Exciting Update Regarding Bayonne to Baytown Benefit Concert on Friday, September 22: Bayonne resident Award Winning Actress Tammy Blanchard will sign autographs with other celebrities and appear on stage and also appearing  American Idol Star Jackie Nese will perform

The post Bayonne Baytown Benefit Concert Friday September 22nd, 2017 first appeared on River View Observer.

Hudson Actress Tammy Blanchard seen here at the Sundance Film Festival with Allison Janney and Ellen Page.

Blanchard, Janney and Page star in Sian Heder’s TALLULAH 

The movie premiered at the Sundance Film Festival recently and was widely received.

For more on TALLULAH the movie visit: Tallulah the movie blog 

The post Actress Tammy Blanchard at Sundance Film Festival for Premiere of TALLULAH the Movie first appeared on River View Observer.

Hudsonâ€s Tammy Blanchard Plays a Mom with a Secret 

By Sally Deering

The title of Peter Parnellâ€s new play at Lincoln Center DADA WOOF PAPA HOT sounds like the playwright went bonkers at his computer one night. It actually stands for the first words a little girl speaks to her dad – silly, yet endearing, baby talk.

Baby talk runs throughout DADA WOOF PAPA HOT, Parnellâ€s new play at the Mitzi E. Newhouse Theater at Lincoln Center through Jan. 3.  Directed by Scott Ellis, DADA WOOF PAPA HOT focuses on the relationships between two pairs of gay dads raising young children; and, it features Hudsonâ€s Tammy Blanchard in the supporting role of a mom with a secret. All the characters in Parnellâ€s new play are parents, both gay and straight, grappling with childrearing and its effects on marriage and adult relationships.

Alan and Rob, played by John Benjamin Hickey and Patrick Breen, are gay and married with a three-year-old daughter.  During the course of one school year, Alan, Rob and their friends must deal with issues couples with children struggle with, like sharing child-rearing responsibilities and maintaining commitment in their relationships. Funny and poignant, DADA WOOF PAPA HOT is a mid-life coming-of-age story that explores some of the challenges gay parents face and are they different than the challenges of straight parents?

UNCHARTERED TERRITORY

Ellis, who was nominated last year for a Tony Award for his direction of YOU CANâ€T TAKE IT WITH YOU on Broadway says he was drawn to the play because of the issues it brings up on the relatively new topic of gay fatherhood.

“I love that itâ€s a piece talking about unfamiliar territory,” Ellis says. “Thereâ€s not a lot of stuff being said about it. Gay, straight, we may have different challenges, but it feel feels very universal to me.”

Ellis spoke highly of the cast and commented on Blanchardâ€s work in the play. Although sheâ€s in just one scene; her performance is funny and touching; and a real accomplishment considering the audience doesnâ€t see her until midway through the play.

“Iâ€s one scene and she has to take the stage so that the audience says, who is that?” Ellis says. “Itâ€s tricky and Tammy manages to get it right. Iâ€ve seen Tammyâ€s work a couple of times on stage. Sheâ€s incredible to work with and great to have in the room.”

DADA WOOF PAPA HOT is Blanchardâ€s first Broadway play; up until now her Broadway credits include musicals and a Tony Award nomination for her role as Louise in the 2003 revival of GYPSY, and one for her performance as Hedy La Rue in HOW TO SUCCEED IN BUSINESS WITHOUT REALLY TRYING. Blanchard earned an Emmy Award for her portrayal of the young Judy Garland in the hit TV movie LIFE WITH JUDY GARLAND: ME AND MY SHADOWS.

Blanchard was drawn to DADA WOOF PAPA HOT, she says, because it seems to give audiences new insights into the gay community.

“I think itâ€s a coming of age play that can speak to straight people and open their eyes to what the gay world has evolved into,” Blanchard says.  “It isnâ€t about sex and promiscuity – the way itâ€s perceived. Itâ€s about love and commitment and raising a family, all the things that straight love is about. I was really intrigued by it. I wanted to be a part of it.”

Performing at Lincoln Center with such a stellar cast has been a terrific experience, Blanchard says.

“Iâ€m enjoying it so much,” Blanchard says. “Playing Lincoln Center is exciting.”

After the play closes In January, Blanchard heads to the Sundance Film Festival where her new film, TALLULAH co-starring Ellen Page and Allison Janney premiers. Blanchardâ€s other film credits include:  THE INVITATION, INTO THE WOODS, BLUE JASMINE, MONEYBALL, CERTAINTY, THE MUSIC NEVER STOPPED, RABBIT HOLE, CADILLAC RECORDS, WATERLOO, THE GOOD SHEPARD, BELLA, and STEALING HARVARD.

