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 Café, 25^th 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.

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.

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!

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!

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.

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.