Mile Square Theatreâ€s Playwright-in-Residence Debuts new Solo Show

 By Sally Deering

 A life in the theater can be a wonderful journey if he or she sticks it out long enough and for actor and playwright Joseph Gallo, his long dayâ€s journey in the theater continues to be mined with opportunities.  He just had two of his plays published by River City Books; and as playwright-in-residence at Mile Square Theatre (MST) in Hoboken, Gallo is about to debut his newest one-man show, LONG GONE DADDY directed by MST artistic director Chris Oâ€Connor. Performances begin July 20 and run through August 7 in the companyâ€s new theater on the corner of 14^th & Clinton.

Prior to this, Gallo workshopped his play Two-Man Kidnapping Rule at MST. It was later produced by the New Ohio Theatre in New York, and published in Smith & Krausâ€s anthology 2012 Best Menâ€s Stage Monologues and Scenes. As a solo writer/performer Gallo appeared in the original production of his one-man show My Italy Story at Penguin Rep in Stony Point, NY, which later had its debut Off-Broadway at the 47th Street Theatre in New York, starring Danny Mastrogiorgio (“…a compelling page turner.”—The New York Times). An avid storyteller, Gallo won a StorySLAM championship at The Moth in NYC.

As a teacher, Gallo founded and developed Hudson County Community Collegeâ€s Theatre Arts program where he serves as Coordinator of Theatre and Film. He is the 2016 recipient of the Lincoln Center Prize for Innovative Teaching in Theatre. Gallo holds an MFA in Playwriting from Ohio University; and grew up in Linden, New Jersey. He a long-time Hoboken resident where he lives with his wife and daughter.

Since late 2014, Gallo has been perfecting LONG GONE DADDY, performing scenes on a ‘salon tour†of interested backers†homes to raise money for MSTs new theater space. After more than a year of refining the work, Gallo says heâ€s ready for the stage and a bigger audience to tell his latest story.

RVO:  What is LONG GONE DADDY about?

JG: The character Iâ€m playing is a fictional creation, an alter ego of mine. The entire thrust of the play is this character who is completely reluctant to be a father. He just doesnâ€t want to be a father, and that is completely one hundred percent not my life. My wife and I wanted, we planned, and we had a child. Its that simple.

RVO:  Is LONG GONE DADDY autobiographical?

JG: There are strokes of the play that are real; and its emotionally autobiographical. Iâ€m quoting from my own book now: itâ€s semi-autobiographic; it has the authority of fact and the freedom of fiction.  Audiences are obsessed with what is true and what isnâ€t true. My most basic answer is that life doesnâ€t play out in three perfect acts. If you are handcuffed to the details of your life, you come up short with plot points and conflict (when writing the play).

RVO: How did you come to write LONG GONE DADDY?

JG: After my wife got pregnant I started to keep a notebook. I knew life was going to change, so I thought Iâ€ll keep the journal through the first year of my kidâ€s life. From the moment of my wifeâ€s pregnancy to my childâ€s first birthday. I did that and then I closed that notebook. Most of what was in that notebook, is all I needed (for the play). But I had so much on my plate at the time, I didnâ€t get back to it for a couple of years. Then I opened my notebook and I realized this is the same character as “My Italy Story” (Galloâ€s first one-man show). I had not intended to revisit this character, but then suddenly I sat down, and it was that character spinning the yarns.

RVO:  And are you ready for opening night on July 20?

JG: Yes! Rehearsals are going well. Director Chris Oâ€Connor is terrific to work with, and now the tech team has to catch up with me. I started working on the lines in mid-May so I came into rehearsals off book. Jeff Daniels did that for the play BLACKBIRD and I thought his performance was extraordinary. It was a physically demanding show, and he said he got off book right away because it was one less thing he had to focus on. I saw the director and asked how Jeff Daniels prepared and the director said he runs the entire show every morning. I asked, is he married? The director said, “no”.  Does he have kids? “No.” Well then, of course he can run through it every morning. (laughing)

RVO:  Didnâ€t you just get your solo shows published?

JG: Yes. LONG GONE DADDY along with MY ITALY STORY were published last week by River City Books.

RVO:  How do you juggle both acting and playwriting?

