Tuesday, December 13, 2011

MEET JEREMY ROBIN LYONS

Jeremy Robin Lyons, the musical director of "A Doll's Life", is making his Beautiful Soup creative debut this winter. You can hear him in the pit of "Little Women" at The Secret Theatre for one more week and read more about him here! Check him out!


With hundreds of casting calls a week in this city, what attracted you to this project? The chance to work on something that most people aren’t familiar with.  When you’re working on well-known material, people often come into the theater with pre-conceived notions of how the production should look, feel, and sound (and then evaluate whether or not the company “did it right” or not)… and then you have to make a conscious decision to do things “the way everyone does it” (with its pros and cons) or to try to reinvent the material (which also has its pros and cons).  But with unknown material, you don’t need to worry about any of that.  You can make bold choices because they seem true, not because it’s what has or hasn’t been done before.  You can enjoy the fact that the audience will legitimately be surprised by the material.   (I often joke – rather tastelessly – that you should never tell someone who hasn’t seen Star Wars that Darth Vader is Luke’s father because you will spoil the story for them, much like you should never tell someone who hasn’t read the New Testament that Jesus comes back to life at the end.  Crap.  I hope you’ve all read your Bibles.  Should’ve put a SPOILER alert at the beginning of this.)

What do you hope audience members come away with after seeing the show? I hope people are able to come away from the show thinking about the costs of liberation, and how the harshest of judgments are still passed on women today.  We are often told that we are living in a modern world in which we appreciate strong women figures… but when a male politician takes a strong stand he is “sticking to his guns” and yet when Hillary Clinton takes a strong stand she is “a bitch.”  Some of the most popular television sitcoms these days are grossly misogynistic.  Women’s liberation aside, I think the show also says a lot about self-discovery.

And by Jove I hope they laugh a lot.  Salmon.

Who or what inspired you to go into theatre? I have always loved good stories.  And stories told with music.  I would memorize whatever cast albums happened to be in the house (I vividly remember constantly singing along to Fiddler on the Roof).  When I was 10 my mom finally forced me to go to a theater class.  The only reason I agreed was because she said if I went just one time and truly didn’t like it, I didn’t have to go back.  It might have taken 5 full minutes (but I’m not even sure it was that much) for me to know I wanted to stay.

What's your dream role? I don’t have too many “onstage” ambitions.  I would love to play Mother’s Younger Brother in Ragtime.  I’d love to have a role in a production like John Doyle’s Company, which I consider to be essentially flawless.  I’d love to be in Merrily We Roll Along someday.  Things I would love to MD: Parade, The Last Five Years, A Little Night Music, Smokey Joe’s CafĂ©, 25th Annual Putnam County Spelling Bee.

Who is your hero and why? Stephen Sondheim.  The art that he has created is a source of constant inspiration to me.

What's the greatest experience you've had on stage? I played Jack in Into the Woods when I was 14, and then got to MD the show when I was 19.  I wrote my own orchestral reduction for this production, and the band was onstage, right in the midst of everything.  It was really, really cool to revisit this piece in a different capacity just 5 years later, experience it in such a different way and discover a much deeper understanding of the material.  I also can’t help but mention when I played Tiny Tom in Urinetown… from beginning to end, it was the most absurd, laughter-filled process I’ve ever experienced.

Who is the one person you haven't worked with that you would like to?  Steven Carl McCasland. Dreams do come true.

What's your favorite musical/play and why? No question, Sunday in the Park with George.  Every moment of it is utterly breathtaking.

What's your favorite ice cream? Mint chocolate chip :)

Nora or a Torvald? Nora.

Friday, December 2, 2011

Alex Pagels, who makes his Beautiful Soup debut as Captain of Industry Eric Didrickson in A DOLL'S LIFE, sat down with us for his interview! Check out Alex and his story below:




With hundreds of casting calls a week in this city, what attracted you to this project?
I am pretty new to New York.  I would have to say the rarity of the piece and the idea of doing both shows in rep.  I had to research the musical when I saw the posting because I was a little - Huh?  I thought the idea was hip and unique.  Tons of people know A Doll's House so why not throw in something less familiar to sweeten the deal.  It's good business!  

