by Christopher Romero Wilson, Director

Tonight (Friday 2/24/2012) will mark the beginning of the end of the Fools and Philanderers Festival as we enter our final weekend of performances. It has been a tremendous experience from top to bottom.

Brian Reilly As Felix, Julia Morgantini as Gwen, Kathleen Boddington as Cecily, and Tony White as Oscar

The Odd Couple has enjoyed fantastic attendance by enthusiastic audiences who have shown their approval via their laughter and applause. Last week I wrote that “dying is easy, comedy is hard”. I must admit in my 20 plus years directing in various mediums, The Odd Couple was easily one of the most challenging pieces I’ve ever undertook. But my cast stepped up and have consistently delivered top tier performances at every show. There is nothing more artistically gratifying than sitting with the audience as they enjoy the final outcome of weeks of hard work.

Alan Bordelon as Max, Viktoriya Papayani as Bianca, and Matthew Thomas Burda as Anatol

Anatol has likewise enjoyed good houses at every performance. The combination of music, dance, humor, and sex appeal have made director Schnele Wilson’s interpretation of Arthur Schnitzler’s classic study in gender relations an audience favorite! Her stellar cast has likewise consistently delivered top notch performances at every show.

Ewan McGregor

The highlight of the run thus far was when actor Ewan McGregor was in the audience (by invitation of cast member Erin Nelson). Afterward he expressed his admiration of the work to both Erin and Schnele. It was a night no one involved will easily forget!

Which brings me to my final bittersweet observation. The sadly poetic beauty of live theater is it’s fleeting nature. While all of us involved will go on to maintain friendships and even work together again on other projects, the particular experience of doing these two shows in this time and place can never be replicated. At the beginning of the run I told the cast of The Odd Couple to “savor every moment because on Monday 2/27 it will all be just a memory”! So, as we go into the final weekend of shows I plan to do just that…savor every moment.

Please join us!

Christopher Romero Wilson is director of The Odd Couple and Artistic/Managing Director of CityShow.

The Odd Couple is part of CityShow’s Fools and Philanderers Festival which also features Anatol by Arthur Schnitzler.

WHERE:

The Odd Couple and Anatol are performing in rep at Shetler Studios in Theatre 54 in New York City.

WHEN:

Odd Couple: February 15th (7:30), 17th (8:00), 18th (1:30), 19th (4:00 and 7:00), 21st (7:30), 23rd (7:30), 25th (4:00 and 8:00), and 26th (1:30)

Anatol: February 16th (7:30), 18th (4:00 and 8:00), 19th (1:30), 20th (7:30), 22nd (7:30), 24th (8:00), 25th (1:30), and 26th (4:00 and 7:00)

Tickets available via SmartTix

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For more information, visit the CityShow website!

About CityShow
CityShow is a New York City-based entertainment production company whose mission it is to bring first-rate quality live entertainment to the multitude of intimate performance venues of the metropolitan area.

by Christopher Romero Wilson, Director

A few weeks ago I wrote a blog post on the rehearsal process at it’s midway point. On Wednesday night 2/15/2012 the rehearsal process came to an end with the opening night performance of The Odd Couple. 

The transition from the rehearsal process to a fully realized performance ready production can sometimes be a difficult one. For weeks actors have been focused on learning lines, remembering their blocking, and developing three dimensional characters with believable relationships to each other. It can sometimes be easy to get lost in that process of experimentation and discovery and forget that the entire purpose of all that work is to present it in it’s finished form to an audience.

As both an actor and director I sometimes take exception to some of the training many young actors are receiving in both universities and outside acting classes. There is a strong focus on all the internal work that must be done to create a character. However, the performance aspect of all that work must not be forgotten. When you finally reach the end of the rehearsal process you have only just begun the work you had set out to do, which is to perform for an audience. It’s called SHOW business for a reason.

Tony White as Oscar Madison & Brian Reilly as Felix Unger

You’ve heard it said that dying is easy, comedy is hard. Well I’m here to tell you that truer words have never been spoken. Those of you who are familiar with my work know that in general I am attracted to darker material. The challenge with a piece like The Odd Couple is to make it all seem believable, which in turn accents the humor of the piece.

At the end of the rehearsal process it is so gratifying to see all that hard work come together as the run of the show begins!

Christopher Romero Wilson is director of The Odd Couple and Artistic/Managing Director of CityShow.

The Odd Couple is part of CityShow’s Fools and Philanderers Festival which also features Anatol by Arthur Schnitzler.

WHERE:

The Odd Couple and Anatol are performing in rep at Shetler Studios in Theatre 54 in New York City.

