Heading To The Stage

Excited to step out of my booth of narrating audiobooks to do a staged reading by novelist Richard Setlowe and directed by Tony nominee Marcia Rodd.  This was a press release on Performance Arts Live.   In case it’s too small to read, I have copied it below.  It’s Showtime! Here we go!

 

L.A. Woman – The Confession

Fasten your seat belt, Padre. It’s going to be a bumpy night.” An unnamed, middle-aged Los Angeles actress, at a crisis point in her life, confesses her sins to an unseen priest in L.A. Woman – The Confession, a one-woman drama being read at Beyond Baroque in Venice. The story of a struggling woman, recounting her childhood and career, builds to an explosive revelation — her “really big sin.”

Award-winning performer Robin Eller will be the first actress to star in this powerful role in the monthly series that starts on August 12, 2017.

Playwright Richard Setlowe, in this theatrical tour de force, propels the actress wildly from Showboat to Hamlet. “This play isn’t one woman’s biography. In a way, the details and the drama have been there my whole life,” he explained. His father was a playwright and actor, his mother a dancer. He recalls girls in high school and at USC with show business ambitions, “and the actresses, singers, ballerinas, and belly dancers I interviewed first as a young reporter in San Francisco, then with Variety, then as an executive on major motion pictures like Cabaret.” Setlowe describes the readings as a “weird hall of mirrors” with Los Angeles actresses who have lived that life playing a Los Angeles actress who has lived that life.

Robin Eller is an award-winning audiobook narrator, voice actress, and dance educator. AudioFile Magazine said that her narration “elevates into the realm of memorable inspiration.”  As a dancer, she traveled the world with the James Brown. TV and stage credits include The Young and The Restless, General Hospital, the Bernie Mac Show, Ragtime the Musical, A Street Car Named Desire.  robinrayeller.com

Lisa Robins will perform the role on September 9.

Richard Setlowe is a playwright, novelist, and journalist. His recent play, staged in Los Angeles, was Norma Jean & Johnny about a tryst between Marilyn Monroe and Albert Einstein.  Most recent novel is The Sexual Occupation of Japan, published by HarperCollins, and his most recent articles featured in the Los Angeles Times and Variety.  Richardsetlowe.com

L.A. theatre director Marcia Rodd as an actress won a Drama Desk Award and Tony Nomination on Broadway, starred opposite Candice Bergen and Eliot Gould in film, and was featured in television shows All in the Family, M*A*S*H*, Home Improvement, and dozens more.

Presenter / Producer: Beyond Baroque

End Of The Year Round Up

Wow, 2016 has flown by and not without its peaks and valleys. With the overwhelming state of our country,  I found the need to remind myself of the good things that occurred this year.  Here are some highlights:  It was an honor to be a co-presenter at the Audie Awards in Chicago. I presented with my talented and chivalrous colleague Will Damron. It was a beautiful night at the Adler Planetarium celebrating our colleagues and the audiobook industry.  Admittedly, I felt like Cinderella on the red carpet.

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This fall,  I won an Earphones Award for my narration of  Frientimacy by Shasta Nelson.    There’s something extra special about winning an award for a book about friendship. Check out the review on AudioFile Magazine, AudioFile’s blog entitled  Self Sunday and Sound Reviews.  I am thrilled for author Shasta Nelson’s little gem!

Another favorite part of my year has been reading weekly to 63 first and second graders via SAG Foundation’s  literacy program called BookPALS.  It’s a joy to be surrounded weekly  by these loving children who are reminders of the innocence, love and excitement for life’s experiences.  I am looking forward to another semester of reading and fun.  One of my 2nd grade classes loves to tell jokes.  I wish I could remember jokes the way they do.  I’m going to post their jokes in 2017.  Please come back and have a listen to the students’ unique style of telling jokes. Too Cute!

BookPALS on Halloween

BookPALS before Holiday Break

By attending Variety’s Power Of Women luncheon I had the opportunity to be inspired by a room full of women and meet some of the honorees: the amazing Dame Helen Mirren and  the unstoppable Ava DuVernay (13th, Queen Sugar, Selma). Helen Mirren helps empower children who stutter via SAY: The Stuttering Association For The Young.  We have a common our love for Italy.  An Italiophile buddy!  Ottimo!  Ava DuVernay supports a young “literary hero” (at least to me) Marley Dias,  Founder of the #1000BlackGirlBooksCampaign;  I had the honor to meet Marley’s amazing mother Dr. Janice Johnson Dias who runs the GrassROOTS Community Foundation.