What do you hope audience members come away with after seeing the show? There is certainly a lot contemporary relevance in A Doll's Life examining the status quo of gender roles at home and in the workplace, both things Ibsen examined in his play to varying degrees.  From the political side, we continue to have discussions about working environments and corporate practices almost every day and every election year (which is fast approaching).  I would say the entire Occupy Wall Street movement is similar to a group of post-Doll's House Nora's...in a way.   The musical updates the "Doll House" issues with a little 20th century panache by stirring in a hint of Norwegian style Industrial Revolution while coupling with a heavy dose of humor (of course not quite reaching the "Occupy" movement - since it was first produced in the 80's and all...but maybe...)  

Aside from the sociopolitical - I really want our audiences to laugh a lot and have a great time and feel something.

Who or what inspired you to go into theatre? A group of friends and family sort of pushed me off a cliff I had been peeking over for some time.  There's a story there.
 
What's your dream role? Sweeney Todd...Brother or Father in Ragtime...George in Sunday...Stine in City of Angels...in no particular order...

Who is your hero and why?  This is tough.  Tons of people at different times.  I look up to a lot of people.  

What's the greatest experience you've had on stage? Setting myself on fire.  Yes.  I was working at an outdoor venue and they wove a burning man stunt into the show - because they could.  It was a volunteer crew for the stunt but the training was world class and one of many methods used for burning man stunts both on stage and film.  It was an exhilarating, awesome and unforgettable experience.   ...yes I got paid.

Who is the one person you haven't worked with that you would like to? Alan Rickman.  Can I say that?  
 
What's your favorite musical/play and why? I don't know.  Lots!  The Scapin adaptation by Bill Irwin and Mark O'Donnell because I love outrageous physical comedy.  Passion by Sondheim is another for completely non-physical comedy related reasons.  It's an unspeakably intense and completely unique love story - without even mentioning the music.  

What's your favorite ice cream? Ben & Jerry's.  I am currently enjoying Red Velvet Cake.  The ice cream.  Did you know they just released a new limited batch flavor?  Yep.  Schweddy Balls. "Fair Trade vanilla ice cream with a hint of rum...loaded with fudge covered rum and milk chocolate malt balls."  Straight from their website.  Remember that SNL bit?       ...no I didn't get paid for that plug. Damn.

Nora or a Torvald? Voldranorta.  It's the old Tom Riddle bit...but a woman.

Wednesday, November 30, 2011

DID YOU KNOW?

To raise funds for the upcoming productions, a benefit concert featuring songs from Broadway's most notorious flops will be held Dec. 4. The 7 PM concert, titled When I'm Drunk, I'm Beautiful: A Celebration of Flops to Benefit Beautiful Soup, will take place at The TAI Group.

The evening will feature songs from Prettybelle, A Doll's Life, Carrie, The Baker's Wife, Merrily We Roll Along and So Long, 174th Street. Mallory Berlin and Steven Carl McCasland will host; performers will include Mallory Berlin*, Nikki Van Cassele, Cristina Carrion*, Thomas Dolan*, Emily Floyd, Anne Richmond, Ellyn Stein, Laurie Strickland, Kymberly Tuttle, Roxy Arrojo, Seanna Burke, Mario Castro*, Margaret Dietrich*, Kathleen Gubitosi, Dot Mitzvah, Alex Pagels*, Purvi Parmar, Cara Picone, Jordan Shaner, Kymberly Tuttle*, and Tal Yardeni*. Jeremy Robin Lyons and McCasland accompany on piano.

A '*' indicates performer is a member of the NORA IN REP company.

The TAI GROUP is located at 150 West 30th Street, 14th floor. Tickets are available at the door, cash only, for $20. Students with a valid ID will receive a $5 discount. To reserve tickets, e-mail BeautifulSoupTheater@gmail.com.

But if you're reading this blog, then guess what! You can get $10 tickets by saying "Mock Turtle Soup" at the door! But remember. We recommend reserving your tickets ahead of time!