JG:  Iâ€ve always done both, and my entire life has been a push and pull between those two things. Initially I was an actor and wanted to write screenplays. It wasnâ€t till I joined the Waterfront Ensemble in Hoboken that I became a playwright. I canâ€t understate the amount of credit they deserve for my development. We had the top floor of the YMCA on Washington Street. It was a huge group of writers like Rosemary McLaughlin, Andrew Young, David Crespy. So there it was, a great breeding ground for acting and writing. Every week Iâ€d bring in new work and the group would read it and actors would do it live in front of the group. Then afterwards, weâ€d all get a slice at Bennyâ€s (Benny Tudinoâ€s pizzeria), a few beers at Oâ€Reillyâ€s on Bloomfield, then go home and write all night. I gave myself one year to do my writing and then I would go back to acting if nothing panned out but I never went back. I used to say to my wife that when my hair goes gray Iâ€ll go back. My hair is now gray, so Iâ€m back.

RVO:  After the Waterfront Ensemble, you went to L.A?

JG:  I went to L.A. to write screenplays and TV stuff for five years.

RVO: And now youâ€re directing as well as acting and writing?

JG:  Yes. My wife and I have been collaborating on dance theater projects. In fact, weâ€re finishing up a three-part trilogy which will play Roulette in Brooklyn. Right now as we speak, sheâ€s creating and choreographing the third piece. So now, Iâ€m wearing the directorâ€s hat. But itâ€s not a matter of ‘am I this†or ‘am I thatâ€. Itâ€s not a career in the theater, itâ€s a life in the theater and to make a life is to do everything. You have to look at ‘aâ€, what opportunities are there; and ‘bâ€, what are you passionate about? I love the collaboration.

RVO:  Can you talk about the collaborative process in theater?

JG: Collaboration is the antithesis of being a playwright, which requires you to be in a room by yourself for a long time. The collaborative process fulfills something else in me.  I want to spend quality time with myself and I also want to go to the party and dance around with a lampshade on my head. (laughing.) Iâ€m a well-rounded guy.

If you go

LONG GONE DADDY runs July 20-August 7,

Thurs through Sat, 8 pm, Sun, 3 pm;

preview performance on Wed, July 20 at 8 pm

Mile Square Theatre

1400 Clinton St, HOB

Purchase tix at www.milesquaretheatre.org

The post LONG GONE DADDY -Actor, Playwright Joe Gallo of Hoboken debuts New Play on Fatherhood first appeared on River View Observer.

 
Actress Tammy Blanchard  seen here in a Yahoo.com news photo at the premiere Dec. 2nd for the Nicole Kidman film production of David Lindsay Albaire’s play Rabbit Hole. Ms. Blanchard plays “Izzie” in the film.

Ms. Blanchard can be seen next in How to Succeed in Business Without Out Really Trying on Broadway with Harry Potter star Daniel Radcliffe in March 2011. 

She has also finished filming “Union Square with Mira Sorvino due out in 2012 and two other films.

The premire for Rabbit Hole was held at the Paris Theater in NYC

Source: Yahoo.com news

The post Actress Tammy Blanchard at the December 2nd Premiere of “RABBIT HOLE”at Paris Theater in NYC first appeared on River View Observer.

Directed by CHRISTINE DALZELL   Featuring:

JAMIE EFFROS
J MICHAEL POLICASTRO
PAULINE WALSH
BRANAN WHITEHEAD
 

  Fridays and Saturdays at 8 pm; Sunday matinees at 3 pm and Thursday September 30th at 7 pm.

In this American classic, sons of a desert dwelling alcoholic and a suburban wanderer clash over a film script. Austin, the achiever, is working on a script he has already sold when Lee, his demented petty thief brother, drops in. “A masterwork – tells us a truth, as glimpsed by a genius.” -New York Post
This play contains adult themes and language.

$20.00 general admission, $15 students and seniors. Group rates are also available.

The Attic Ensemble is located just two blocks from the Grove Street PATH Station, in the Historic Barrow Mansion, 83 Wayne Street, Jersey City. There is free parking after 7 p.m. in the parking lot 1 ½ blocks away on Christopher Columbus Drive. For reservations, directions and further information: www.atticensemble.org; phone (201) 413-9200, e-mail: info@atticensemble.org.

