All Entries in the "Stage and Screen" Category
Bridezilla Attacks Florida, NOVA535 Hosts
From “American Princess” to “Bridezilla,” native Floridian and local star Kirsten Stiff brings national attention to the Tampa Bay and Sarasota areas with her second WE TV hit reality show.
When: Sunday, September 27th from 7:30-11 pm
Where: NOVA 535 at 535 Dr. Martin Luther King Street North, St. Petersburg FL 33701
Cost: Admission is free. NOVA 535 will provide complementary champagne and hors d’ouvres.
NOVA 535, a unique event space and modern art lounge, will host a free party for the debut of the action-packed “Bridezilla” episode that was filmed in part on its premises. Florida resident and “Bridezilla” star, Kirsten Stiff, daughter of Cindy and Robert Stiff (formerly of The Evening Independent), will host the party with the help of award-winning filmmaker and groom Seth Walker.
Although she’s also been featured on a season of the WE TV reality show, “American Princess” actress/choreographer/dancer/vocal instructor/doggie tutu designer Kirsten Stiff is not your typical boring reality TV star.
“As I said on “American Princess,” ‘You either love me or you hate me.’ but this time on “Bridezilla,” I have a feeling you’ll hate me. Oops!” she laughs, adding “I still love you!”
An active member of her community, Stiff’s “bridezillaness” is up for debate. A founder of multiple performance art organizations nationwide, Stiff also donates a percentage of the profits from her doggie tutu line “Princess Lola’s Tutus” to local non-kill animal shelters. “Reality TV brings out the actress in me,” she admits, “But at the end of the day I hope bringing cameras to Florida will ultimately help local businesses.”
Those present at NOVA 535 on Sunday for Stiff’s “Bridezilla” premiere will be able to watch cameras follow her through Ybor City, Clearwater, St. Petersburg, Dunedin and Sarasota as she brings national attention and a touch of insanity to her home state. “I’m not all bad!” she promises.
Interview: Erica Sutherlin
Tonight, July 18th, Tampa Bay is in for a performance treat. Local actress, playright, poet and director Erica Sutherlin is presenting her one-woman showcase “Manifesting Soul” at the Historic Royal Theater in Midtown St. Petersburg.
The debut showcase and album is a compilation of life inspired material reflecting the experiences, observations and call to self awareness Erica has perceived in her life and the lives of others. Produced by Erica C. Sutherlin and co- produced by Cranstan Cumberbatch, Josh Matthews and the Pinellas County Cultural Affairs, this showcase is a journey through ear caressing melodies and contemplative lyrics searching for love, truth, enlightenment, and goodness in this world of chaos and confusion. Erica’s poetic flow and delivery is un-paralleled, her energy is raw and awe striking to the likeness of a controlled explosion.
I recently had the pleasure of interviewing Erica on her work. Here is that interview:
1. You’re an actress, playwright, poet and director. Of all of these facets of entertainment, what’s your favorite part to play and why?
Once i would have said performance, but as i grow, i realize that i’m not just one particular part of art…i am all, they create and are a part of me. you don’t have to choose just one, even though everyone wants you to choose one. it’s not that I’m a jack of all trades and a master of none, my degree is in performance. the majority of my work is in performance but we grow and evolve, right? i see the world differently now, i want to experience it differently and put my touch on it. so, i am all of those disciplines, equally.
2. You’ve played notable characters in a number of performances, including Shakespeare’s Macbeth. What’s your most memorable character and why?
I would have to say the character i’m playing now, Mrs. Muller (the black mother) in doubt. most people know this play because it was commission for a screenplay and won numerous awards, especially the mother. however, it was a stage play first, which also won numerous awards. this particular character is so complex, yet human. at first, you want to hate her, but you realize the passion she has for her son. she’s so multi-leveled, deep even, but aren’t we all?
3. How would you describe your poetry and it’s message? Do you stick with a set theme or have you grown and changed as a poet over the years?
Life in rhythm. my poetry/songs are intended to enlighten, they should be a reflection of tangibility, something you can take with you, on the inside. regardless of your gender, you should be able to understand or relate to the message (which is hope, self love/preservation, spiritual enlightenment, awareness of the world around you, the love of others or another). i have grown as a writer, my themes are continual and fluid. i write about what is present within me or around me during that moment/time. i do not enjoy writing hate poems, so i try to approach the piece/subject from a different angle.
