Singer
-
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!!!
continue reading -
Interview with Singer, Dancer, Actor Ariel Blue – member of West Coast Black Theatre Troupe
6-17-19 Singer, Dancer, Actor and member of the West Coast Black Theatre Troupe Ariel Blue never intended to be a performer. She loved to read and dreamed of being a journalist. When she was only 8 or 9 years old she joined an acting class at Florida Studio Theater because her friend didn’t want to join alone and even when the teacher was so moved by the sincerity of her performance that she asked if Ariel was “okay,” it never occurred to Ariel that performing was in her future. Listen to the ironic story of the way Ariel was finally convinced that, at least for now, performing is what she is meant to do.
continue reading -
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
continue reading -
Interview with Sheilah Rae receiving a Lifetime Award from the NY theater Barn
4/29/19 On May 6 2019 “The New York Theatre Barn is honoring co-founder and board member Sheilah Rae with a Lifetime Achievement Award for her exceptional contributions to musical theatre as a writer, composer, lyricist and performer for over 50-years, and her outstanding service and vision for New York Theatre Barn for more than a decade”. Sheilah found her life path very young. During the performance of “South Pacific” 5 year old Sheilah told her mother that she was “going to do that.” Her parents arranged for her to study dance with the renowned Edna McRae. Since Ms McRae also required that her students know music, 6 year old Sheilah began piano lessons. She was soon studying dance, piano, music theory and violin at the Chicago Conservatory of Music. She got her first role on Broadway in “Fiddler on the Roof” right out of college and never stopped adding to her arsenal of talents and accomplishments. Listen to this multi-talented, effervescent woman talk about a career in which she has done everything. And hear a song from one of her musicals (“I Married Wyatt Earp,” now called The Belle of Tombstone) lyrics by Sheilah and music by Michele Brourman.
continue reading -
Interview with Annie Addington – Kickstarter Campaign for CD releast
The Lynne Show Pod cast can be heard and downloaded at
continue reading
https://thelynneshow.com/2017/06/interview-with-singer-educator-annie-addington/ & thelynneshow.com
4/8/19 Singer, songwriter, educator, therapist, and woman of the world Annie Addington has done it all. Listen to this unusual woman describe her eclectic life journey; one which took her to many countries, taught her many languages, and involved her with many fascinating people before bringing her to Sarasota. Listen to 2 cuts from her forthcoming CD Wild is the Wind, accompanied by Eddie Tobin and recorded and mixed at Spirit Ranch Studio by Bud Synder – the title song Wild is the Wind and the jazz classic Ruby my Dear And help her complete finish the project by contributing to Kickstarter https://www.kickstarter.com/projects/annieaddington/annie-addington-cd-in-a-midnight-wind-jazz-brazili?ref=project_build -
Introduction to the When You Can You Will audio book by Lynne Bernfield
4/1/19 On Sunday April 14th at 2:00 at Bookstore1 (12 S Palm Ave, Sarasota, FL 34236) Lynne Bernfield will discuss concepts in her book When You Can You Will which explain what stops people from changing. She says “When you can’t do what you want to do there is always a good reason.” Come discover the reason you haven’t been able to do what you want to do. Listen to the introduction to the When You Can You Will audiobook and call Bookstore1 at 941-365-7900 for reservations.
continue reading -
Interview with Multi Genre singer Katt Heffner
3-4-19 Multi genre singer Katt Heffner says that “music was coming out of the pores of her family.” Her father was in a band, her uncle Frank was a song writer, her mother played the piano at church, and they made every kind of music “from church to Doo Wop.” Katt and her 5 brothers “would take turns entertaining and applauding each other.” They soon became a band and their uncle Frank was their manager. Katt says she just “loves to play with the boys in the band,” and so it is no surprise that she has made a life with music, performing virtually every genre with virtually every kind of performer including the following Patti LaBelle, Ronnie Spector, Al Hibler, The Four Aces, The Count Basie Quartet, The Temptations, Sandra Reaves, Luther Vandross, Dick Hyman, John Lamb, Buster Cooper, Roger Humphries, Fred Johnson, Kenny Drew Jr., Richard Drexler, The Warren Covington Orchestra, The 42nd Street Big Band, and The Ybor City Underground Orchestra, the 16th Annual Moscow International Jazz Festival, Jeffrey Sexton. The 35th Birthday Celebration of the Clearwater Jazz Holiday,. Listen to this charming, talented, hard-working woman describe making a life in what we all know is a very difficult business and come see why these entertainers wanted to work with her when she performs on the Classic Stage as one of the Afternoon Theme Performers at the Sarasota Jazz Festival.