WHEN:

Odd Couple: February 15th (7:30), 17th (8:00), 18th (1:30), 19th (4:00 and 7:00), 21st (7:30), 23rd (7:30), 25th (4:00 and 8:00), and 26th (1:30)

Anatol: February 16th (7:30), 18th (4:00 and 8:00), 19th (1:30), 20th (7:30), 22nd (7:30), 24th (8:00), 25th (1:30), and 26th (4:00 and 7:00)

Tickets available via SmartTix

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For more information, visit the CityShow website!

About CityShow
CityShow is a New York City-based entertainment production company whose mission it is to bring first-rate quality live entertainment to the multitude of intimate performance venues of the metropolitan area.

by Shawn Michial Madsen

I had the pleasure of attending the opening performance of CityShow’s production of Arthur Schnitzler’s Anatol at Theatre 54. Director Schnele Wilson did a fine job of presenting this unusual piece, incorporating modern touches, advanced movement, minimalist set, and a polished production. Matthew Thomas Burda plays Anatol a man whose own insecurities and pessimistic take on fidelity traps him into an endless merry- go-round cycle of worship, disillusionment, and spite. Mr Burda plays Anatol as a despondant, hopeless Malvolio as he loves and then pushes away the women in his life, and the ghosts of his past relationships further jade him into a path of relationship destruction. The women in his life are not spared the playwright’s critical pen either, they are no more honest in thier love then Anatol, and rather then being victims of Anatol are contributers to his disillusionment of fidelity that ends with his bedding an old flame the night before his wedding much to his friend Max’s chagrin. Max played by Alan Bordelon with a wonderful, droll, dry wit is the best friend and foil of Anatol, and a surrogate for the audience, as he observes his friend and the women’s shenanigans.

From L to R: Faith Aeryn, Tania Rudnitsky, Erin Nelson, Keely Hunt, Lillian J. Small, and Viktoriya Papayani

A tip of the hat goes to Meredith Wilford’s Fosse-Esque choreography that was used as prologue, epilogue, and to help make scene changes seamless. A tip of the hat also goes to the “double-threat actor/dancer” ladies in the production, especially the featured dancers Keely Hunt, Lillian J. Small, and Viktoriya Papayani, who excelled at the slow, long, languid movements required of the style.

Lighting was simple but effective, provided by Melissa Farinelli and Mr. Bordelon and helped the mood of each individual vignette.

Director, Schnele Wilson

My final salute goes to director Mrs. Wilson & Ms. Papayani as Bianca, for her transformation from innocent waif to an alley cat in heat and back again instantly as she is literally passed back and forth into the arms of the boys in the scene Episode.

Anatol is part of CityShow’s Fools & Philanderers Festival which also features The Odd Couple by Neil Simon. Shawn Michial Madsen can currently be seen as Murray in The Odd Couple. 

WHERE:

The Odd Couple and Anatol are performing in rep at Shetler Studios in Theatre 54 in New York City.

WHEN:

Odd Couple: February 15th (7:30), 17th (8:00), 18th (1:30), 19th (4:00 and 7:00), 21st (7:30), 23rd (7:30), 25th (4:00 and 8:00), and 26th (1:30)

Anatol: February 16th (7:30), 18th (4:00 and 8:00), 19th (1:30), 20th (7:30), 22nd (7:30), 24th (8:00), 25th (1:30), and 26th (4:00 and 7:00)

Tickets available via SmartTix

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For more information, visit the CityShow website!

About CityShow
CityShow is a New York City-based entertainment production company whose mission it is to bring first-rate quality live entertainment to the multitude of intimate performance venues of the metropolitan area.

By David Cohen. AKA "Roy" in The Odd Couple

The challenge, the nuance, and really the joy of playing secondary characters in The Odd Couple comes from seeing what they are actually there for. Namely, to help tell the story of Oscar and Felix, our very odd couple whose friendship is the focus of the play and the axle around which everything else in it turns.

You could say that their relationship is the melodic line, and we are the harmony and counterpoint notes off of which the main guys ‘pop’ on their hysterically funny journey together. It’s a wonderful aspect of Neil Simon’s writing that, within that, he has still created a lot of individual color to each of the secondaries, and our director Christopher Romero Wilson has been very astute about bringing out those different character hues and insuring that we don’t become just a generic wash of ‘poker-buddy’ type dudes merely there to fill out the scene.

Kathleen Boddington and Julia Morgantini as "Cecily and Gwendolyn Pigeon"

Of course there are also the two charming ladies, Gwendolyn and Cecily, who unwittingly, and I would add quite hilariously stumble into this messy, very ‘dude’ landscape.