4. You’re directing both Amen Corner and Fame in the coming year. What do you hope to bring to a well known production like Fame?
The Amen Corner is on hold but Fame…i really would like to have fun with it. i am the musical theater performance teacher for pinellas county center for the arts and i thought it would be fun to produce a show that’s very dance heavy and fun. most people feel like the script isn’t strong, however, i believe if my students can take something not as complex as Sweeney Todd or Rent and blow it out of the box…then i would feel that they are ready for more challenging material. besides, everybody our age or older remembers Fame, the movie..though its different.
5. Since moving to St. Petersburg, what have you seen change in the local entertainment industry? Are there good things coming from others putting on plays and performing poetry? If so, who?
Since moving here I’ve had to adjust quite a bit, the scene is smaller, the circles are tightly woven and being an out-of-towner isn’t necessarily the best thing. however, slowly i’m breaking circles and creating a space for me and my art. there’s tons of good things coming from other artist across the board (visual and performance). in the performance world, Aleshea Harris is gearing up for her one-woman show, Lavaland production is doing some cool things, Amazncran Creative Works is lining up some interesting shows for this upcoming year. there’s great work/art coming out of the american stage, studio 620, free fall theater, local artists are making a move! as Aleshea and i like to proclaim, “we preparing for the takeover”! Venus Jones, Life, Poetic Collage are doing great things in the Tampa Bay area. I could go on on, cause that’s just a slice of performance and we haven’t even touched music, visual or dance.
6. Manifesting Soul, your debut album, is a collection of your reflections on life. Who is your target audience and how do you hope it will be received?
I would love to say everyone is my target audience because that’s what my heart and god desire. my art is not designed to tear anyone down, rather to open them up to themselves, discover something new or unexplored within the universe and self. it’s meant to cause you to fall in love over and over again, even if it’s with yourself or others because we are spiritual beings on earth having a human experience. i pray that it will be well received and understood.
7. When you’re doing a poetry presentation, how would you describe your delivery? Do you have a certain tone or presentation that you use throughout your performances?
My delivery is different…i cannot describe it…a friend of mine describes me as a “controlled explosion”. it is my background in performance that gives me an edge. my approach is to pull you into this world i am creating and follow me on this journey.
8. Who are your influences in each of your disciplines?
God. god told me to watch everybody, everything and learn. life is my influence, but if i have to name them, here are a few…spike lee (filmmaking)-i dig his willingness to be different, edgy and opinionated. bill grivna (directing stage)-he taught me to see the world of the play, paint its emotions on stage. thomasina clarke, alfred woodard and whoopi goldberg (acting)-they taught me that being different is beautiful, being a woman is powerful and words are nothing without breath. langston hughes, amiri baraka, emily dickenson, nikki giovanni, sonia sanchez (writing)-taught me that breath is nothing without words to give it sound.
9. Where do you see yourself and your performances in a year? 5 years? 10 years?
My goals are to receive my MFA in filmmaking in the next couple of years, use my production company to produce works that compliment my mission and vision, possibly teach at the college level.
10. Are there any other poets or performers that you enjoy working with in the bay area? If so, who and what have you worked on with them?
I’ve had the honor to work with numerous bay area artists on a number of different art mediums and i would work with them again in a heart beat. i am looking forward to working with other local artists.
Erica’s show tonight will be a fun experience, and at only $15 is a real bargain. I encourage everyone to check out her production of Manifesting Soul tonight at the Royal Theatre in Midtown St. Pete.
Supernova Sundays gone, Big Bang coming!
While I enjoyed the Supernova Sundays that NOVA535 was putting on each Sunday, attendance fizzled and costs ran high, leaving it a dead project after only a few weeks. That said, they’ve re-organized the show into a monthly, held on the first Thursday of each month, repackaged as THE BIG BANG SHOW.
Come join me this Thursday, July 2nd. $10 in advance/$15 at the door, 7PM to Midnight.
http://www.brownpapertickets.com/producerevent/68995?prod_id=9766
There will be comedians, musicians and other performers as well as a full dinner menu for anyone who wants to try some St. Pete favorites. Their caterers have always been great in the past.
Siegfried and Roy present Darren Romeo, the Voice of Magic is playing to packed houses as part of Busch Garden’s "Summer Nights"
Fans old and new join Romeo as he lights up the stage in the Moroccan Palace Theater at least twice nightly (except Wednesdays). Show admission is included with park admission. Romeo was brought in to help celebrate the 50th Anniversary of Busch Gardens as the park stays open late through August 16.