continue reading -
Interview with Florida Studio Theater Associate Artist Catherine Randazzo
1-28-19 Florida Studio Theater Associate Artist Catherine Randazzo bounded into life. She decided to play the piano at two, by four she was demanding that her family listen while she described and acted out her dreams, but that was just the beginning. A good student, she was also an actor, a singer, a dancer, a volleyball star, president of school government, member of the chorus/choir, accompanist to same. There isn’t room on the page for all of her skills and accomplishments, all of which was achieved with a positive, open, self-deprecating, warm energy. Listen to this, talented, charming, remarkable woman talk about a life in which everything is possible
continue reading -
Interview with Sheldon Rhoden – Marvin Gaye
11-25-18 – By popular demand Sheldon Rhoden is reprising his role as the iconic performer Marvin Gaye in the Westcoast Black Theater Troupe’s next production, Marvin Gaye – Prince of Soul. 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 – Prince of Soul and let Sheldon put a smile on your face.
continue reading -
Interview with Steven Lutvak 2 Gentlemen’s Guide
11/5/18 The second half of our interview follows Steven Lutvak’s journey from college graduation, through the establishment of very successful coaching and cabaret careers, and then to the remarkable story of the creation of the hit Broadway musical Gentleman’s Guide to Love and Murder, for which he was composer and co-lyricist, and which won the Tony for Best Musical. Listen to this dedicated and inspiring man tell his remarkable story, listen to original songs from his CD’s and come to Florida Studio Theater to see a production of The Gentleman’s Guide to Love and Murder and appreciate that it was worth all of his effort.
continue reading -
Interview with Composer/lyricist Steven Lutvak
10/29/18 In the first part of my interview musician, composer, lyricist, cabaret performer, coach and teacher Steven Lutvak, he says that his life’s work is song; “writing them, teaching people to write them, helping people sing them, helping people sing them better, helping people choose them, helping people understand what a song is, and of course writing them, which means music, lyrics and collaborating.” Steven was blessed with a talent that made all things music come easily to him. From his first piano lesson music simply “made sense” to him. With such talent his journey should have been effortless but Steven had to overcome numerous hindrances which would have derailed many others. Luckily Steven seems to be un-derail-able. Listen to this charming, thoughtful, intelligent, man describe the bumpy early part of his journey.
continue reading -
Interview with writer, a painter, a musician, an actor, a singer, a dancer; light and sound designer Eliza Ladd
Many artists describe themselves and their work with one or a few adjectives, they’re a writer, a painter, a musician, an actor, a singer, a dancer; they work with light or sound or design. Eliza Ladd uses all these adjectives and more to describe herself and her art. She has spent her life exploring every possible way a person can express themselves creatively. Although she didn’t know how she was going to use all the skills she pursued, Eliza followed her curiosity and instinct and has created an art which synthesizes all of the skills she studied, trained in and developed. Listen to this spontaneous, guileless, breathless woman describe a journey for which there was no roadmap, a life in which she had to be her own guide and in which she created an Art which is uniquely her own
continue reading -
Interview with Paul Helm – Murder for Two
7/23/18 Pianist, singer, director, actor, musical director Paul Helm was lucky. From the elderly babysitter who convinced his parents to give four year old Paul piano lessons, to the choir teacher who “saw something in him,” to the agent who having seen Paul on stage, pursued him until Paul agreed to leave his beloved Wisconsin and make the leap to New York City, Paul has been led to the career which he “loves” and which although often difficult, he “wouldn’t have it any other way.” Listen to this enthusiastic young man talk about his work and don’t miss his delightful performance in the wacky and wonderful musical “Murder for Two” at Florida Studio Theater.
