its Artistic Director. Listen to this charming, dedicated professional talk about her journey to discover her destiny. And come see Into the Breeches a “big hearted comedy,” whose message is you can be more that you, or others think you can.
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Interview with Film Commissioner Jeannie Corcoran
2-24-20 Jeanne Corcoran is the director, Sarasota county film & entertainment office since 2007. She is an award-winning writer/producer/creative director and on-camera talent, in television and video productions, including dozens of concept-to-completion projects plus original tv and video content, music, books, electronic media, and web content. Listen to this amazing woman describe all the things she has done and is doing and come to the Film Commission’s 6 & a mix event – at Suncoast Technical College : 4748 S Beneva Rd, Sarasota, FL 34233 on Thursday Feb 27 – see details below
Featuring two upcoming young stars from Los Angeles, who have been on abc and other networks, cable and streaming, plus marvel and disney and numerous other major feature films and tv shows — Booboo Stewart (x-men, descendants, twilight saga and much more) and his sister Fivel Stewart (Hansel and Gretel, etc.) will speak on our vip panel in the conference center at 6:30 pm and if you’d like to just attend the beverages and nibbles mixer at 5:30 and then the vip panel, it’s only $12 total! if you’d like to come to any of the six workshops that run from 3:00 pm to 5:30 pm you can register for those too at a different total cost of $50 for everything including the workshop, but it is not required, of course!
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And if you have any questions, call the office at (941) 309-1200 extension 104
https://www.eventbrite.com/e/six-and-a-mix-tickets-86606968775 -
Interview with director Celine Rosenthal
1-20-20 Celine Rosenthal, is an Associate Artistic Director at The Asolo Repertory Company. She was captured by theatre very young and predictably studied acting. Surprisingly, although she loved everything about acting; script analysis, the rehearsal process etc., she really didn’t like being on stage. And in tandem with her acting studies she was also a pre-med student. After graduation she spent a year in Mumbai India creating a children’s theater, then found her way into producing, achieving Tony nominations for her work on Leap of Faith and Seminar. She worked as a New York City Medic before and taking the plunge to get her Directing degree from the New School of Drama in NY. Listen to the thoughtful, serious, exuberant woman describe the circuitous path that lead to her true calling – directing – and hear her describe “Lifespan of a Fact” the unique play she has directed for the current season at Asolo Rep.
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Interview with Triple Treat Peter Amster talking about Murder on the Orient Express
1-13–20 Four year old Peter Amster decided that if Peter Pan could fly so could he and he had to be restrained from jumping out of the window. From then on he never stopped pushing his limits. Although he was to discover that his body was not designed to dance, he became a passionate dancer and choreographer. Although he says he wasn’t a very good actor – he nonetheless got work, and finally although already a working director – he questioned his technique and expanded his skill. Peter is not only a triple threat; he is a charming, delightful and funny man. Listen to his remarkable man talk about his journey. And hear what he has to say about his direction of one of the first productions of Murder at the Orient Express which is now playing to deservedly rave reviews at the Asolo Repertory Co.
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Interview with Entertainer Joe Plummer
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Interview with Dancer, singer, actor Josh Rhodes
11-12-19 Dancer, singer, actor and Broadway director/choreographer Josh Rhodes is in Sarasota directing his seventh show for the Asolo Repertory Theater; The Sound Of Music.. Listen to this charming story of a man who was drawn to musicals as a 5 year old boy, who dedicated his life to becoming the very best performer he could possibly be and was rewarded for his talent and his diligence with the Outer Critics Circle Award, the Helen Hayes Award for Outstanding Choreography, and the Astaire Award as well as nominations for the Drama Desk and LA Critics Circle Awards and a career in which he never had to have a straight job!
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Memorial to Actor, Director, Playwright, and Author E Katherine Kerr
7-22-19 Actor, director, playwright, author and teacher E Katherine Kerr said, that “as a girl from Indiana, with no exposure to theater and no formal training she should never have become an actor.” Listen to the hilarious story of the first time she was on a stage which convinced her never to step foot on a stage again. But time after time she found herself on stage until she finally accepted that she was meant to be an actress, Hear how she was discovered by her idol Mike Nichols, and the extraordinary career that followed in which she shared stage and screen with stars like Meryl Streep and Cher. Having spent years working on stage, film, and TV and as one of the principle members of the prestigious Westport Theatre Group, Katherine brought her talents and skills to Sarasota where she was gratefully embraced and will be missed by the Sarasota Theater Community.