Jarde Jacobs As "Vinnie", Shawn Madsen as "Murray", and Al Smith as "Speed"

But I’d especially highlight the guys: Vinnie, Murray the cop, Speed, and my character Roy, for how they create the sense of middle-aged male friendship that is really the emotional foundation of the piece. We’re all at turns gruff, irritable, sardonic and kind of kvetchy with each other, but that becomes all the more charming as the sense of underlying warmth and concern emerges, particularly toward the man-in-crisis Felix, but also more globally as an expression of the emotional solidarity of the group of guys as a whole. It’s a very charming play for its humanity on that level.

The Odd Couple is part of CityShow’s Fools and Philanderers Festival:

WHERE:

The Odd Couple and Anatol will be performed in rep at Shetler Studios in Theatre 54 in New York City.

WHEN:

Odd Couple: February 15th (7:30), 17th (8:00), 18th (1:30), 19th (4:00 and 7:00), 21st (7:30), 23rd (7:30), 25th (4:00 and 8:00), and 26th (1:30)

Anatol: February 16th (7:30), 18th (4:00 and 8:00), 19th (1:30), 20th (7:30), 22nd (7:30), 24th (8:00), 25th (1:30), and 26th (4:00 and 7:00)

Tickets available via SmartTix

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For more information, visit the CityShow website!

About CityShow
CityShow is a New York City-based entertainment production company whose mission it is to bring first-rate quality live entertainment to the multitude of intimate performance venues of the metropolitan area.

By Christopher Romero Wilson, Director - The Odd Couple

As we begin our third week of rehearsals for our Fools and Philanderers Festival I realize that we are at the point where things are starting to gel. The picture starts to come into focus. What at first was simply a collection of actors reading from a script, begins to look like something resembling a play, and I start to see the first glimpses of a realized vision.

As a director this is always a very exciting time for me. No matter how many shows one may have directed, the beginning of a new project is always still just an idea. All you have at first is the script, the actors, and what you imagine the finished show will look like. For two weeks we’ve chipped away at the slab of marble and a form is emerging. The actors are finding their footing, and starting to relate to each others characters believably. The blocking starts looking more like natural movement rather than premeditated walking and talking.

Tony White as Oscar Madison and Brian Reilly as Felix Unger

It’s at this stage that I can now start to focus on character development and relationships. For both the Odd Couple and Anatol (directed by Schnele Wilson) the relationships are at the very heart of each show. Despite the fact that it is a comedy, The Odd Couple deals quite genuinely with the relationship between two very different men coming to terms with divorce and each other. Likewise, Anatol is an exploration of the relationships one young man has with seven very unique women, and how those relationships shape his life and theirs.

Tania Rudnitsky as Elsa and Matthew Thomas Burda as Anatol

The discoveries made during this stage of the rehearsal process ultimately informs my initial vision and clears the path from here to there. No matter how many times I go through this process, it’s always an enlightening and artistically gratifying experience, and I am reminded again why I have chosen to do all this in the first place.

The Fools and Philanderers Festival:

WHERE:

The Odd Couple and Anatol will be performed in rep at Shetler Studios in Theatre 54 in New York City.

WHEN:

Odd Couple: February 15th (7:30), 17th (8:00), 18th (1:30), 19th (4:00 and 7:00), 21st (7:30), 23rd (7:30), 25th (4:00 and 8:00), and 26th (1:30)

Anatol: February 16th (7:30), 18th (4:00 and 8:00), 19th (1:30), 20th (7:30), 22nd (7:30), 24th (8:00), 25th (1:30), and 26th (4:00 and 7:00)

Tickets available via SmartTix

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For more information, visit the CityShow website!

About CityShow
CityShow is a New York City-based entertainment production company whose mission it is to bring first-rate quality live entertainment to the multitude of intimate performance venues of the metropolitan area.

Individual Tickets for The Odd Couple:
Wed.15th (7:30) $25,
Fri 17th (8:00) $25,
Sat 18th (1:30) $20,
Sun 19th (4:00 and 7:00) $25,
Tue 21st (7:30) $17.50,
Thu 23rd (7:30) $25,
Sat 25th (4:00 and 8:00) $25, and
Sun 26th (1:30) $20

Individual tickets for Anatol
Thu 16th (7:30) $20,
Sat 18th (4:00 and 8:00) $20,
Sun 19th (1:30) $16,
Mon 20th (7:30) $14,
Wed 22nd (7:30) $20,
Fri 24th (8:00) $20,
Sat 25th (1:30) $16, and
Sun 26th (4:00 and 7:00) $20

CityShow is also offering the Fool’s and Philanderers Package; both shows for $30.

