6-3-19 Interview

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.

3-27-19 Interview

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.

5-20-19 Interview
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.

5-13-19 Interview

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

4-28-19 Interview

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.

4-22-19 Interview

4/22/19 Kelly Dumar A poet, playwright, and engaging workshop leader, Kelly generates enlivening writing experiences for new and experienced writers. Her Aim for Astonishing photo-inspired process elicits profound personal awakenings, deepens connection with others, and fosters beautifully crafted writing in poetry and prose. Author of three poetry collections, Kelly is also author of Before You Forget— The Wisdom of Writing Diaries for Your Children. Kelly inspires readers of #NewThisDay – her daily photo-inspired blog – with her mindful reflections on a writing life. Each post

4-22-19 Interview

The Lynne Show Pod cast can be heard and downloaded at
https://thelynneshow.com/?p=3978&preview=true and
thelynneshow.com
4/15/19 Judith Leeds is an artist. She has always been an artist. But because she was so smart, in a special track in elementary school and easily got into Bronx High School of Science, her father insisted that she study science. She graduated in the top 10% of her class in her class and enrolled as a Biology major/Math minor in College. But her Art would not be denied. Listen to the story of her Aha during a biology dissection class. Promising that if she failed as an artist she would return to the study of science, Judith changed her major and transferred to Boston University’s School of Fine Art where she graduated Cum Laude and began the life she was always meant to live, a life as an artist. Listen to this remarkable woman’s inspiring story. And check out her portfolio at Judithleeds.com..

4-8-19 Interview

The Lynne Show Pod cast can be heard and downloaded at
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

3-18-19 Interview

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.

3-25-19 Interview

Shakespearean scholar Johnny Epstein has had a long career as an actor beginning when, at seven years old, he spontaneously adlibbed to cover a fellow student missed cue. He is currently a professor at the FSU/Asolo Conservatory for Actor Training, where he teaches a 3 hour a day course in Shakespeare. Listen to this knowledgeable, articulate man describe the upcoming production of As You Like it, which will open on April 12th and the Selby Gardens and be performed by his class of 2nd year graduate students.

3-10-19 Interview

Frank Galati is “in his bones a theatre person.” But despite many hints along the way: his delight in mugging before the picture window in his family home, entertaining friends and family with antic behavior, the play he wrote and directed in High School, and spending most of his time in College and Graduate school playing in the theater, he had “no ambition to work in the theater.” But life had other plans for Frank. In this first of my two interviews with Frank listen to him describe the ironic way he got his Equity Card while still in Graduate School, became part of the fledgling Steppenwolf Theater Company and wrote what would be his Tony Award Winning Adaptation of The Grapes of Wrath.

3-10-19 Interview

My second interview with Frank Galati, six years after the first, picks up where the first left off. In it Frank describes his theatrical adaptations of the works of Japanese novelist Haruki Murakami. Some of which were then translated back into the Japanese and other languages as well. He talks about his love of teaching, why he left teaching and the, to him, surprising turn his life has now taken. And he describes his newest endeavor; a theatrical piece called “Knoxville,” based on the novel “A Death in the Family,’ by James Agee which he is creating with Lynn Arens and Stephen Flagherty – with whom he collaborated on the Tony Award winning musical “Ragtime.” And which will debut at the Asolo Repertory Theatre in the spring of 2020

3-4-19 Interview

Poet, Painter, Philosopher, Professor Terrance Hayes was born to a single 16 year old who jokes that she “couldn’t afford to anything but keep him.” He began to draw very young and was known for his visual art skill – listen to the sweet story of discovering what he took to be his father’s drawings which motivated him to be an artist too. He also wrote but he kept his writings a secret. He went to college on a basketball scholarship At graduation he was encouraged to pursue a career in basketball by his coach and a career in art by his art teacher, but an unexpected event – a conversation with Maya Angelou convinced him to be get his MFA in Poetry. Listen to this passionate, articulate man describe a truly unique life.

3-4-19 Interview

At 9 years old James Suggs made two casual choices which dictated the rest of his life; he chose band over chorus and the trumpet because his friend was playing the trumpet. At 10 he was ushered backstage to meet Wynton Marsalis who gave this 10 year old trumpet player a 20 minute lesson and that sealed the deal. Before settling in St Pete he had a very long and prestigious trail of credits including touring and recording with the Glenn Miller Orchestra and later performing with the Tommy Dorsey Orchestra. He spent 8 years playing and touring in Buenos Aires, Argentina He has shared the stage with Kenny Burrell, Robin Eubanks, Dick Hyman, Sean Jones, Chuck Mangione, Maria Schneider, and Frankie Avalon to name a few. In 2015, James was awarded the Best of the Bay’s Critic’s choice for “Best Jazz Transplant.” Listen to this talented, self deprecating man talk about his commitment to the instrument and the music he loves, hear cuts from his first solo album “You’re Gonna Hear From Me,” and come see/hear him play at this years Sarasota Jazz Festival.

2-18-19 Interview

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.

2-25-19 Interview

Jazz trumpeter and guitarist. Randy Sandke was playing in local cover bands by the time he was 13. Never expecting to make a living as a jazz musician, he nevertheless continued to play, just because he loved it. And although he had to deal with many twists and turns on the way to his goal, he did in fact make a living as a player and arranger. He played with Michael Brecker, Ken Peplowski, Kenny Barron, Marty Ehrlich, Bill Charlap, Uri Caine. Dan Barrett, Marvin Smith, Ted Rosenthal, and done arrangements for the Carnegie Hall Jazz Orchestra. He was a member of Vince Giordano’s Nighthawks Orchestra , Bob Wilber’s, Bechet’s Legacy, the Widespread Depression Jazz Orchestra, and Benny Goodman’s last band. He recorded on Stash, Jazzology, Concord Jazz, Nagel-Heyer, Arbors and played on the scores for The Cotton Club, Bullets over Broadway, The Curse of the Jade Scorpion. Listen to this thoughtful, gentle man describe a life dedicated to the music he loves and knows so much about and listen to cuts from two of his CD’s and come see/hear him play in this year’s Sarasota jazz Festival

2-18-19 Interview
2-18-19 Syreeeta Banks was born with a to die for voice, but her natural shyness and commitment to “adulting´ caused her to major in Electrical Engineering in college and spend several years pursuing her determination to be an adult; working at straight jobs, buying a condo, being self-supporting. Luckily she has now turned her talent and energy to pursing what she should always have been – a performer. Come see her star in The Amen Corner currently running at the West Coast Black Theater Troupe

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1-28-19 Interview

1-28-19 Eva Slane has spent most of her 90 years dedicated to preserving the theater. Shortly after Kristallnacht, 10 year old Eva and her mother escaped Vienna and joined her father in New York City, the perfect place for a theater lover to land. As a theatrical agent she represented James Earl Jones, Chita Rivera, Helen Hayes and Carl Sandburg. With her beloved husband Stephen she worked to make the North Shore Music Theatre in Beverly MA a success. The quintessential Patron of the Arts Eva has been a Board Member at the Asolo, the Manatee Players, and The West Coast Black Theater Troupe. Among the many honors she has received was recognition by Sarasota Magazine as one of Sarasota’s 28 most important people to the Arts. In her late 70’s Eva began to expand her artistic horizons; participating in a writing project sponsored by the Holocaust Museum in St Petersburg FL, writing several short plays and even auditioning for a role as an actor. Listen to this remarkable, delightful, inspirational woman describe a life lived to the fullest.

1-24-19 Interview

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