Tickets can be charged online at

Cash and checks are accepted at the box office. Jersey Arts Cards are accepted for discounted ticket pricing. The Barrow Mansion is handicapped accessible and barrier free. Large print program available upon request; please call one week in advance to arrange for a large print program. Assisted listening devices will be available for the Thursday September 30th 7 p.m. performance. Please call one week in advance to request a device.

The post Sam Shephard’s “True West” presented by Jersey City’s Attic Ensemble first appeared on River View Observer.

Young Hudson County NJ Actor Brings His Screenplay to LifeBy Evelyn Bonilla

Sam Platizky’s “Blaming George Romero” is igniting online excitement and curiosity. The introduction to a feature length film about zombies, written by Platizky; has zombie followers from Facebook and Twitter wanting to know more.

The film which is presently in production, is a story of what happens when four horror film fanatic friends, unhappy with their lives, think that there’s been a zombie apocalypse and jump at the chance to try to survive.

 

The film stars Sam Platizky (actor, writer), Robert Lise (director, actor), Loarina Gonzalez (actress), Dan Gregory (actor), Isaac Platizky (actor), Ramy Shedid (actor), Adria Firestone (actress), Anderson Johnson (actor) and Christina Garced (actress). The film is produced by Sam Platizky and Brad Resnick. 

Platizky a Hudson County resident born and raised in Bayonne NJ is a young actor and writer. Heâ€s a graduate of Bayonne High School and of the New Jersey City University; where he majored in English and Theatre. A Tri-State area actor Platizky has performed in the following venues; theatre, film, commercials and voiceover work.

Acting since the young age of 13, Platizkyâ€s first exposure to acting; was in a live stage performance of “Oliver”. Although he did not play the lead role, the small part of an orphan left him wanting more.

As years went by Platizky would follow close behind his older brother Isaac, who is also an actor. Equipped with a passion to act, he began to explore the world of theatre and film and soon found himself part of several films under the direction of Stephen Spielberg and Nora Ephron. He has performed in various theatrical productions throughout New York and New Jersey which consist of the following; “The Lord of the Flies, I Hate Hamlet, Anything Goes, Next Time Iâ€ll Sing to You, The Hot L Baltimore, No Exit, The Secret Garden, A Funny Thing Happen on the Way to the Forum” and many more.
In October of 2009, Platizky decided to take a break from the world of auditions and theater and he began to write a screenplay entitled “Blaming George Romero.”A few months later the writing would stop for awhile and in the month of April, 2010 he decided to complete it. After several revisions, Platizky decided it was time to go into production. Pulling together a small cast and crew, Platizky set out on a mission to bring his finished screenplay to life. In an effort to raise funds for his project, Platizky posted his project on Indiegogo.com/Blame Romero, and since then he has received a tremendous amount of response. Donations to the project have been coming in and although it has not reached the halfway point to complete its production goal, he is grateful that his project has been accepted.
For those who are not familiar with old cult classics, George Romero is an American filmmaker and screenwriter who created a hypothetical zombie apocalypse. Heâ€s well known for his movies; Night of the Living Dead, Dawn of the Dead and Day of the Dead.
He is nicknamed he Grand-ather of the Zombie,” and still to this day has a very dedicated following.
When asked why he created this particular screenplay about zombies, Platizky explained, “I love the idea of the zombie genre. But the truth is, if you look at it from a philosophical point of view, alot of people go through their lives aimlessly like zombies, so consume, that they donâ€t live. Thatâ€s a big part of what the movie represents, not being a zombie.”
At present Platizky and crew are hard at work on production, they are filming throughout the New Jersey area and on the films blog page, blameromero0.blogspot.com, Platizky keeps the film followers up to date on production news.
In retrospect, filmmaker George Romero can be proud that Platizky and cast are carrying the zombie genre torch into the next generation.
It takes a “vision and a mission” to bring a screenplay to life and this is something. Sam Platizky is on his way.

Interested in learning more about the making of “Blaming George Romero” sign on to the films website at Indiegogo.com/Blame Romero. If you would like to make a donation to help fund this great film you can do so through Indiegogo.com/Blame Romero.
Also visit their blog page for updates on production news at blameromero0.blogspot.com. If you would like to learn more about actor and writer Sam Platizky log on to www.samplatizky.com

The post Sam Platizky in “Blaming George Romero” first appeared on River View Observer.

