11-11-14 – Interview

When he was eight years old Rob Ruggiero would make up stories, corral his cousins, costume and rehearse them and put on performances for his large Italian family. He instinctively knew who he was and what he wanted to do with his life – but like so many of us, he forgot. Luckily in his high school senior year Rob, already a disco dancer was asked to dance in a production of Oklahoma and he says that it was there that he “found his place, his people, his family.” Still, while he knew that the theater was his path, he didn’t discover his role in it until he took his first directing class in his senior year in college and remembered his eight year old passion for creating theater by directing. In addition to a prodigious free lancing career as one of the few directors to earn national recognition for his work in both straight plays and musicals, Rob is the producing artistic director of theater works in Hartford CT. The only director to have received four Kevin Kline Awards (2 for Best Direction of a Musical (Urinetown and Ella) and two for Best Direction of a play (Take Me Out and The Little Dog Laughed), he is in Sarasota FL to direct his fourth production for the Asolo Repertory Theatre Co, this time and intimate production of the Roger’s and Hammerstein musical classic South Pacific. Listen to this charming, ebullient, delightful man talk about his circuitous path to the place he calls home.

11-4-14 — Audio Interview

Actor, singer, dancer, choreographer, stage manager Stephen Hope has brought his talents to more than 30 productions at the Florida Studio Theater in Sarasota FL, and he is doing it again in the current production of Hairspray. All kinds of music was sung and played in Stephen’s home, but it wasn’t until his first role as the cowardly lion in a Jr High School production, that Stephen found what was “right for him. “ Knowing that “people were laughing because of what I was doing – that we were all laughing at the same thing so we weren’t separate, we were one, it was very powerful.” That night Stephen’s Dad said “this is what you should be doing,” and the die was cast. In his 20’s Stephen took a detour; attempting to see if another path was right for him, but he soon realized that while he could do it – his “heart wasn’t there.” So he returned to the theater, to what makes him “happy,” to doing what is “right for him.” Hear him talk about his life and the exciting production of Hairspray. Also hear a rousing song from the show.

10-28-2014 Audio Interview

Poet, Dancer, Choreographer, Actor, Director, Harry Bryce is the former artistic director of Memphis Black Repertory Theater, and creator of the Harry Bryce Dance Company and Choreographer in residence for Vinnette Carroll’s theater co, taught dance and theater at Atlanta’s Morehouse and Spellman colleges Harry says that he came out of the womb dancing. And when you talk to him you can well believe it. Wise beyond his years Harry began writing poetry (although he didn’t know it was poetry) when he was a young boy in order to “stay sane.” He couldn’t take ballet lessons like his older sister because boys simply didn’t do that; but when she came home from her lesson his sister would take him into the back yard and do the lesson again for him. By the time they were ten years old Harry and his sister were a popular dance act appearing at local weddings and events. Listen to this exuberant, reflective man talk about his life and his work – which is currently directing the West Coast Black Theater Troupe’s ground breaking production of the comedy horror rock musical Little Shop of Horrors.

10-21-14 Audio Interview

Poet, Dancer, Choreographer, Actor, Director, Harry Bryce is the former artistic director of Memphis Black Repertory Theater, and creator of the Harry Bryce Dance Company and Choreographer in residence for Vinnette Carroll’s theater co, taught dance and theater at Atlanta’s Morehouse and Spellman colleges Harry says that he came out of the womb dancing. And when you talk to him you can well believe it. Wise beyond his years Harry began writing poetry (although he didn’t know it was poetry) when he was a young boy in order to “stay sane.” He couldn’t take ballet lessons like his older sister because boys simply didn’t do that; but when she came home from her lesson his sister would take him into the back yard and do the lesson again for him. By the time they were ten years old Harry and his sister were a popular dance act appearing at local weddings and events. Listen to this exuberant, reflective man talk about his life and his work – which is currently directing the West Coast Black Theater Troupe’s ground breaking production of the comedy horror rock musical Little Shop of Horrors.