WHOâ€S WHO

DADA WOOF PAPA HOT features John Pankow, Kellie Overbey and Stephen Plunkett along with Blanchard, Breen and Hickey, who earned a Tony Award for his performance on Broadway in THE NORMAL HEART; Breen also starred in THE NORMAL HEART; Hurt was featured on Broadway in CAT ON A HOT TIN ROOF; and Overbey in ON THE TWENTIETH CENTURY (directed by Ellis). Audiences may remember Pankow in the TV hit MAD ABOUT YOU, and on Broadway in THE ICEMAN COMETH. Plunkett starred in Lincoln Center Theaterâ€s WAR HORSE and ON THE LEVEE.

On a recent Saturday, the audience seemed to be more quiet than usual, Blanchard says, proof they were engrossed in the play. After the curtain call, some audience members were overwhelmed with emotion.  Blanchard remembers walking behind one couple, in particular, who started up a conversation about the gay people in their lives.

“This play is inspiring conversations about what being gay is about,” Blanchard says. “Itâ€s thought-provoking.”

If you go

Shows Tues-Sun, through Jan. 3, 2016

DADA WOOF PAPA HOT

Lincoln Center

Mitzi E. Newhouse Theater

150 W. 65 St, NYC

www.lct.org

For tix: www.telecharge.com

The post WE ARE FAMILY-Lincoln Center’s DADA WOOF PAPA HOT explores Gay (and Straight) Parent Issues first appeared on River View Observer.

Tammy Blanchard  loves her hometown of Bayonne, New Jersey. The Emmy-winning and Tony-nominated actress makes no secret of her love for the City of Bayonne. Check any of her interviews  and you will always find a reference to Bayonne  and her love for the people and the places the City has to offer.

Ms. Blanchard co-star of the recently released   INTO THE WOODS, and the soon to be released suspense film THE INVITATION stopped by Bayonne City Hall on Tuesday, April 28th and met with Bayonne Mayor Jimmy Davis.

Mayor Davis and Ms. Blanchard discussed the future of the arts in Bayonne and the Bayonne school system which Ms. Blanchard attended both grammar school and high school in Bayonne.

In 2014 Ms. Blanchard was inducted in to the Bayonne High School Hall of Fame for Arts & Entertainment.

Tammy Blanchard INTO THE WOODS Interview

The post Local Actress Tammy Blanchard Visits Bayonne City Hall first appeared on River View Observer.

An Interview with local actress Tammy Blanchard

After the presents have been opened on Christmas Day, itâ€s always fun to go out and catch a movie. Thatâ€s what Meryl Streep, Johnny Depp and Stephen Sondheim fans will be doing when the movie musical INTO THE WOODS opens nationwide on Dec. 25^th.

Meryl Streep stars as the Wicked Witch and a troupe of wickedly talented stars including Johnny Depp, Anna Kendrick, Christine Baranski and Bayonneâ€s Tammy Blanchard join her for a romp in the woods. “Be careful what you wish for” is the filmâ€s tagline because although itâ€s about Grimm Fairy Tales, this is no kiddie movie. Sondheim and co-writer James Lapine have taken several fairy tale characters on loopy adventures where very adult things happen, and not every journey ends happily ever after.

Disneyâ€s INTO THE WOODS is the filmed version of the Tony Award winning musical which debuted on Broadway in 1987 starring Bernadette Peters as the wicked witch, and directed by Hal Prince. It has been performed throughout the world, has had several revivals here and in London, and has taken almost 30 years to go from stage to screen.

During her career, Bayonneâ€s Tammy Blanchard earned Emmy and Golden Globe Awards for her portrayal of Judy Garland in LIFE WITH JUDY GARLAND; ME AND MY SHADOWS; and two Tony Award nominations for supporting roles in HOW TO SUCCEED IN BUSINESS…(with “Harry Potter” star Daniel Radcliffe) and GYPSY starring Bernadette Peters.

A single-mom, Blanchard keeps a busy schedule while balancing a full-time career. River View Observer caught up with her right after INTO THE WOODS premiered at the Ziegfeld on Dec. 8^th to find out what it was like to work on a Disney film with superstar Meryl Streep and director Rob Marshall, (who directed the film version of the Broadway musical CHICAGO).