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For more information, visit the CityShow website!

About CityShow
CityShow is a New York City-based entertainment production company whose mission it is to bring first-rate quality live entertainment to the multitude of intimate performance venues of the metropolitan area.

The cast of The Odd Couple had their first full read through Monday night with rehearsals continuing through out the week. Anatol had already been in informal rehearsals since late December.

ABOUT THE ODD COUPLE

Fools find friendship despite their flaws…

Tony White as Oscar Madison

Brian Reilly as Felix Ungar

The Odd Couple is Neil Simon’s classic comedy which explores the relationship between two mismatched divorced roommates, Felix Ungar, a neurotic television news reporter and Oscar Madison, a slovenly sports writer. Fastidious, depressed and none too tense, Felix seems suicidal after his wife kicks him out. But as the action unfolds Oscar becomes the one with murder on his mind when the clean-freak and the slob ultimately decide to live together with hilarious results as The Odd Couple is born

ABOUT ANATOL

The Philanderer and his seven lovers…

Matthew Thomas Burda as Anatol

Anatol, the insightful first work by Austrian playwright Arthur Schnitzler, follows the amorous adventures of a charming bourgeois playboy, as he flirts, fights, and beds seven different women on his path to matrimony. Funny, sexy, and at times thought provoking, Anatol dares to ask the question…why do fools fall in love?

Meredith Wilford, Choreographer

In addition, Meredith Wilford has signed on to choreograph Anatol’s opening dance sequence. Meredith was also the choreographer on CityShow’s 2011 production of BAAL. She likewise appeared in the role of the Younger Sister.

Meredith Wilford and the cast of BAAL

WHERE:

The Odd Couple and Anatol will be performed in rep at Shetler Studios and Theatres in Theatre 54 in New York City.

WHEN:

Odd Couple: February 15th (7:30), 17th (8:00), 18th (1:30), 19th (4:00 and 6:30), 21st (7:30), 23rd (7:30), 25th (4:00 and 8:00), and 26th (1:30)

Anatol: February 16th (7:30), 18th (4:00 and 8:00), 19th (1:30), 20th (7:30), 22nd (7:30), 24th (8:00), 25th (1:30), and 26th (4:00 and 7:00)

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For more information, visit the CityShow website!

About CityShow
CityShow is a New York City-based entertainment production company whose mission it is to bring first-rate quality live entertainment to the multitude of intimate performance venues of the metropolitan area.

The Odd Couple is Neil Simon’s classic comedy which explores the relationship between a couple of mismatched divorced roommates, Felix Unger, a neurotic television news reporter and Oscar Madison, a slovenly sports writer. This production will feature CityShow Executive Director Brian Reilly in the role of Felix. Returning to the CityShow stage in the part of Oscar Madison is Off Off Broadway veteran Tony White. Mr. White previously directed CityShow’s 2010 production of The Importance of Being Earnest which featured Mr. Reilly in the part of Jack Worthington.

The cast also includes CityShow veterans Shawn Madsen as Murray, Jarde Jacobs as Vinnie, and Kathleen Boddington and Julia Morgantini as Cecily and Gwendolyn Pigeon respectively. Rounding out the cast are CityShow newcomers David Cohen as Roy and Al Smith as Speed.

The Odd Couple will be directed by CityShow Artistic Director, Christopher Romero Wilson, who helmed the company’s 2011 production of the World War II drama All Through the Night. He also appeared as King Herod in CityShow’s 2010 production of Salome’.

Christopher Romero Wilson

Anatol, the first work by Austrian playwright Arthur Schitzler, is a play in seven scenes revolving around a bourgeois playboy and his affairs with seven different women.

Anatol will be directed by CityShow Creative Director, Schnele Wilson. Schnele previously directed CityShow’s 2011 production of BAAL.

Schnele Wilson

The title role will be played by CityShow newcomer Matthew Thomas Burda. The part of his enabling friend Max will be played by Alan Bordelon, who was the Lighting Director for both All Through the Night and BAAL.

Returning to the CityShow stage in Anatol are Faith Aeryn as Emelie, Keely Hunt as Annie, Tania Rudnitsky as Elsa, and Lillian J. Small as Ilona. Completing the cast are CityShow newcomers Anna Wallace-Deering as Cora, and Erin Nelson as Gabrielle.