10-14-14 – Audio Interview

When Jen Wineman was in the first or second grade she played a game in her head. In it she pretended that other people were watching her and she would perform as though a camera was filming her actions. To this end she observed others and copied movements and behaviors that she thought would look good on film. This was undoubtedly great training for a young woman who would become a theater director! So although one of her first loves was gymnastics – she planned to compete in the Olympics – and she also toyed with the idea of becoming a paleontologist or a micro biologist, theater won out. Listen to Jen tell her story and talk about the unique version of Shakespeare’s Midsummer Night’s Dream which she is directing for the FSU Conservatory for Actor Training, and listen to one of the surprising songs they are using in this production.

10-7-14 – Audio Interview

Lynne Jackson is a rebel. She attended the prestigious Longy Music School where she did well in everything except playing the pieces she could never find “the discipline” to practice. Finally abandoning the attempt, she ran off to join the legion of dropouts living on the Boston Commons, sleeping in the Arlington Street Church and experiencing the joys and consequences of sex, drugs and rock and roll. Listen to the serendipitous way her life turned around; how she met and married Mike Palter, how, with him, she became one of the most affecting performers of the American Song Book. Hear her talk about the pivotal choice she and Mike had to make, a choice which lead to the birth of their son David, a miracle she was told could never happen, how they created the Jazz is a Rainbow program and came to have “the best of both worlds.”

9-27-2014 Audio Interview

Lynne Jackson and Michael Palter were awarded the Paul Re Lifetime Achievement Award for their many humanitarian projects over the years, including the creation of Jazz is a Rainbow. Their original song “We Dream a Brighter Day” was performed at the United Nations. Their compositions have been sung in churches, synagogues, events and concert halls around the world. And as the quintessential jazz duo they have been delighting audiences for years. Listen to this talented, dedicated couple talk about the circuitous route their lives to t get them to where they were always meant to be.

9-23-14 – Audio Interview

In this week’s show I describe the concept of relationship contracts and how they keep people from making the changes in their life that they wish to make. I also interview actor Lynne Doyle. Lynne always loved plays. She vividly remembers going to see a performance of Carousel when she was ten years old, but she didn’t pursue theater in school because she just didn’t feel like one of the “theater kids,” and anyway she was also drawn to, and good, at athletics. Then there was getting married and having children. Her son’s interest in theater got her involved in the Columbus Children’s Theater and when he went off to college she auditioned there (they used adults as well). Listen her describe how her son’s courage to go back for a second audition after not being cast in his first, gave her the courage to try again when she too was not cast at her first audition. Also hear her talk about her role as Amanda in the upcoming production of Tennessee Williams’ The Glass Menagerie at the Players Theater, which is directed by Elliott Raines and opens on Oct 2nd.

9-16-14 Audio Interview

As a young girl actor Erica Drezik, and the friends she coerced, used the garage door as the curtain for their homemade plays. But it wasn’t until she was living in Saudi Arabia, due to her husband’s work, that she got an opportunity to once again gather together interested folks and talk them into “putting on a play.” From then on she took every opportunity to pursue this passion. Currently she is in Mornings At Seven which will open at the Manatee Community Theater in Bradenton FL on Sept 18th. Directed by Pamela Wiley, Mornings at Seven won 4 Tony Awards and 7 Drama Desk Award when it was reproduced in 1980.

9-9-14– Audio Interview

Jeffrey Kin is a sextuple threat! He sings, he dances, he acts, he writes, he directs, and he produces with talent, skill and joy. Luckily for us he brings all of this knowledge and skill to his position as the Artistic Director of Sarasota’s community theater – The Players. A farm boy who discovered as a small child that he was a performer, listen to him talk about how he discovered that, and pursued his chosen field with a vengeance. Listen to this charming, dedicated, funny man talk about his life, his work and the recreation of the hilarious, back by popular demand production of Lend Me A Tenor which opens on Sept 10th.

Sept 2, 2014 Audio Interview

Actor, stage manager, director, playwright T.Scott Wooten is a very uncommon phenomenon – a working theater professional. Todd Olsen, (previously the Producing Artistic Director at American Stage Theater Co in St. Petersburg Florida, currently Executive Director of the Columbia Festival of the Arts in Maryland) hired Scott right out of college as an intern at American Stage and told him that if he developed multiple skill sets he would always work. Apparently Todd was right. Scott stayed at American Stage “doing everything,” for nine years before going off to ply his trade at other theaters around the country. Currently Scott directs one play a year at American Stage and this year it is The Chosen, a companion piece to My Name is Asher Lev, which he directed last year. Scott believes that theater is about demonstrating our “human dignity,” and that The Chosen is a perfect example.