RVO: Tammy, can you talk a bit about your character in the film?

TB: I play one of the wicked step-sisters being pressured to marry a prince. We have a lot of money, but weâ€re losing the money and desperate. Our wicked step-mother – played by Christine Baranski – will do anything to get us married.  We had a lot of fun working together. Christine is amazing.

RVO: What was it like working with Christine Baranski?

TB: She was flying back and forth from filming THE GOOD WIFE (CBS-TV). She loves acting, and talking about it. Iâ€m so laid back, but a lot of other actors are so into their roles and they talk a lot about it. Although I like preserving, I like seeing other actors be that way. Thatâ€s why I love acting. Itâ€s a bunch of geeks and dorks who get together and make something beautiful happen. And the set is like a church. I love it. Itâ€s a saving grace for me.

RVO: What was it like at the Dec. 8^th movie premiere at the Ziegfeld, seeing yourself on that huge screen?

TB: It was fun. It was cool seeing myself be so mean and rotten. I was impressed with my snottiness. (she laughs)

RVO: Can you share an anecdote about working with Meryl Streep?

TB: Before filming, the entire cast went out to dinner and Iâ€m sitting at the table with all the leads including Meryl Streep. Iâ€m pretty shy and donâ€t say much. Then Meryl asks me where Iâ€m from. When she talks, everyone stops. I tell her I was born and raised in Bayonne. She said her father was from Newark. I had no idea that sheâ€s a Jersey girl, too. And to reach out to me in that moment, that was so generous. But thatâ€s what Jersey girls do.

RVO:  Did you have any scenes with Meryl Streep?

TB: We had a scene in the woods where Meryl as the Wicked Witch is about to throw the blind girl to the giant. When we started shooting it, she kept throwing me. Rob had to go over and tell her that it was the blind girl who was to be thrown. Thatâ€s how it was rehearsed. But I loved getting thrown by Meryl Streep. She wanted to connect with me and she did.  (Tammy laughs) It seems she still has that Jersey girl way about her. Sheâ€s happy and free-spirited. And as an actress, sheâ€s blessed with this gift for knowing humanity. Sheâ€s beyond great. She has a sense of truth in her. Meryl does so many charitable things for so many people. I just love her so much.

RVO: Did you do any scenes with Johnny Depp?

TB: He came to the recording studio and we met. Rob Marshall, the director, walked him into each booth to say hello. He seemed shy, sweet and timid. He smiled at me at one point, but for the most part he was hidden away from everyone.

RVO:  Youâ€ve worked with Sondheim before when you did GYPSY on Broadway with Bernadette Peters. Whatâ€s he like?

TB: Anna Kendrick and I were waiting in a rehearsal room when he came in to use the piano. He changed some notes on a piece of paper for a new song (that was eventually cut), thanked us and left. We witnessed Stephen Sondheim writing music. Afterwards, I cried. It felt like such a magical moment and then for him to thank us for allowing him to use the piano. On set and in rehearsals, heâ€s a quiet man. Sort of like Santa Clause: he smiles and laughs; he seems sweet and cuddly; and youâ€re terrified of him.

 RVO Do you think the film is okay for kids to see?

TB: It demolishes your thoughts about fairy tales. Itâ€s a dark take. Childrenâ€s minds are very precious. I think in order to make that decision, you have to know your child. If your child doesnâ€t believe in fairy tales and princesses then you can take them. If your child loves princesses and fairy tales, I wouldnâ€t take them if theyâ€re younger than 10.

RVO:  What do you think of Rob Marshallâ€s direction?

TB:  Itâ€s different from the Broadway show; Rob put a modern day twist on it. He cast all of these people from different parts of the world and he has us sing all types of music. Meryl Streep raps in it. Itâ€s mind-blowing, dark, funny, sarcastic, and itâ€s different from what we grew up knowing about fairy tales. Princes arenâ€t always what you thought they were.

If you go:

Opens nationwide on Dec. 25th

Into the Woods, the movie

Check local movie listings

www.disney.com/IntotheWoods‎

www.movietickets.com

The post Bayonne’s Tammy Blanchard in her first Disney film: INTO THE WOODS first appeared on River View Observer.

Ms. Blanchard plays Florinda, one of the wicked step-sisters from the Cinderella tale.

And our sources at the premiere tell us  Ms. Blanchard is wickedly fantastic in Director Rob Marshall’s film.