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Interview with Director Laura Braza
7-15-19 Director Laura Braza says she was probably the “most difficult child that one could imagine.” She started directing her parents in scenes from her favorite cartoon – Robin Hood – by the time she was three years old. Luckily Laura had generous, understanding parents who let themselves be directed until the scene that got them to put an end to the Robin Hood production. But then they exposed Laura to every possible art form, feeding what turned out to be an insatiable hunger for all things art. Listen to this exuberant, talented woman describe a life dedicated to the relentless pursuit of learning, to acquire all the skills she would need to do the work she was born to do. And come see her direction of Thornton Wilders’ “Theophilis North”, a Dog Days Theater production.
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Interview with Jeffery Kin – on his 55th Birthday
7-1-19 In honor of his 55th birthday and to invite you all to his birthday bash – fund raiser I am re-airing an interview I did many years ago with Jeffery Kin. The youngest of six from a farm family in Central Ohio, Jeff broke the family mold by being the “creative kid.” Discovering very early his desire to entertain and the charisma that would later make him so compelling on stage, Jeff was lucky enough to have a mother who saw that he “belonged on the stage.” So he was able to develop not only his acting, singing and dancing skills, but his play writing, directing and finally the administrative abilities that make him the perfect choice to shepherd The Players Theater’ renaissance. Come out to let him know how much we appreciate and love him – Happy birthday Jeffery!!!
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Interview with Robert de Warren Part 3
6-3-19 Part 3 of my interview with Ballet Master Robert de Warren begins with a description of the frightening climax to his tour with Iran’s National Folklore Organization to celebrate America’s Bicentennial and his departure from Iran as that country descended into chaos. It goes on to describe his seven year tenure with La Scala in Milan which Rudolph Nureyev chose him to lead: a star studded period during which Robert choreographed and designed ballets for the world’s most prestigious dancers and for which Princess Margaret was the Ballet’s patron. It concludes with a description of the ironic way Robert began his 13 years leading the Sarasota Ballet Company.
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Interview with Robert de Warren Part 2
5-27-19 In the 2nd part of my interview Robert de Warren talks about his studies with The Royal Ballet School, his early work with the Royal Opera Company, his first choreography with the Royal Ballet Choreographic workshop, his time with the Stuttgart, Frankfurt and Berlin Companies where he was finally able to dance principle roles. He talks about his first meeting with Rudolph Nureyev who would become his dear friend and sponsor, the injury to the sesamoid bones in his feet which threatened to end his career and his life, and how, at the Shahs’ request, he took over the National Ballet of Iran, later becoming Founder of Iran’s National Folklore Organization, where he documented and recorded previously unseen tribal ceremonies. It ends with his description of the both glorious and disastrous tour of America that he made with the troupe and his painful discovery of what would soon happen in Iran.
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Interview with Ballet Master Robert de Warren part 1
5-20-19 Interview
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Dancer, Choreographer, Ballet Master, Scenic and Costume Designer, Producer, Director, educator, author and Artistic Director of the most prestigious Ballet Companies in the world Robert de Warren, is one of the legendary, illustrious, celebrated and influential members of the international ballet community. In Part 1 of my interview this erudite, entertaining, gifted man describes his early life; his birth in Uruguay, his childhood in Montevideo, meeting his beloved Jacqueline, his career in banking and the serendipitous way he discovered, at age 16, that he was meant to be a ballet dancer. -
Interview with Sharon Ohrenstein – Patra
5-13-19 Sharon Leslie Ohrenstein is a renaissance woman. Her extraordinary voice was first discovered in Kindergarten when she was chosen to sing the solo in the Christmas play and has delighted countess audiences since. She is a fine actor appearing in vastly dissimilar roles with authenticity. As a director she has helped actors find nuances which enabled them to be better than they were. And, as a teacher, she has enhanced the experience of the eager students at Roads Scholar for 16 years. Although writing came late in her life, along with her composer husband David, she wrote the book and lyrics to two musicals and two operas; producing, directing, and staring in many (she even made the costume). Listen to this amazing woman talk about her life journey and her current adventure; the creation of Patra a brand new Opera based on Cleopatra’s last days, which was chosen as a workshop production at the prestigious Seagle Music Colony in Schroon lake NY. And click here to donate to its gofundme page to be a part of this adventure. https://www.gofundme.com/patraopera
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