Monday, November 28, 2011

MEET TAL YARDENI




Meet Tal Yardeni, who makes her Beautiful Soup debut as Selma in A DOLL'S LIFE: the musical. Check out her interview with our Nora bloggers below:

With hundreds of casting calls a week in this city, what attracted you to this project? Steven got in touch with me about the project after seeing a show that I was in. I had never heard of the musical before and was intrigued by the story!

What do you hope audience members come away with after seeing the show? How beautiful this music is!



Who or what inspired you to go into theatre? A teacher of mine who really opened my eyes the arts. She heard me singing one day and took me under her wing. I will never forget Ms. Lopez.



What's your dream role?  Mamma Rose in Gypsy

Who is your hero and why? Patti Lupone...are you seeing a pattern here? Haha. She is electrifying on stage.

What's the greatest experience you've had on stage? Delivering the line" Can the adults please smoke"...classic!

Who is the one person you haven't worked with that you would like to? Hal Prince are you out there? Call me!



What's your favorite musical/play and why? Cabaret. I'm a big Kander and Ebb fan and I love that the show has some really dark elements to it.



What's your favorite ice cream?  
Pistachio



Nora or a Torvald? Nora!

Friday, November 18, 2011

MEET SETH KOPROSKI

With a special background in puppetry, Seth Koproski makes his Beautiful Soup debut as the Helmer family servant in Henrik Ibsen's A Doll's House. Check out his interview with us below!

With hundreds of casting calls a week in this city, what attracted you to this project? The play, of course! Who wouldn't want to be a part of A Doll's House? It's one of those great shows that's an iconic part of theater.

What do you hope audience members come away with after seeing the show? The same thing I hope they come away with after any show I'm in: a different perspective or understanding of the world around them.

Who or what inspired you to go into theatre? Shakespeare, really. We read A Midsummer Night's Dream in 8th grade English and my teacher said I had a knack for it, so I went for it.

What's your dream role?  Right now? A working actor.

Who is your hero and why? Oh God, that's a hard question... let's see... probably Batman.

What's the greatest experience you've had on stage? 
Strangely enough, a completely ensemble-created six person movement piece based on Hitchcock's The Birds staged on a four-by-eight platform.

Who is the one person you haven't worked with that you would like to? Julie Taymor, despite the bad rap she's gotten from Spider-Man. Maybe The Lion King-era Taymor.

What's your favorite musical/play and why? King Lear, and I don't think a 'why' is necessary.

What's your favorite ice cream? Peanut butter. In anything.

Nora or a Torvald? I think I'm more likely to forsake things than to be forsaken. In general.

Thursday, November 17, 2011

TICKETS ARE ON SALE NOW!

Tickets are OFFICIALLY ON SALE for NORA, IN REP! And through November 27th at midnight, you can get yours with a $7 discount. Regularly priced at $25, our patrons can take advantage of our Early Bird special by using the code "EarlyB27" before next Sunday [11/27 at midnight] and receive a ticket for only $18!

Strike now while the iron is hot (and cheap, too, of course)!

For tickets to Ibsen's A DOLL'S HOUSE, please visit: http://www.smarttix.com/show.aspx?showcode=nor5E9&ss=1

For tickets to the musical A DOLL'S LIFE, please visit: http://www.smarttix.com/show.aspx?showcode=nor2C4&ss=1

For the $45 marathon package (a ticket to both shows, save $5 when buying tickets to both), please call SmartTix at (212)-868-4444.

Remember, act before November 27th at midnight using the code "EarlyB27" and get $7 off the price of admission! 

MEET LISA WIPPERLING

Meet Lisa Crosby Wipperling, yet another Beautiful Soup newcomer, who is featured as Jaqueline in A Doll's Life for NORA, IN REP. Check out her interview with us below:


With hundreds of casting calls a week in this city, what attracted you to this project? A friend of mine studied the show recently for a class project and I fell in love with Nora's solo to her children. The show took hold. I also have been interested in Henrik Ibsen's work and, though this is loosely based on his play I still feel it's a way to study the characters he envisioned with a creative team. 
 
