Marquee Five sings at Wednesday Night at the Iguana, hosted by Richard Skipper & Dana Lorge!

Two weeks from today is my Birthday! And what better way to celebrate my life than by singing with four other AMAZING people: Vanessa Parvin, Mick Bleyer, Adam West Hemming and Julie Reyburn. Together, we're MARQUEE FIVE! Come celebrate with me at the Wednesday Night at the Iguana open mic/musical variety show!

March 24th - 8PM

After a successful run of our show "We Can Make It: The Songs of Kander & Ebb" and before our last performance of this show on April 15th, catch Marquee Five singing handful of NEW songs! And come with your sheet music and sing as well if you want to.

240 W. 54th St (between 7th and 8th)

Call for reservations: (212) 765-5454

“Wednesday Night At The Iguana”.
$12 cover, CASH, no minimum!
http://www.richardskipper.com/iguana/index.html for more information.

"Entertainment with a capital E! Richard Skipper and Dana Lorge are as dynamic a hosting duo as you're likely to find anywhere in the Big Apple. They have infused new life into the variety show brand of family-friendly live entertainment. The evening is called Wednesday Night at The Iguana and the excitement is building in the VIP Lounge on 54th Street."
~ Lynn DiMenna, Cabaret Scenes

Info on Marquee Five: www.MarqueeFive.com

THE SALON & MARK JANAS RECIEVE A BISTRO SILVER ANNIVERSARY AWARD!

This was originally posted on the MarkJanasTheSalon.blogspot.com blog. Congratulations to my friends, creative co-workers, and especially to my Marquee Five cohorts (member Julie Reyburn and Director of "We Can Make It" Peter Napolitano)!



The 2010 Bistro Silver Anniversary Awards announced its list of recipients today, and The Salon was given a Special Award to "The Salon, Created and hosted by Mark Janas, The Algonquin Hotel, Etcetera Etcetera"!

There were a NUMBER of other Salon-regulars on the list as well, among them:

DANIELLE GRABIANOWSKI "Ira Eaker Special Achievement Award, Metropolitan Room, Don’t Tell Mama"

GRETCHEN REINHAGEN "Tribute Show: 'Special Kaye: A Tribute to the Incomparable Kaye Ballard' Metropolitan Room"

SARAH RICE "Theme Show 'Screen Gems – Songs of Old Hollywood' Laurie Beechman Theatre at West Bank Café"

THE CONCERTS AT TUDOR CITY GREENS "Special Award 'TudorCityGreensAug09 Created and produced by RAISSA KATONA BENNETT"

PETER NAPOLITANO "BMI for Director"

JULIE REYBURN "CD, CD, "Live at Feinstein’s'"

RICHARD EISENBERG "Special Material 'Two Again'"

Read the rest of the wonderful recipients (yay Mitzi Gaynor's Bob Harrington Lifetime Achievement Award!) here

Richard Lawson Studios Free Open Classes March 12th and 13th in Los Angeles

For actors in the Los Angeles area, I highly recommend this class by Richard Lawson, who is a terrific actor and a terrific teacher. I took this class and grew a better understanding of my power as a self-promoter, self-creator, what my casting was, and how to handle my career in a more focused, controlled way. Please come to the open classes on March 12th and 13th if you are interested in learning more.

"I would love it and appreciate it if you could tell your friends about our Free Open Classes that's coming up this Friday Mar. 12 at 8pm and Saturday Mar. 13 at 2pm. We're doing some exciting things and many people are having some great wins as a result of the winning actions they're taking to manifest their dreams. You're welcome to join us if you haven't been here in a while. I've attached a postcard for you to view. Please forward the card to your friends and associates who may be interested in seeing what we're about."
-Richard Lawson

On March 8th and March 12th, Richard Lawson Studios (RLS) will host two special engagements of its monthly Open House with honored guest and RLS student Nicki Micheaux, star of the ABC Family series, "Lincoln Heights". Nicki was recognized for her work on "Lincoln Heights" with two NAACP Image Award nominations for Outstanding Actress in a Drama Series and is also known for her co-starring roles on "Six Feet Under" and "Soul Food." Nicki has also held guest-starring and recurring roles on hit shows such as "ER," "NYPD Blue," and "The Practice." and has numerous film credits including "The Replacement Killers" and "Sweet Jane." This event promises to be lively and inspirational and is not to miss!e Practice." and has numerous film credits including "The Replacement Killers" and "Sweet Jane." This event promises to be lively and inspirational and is not to miss!

To register for the RLS Open House, visit Richard Lawson's Studios, or call (818) 793-8767. Space is limited!

For more information about Nicki's career accomplishments, visit her IMDB page.

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What the Studio offers

Take charge of your career! Join the acting studio that will get you working. Here's a list of classes currently available at RLS.

· Professional Development Program 1.0 (PDP 1.0). This comprehensive course is designed to propel students on a path toward success. Using the camera as the primary teaching tool, PDP 1.0 is five classes in one: a Declaration of Independence (also known as developing a concept for your career), acting, audition, filmmaking, and mentoring class.