Romeo, who performed to full houses in Busch Garden‘s Stanleyville Theater during “Summer Nights” six years ago, captivates audiences with his incredible vocals and Broadway style shows. He performs classic stage illusions and dramatic new magical effects with lightning speed, and weaves a roller-coaster paced show that often has the audience doubled over with laughter. Even David Copperfield claims, “You must see his show!”
The Las Vegas icons Siegfried & Roy took Romeo under their wings as a protégé, and have made him the beneficiary of a lifetime of performing experience.
Show schedule:
June
Sunday – Tuesday, Thursday at 6 & 8 p.m.
Friday at 7 & 9 p.m.
Saturday at 6, 8 & 9:30 p.m.
Dark Wednesday
July
Sunday – Tuesday, Thursday at 6 & 8 p.m.
Friday & Saturday at 6, 8 & 9:30 p.m.
Dark Wednesday
Additional shows: Friday, July 3 & Saturday, July 4 at 6 & 8 p.m.
Friday, July 31 at 7 & 9 p.m.
August
Sunday – Tuesday, Thursday at 6 & 8 p.m.
Friday at 7 & 9 p.m.
Saturday at 6, 8 & 9:30 p.m.
Dark Wednesday
Busch Gardens Tampa Bay is located east of I-275, north of Busch Blvd. at 10001 N. McKinley Dr., Tampa, 33612.
For more information on Romeo, log on to www.darrenromeo.com or follow him on Twitter at www.twitter.com/DarrenRomeo.
For more information about Busch Gardens “Summer Nights,” log on to www.buschgardens.com.
Tampa Bay gets it’s chance to be on Who Wants To Be A Millionaire
Ever want to be on Who Wants to Be a Millionaire? Tampa Bay residents, this is your chance.
This Friday, June 19th, producers from the show will be at the St. Pete Times Forum, auditioning potential players.
Auditions will run from 7 A.M. to 11 A.M. You will take a test (of 40 questions) and submit to an interview with a producer. A small portion of those who enter will be chosen for the show (approximately 10%), but anyone over 18 years of age can enter.
Dualing Pianos at Howl at the Moon
When I heard about Stump’s Supper Club and Howl at the Moon (615 Channelside Dr, Tampa, FL 33602, (813) 226-2261) I admit I had low expectations. I thought about all the half hearted piano based lounge acts that I saw in Vegas and New Orleans, and I wasn’t exactly excited to go. After wrestling with the idea, I decided to give it a try and I’m glad I did.
I went on Thursday night, met up with the piano men and got a front row seat while I was waiting for them to start. The place was pretty dead at 10PM, but people began trickling in as the set started. It’s important to note that this isn’t your granddad’s piano bar. The songs they play are all pop hits from the last forty years, and they draw on the crowd for suggestions.
Some of the songs are obvious choices, originally written for piano such as Queen’s “Bohemian Rhapsody” and Jim Croce’s “Bad Bad Leroy Brown”. Others, such as their piano rock renditions of Sir Mix-A-Lot’s “Baby Got Back” and Lady Gaga’s “Poker Face” were stunningly powerful and funny renditions. Since this is an 18+ venue, the language took a turn for the blue during some of the songs, often parodying the lyrics of the pop song. Want a funny example? “I want to poke her face, pa-pa-poke her face.. with my weiner.”
You can thank Ty Chaney for that little ditty. His showmanship is nothing short of Vegas quality and his attention to detail and honest interactions make him the kind of performer that I wish I could see every night. His accompanying piano man, Dan Slyker, is all the wingman that a piano playing entertainer could ask for. When he’s not on the ivories, he would hop behind the drums to fill out songs as needed.
The fun of Howl at the Moon is being an engaged audience member. You’ll find yourself singing along at full volume. You’ll have a pile of song suggestions scrawled out and passed up to the piano men, who will gladly take tips to play your tune. You’ll most likely be surprised at exactly how much fun this all is.
I’m waiting for the two piano players to contact me for an interview, because I think their story needs to be heard. Anyone who can start out “White Rabbit” loud and get progressively louder only to follow with the most insane version of “Welcome to the Jungle” is worthy of both my praise and my attention.
L’Olivier Cabaret Photo Post
The good folks at L’Olivier had me back to take another round of photos, this time focusing my time on the Thursday night show. This was the return show of Amy Demilo, as she has been out sick the last few weeks.