As I enter 2017 with great uncertainty for my country, I am determined to thrive in spite of it all.  I wish the same for you and your loved ones.  Quoting Nelson Mandela “May your choices reflect your hopes, not your fears. ”

Variety’s Power Of Women Luncheon

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2016 AUDIOBOOK NEWS

 

Wow, January has come and it’s almost gone. What are the goals this year? Are they huge or are they simple as the question: Will I be better at blogging this year? Vedremo = We’ll see.

I am always excited about recording titles; however two recent titles are relevant to Black History month. Scheduled to be released any day: Our Auntie Rosa: The Family Of Rosa Parks Remembers Her Life and Lessons by Sheila McCauley Keys and Eddie B. Allen Jr.  A noteworthy moment: My very first day recording this title was on the 60th Anniversary of the Montgomery Alabama Act Of Civil Disobedience.  Talk about serendipity!  There are interesting facts written about Rosa Parks that many do not know about. Did you know she was already a member of the NAACP before the historical boycott? Did you know she took up yoga later in life? How cool is that!

Already released: A Night On Fire by Ronald Kidd. (grades 4-12) The author was inspired by his research on the Freedom Riders and the act of kindness by a 12 year old girl, Janie Forsythe during the firebombing of a bus in Anniston, AL.

A Night On Fire

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Latest Audiobook News

I was super excited to know that the audiobook I recorded  was released as a major motion picture this month. It’s not often that an audiobook and a movie are released simultaneously.  The audiobook was released a few weeks prior to the movie.  Tee.. Hee!  Viva Gli Audiolibri!! Next week starts the prep for my next audiobook. In the meantime, head over to Tantor Audio to listen to Baggage Claim by David E. Talbert.  http://www.tantor.com/BookDetail.asp?Product=B1667_BaggageClaim

Rest In Peace Nora Ephron (1941-2012)

Nora Ephron wrote some of my favorite movies. The Deli scene in, “When Harry Met Sally. “I’ll have what she’s having.” Genius!! She was the voice of women in a male dominated world of writer/directors and producers. Nora Ephron’s writing in Julie and Julia made me fall love with Julia Childs. Of course it had two of my favorite actors, Meryl Streep and Stanley Tucci. I remember seeing one of my best friends in a play on Broadway that was written by Nora Ephron, Imaginary Friends. I thought she was quite clever. I have yet to read her book: I Feel Bad About My Neck: And Thoughts About Being A Woman. I can only imagine the book is as clever as her other body of work. Oh it breaks my heart that another incredible talent has transitioned from this physical plane. There must be some amazing stage on the other side. Thank you Nora for speaking from a woman’s perspective. Your creativity will be sorely missed.

Being Creative For A Good Cause

I had to share about this wonderful event that I had the good fortune to participate in. I was one of 24 actors that recorded voices for the Audiobook: Patrick Scott Smokin’ Mysteries. The event was organized by the talented Patrick Fraley along with two equally talented Audiobook Narrators and Directors: Scott Brick and Stefan Rudnicki. This is a multi-cast audiobook project in which we performed and recorded 4 short mysteries along with Pat Fraley and Scott Brick. Some segments were directed by Stefan Rudnicki. These are some well-known talents in the Audiobook World. What a treat!  Because there were 24 actors, we worked on two different days. The book will be packaged, promoted and published (Brick by Brick Publishing) throughout the audiobook industry. All sales are going to the WaveDancer Foundation, a non-profit organization for voice artists with disabilities. It was a great way to spend the day being creative and more importantly, to have had the opportunity to contribute to a good cause.

BUON FERRAGOSTO!

On August 15th, the Italians celebrated Ferragosto. Catholics celebrate this holiday as the time when the Virgin Mary was supposed to have ascended to Heaven; but historically it’s the day that the Romans honored their gods on this day. A Ferragosto, tutto e’ chiuso (On Ferragosto, everything is closed).  Most Italians vacation the entire month of August; if they’re able to. In Rome the tourists will really stick out like a sore thumb because the city is empty. Most of the favorite restaurants are closed and open up in either the first or second week of September.  Wouldn’t it be great if America adapted  “il modo di Italiano” for August??  Penso di si`.