L to R: Matthew Thomas Burda, Alan Bordelon, Anna Wallace-Deering, Erin Nelson, Viktoriya Papayani, Faith Aeryn, Keely Hunt, Tania Rudnitsky, Lillian J. Small

Returning as AD/SM for Odd Couple as well as Technical Director for both Odd Couple and Anatol is Melissa Farinelli, who was AD/SM on All Through the Night.

Melissa Farinelli

WHERE:

The Odd Couple and Anatol will be performed in rep at Shetler Studios and Theatres in Theatre 54 in New York City.

WHEN:

Odd Couple: February 15th (7:30), 17th (8:00), 18th (1:30), 19th (4:00 and 7:00), 21st (7:30), 23rd (7:30), 25th (4:00 and 8:00), and 26th (1:30)

Anatol: February 16th (7:30), 18th (4:00 and 8:00), 19th (1:30), 20th (7:30), 22nd (7:30), 24th (8:00), 25th (1:30), and 26th (4:00 and 7:00)

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For more information, visit the CityShow website!

About CityShow
CityShow is a New York City-based entertainment production company whose mission it is to bring first-rate quality live entertainment to the multitude of intimate performance venues of the metropolitan area.

by Christopher Romero Wilson

CityShow’s Rogues Amidst the Fatherland theater event closed on Sunday, May 22, 2011. Our final week of performances of both All Through the Night and Baal were all nearly sold out. As artistic director for the event it was quite gratifying to see so many people enjoying the work.

Now that I’ve had a few days to reflect I find that I’m still feeling so many things, relief, satisfaction, pride, and a bit of sadness to see it all come to an end. Overall, I will always look back on this as a tremendous experience.

Cast of "Baal" (from left to right): Matthew Castleman, David Davila, Lillian J. Small, Scott M.Watson, Taliesen Rose, Tawney-Joy Bedkober, Viktoriya Papayani, Meredith Wilford, Jessica D. Kelly, Abraham M. Adams, Jarde Jacobs

I first want to give a shout out to director Schnele Wilson and the entire cast of Baal for making such a dense, complex classic so sexy and entertaining while maintaining the integrity of Brecht’s work. It was such a pleasure to see the show grow and become more nuanced with each performance. From beginning to end each scene crackled with energy, danger and sexual tension. What an achievement! Bravo!!!

Cast of "All Through the Night" (from left to right) Faith Aeryn, Kathleen Boddington, Melissa Patterson, Tania Rudnitsky, Keely Kate Williams

Next I want to mention my cast of All Through the Night. These ladies each gave exceptional performances in very demanding roles. Shirley Lauro’s play about young women in Nazi Germany is intense, brutal, and tragic. Each part required every one of them to commit completely to the emotional and psychological demands of the characters they were portraying, and they did so brilliantly! More than that they were an absolute pleasure to work with. All the drama was on stage. They were incredibly supportive of each other (and of me), and it showed in their performances. Well done ladies! I am so proud of each of you and what we accomplished together!!!

I would be remiss if I did not give props to my AD/SM Melissa Farinelli (aka Far). The two of us have worked together now on three different projects and every time Far makes my job easier. She is a talented director in her own right, and I am lucky to have had her on this project. In addition, Melissa and  Alan Borderlon were invaluable as our Lighting Designers for both shows. Thanks to Alan for running tech for Baal, and Melissa for running the video.

Likewise, much respect goes out to Julia Morgantini for all her hard work as AD/SM for Baal. I know Schnele could not have done it without her.

Last but certainly not least, none of this would have been possible without CityShow Executive Director Brian Reilly. Thanks again for providing everyone this opportunity to work on such meaningful projects!

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For more information, visit the CityShow website!

About CityShow
CityShow is a New York City-based entertainment production company whose mission it is to bring first-rate quality live entertainment to the multitude of intimate performance venues of the metropolitan area.

The moment I read the character description for Angelika in Shirley Lauro’s All Through the Night, I knew I had to take on this role. She’s bubbly and happy, and like my mom, she’s Catholic and goes into Obstetrics.

But aside from those characteristics, as I read the play for the first time, and in the re-readings and rehearsals thereafter, Angelika felt (and still feels) very natural to me – like breathing. I love everything about Angelika – from her name to her shortcomings – and I only wish we had months more ahead of us in our run so that I could keep delving deeper into the role to keep discovering new things.

Purchase Tickets for “Rogues Amidst the Fatherland” featuring “All Through the Night” by Shirley Lauro, and “Baal” by Bertolt Brecht. Discount tickets available for select dates.

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For more information, visit the CityShow website!

About CityShow
CityShow is a New York City-based entertainment production company whose mission it is to bring first-rate quality live entertainment to the multitude of intimate performance venues of the metropolitan area.