What do you hope audience members come away with after seeing the show? That even though women's liberation is a specific vein in the show, I think all people can relate to the moments we all have had being unequal in some way, shape or form and worked to overcome. Struggle is part of the human condition and questioning our limits at a moral level is something some of us have to face daily but all of us face at some point. To question is to be alive, to be static is to be dead. I hope this show makes you question and breathes new perspective into your life. 
 
What's your dream role? The Mother in Ragtime, The Baker's Wife in Into the Woods, Lizzie in 110 in the Shade (or Rainmaker), Diane in Next to Normal, Avery in Sin, and too many to mention. 
 
Who is your hero and why? There are many.  Meryl Streep, her versatility as an actor on and off stage is unending. Audra McDonald, her groundedness and vocal ease while being intense.
 
What's the greatest experience you've had on stage? The thrill of not knowing what's next because every night it's different. 
 
Who is the one person you haven't worked with that you would like to? Raul Esparza. Watching Company on a DVD I was drawn in. Then being front row for Arcadia, his presence resonated so strongly I now crave being on a stage and interacting with him. 
 
What's your favorite musical/play and why? Larry Kramer's The Normal Heart is my new favorite.  
 
What's your favorite ice cream? Ben and Jerry's Phish Food

Nora or a Torvald? Nora. No Contest.

Wednesday, November 16, 2011

Meet Jordan Shaner, who makes his Beautiful Soup debut in the ensemble of A Doll's Life this coming January. With an extensive background in opera, Jordan returns to the musical theater stage to work on this rare revival. Learn more about him in his interview below...


With hundreds of casting calls a week in this city, what attracted you to this project? The opportunity to work with colleagues around my own age on a project that was focused on in depth ensemble work.

What do you hope audience members come away with after seeing the show? A new perspective on ANYTHING. Coincidentally, I also hope for it myself. 

Who or what inspired you to go into theatre? I always loved pretending. 

What's your dream role? Sweeney Todd, or Figaro. I've always secretly wanted to be a barber.

Who is your hero and why? Honestly, my grandfather, who came to this country a survivor, but never allowed himself to become a martyr or victim. He put the past behind him and he prospered in the moment.

What's the greatest experience you've had on stage? I was in a "viewpoints" production of Robert Ward's opera The Crucible. It changed the way I approach the work.

Who is the one person you haven't worked with that you would like to? Anne Bogart 

What's your favorite musical/play and why? I love the old classics and Sondheim. Can't pick a favorite. 

What's your favorite ice cream? Ben and Jerry's Mint Chocolate Chip.

Nora or a Torvald? Torvald.

Have you seen our teaser trailer yet?

Watch it and let us know what you think! Are you getting excited to see the shows?

Thursday, November 10, 2011

MEET PATRICK PIZZOLORUSSO

Meet Patrick, who plays Nora's misguided husband Torvald Helmer in Ibsen's classic play A DOLL'S HOUSE. Learn more about him in our interview below:

With hundreds of casting calls a week in this city, what attracted you to this project? I am always attracted to the classics.  My training was rooted in classical theater so that is where my interest naturally lies.  That being said, we live in NYC and the majority of the classic pieces you see performed or auditions advertised for are Shakespeare.  (Not that there is anything wrong with that, I love Shakespeare) When I see a chance to audition for a classic piece that is not Shakespeare, I jump at it.

What do you hope audience members come away with after seeing the show? 
I think mostly I'd like them to come away with the idea that Torvald wasn't a bad guy.  I feel that most people look at him as this horrible person. But he was simply living under a certain society's beliefs and strictures.  He felt certain things were right because that's what he was told. It's all he knew. 

Who or what inspired you to go into theatre? 
I'd have to say it was a joint effort from my family.  All members of my family are artists in their own right.  Be it designing houses, restoring classic cars, or painting, everyone has their own artistic outlet.  I was encouraged to find mine and I did.  Little did we know that it would be this all encompassing career.

What's your dream role? Honestly there are too many. Prince Hal and Puck I think would be my absolute dreams on stage.  In film? Give me a role in an epic sci-fi series or movie.  

Who is your hero and why?  Gene Kelley.  I mean he sang in the rain and danced with Jerry Mouse.  What more could you want?  He just made everything look so effortless and cool on screen.  