I spent 4 consecutive years in Filicudi on this holiday. Mi manca la mia bella isola!  I have the best memories of climbing la montanga for 20 minutes to attend the Annual Ferragosto Party at Marco’s house. The first time I made the climb, I kept thinking “This is insane! This party had better be worth it. Who climbs a mountain to go to a party?? Well, I am now. ” This wasn’t something I’d ever done in L.A. or Japan for that matter. The climb was easy although there is not a distinct path. It’s best to have your flashlight handy and go with someone who has made the climb before. Most people will sleep up there because as I saw on the way down, they had trouble getting back down the hill if they drank too much. The climb and the party was so worth it!! This is a huge house on the top of the mountain and one of the best views of the island. It was funny to see all of these people climbing a mountain to attend a party. Needless to say, the dress code was casual. What came to my mind was Snow White and the Seven Dwarfs. I couldn’t help but think of the 7 dwarfs going off to work in the mine with the lights illuminating along the dark mountain path. Okay, I didn’t break out into singing “Hi-Ho, Hi-Ho, it’s off to work we go…” Besides, I can’t whistle very well. If my dog Guido Panini could talk, he would explain what a terrible job I do at whistling. Even if the whistling is bad, I can sing and therefore I can learn to sing the song in Italian. Okay, I digress. La festa di Ferragosto is symbolic for me as well. One has to experience Filicudi to completely understand it.

Buon Ferragosto a tutti!

An Actor and the theater….

I remember when I got my Equity Card. Actor’s Equity = The labor union representing American Actors and stage managers in theater. The other day, I receive my updated membership card.  The card was attached to these eloquent words written by  the late Robert Prosky (1930-2008).  I was inspired and reminded of a few of  many incredible experiences from being on stage. The memories came to my mind like an old movie projector but in color of course! 🙂  I found myself thinking about the dearest friends I have in my life as a result of our sharing the stage. THANK YOU ROBERT PROSKY!! I needed a little reminder.  May you continue to celebrate the “sacred communion…”   on the other side. Thank you Actors’ Equity for putting sharing these words at an appropriate time.

I share with these words with my fellow actors and/or friends and family who ever wondered, “Why does she do this?” 

“I love Actors and by extension the theater. I love the minutia that surrounds them both. I love listening and telling Green Room war stories. I love the onstage triumph and yes I love even the disasters. I love the adrenaline that shoots thru every Actor onstage when something goes wrong, and the relief that sweeps thru when some heroic Actor saves the day.  I love performance. That time when the human beings onstage interact with the human beings in the audience and together they create the event of the performance. It’s one of life’s most civilized experiences. 

It has been said that an Actor must have the hide of rhinoceros, the courage and audacity of a lion and most importantly, the fragile vulnerability of an egg. It also has been said and I’m not sure by whom, that the moment of not knowing is the moment that has the greatest potential for creativity.  The professional and private lives of most Actors are filled to the brim with moments of not knowing. Actors are survivors and will continue to strive because the have the need to celebrate, in performance, that sacred communion between Actor and audience. ”     Che profundo! 

Working News

Okay, so perhaps you’ve been watching CNN or TNT for where the NBA action was.  Anyhow, this commercial comes on about Real Estate or something; maybe you didn’t pay attention because you were so into the game or whatever else was newsworthy. But then you ask yourself, Was that who you thought it was? Yes, it’s me, your friendly Prudential Real Estate Agent.  The spot is more about the couple but there I am. Wanna buy a house? 🙂  In case you missed it, you can check it out on You Tube:

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=oZf9W2WW1_U

Last month, I did a voice over job for Bausch and Lomb. It was a commercial spot used for a focus group. Originally the clients wanted to hire me for my ability to speak Italian but the whole concept was changed. I also had a part in a short film called Mariah Everyday Ordinary, Mariah Everyday Ordinarily. Yes, that’s a  mouthful. I played the mother to Mariah. Coincidentally, the actor who played my husband was someone I went to college with. The screening will be at the end of July and then off to some film festivals. In bocca al lupo Larry!

Here’s to more work coming my way. Incrocia le dita per me per favore!