Local Theater Performance

April 23-May 9

  FEATURIN:
LY BEATTY / JENNY FERSCH / MARK DUNN
ERIN FLANAGAN ES E. SPLOND

 Fridays and Saturdays at 8pm, Sundays at 3pm;  Thursdays, April 29 and May 6 at 7pm. ms, joys and concerns of the average working American are the focus of this unique, extraordinary musical. That the everyday lives of “common” men and women should be so compelling and moving will  surprise and inspire anyone who has ever punched a time clock.  Based on Studs Terkel’s best-selling book of interviews with American  workers, Working paints a vivid portrait of the men and women the world  so often takes for granted: the schoolteacher, the parking lot attendant, the  waitress, the millworker, the mason, the trucker, the fireman, the  housewife, just to name a few. It’s a highly original look at the American landscape that’s simply impossible to forget.
 
Charge tickets Online. Cash and checks are accepted at the box office.  NJ Arts Cards are accepted for discounted ticket pricing.     The Barrow Mansion is handicapped accessible and barrier free. Large print program available upon request; please call one week in advance to arrange for a large print program. Assisted listening devices will be available for the Thursday May 6th 7 p.m. performance. Please call one week in advance to reserve a device.

 

 

  A classic, comic,”who-done-it” with a twist. The first few minutes are Mad-Libs® style, where the audience provides key nouns, verbs and adjectives – all of which the cast then incorporates in the telling of the tale.     The Suspects:  ORSON BUGGY,movie producer on the brink of ruin RHODA PONY, Orson’s former leading lady FONDA JEWELS,fidgety heiress & diamond collector AARON MATIRES, Philip DeBlanks’ chauffeur LYNN O’LIAM, ice sculptress, casino investor BOB FRAPPLES,fortune cookie writer, Philip’s cousinÂ

The Attic Ensemble is located just two blocks from the Grove Street PATH Station, in the Historic Barrow Mansion, 83 Wayne Street, Jersey City. There is free parking after 7 p.m. in the parking lot 1 ½ blocks away on Christopher Columbus Drive.  For directions and further information:  www.atticensemble.org or phone (201) 413-9200, e-mail: info@atticensemble.org

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The post Attic Ensemble Presents WORKING first appeared on River View Observer.

 

 

 The Theater Company (TTC) and Art House Productions (AHP) are teaming up to celebrate Women’s History Month and to prepare and present new voices in the local music scene with cabaret performances and a free workshop March 12 & 13, 2010.

 Women In Song will be a one night only cabaret featuring the talents of Mimi Francis, Margaret Leone and Judith Moss as they perform female-centric songs in honor of Women’s History Month. Leone and Moss are regulars on the local cabaret scene working with Musical Director David Zimmerman throughout Hudson County. Francis was just seen in TTC’s production of RENT and has sung in cabarets throughout the NY/NJ metro-area including Dangerfield’s, The Duplex, Don’t Tell Mama’s, and Piano’s.

New Voices Cabaret & Workshop has been organized to help singers work on a song with which they’d like help “polishing” with a Musical Director and Director. The workshop is free and will culminate in the performers participating in a cabaret performance that evening with the ladies of Women In Song headlining.

There is a $10 cover charge (refreshments available) and tickets are currently available for purchase at

http://www.brownpapertickets.com/event/101515 (cash/checks at the door). Art House Productions

(www.arthouseproductions.org) is located at Hamilton Square, 1 McWilliams Place, 6th Floor, Jersey City, NJ 07302

(SE Corner of Hamilton Park, near Erie/8th St). A link to directions as well event details can all be found on TTC’s

website at www.thetheatercompany.org/Cabaret.htmlThere is no charge for the workshop. Participants must bring the sheet music to a song with which they New Voices Cabaret & Workshop March 13, 2010 – 4pm workshop, 8pm show at Art House Productions

Workshop: are familiar and would like to work on with a Director and Musical Director to “polish” the song for performance at the 8pm show that evening. To register for the workshop, please email info@thetheaterno later than 48 hours in advance of the workshop start time. Location information for Art Housecompany.org

Productions is the same as listed above. A link to directions as well workshop details can all be found on TTC’s website at www.thetheatercompany.org/Workshop.htmlNo cost to participants, but there is a $10 cover charge (refreshments available) for audience members.