What's the greatest experience you've had on stage? The very first time I cried on stage as a character.  It was a moment where I connected with the character, the audience, and realized the dire circumstances surrounding the character's life.  I cried.  I immediately said to myself, "what the fuck is happening?" And...immediately brought myself out of the moment.  But I learned a lot that night on that little stage.

Who is the one person you haven't worked with that you would like to? haha..Patrick Stewart.

What's your favorite musical/play and why? 
Andre Gregory's Alice.  I performed in this with a handful of very close friends, directed by my friend/mentor and I think I learned the most from theater by working on this piece. (And it's one of my favorite stories)

What's your favorite ice cream? Anything with bits of peanut butter in it.  

Nora or a Torvald? Tovald!  (I think I have to say that)

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MEET ANNA KIRKLAND

Anna Kirkland returns to her musical theatre roots after a long affair with opera to star as casta diva Astrid Klemnach in A Doll's Life this January. Making her Beautiful Soup debut, Anna sat down with us recently for an interview. Check it out below!


With hundreds of casting calls a week in this city, what attracted you to this project? Although I now primarily consider myself and opera singer, my first love was musical theatre.  To be able to be involved in a musical that requires operatic singing is a dream come true for me - a way to marry my two greatest passions.  The charitable aspect of the Collaborative Soup is also very inspiring to me.  I've always believed that theatre and music can impact the world in a positive way and this company does that in such a tangible way.  I'm thrilled to be a part of it.

What do you hope audience members come away with after seeing the show?  
I hope the audience comes away with a real appreciation for Ibsen's incredible play and for Grossman's too-seldom-heard score.  

Who or what inspired you to go into theatre?
I can't remember a time when I didn't love music and performing.  One of my earliest memories is singing along to the Wizard of Oz for hours on end with my stuffed dog "Toto".

What's your dream role? Since I was 7 years old I have wanted to play Fantine in Les Miserables.  Surprising dream role for a 7 year old, but then I was a strange child!  I'm sure my mother enjoyed trying to explain to me who the "lovely ladies" were and why their customers "only come at night".  I still dream of singing that role.

Who is your hero and why? 

What's the greatest experience you've had on stage?  When I was singing Mercedes in Carmen with the Hradec Kralove International Opera Festival in the Czech Republic I remember standing backstage waiting to go on and, since the performance was outdoors, seeing this beautiful summer sky full of stars above me and hearing the orchestra playing and thinking, "I must be the luckiest person in the world."  Between the setting and the music it was quite an overwhelming moment.  I felt so incredibly grateful to be a part of it.

Who is the one person you haven't worked with that you would like to?  Verdi, Mozart, Puccini....  The genius of these composers is a constant inspiration to me.  What must it be like to have that kind of music in your head?  I can't even imagine.  Of course, I think I was born a little too late to meet any of them, but a girl can dream, right?
What's your favorite musical/play and why?  I think I have to say Les Miserables since I have been completely in love with the story and music since I was little.  Even after seeing it more than 20 times and listening to the soundtrack continously, it moves me every time.  The lessons of love and redemption in the show are timeless.

What's your favorite ice cream?  Cookies and Cream.  Mmmmmm....delicious!

Nora or a Torvald?  Nora. Definitely Nora.

Wednesday, November 9, 2011

MEET FRANK VAN PUTTEN

Frank Van Putten makes his debut on the Beautiful Soup stage in NORA IN REP. Playing the ill-fated Dr. Rank in Henrik Ibsen's A Doll's House, Frank took a few minutes out to do an interview with us. Check it out!

With hundreds of casting calls a week in this city, what attracted you to this project? I've always loved this play. It's still fresh.

What do you hope audience members come away with after seeing the show? I hope we'll energize them, and that maybe they stumble on a ghost or two in their own lives. Where are we still like Nora or Torvald. What have we inherited, what are the choices of our own free will. What is a marriage.

Who or what inspired you to go into theatre? I saw a Hamlet when I was seven or eight. I've wanted Denmark ever since.

What's your dream role? I just have a short list: Vanya is a role I am dying to do. Krapp one day. And Lear, no less.