· Professional Development Program 2.0 (PDP 2.0). Building on PDP 1.0, PDP 2.0 is designed to help students develop a greater sense of professional accountability and active daily career-driving rituals that will advance their professional goals and aspirations. PDP 2.0 students are expected to professionally achieve at a higher level, and serve as role models for other RLS students. Upon the completion of PDP 2.0, select students are invited to join the PDP 3.0 class.

· Professional Development Program 3.0 (PDP 3.0). PDP 3.0 is an invitation-only, ongoing class that includes training in acting, studio production, editing, videography, and professional development, as well as personal and professional mentorship from Richard Lawson.

Art/Song Gallery Presentation for Jay Allan Zimmerman

This Weds, March 3rd and the Wednesday after that March 10th (both at 7:00pm) I'll be singing original works by composer Jay Alan Zimmerman (the "Beethoven of Broadway") in an extraordinary Art/Song exhibit in Times Square. The voices of singers will be actualized into visual representations via installations by artist Lisa Ingram.

As he describes it himself in his website, "It’s hard to explain, so start with the Broadway World article here: BROADWAY VOICES MADE VISUAL BY DEAF COMPOSER 2/23 - 3/16"


Chashama times square
112 west 44th Street, between 7th & 6th avenues
Facebook event can be found here

Marquee Five in BroadwayWorld.com

Here's a nice writeup of Marquee Five and other great events of the week by Jenna Esposito of BroadwayWorld.com (a great Cabaret artist in her own right!) regarding our Thursday Feb 25th, 2010 show at Don't Tell Mama : http://ow.ly/1c4po

"A welcome addition to the NYC nightlife scene...terrific performers in their own right...and the blend of their instruments on tight, five-part harmonies is really something special! The five performers each got their chance to shine in various solos and duets, which added color and variety to the already-enjoyable evening. Each vocalist brought their own unique sound and style to the show, yet were able to blend beautifully on the group numbers...I'm looking forward to seeing what's on board for Marquee Five next - it's a welcome breath of fresh air in the cabaret world to have this type of ensemble show, and I'm sure there are more exciting things in store!"

-Jenna Esposito

Now "The Blogette" for Mark Janas - The Salon's Blog!

I'm now taking on a second blog - that of www.markjanasthesalon.blogspot.com, the official blog of markjanasthesalon.com. The Salon, presented by the fabulous pianist, composer, music director Mark Janas and Producer Tanya Moberly, is a weekly open mic held currently at the Etcetera Etc restaurant. A cover and food/drink minimum will let you in on a great evening of singing, spoken word, workshopped performances, classical, musical theater, rock, opera, whatever! Everything is accepted, and there is even a weekly theme to help in musical choices. However, all material (on or off theme) is welcome.

I'll be blogging about the performers and artists who attend the Salon and any information for upcoming Salon events. Please feel free to read and/or subscribe via email or RSS if you would like to keep in touch with The Salon!

-Sierra

TONIGHT! Marquee Five in "We Can Make It: the Songs of Kander & Ebb"

We're in Playbill.com, Mom!


VOCAL GROUP MARQUEE FIVE RETURNS TO DON'T TELL MAMA!

"WE CAN MAKE IT: THE SONGS OF KANDER & EBB"

Thursday, February 25th, 2010 at 8:30pm

Marquee Five returns to Don't Tell Mama with "We Can Make It: The Songs of Kander & Ebb," an exhilarating evening of your favorites from Cabaret, Chicago, Flora the Red Menace, The Rink, and more. Tight harmonies, clever arrangements, and an actor's sensibility characterize this collaboration of singers Mick Bleyer, Adam West Hemming, Vanessa Parvin, Sierra Rein, and Julie Reyburn.

*******************************************************

"sublime harmony."
--Rob Lester, TalkinBroadway.com

"Unbelievable, awesome vocals (and arrangements)...pretty perfect!"
--Stu Hamstra, CabaretHotlineOnline.com

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Joining Marquee Five on stage will be Dan Feyer at the piano.
Directed by Peter Napolitano
Musical Direction: Adam West Hemming

Thursday, February 25th, 2010
8:30 pm

$17 cover ($12 for MAC/Cabaret Hotline/Actor Unions) 2-drink minimum.

CASH ONLY.

Don't Tell Mama
343 West 46th Street (Restaurant Row, between 8th and 9th Avenues) in
New York City
Near the 42nd and 50th street stops of the A and C trains

Reservations and Information: 212-757-0788
After 4:00 PM daily - Open 7 days a week

More information about Marquee Five:

www.marqueefive.com // twitter.com/MarqueeFive

"Make Believe" with Mark Watson at The Salon 02-21-2010

I had a terrific time at The Salon on Sunday the 21st. In tribute to the late Kathryn Grayson, I decided to sing from "Show Boat," which Grayson starred in with Howard Keel. Mark Watson was gracious enough to jump into a duet of "Make Believe" with no rehearsal, but with the fabulous Mark Janas on the piano.

An mp3 of the song, recorded live, and my introduction to it can be found here.