continue reading -
Interview with actor, singer, dancer Jared Joseph
5-21-18 Actor, Singer, Dancer Jared Joseph never actually decided to be a musical theater performer. His first love was art, he drew and painted and won awards while still in elementary school. But his mother encouraged him to join the choir and a teacher invited him to a poetry class – which seemed to lead to a drama club. And then they needed boys to sing… So somehow he wound up at the New York University Musical Theater Program, and the rest as they say – is history. It was a fortunate choice as anyone who has seen his portrayal of Coalhouse Walker Jr. in the Asolo production of Ragtime will attest. The production is so popular that an additional performance has been scheduled – this is no small part due to Jared’s powerful performance. Listen to this charming, spontaneous man talk about his ironic way to the musical theater stage.
continue reading -
Interview with Actor, Dancer, Singer, Writer, Educator Marie Thomas-Foster
5-14-18 Interview
continue reading
5-14-18 Marie Thomas-Foster knew by the time she was twelve years old that she didn’t want to follow in her families tradition – and become a teacher – she wanted to perform. She began taking dance lessons as soon as she could and convinced her friends to create “shows” in which they sang and danced. She misled her mother into thinking she was majoring in Education when she was actually studying Theater. And her determination paid off as her career has taken her to roles on Stage and Screen (big and little). But apparently the power of her early training never quite left her as she also taught theater at the City College of New York and created Theater Workshop where she gave hundreds of youngsters and opportunity to learn to sing and dance and act. Today she is staring in Having Her Say at the Goodman Theater in Chicago directed by Chuck Smith. -
Interview with Bill Selby Shakespeare’s Greatest Hits
4-30-18 Bill Selby was 11 years old when his mother asked him to accompany her to an audition. Bill had no idea that he would be auditioning. Listen to Bill describe how his “competitiveness” asserted itself the moment he understood that he was auditioning for the role of young Patrick in a production of Auntie Mame, He decided he would win the role, he did and the course of his life was set. Come see Bill demonstrate what that long ago director must have seen when he steps on the stage at Florida Studio Theater in the cabaret production of Shakespeare’s Greatest Hits,
continue reading -
Interview with Leon Pitts of West Coast Black Theater Troupe
4-23-18 Leon Pitts was nine years old when he met his mentor, his “rabbi,” Nate Jacobs. Nate was a teacher at Leon’s school and although, neither knew it at the time, one day Nate would be the founder of The West Coast Black Theater Troupe and Leon would be one of its founding members. Today, decades later, Leon is a seasoned performer, he has sung, danced and acted in dozens of productions; recently getting his actors equity card. Listen to Leon describe the magical way he was convinced to turn his back on the career everyone thought he should pursue and follow Nate into the “fire’ where he discovered his passion, his commitment and the life he was meant to live. And come see the result of that courageous leap as Leon becomes one of the “Soul Men” in the current production at the West coast Black Theater Troupe.
continue reading -
Interview with Actor, singer, dance, screenwriter Kathryn Parks
Actor, singer, dancer, and now film maker Kathryn Parks says that she always wanted to star in a film, and one day realized that she could create that opportunity for herself. This is a fascinating story of the evolution of an idea into its existence. Listen to the courageous, talented young woman describe the journey that took her from a wish to a success, and all of the unexpected benefits and bonuses she gained along the way. And come to see the final product – her film “50 Words” – appearing at the Sarasota Film Festival on April 13th at 3:00 and April 21st at 11:00. Learn more at http://50wordsfilm.com,
continue reading -
Interview with Actor Joe Casey
4-2-18 Actor, singer, dancer, musician Joe Casey brings his talents once again to Florida Studio theater’s cabaret, this time in Blue Suede Shoes where he gets a chance to play guitars and sing Elvis’s songs. In this interview Joe tells us that he was interested in everything; he wanted to be a scientist and a detective, he picked up the piano and the guitar, he painted in oils, and wrote music. Finally unable to choose amongst his interests Joe decided that as an actor to he could be all of these things. Listen to this charming, clever man tell the story of his path and come see him do justice to Elvis and all the other early Rock and Roller’s, in FST’s Blue Suede Shoes.
continue reading -
Interview with Director/Choreographer Josh Rhodes
11-28-17 Interview
continue reading
11-28-17 In my 500th show I am airing an interview with dancer, singer, actor and Broadway director/choreographer Josh Rhodes who is in Sarasota directing his sixth show for the Asolo Repertory Theater; the stand out production of Evita. 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!