Who is your hero and why? An illegal immigrant. To make a life here, coming from another culture, another language. To have no rights; remain civil, and keep cheer.

What's the greatest experience you've had on stage? One performance, when I didn't try, didn't remember anything, but everything just was. I couldn't remember afterward how I got there.

Who is the one person you haven't worked with that you would like to? Javier Bardem? God, so many great actors have the ability to reach into your heart, who can just be that person, taking you on the journey of a soul. It's a great privilege to work with artists you can absorb and learn from.

What's your favorite musical/play and why? My favorite play is Uncle Vanya. I love the complaining and the futillity of it.

What's your favorite ice cream? Ginger Lemon ice cream is my latest discovery; Trader Joes make it.

Nora or a Torvald? I definitely come from Torvald's world. My Father was the picture of a patriarch, but my Mother was Nora, she questioned everything, slammed a lot of doors, only she didn't leave. I'm likewise caught; I think I secretly would love to go back to a time when I could be Torvald, unquestioned: that adoration, that power, feeling so benevolent with dainty feet tiptoeing outside my study... If only I could trust that certainty.

Tuesday, November 8, 2011

MEET MARGARET DIETRICH

Currently taking Stonewall by storm in its open mic competition, Stonewall Sensation, Margaret Dietrich makes her debut with Beautiful Soup in the ensemble of A DOLL'S LIFE. To learn more about her, read our interview below -- or go down to Stonewall on Christopher Street every Wednesday at 10:30 to hear her singing the roof off!

With hundreds of casting calls a week in this city, what attracted you to this project? Two things. One, I got my degree in Musical Theatre but have always trained classically and wanted a chance to blend the two with the operatic score of "A Doll's Life" Also, I am a big musical nerd and always have a heart for the underproduced/flop shows... "Carrie" anyone?


What do you hope audience members come away with after seeing the show? A renewed appreciation/peaked interest in flop musicals!


Who or what inspired you to go into theatre? Watching The Sound of Music on video at age 8


What's your dream role?  Violet in Violet, Sister Mary Robert in Sister Act

Who is your hero and why?  My grandma, who selflessly cared for my aunt for 20 years while she battled ALS, and who is also the self-appointed "president of my fan club."  :)


What's the greatest experience you've had on stage? The Wedding Singer, my last show at OCU before I graduated. I got to play a handful of really fun small roles in the ensemble, the highlight of which was probably my star turn as a twinkie-shoving "Large Lady", complete with giant saggy fake boobs.


Who is the one person you haven't worked with that you would like to? ONE!? There are so many! I'm gonna aim high and say Barbara Cook. I'm completely obsessed with her.


What's your favorite musical/play and why? This is like asking me to choose my favorite child! I have lots, but I would probably say Side Show, because the score has some exceptionally romantic/beautiul moments, and what's better than BELTING siamese twins!?


What's your favorite ice cream? Coffee!


Nora or a Torvald? TEAM NORA.

Monday, November 7, 2011

MEET DANIEL MIAN

Daniel Mian takes to the Beautiful Soup stage for the first time this January as Nils Krogstad in Ibsen's A Doll's House. Learn more about Daniel in our interview with him below...

With hundreds of casting calls a week in this city, what attracted you to this project? There are certain shows I’ve always felt, if you get an opportunity to  work on this, you do it. A Doll’s House certainly fills that criteria. The history behind this show, what it did for theater, I could go on and on. I was lucky enough to do this show in college, and the fact that the ending climax drew multiple gasps from the audience shows how powerful this show still is, even with modern audiences.

What do you hope audience members come away with after seeing the show? I believe the point of this show is not about feminism but about individualism. Certainly the show takes a strong like at a woman’s position in this world, but I hope it gets people to think about what their roles are in all areas- in their family, their place of work, society etc. And most of all, figure out who we are as individuals, and if we are truly the people we want to be or what others want us to be.

Who or what inspired you to go into theatre? I love making people laugh. I have since I was a wee little Dan.  But also, from other jobs I’ve had non theater, I realize I grow bored quite easily with the same routine. Theater just allows me to play. And for some reason I can be braver on stage than I can in real life. 