Show:Tickets will be available for purchase at the door – cash/checks at the door. Location information for Art House Productions is the same as listed above. A link to directions as well event details can all be found on TTC’s website at www.thetheatercompany.org/Workshop.html

Contact: David Zimmerman Phone: 201.248.2788 the.theater.company@gmail.com 268 4th St., 2nd Floor Jersey City, NJ 07302 www.thetheatercompany.org

For more information about Women In Song, New Voices Cabaret & Workshop, TTC or Art House Productions, please visit ww.thetheatercompany.org or email info@thetheatercompany.org or www.arthouseproductions.org or email info@arthouseproductions.org

The post WOMEN IN SONG AND NEW VOICES CABARET & WORKSHOP first appeared on River View Observer.

 

 

The post Pillowman at Attic Ensemble Begining February 19th- 28th first appeared on River View Observer.

Broadway Cares/Equity Fights AIDS and Hudson Pride Connections

The Theater Company (TTC) opens with the Broadway musical RENT on February 3, 2010, but instead of just telling the story of seven friends dealing with love, loss and AIDS, the company is also helping to raise money for Broadway Cares/Equity Fights AIDS and Hudson Pride Connections – two organizations whose mission is to assist in the fights against HIV/AIDS and bridge gaps for gay communities.

TTC will be collecting donations for Broadway Cares/Equity Fights AIDS (BC/EFA) during the first week of performances (February 3-7, 2010). BC/EFA is the nation’s leading industry based HIV/AIDS fundraising and grant-making organization who was kind enough to send one of their directors to meet with the cast of RENT to help them understand what it means to be living with HIV/AIDS. For more information on this organization, please visit their website: www.broadwaycares.org

During the second week of performances (February 10-14, 2010), TTC will be collecting donations for Hudson(HPC). Based in Jersey City, HPC works with people living with AIDS and the lesbian, gay,Pride Connections bisexual and transgender community in Hudson County. In addition to helping to raise money for their cause, TTC will be bringing area-residents living with AIDS in to see the performances. For more information on HPC, please visit their website: www.hudsonpride.org

RENT is a powerfully moving production, but to TTC, continuing to get its message out isn’t enough. Please join the cast and crew of RENT in helping these two amazing charities, by making a monetary donation.

Tickets are $25 general admission/$20 students & seniors and are currently available for purchase at www.brownpapertickets.com/event/87678 (cash/checks at the door). The Monroe Theatrespace

(http://monroecenter.com) is located at 720 Monroe St., Hoboken, NJ. A link to directions and parking as well event details can all be found on TTC’s website at www.thetheatercompany.org/Rent.html

Originally named the DeBaun Players, The Theater Company is based in Hoboken, NJ, and has been presenting plays since 2000. In June 2007, TTC was awarded Associate Membership with the New Jersey Theatre Alliance and is also a founding member of the Hudson County Theatre Alliance. TTC’s mission is to produce theatrical productions that are accessible to people of every age, involving a diverse group of people on stage and off.

Contact:

David Zimmerman

Phone: 201.248.2788

the.theater.company@gmail.com

268 4th St., 2nd Floor

Jersey City, NJ 07302

www.thetheatercompany.org

For more information about RENT or TTC, please visit

or emailthe.theater.company@gmail.com

About TTC:

Originally named the DeBaun Players, The Theater Company is based in Hoboken, NJ, and has been presenting plays since 2000. In June 2007, TTC was awarded Associate Membership with the New Jersey Theatre Alliance and is also a founding member of the Hudson County Theatre Alliance. TTC’s mission is to produce theatrical productions that are accessible to people of every age, involving a diverse group of people on stage and off.

 

 

Contact:

David Zimmerman

Phone: 201.248.2788

the.theater.company@gmail.com

268 4th St., 2nd Floor

Jersey City, NJ 07302

www.thetheatercompany.org

RENT or TTC, please visit

www.thetheatercompany.org

or email the.theater.company@gmail.com.

Phone: 201.248.2788

 

 

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