 The multi-talented hyphenate, Sam Irvin who directed me in both of my series, FROM HERE ON OUT and MY SISTER IS SO GAY was in town to sign his award winning books THE EPIC SAGA BEHIND “FRANKENSTEIN: THE TRUE STORY” and I WAS A TEENAGE MONSTER HUNTER! I got mine! If you want yours, both are available in Hardcover, Paperback and eBook editions worldwide on Amazon.
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We Open Our Second Season at The BENT with GROSS INDECENCY: THE THREE TRIALS OF OSCAR WILDE10/13/2023    Steve Rosenbaum directed a terrific ensemble of actors in GROSS INDECENCY: THE THREE TRIALS OF OSCAR WILDE to open our 2nd season. I wasn't to be in this one but the last weekend actor Tony Bradford, playing the Judge, sadly had to go to the hospital and I had to step in for the last 3 performances. It was like acting with a poodle on your head! But I got a front row seat to watch this lovely cast.
The Bent's Artistic Director, Steve Rosenbaum and I (I'm the Managing Director) got to talk all things The Bent with our pal Patrick Evans on EYE ON THE DESERT.
The Desert Theatre League Awards Ceremony was last night. It was our first as The Bent and I spent most of the evening thinking--I can't believe it hasn't even been a year and here we are surrounded by brilliant actors from our productions past and future. They came because of nominations and others just to be supportive and show their love. And others were there that will be part of future shows looking fabulous and often leaving award winners. So proud of them all, and this supportive theater community.
First, I must thank Steve Rosenbaum, my partner / brother in this journey of The Bent theater. He is brilliant, passionate, brave and a wild mustang all at the same time! I couldn't love him more. We launched The Bent with $4.95 in the bank, a passionate & creative director at the helm, a brand new script that I had just written, and a cast with mixed experience but that I knew were talented and brave. We were amazed and delighted by the reaction from audiences. We sold out, we extended. The entire cast was deservedly nominated for an award, as well as the director and the production. I wish everyone could have won--in my book, they definitely did, but I'm so very proud of Jason Reale who embodied Abraham Lincoln--a role that was incredibly versatile in range and so challenging. He absolutely earned his Best Actor in a Comedy Award. I'm so proud of Renee Poignard who breathed humor and heart into a multitude of characters. I knew on opening night that the Best Actress in a comedy award was coming her way! And to Alex Price who was one of my students, that I thought--he's the right one to play Lincoln's bedmate / best friend Joshua Speed. I don't think he had been on a stage since high school. He was out of his comfort level no doubt, but he soon got past that and soared, earning his Best Supporting Actor in a Comedy Award! And the rest of the cast, Chip Steele and Laura Martinez-Urrea, you were equally nominated and equally deserving and absolute winners to me. Also thank you to Willie Mullins who seamlessly slipped into the play when we extended! Our 2nd play was GENTLY DOWN THE STREAM--nominated for best drama and best director. I'm very proud of this play, the cast wasn't technically nominated but a 3 person cast in a play nominated for best drama of the year IS nominated. Thank you Daniel Bateman and Justin Ledesma--so proud of you both! And now, THE BOYS IN THE BAND. Also nominated for best drama and best director. 2 actors were nominated for awards but all 9 actors in that cast came to show their support. I've been in theater for a loooong time and it's very rare to have a cast this large become family like this one did. So even though the play didn't win, all of us involved have won by winning each other as dear pals. But as icing on top of the birthday cake (that ended up upside down on the floor on our last show), the fabulous Grey Forge LeFey so deservedly won Best Supporting Actor! And Scott Khouri was also most deservedly nominated as well! And thank you to Nick Wass, Cherlyn Lanning, Don McCormick and so many others that helped behind the scenes in our plays including Wilkinson and our Board Member Larry LaFond. And a HUGE thank you to Michael Green and everyone at the Palm Springs Cultural Center for partnering with us and giving us a home. Without you we wouldn't exist! Congratulations to everyone making theater in our Valley! |
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