August 26, 2014 Audio Interview with Steve Binder – Part 2 (re-run)

Producer, Director Steve Binder has worked with virtually everyone in every entertainment venue – Film, TV, Recordings; He courageously refused to allow the moment that Petula Clark touched Harry Belafonte as they sang a duet on her special to be deleted – thereby breaking the color line on TV. He is famous for The T.A.M.I. Show one of the top five Rock and Roll films ever made, which included performance by Chuck Berry, Diana Ross and the Supremes, Marvin Gaye, James Brown, Leslie Gore, Mick Jagger and the Stones, The Beach Boys, Jan and Dean and even more famous for his direction of the Elvis Presley Comeback Special. All this and more in a career which he never intended to enter. Listen to this funny, passionate, talented man tell the story of how he lucked into the work of his life – certainly the work he was meant to do.

August 19, 2014 – Audio Interview with Steve Binder – Part 1 (re-run)

Producer, Director Steve Binder has worked with virtually everyone in every entertainment venue – Film, TV, Recordings; He courageously refused to allow the moment that Petula Clark touched Harry Belafonte as they sang a duet on her special to be deleted – thereby breaking the color line on TV. He is famous for The T.A.M.I. Show one of the top five Rock and Roll films ever made, which included performance by Chuck Berry, Diana Ross and the Supremes, Marvin Gaye, James Brown, Leslie Gore, Mick Jagger and the Stones, The Beach Boys, Jan and Dean and even more famous for his direction of the Elvis Presley Comeback Special. All this and more in a career which he never intended to enter. Listen to this funny, passionate, talented man tell the story of how he lucked into the work of his life – certainly the work he was meant to do.

8/12/14 – Audio Interview

Actor/artist Sara Morsey knew instinctively that the theater was calling her by the time she was six. Fortunately for Sara her parent’s believed in giving their little girl all the things they had been deprived of so Sara had dancing and acting lessons. A shy child, Sara loved these classes where she was able to follow the teacher’s instructions and be transformed first by dance and later by acting. Unfortunately for Sara these same parents never intended/expected their daughter to make a career of these frivolous things. Always obedient Sara became a dental hygienist. But finally with the support of friends and her own personal courage Sara convinced the University of Louisville to admit a dental hygienist with no formal acting training to enter their Master’s in Acting Program. Listen to Sara’s inspiring story and come see the result of her courageous struggle to become herself as she brilliantly co-stars in the Banyan Theater production of Collected Stories.

8-5-14 – Audio Interview

Bobby Brader became a musician by accident. Although he didn’t play an instrument a clerical error put 13 year old Bobby in advanced concert band. He didn’t want to be in band and planned to quit as soon as possible. Just as he was about to quit the band director asked him to demonstrate a scale on the trumpet. Bobby says that he didn’t really know the scale and that it must have been an angel who entered his trumpet and played it correctly. However it happened in that moment Bobby was captured by music. He still expected to pursue his dreams of becoming an aviator or even an astronaut until another surprising experience showed him his true path. While taking a chemistry test – a subject he liked and was good at – Bobby realized that his head was filled with music, thought “you are not going to be an aviator – you are going to be a musician!” And the decision was made, his fate was sealed; Bobby Brader would be – is a wonderful musician. We in Sarasota have been fortunate to have him here playing in every possible venue. And as he sets off to increase his skills by taking his MA in Film Composition we get one more chance to hear him play and learn what he has to share about the history of music. Come to see Bobby’s farewell concert at the Venice Theater, 140 Tampa Ave, Venice FL 34285 Sun 8/10 2PM and/or Thurs 8/14 8PM – Tickets ($15.00) can be purchased on line at www.venicestage.com or by calling the box office – (941) 488-1115. And listen to Bobby talk about how he discovered his “obsession” and how he balances his love of music with his equally powerful love of his family and friends.