Steven Songheim was also in the audience to see his score from Into The Woods brought to life on the big screen.

Into The Woods will open nation wide on Christmas Day, December 25th, 2014

photo source: Justjared.com

The post Local Actress Tammy Blanchard at the “Into the Woods Premiere in New York first appeared on River View Observer.

In theaters December 25th, 2014.  Photo by Peter Mountain(c) 2014 Disney Enterprises, Inc All Rights Reserved

The post Hudson County Actress Tammy Blanchard in Disney’s “Into the Woods” with Merly Streep and Johnny Depp first appeared on River View Observer.

Written from the heart and experiences of Patty Blanchard, ‘Patty’s Turn: It took faith, courage and the love of her children to save her from attempted murder†sees the author piece together her memories following almost six-decades of abuse at the hands of parents, siblings and lovers. Blanchardâ€s survival is nothing short of a miracle and, by sharing her story, she hopes to empower millions of abused women to take a stance against their malefactors and embark on their own journey to a better life.

Bayonne, NJ — (ReleaseWire) — 11/1/2014 — Memoirs about abuse are certainly not rare, but hardly any span a lifetime and come from the family members of those in the public eye. Tammy Blanchard may be known to audiences and critics around the world, but her mother Patty has kept quiet about her own life, until now.

‘Patty’s Turn: It took faith, courage and the love of her children to save her from attempted murder†fuses a tragic life story with an inspirational message of hope.Synopsis:

This is the memoir of Patty Blanchard, one of 14 children raised in a tough Jersey City family during the 1950s. Patty survived many things during her childhood, but it was the attempted murder she experienced as a mother-of-three that helped her discover what courage, faith and the love of family is really all about.

“I start right at the beginning, aged four years old and at the hands of a physically-abusive mother who had six kids packed into a cramped Jersey City flat without enough beds, clothes and often just stale pieces of bread for dinner,” explains Blanchard. “My baby sister died of Croup and I became the punching bag for my motherâ€s grief, who physically and mentally abused me for the next decade and a half. We also lost a brother, Arthur, who was murdered at fourteen. I left home and married an older man when I was just seventeen. This was my ticket to a new life, or so I thought.”

Continuing, “He and my next husband abused me. At the age of thirty-two I packed up my belongings, my kids and we set off on my promise of a better life. Things were looking up as I built a successful cleaning business from the ground up and was both confident and independent for the first time in my life. I was determined to stay away from abusers. But at the age of thirty-five I found myself fighting for my life, with multiple hammer wounds and being left for dead. Somehow, through the grace of faith and love of my children, I survived.”

Patty didnâ€t write her book for commercial gain. In fact, it started as personal therapy.

“My therapist asked me to write down my thoughts and memories as they came back to me. I did this for years but didnâ€t ever read my notes back. Over twelve years I accumulated more than four-hundred pages and the power of my words caused me to break down when finally reading them. I decided to compile them into a book to help others facing the demons of abuse. If I can help just one person avoid a life like mine, then Iâ€ll see it as a huge success.”

Since its release, the book has garnered a string of rave reviews. Charlotte McNamara comments, “I absolutely loved this book! The writer was very brave, honest and real. Some like to portray” our lives to be perfect. Some of us like to read what really happens in someone’s life, whether good or not so good. This writer however captured my soul. Reading of her childhood and through her life was a heartfelt and left me in tears. Tears for that little girl, tears for that struggling teen …tears for all the other women who can’t tell their story, but sometimes can identify with some things in her book.”

River View Observer adds, “An excellent read -a real page turner about an American family and a young woman’s abusive life and triumphant return from an attempted murder on her life by a former spouse. Ms. Blanchard has created a road map for women looking to move past abusive relationships to a place of empowerment.”

‘Patty’s Turn: It took faith, courage and the love of her children to save her from attempted murder†is available now: http://amzn.to/1usDPU9.

About Patty Blanchard
Patty will celebrate her 60th birthday on Nov.3th with her 3 children, William, Tammy, Thomas and her 4 grandchildren, Ava, William, Kaylee and Jaidah. Patty can finally say she knows what true love is, she met her soul mate Joe and has been skipping down the road of happiness for the past 8 years.

www.facebook.com/pattysturnbypatriciablanchard 

The post Patty’s Turn: New Book, by Mother of Actress Tammy Blanchard, Exposes Lifetime of Harrowing Abuse & Empowers Bold Transition from Victim to Victor first appeared on River View Observer.