What's your dream role? Iago or Pseudolus 

Who is your hero and why? Gary Oldman. The man is a genius, a total chameleon. He can play anything and is ridiculously undervalued and underappreciated as an actor.

What's the greatest experience you've had on stage?A production of Midsummer in the park. We performed at night, using candles and the moon as lighting. The cast was amazing, and closing night, after curtain call, our Lysander proposed to his gf, who happened to be playing Hermia. Twas magical I say.

Who is the one person you haven't worked with that you would like to? Gyeong Kim

What's your favorite musical/play and why? Goes along with question 4 but favorite play would have to be Othello. It’s a story told mainly from the perspective of a sociopath and its absolutely fascinating. Favorite musical is A Funny Thing Happened on the Way to the Forum. I probably have the movie memorized, and Zero Mostel is hilarious.

What's your favorite ice cream? Ben and Jerry’s Late Night Snack. Sweet and Salty together?! Stop it! Just stop it!

Nora or a Torvald? Who do I pick? Who am I? Does anyone say they're like Torvald?

Thursday, November 3, 2011

MEET KRISTIN M. SGARRO

Kristin is making her Beautiful Soup debut as Anne-Marie in "A Doll's House" this January. Learn more about her in her interview with us here:

1. With hundreds of casting calls a week in this city, what attracted you to this project? I love modern theatre; also, Cristina is sneaky.

2. What do you hope audience members come away with after seeing the show? I would love for audiences to come away with anything at all; I have faith they'll get something from it. But seeing a piece like ours that caused such controversy when it was written makes me hope that people see that time is constantly changing and things are constantly moving forward. Who knows what is controversial now that in a century will be considered quite the opposite?

3. Who or what inspired you to go into theatre? I've always liked to go on the emotional journeys of different characters; you can learn from them, play around with them, and best of all, be one of them for a short while.

4. What's your dream role? The Scottish Queen, when I reach the appropriate seasoning.

5. Who is your hero and why? Shakespeare. He was concurrently ahead of his time and timeless. He also marries words with music in a kind of poetry that reaches levels beyond logical comprehension; and being an actor and a musician, I really appreciate that on many levels.

6. What's the greatest experience you've had on stage? I've had several; a couple that come to mind are both instances where my character(s) died - and I think I enjoy those moments so much is because death is the one thing that no one in themselves can experience BEFORE going onstage. Countless choices are up for grabs, and that's a liberating feeling.

7. Who is the one person you haven't worked with that you would like to? ...can I request Trey Parker and Matt Stone? They're one person, really.

8. What's your favorite musical/play and why? Old favorite play: Hamlet - a classic of psychological torment containing speeches identifying why people do what they do, good or bad, right or wrong. New favorite play: On Ego, by Mick Gordon and A.C. Grayling... and you'll have to read that to find out why.

9. What's your favorite ice cream? Ben & Jerry's Chubby Hubby.

10. Nora or a Torvald? ...Norvald.

Teaser Trailer

Have you seen our teaser trailer yet? More videos are coming your way very soon, but we thought we'd start with this... just to get you on the edge of your seats with anticipation! Check it out!

Wednesday, November 2, 2011

MEET SHANNON MUNLEY

Shannon Munley, who is featured in Ibsen's "A Doll's House" as Mrs. Linde, returns to the Beautiful Soup stage after starring in The WSXR Players Present Their June 7, 1944 Broadcast of William Shakespeare's TWELFTH NIGHT, or What You Will as Ruthie Mitchell (Feste the Clown). Shannon sang her heart out in that one, but will take to our stage in a completely different way this January. Learn more about her before her turn as Mrs. Lynne by reading her interview with us...

With hundreds of casting calls a week in this city, what attracted you to this project?
I've worked with BSTC previously, so casting notices from them always catch my eye first.  I've also been looking to get involved with more classic plays lately, and with Kymberly Tuttle in the leading role, how could I not audition!?

What do you hope audience members come away with after seeing the show?
Ideally, I would want the audience to remember a time when women were held in such low regard in this world that they were little more  than trinkets in their fathers' or husbands' home.  We haven't even had the right to vote for 100 years yet!  A glass ceiling still exists, and people still find it suprising when a beautiful woman would prefer a Doctorate to a diamond.  Ibsen wrote a wonderfully bold heroine, and I hope the audience is inspired by her chutzbah!