7-29-14 Audio Interview

Cassandra Small can do/has done everything. She has hosted a radio show, appeared in TV commercials and feature films, been a runway model, motivational speaker and member of a musical performance group, as well as an awarding winning actor. And she managed to balance all of this while maintaining a full time straight job and never losing sight of the needs of her family – her husband and 6 children. Remarkably Cassandra’s early life was filled with indecision and self-criticism about her inability to “stick to any one thing.” Listen to this bright, candid, amazing woman describe her journey to discovering the real Cassandra, and hear her tell the hilariously funny story of the way she became an actor. And come see her standout performance as the matriarch Weedy Warren in the Banyan Theater production of The Sty of the Blind Pig.

July 22, Audio Interview

Director Mark Clayton Southers is an award winning playwright, poet, photographer, scenic designer, theatrical producer and stage director. He is the founder and producing artistic director of the Pittsburgh Playwrights Theatre Company. But he discovered his passion for theater late and mostly by accident. Working as a photographer he shot stills for theatrical productions but never stayed to see the play; it was “just not his thing.” While videotaping August Wilson’s Ma Rainey’s Black Bottom he finally understood “the power of theater.” Years later his cousin asked him to stand in for an actor who was temporarily unavailable; that actor lost his job and Mark began a new career. Dedicated to giving his family all that they needed, Mark managed to balance his “good paying work” in the Steel Industry with his passion to pursue theater. Listen to this serious, multi- talented, self-deprecating man talk about his creation of a rich, diverse and satisfying life.

7-15-14 –  Audio Interview

By popular demand Sheldon Rodin is reprising his role as the iconic performer Marvin Gaye in the West Coast Black Theater Troupe’s next production, Marvin Gaye – the Man and his Music. Sheldon clearly remembers the very first time he sang in public. He was six years old and singing in front of his church congregation. He sang with his eyes closed, simply concentrating on the song. When he opened his eyes he was surprised to see the reaction of the congregation – they were smiling. Sheldon can still remember the delicious feeling of bringing a smile to the faces of his audience. Today he is still motivated by his desire to use his gift to make people smile. Listen to this thoughtful young man talk about his intention to bring pleasure and joy wherever he can, and to strive always to be better. And come to see Marvin Gaye – the Man and his Music and let Sheldon put a smile on your face.

July 8th Audio Interview

When actor, singer George Ball was four or five years old he could hear a song on the radio and immediately sing it. His talent was discovered by everyone who heard him sing. He auditioned for and was accepted into the Trinity Cathedral Boys Choir when he was just six years old, part of the Pittsburgh Opera Company’s chorus after high school and winner of a Metropolitan Opera contest. Over and over he was encouraged to pursue a career in Opera, but it didn’t feel right. Listen to the ironic way that an abortive audition for the Merv Griffin Show lead to a role in Jacques Brel is Alive and living in Paris, and how he learned the two roles which he would play in Jacques Brel, all over the country and much of the world for the next five years. Hear this articulate, self-disclosing man talk about how he evaluated what did and what didn’t appeal to him and how he achieved a career, which although not that of a star, allowed him to do his chosen work, and have a real life. Then listen to a cut from his first CD, Think of Me, which he is launching as he turns 80 years old.

July 1, Audio Interview

Luckily for us Susan Greenhill is back at Florida Studio Theater – this time starring in the one woman production of Becoming Dr. Ruth. If her talent was not enough to guarantee her the role in this unique vehicle, Susan actually met the real Dr. Ruth and performed with her in Dr. Ruth’s TV show. Listen to Susan talk about that experience and other fascinating theatrical experiences. In Kindergarten Susan was drafted to be in the class musicals. She immediately knew that she was “home,” that this was where she belonged. Unfortunately, her parents, concerned about the security of such a career, insisted that she consider acting a hobby and get a real job. So Susan minored in Education in college and began to teach, but it only took a very short time for her to realize that it was not for her and she announced her intention to pursue a career as an actor. Susan is now and has been for many years a working actor, with a lovely life “most of the time.” Listen to this honest and funny woman talk about her struggle, to honor and stay true her commitment to be who she really is.