Every time I see this show, it gets better. The energy gets higher. The routines get tighter and more fun. The fire show gets heated enough that a fire marshall has to stand by and ensure the place doesn’t burn to the ground. It’s that intensity that makes the show a lot of fun, a good value, great dinner entertainment and an absolute charm to photograph.
I also have to hand it to the sound and light crew. A lot of times, cabaret shows are kept intentionally dark and may only feature a few small lights for ambiance. This show is filled with great lighting effects and the red light glow that almost constantly fills the stage makes capturing the fast moving action easier than I expected.
Here’s some of my favorite shots from the evening:
The rest of the set can be seen here:
http://www.flickr.com/photos/denisbaldwin/sets/72157619638997114/
Supernova Sundays at NOVA 535
NOVA 535 unique event space and modern art lounge will present Opening Night of SUPERNOVA SUNDAYS starting Sunday, June 7th at 6 PM. The recurring Sunday night party will feature local talent, national celebrity acts and fantastic music. The format will evolve and change each week in order to remain fresh. A full dinner menu created by one of St. Petersburg’s favorite downtown restaurants will be available until 10 PM each week.
It all begins June 7th with the BIG BANG SHOW: Think Johnny Carson, Drew Carey and the “Whose Line Is It Anyway?” guys hijacking American Idol and squeezing it into the Gong Show…only you’re in the audience with dinner and a drink. The BIG BANG SHOW is hosted by Tampa’s own GOT JOKES? IMPROV TROUPE and judged by local celebrity Sterling Powell, hilarious comedienne Christine O’Leary and Torrie & Amanda the adorable dynamic duo behind CBS Radio’s “GIRLS GONE SPORTS”.
CHRISTINE O’LEARY will also take the stage and treat NOVA 535’s guests to an hour of comedy with her world-famous off-the-cuff interactions and storytelling. As the show ends JASK’s music begins to transform the night. Join the stunning SUPERNOVA DANCERS and wildly unpredictable host STERLING POWELL for our Sunday evening COSMIC TEA PARTY. NOVA 535′s full bar will also offer luscious Peach and Sweet Tea-Tinis. Tickets are $10 in advance at www.brownpapertickets.com/event/68995 or $15 at the door. Dinner will be served until ten. Guests and performers must be 21 or older. Admission all night.
Like the Jobsite Theatre? A couple of clicks could help them.
If you are like me and like the Jobsite Theatre but don’t have cash to donate to keep them up and running, here’s something you can do to support their efforts. A few mouse clicks could win the theatre $1,000.
Please follow this link over to Givezooks page for Jobsite Theater and then click the Vote button for us. It’s that easy.
Venue Theatre and Actors Studio releases 2009-2010 Production Schedule
Venue Ensemble Theatre (VET) proudly announces their 2009-2010 Production Season.
November 6 – 22, 2009
ART by Yasmina Reza
Director: Michael Holden
ART not only explores the simple question “What is Art?” but also expertly explores the complicated question “What is Friendship?” If one of your best friends just spent 20,000 Francs on an all-white five foot canvas, what does that say about him? What does that say about you?
Winner of the 1998 Tony Award for Best Play.
Winner of the 1996 Olivier Award for Best Comedy.
February 12 – 28, 2010
Later Life by A.R. Gurney
Director: Owen Robertson
“Later Life” tells what happens when Austin, a Boston banker, is unexpectedly thrown together at a cocktail party with Ruth, a woman he met as a serviceman one night in Capri 30-odd years ago. As a young man, he let Ruth get away. Given a second chance in “Later Life,” will the outcome be different?
April 9 – 25, 2010
Five Nickels by Jack Neary
Co-Directors: Mary Kay Cyrus and Jeaux Brown
“Five Nickels” is a full evening of one-act plays that cover the gambit of trying to flirt as a senior, a young ex-couple agonizing over the fact that their single parents now want to date each other, and the hilarious plight of a regular Joe trying to accommodate the seemingly outrageous wedding demands of his only daughter.
Venue Theatre and Actors Studio is located in the new Broyhill Plaza at 9125 US 19 N, two lights north of Gandy/Park Blvd., Pinellas Park. Venue Theatre Collective, Inc is a Not-For-Profit 501(C)(3) Corporation. Visit our website, www.venueactorstudio.org