Who or what inspired you to go into theatre?
I've had that fire in my belly for as long as I can remember, but one event turned a dream into a career path:  My aunts took me to see Annie Get Your Gun with none other than Bernadette Peters in the title role.  During the second act, my aunt said to me, "You know, that kind of looks like you up there."  "I could do that?" I asked.  "Of course you could." she replied, without a moment's hesitation.  I haven't questioned it since.

What's your dream role?
Ariel, in The Little Mermaid.  It's something I'd never be cast as, but that's what dreams are for!

Who is your hero and why?
Everyone will say this, but it's the truth.  My Mom is my hero.  From her I learned what hard work was, and that anything less than my absolute, 100% best was beneath me.  She showed me how to follow my heart while keeping both feet planted firmly on the ground.  She's been my example of how to love and how to live.  I think that about sums it up!

What's the greatest experience you've had on stage?
Anytime you can so connect to the audience that they feel what you are feeling, whether its to make them laugh or cry, is the most wonderful thing in the world.  To have them honestly feel they've journeyed with you in a world that only exists for two hours is the greatest thing we can hope for!

Who is the one person you haven't worked with that you would like to?
I can't name just one name...truthfully, I love working with new people because there is always something new to learn.  I love working with people who know more than I do or have more experience than I do so I can learn everything I can from them!  This craft is all about give and take, and I'm happy to teach and to learn!

What's your favorite musical/play and why?
The King and I.  Everytime it's on TV I can't turn it off!  The music is beautiful and I always admire Anna's bravery and tenderness.  It's one of the first musicals I ever saw onstage, and my mother and I sang the music for weeks after.

What's your favorite ice cream?
Mint Chocolate Chip!

Nora or a Torvald?
Definitely a Nora!!

Tuesday, November 1, 2011

MEET MALLORY BERLIN

Mallory Berlin, who stars in A Doll's Life, the musical as Nora, returns to The Beautiful Soup stage after playing a Weird Sister in Macbeth. You can catch a glimpse of Mallory and learn more about here before you see her on stage in January...


With hundreds of casting calls a week in this city, what attracted you to this project?
Well, it's nicer than Madame Hedwigs...

What do you hope audience members come away with after seeing the show?
When someone closes a door, another one opens. While "A Doll's Life" explores many themes (chiefly woman's liberation, conquering fears, etc.), the most important lesson to learn from Nora is that life goes on. One bad experience does not a life make - and the future is what YOU make it to be.

Who or what inspired you to go into theatre? 
I love being a chameleon and exploring different characters and thoughts. Theatre has enabled me to get inside the heads of so many people and challenge myself in ways I never could in a normal, run-of-the-mill job!

What's your dream role? 
It changes every day! Right now it's the title role in Shaw's "Candida". But a normal answer would be A) Any female Edward Albee roles or B) Any Sondheim roles - but most specifically Anne in "A Little Night Music"....for now.

Who is your hero and why?
It sounds so cliche, but my father.  Without him, I wouldn't be the person I am today. He's supported me through good times and bad, and even when life doesn't go the way we've planned it to - he still spins a positive outlook on things! I aspire to be just like that!

What's the greatest experience you've had on stage?
So difficult to choose!!! It's a tie between the title role of Ravel's "L'enfant et les sortileges" and the Queen of Hearts in Beautiful Soup's ALICE. In "L'enfant" I played an angry little boy who smashes everything to pieces :P But ALICE had a hoop skirt, a ridiculous wig and a crazy french accent. Decisions, decisions...

Who is the one person you haven't worked with that you would like to?
Stephen Sondheim. I can dream
 
What's your favorite musical/play and why?
Without a doubt "Who's Afraid of Virginia Woolf?" by Edward Albee. It was the first play I read that introduced me to absurdism, asked deep questions and had you evaluate yourself in a new light. Edward Albee is a GOD.

What's your favorite ice cream?
Cookies and cream! I'm a dork.

Nora or a Torvald? 
I prefer the salmon.