-Sierra

An email from Michael Kostroff - some more quotes on acting from the Audition Psych 101 method

Hey, all --

Several actors who attended recent "Audition Psych. 101" workshops have followed up with some quotes that support my approach. I thought you might find them encouraging:

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This one was sent in by Barbara Fisher:

Actor Julie Benz (Dexter): “I look at it as, it’s literally your time to be an actor that day. And it’s a performance; that’s all it is. I don’t look at it as a job; it’s my time to play the part how I want to play it. And I throw my material away when I leave. You learn to love it.”

—From “Prime Time – Who’s in the Running: Television Actors” by Jenelle Riley, Back Stage, 11/18/09

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And this one came from Ron Salmons:

Director Tom Robinson, director of, talking about actor Clayton Farris’ audition for the Glendale Theatre Center’s Kiss Me Kate:

“When he came in the door of the audition room, he had a commanding presence. The other actors were a little timid, didn't quite know what to expect, but Clayton had prepared himself. He seemed to be such a confident individual and just came in with such a good presence and a warm charisma that made it pretty evident that we needed to see him some more.”

—From “Who Got the Part?” by Sarah McKinley Oakes, Back Stage, 2/16/10

(Ron adds: "Clayton must have been at one of your past workshops.")

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And here's a quote from Jim Parsons of "The Big Bang Theory":

“I enjoy auditioning. My advice for getting through it, in all seriousness would be that this may be your only chance in these few minutes to play this part…it sometimes helps me to think about it like that. Like, whatever, you know? This is my take on it, this is what I’m doing with it and this is the only time I’ll have to get to do it.”

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Happy auditioning!

Michael Kostroff

"Audition Psych. 101"

10 Acting-Theater-Life Podcasts (aka "no excuse not to be inspired!")

When the subway gets too crowded to read a book on the acting biz or a current play I'm researching, I often turn to acting-related podcasts. Free (although they all probably accept donations, hint hint!), quick to download, all at the ready via my iPhone or mp3 player. They all provide information, research, inspiration, and sometimes that good old mental kick in the ass when the creative energies are low.

Here is a list of my favorite acting podcasts and links to their websites or affiliated sites. Some of them are can be considered "enrichment" podcasts, meaning they will enhance my understanding of humanity, real people, or unique characters that I might steal ... ahem ... be inspired by! If you happen to know of another podcast or videocast that you enjoy listening to that is not listed here, please comment below and add your recommendation!

And if you're on twitter, follow many of them via: @MusicalTheatreT @Dinnerpartydnld @HowStuffWorks @DigitalActor @rcbl @Roz2010 @broadwaybullet @cdbaby @NPRamericanlife

Here they are:

1. Everything Acting Podcast - Actresses, producers, voice-over actors Darbi Worley and Rosalyn Coleman bring all they can about acting. From the website: "Each episode you will hear tips and information from legitimate industry insiders. Casting directors, agents, producers and directors will offer insights on pictures, resumes, auditions, reels, and what happens when you get the job. Get inspiration from real life audition stories; find out who got the part and how they got it! Join us as we inform, inspire and demystify the actor’s journey. Brought to you by Darbi Worley and Red Wall Productions."
2. Inside Acting Podcast - inspired by Everything Acting, this podcast is produced and co-hosted by actors Trevor Algatt and Albert Meijer, they delve into all aspects of artists, not just acting, and provide interviews with artists of many ventures. From the website: "Inside Acting is a free, weekly audio podcast for artists, by artists. Each episode of brings you tips and insights from Los Angeles-area casting directors, agents, producers, writers, actors, musicians, filmmakers, personal finance gurus, and more. Get insider information on marketing yourself, creating your own work, and booking the gig -- straight from the people who've been there, done that, and are doing it again."
3. Musical Theatre Talk with Trish Causey - an online radio show/podcast of heavy-hitters of Musical Theater both on and behind the stage. Singers, coaches, vocal health experts, stars, composers, you name it! From the website: "Being active in Musical Theatre through her online radio show, trish is keeping her Broadway dreams alive as she interviews the best in the biz. The impressive guest list includes phenomenal artists on stage and backstage, the creators, the designers, the performers, and the technicians who make it happen... and make it all appear to happen magically."
4. Broadway Bullet - A long-running podcast and blog about Broadway, Off-Broadway, NYMF and more! From the website: "a weekly podcast with interviews, musical performances and commentary with the everyone from the brightest Broadway talent to the rising stars of the New York theatre scene and beyond!...Contributing Writers/Producers: Tyler Stein, Alison Lea Bender, Renee Michele, and Dmitri Russell."
5. The CD Baby DIY Musician Podcast - Members Kevin Breuner, Robert Bolton(aka Chris Bolton) and Chris Robley produces this audio interview podcast show for musicians. From their Facebook page: "We interview artists and professionals in the industry to help our fellow musicians navigate the choppy waters of the new music industry, and find success with their music."
6. Martini Shot with Rob Long - Mr. Long reads us funny, biting, sometimes sad essays of his experiences from the trenches of the Hollywood sitcom writer. Via KCRW.com
7. The Moth Podcast - brought to us by writer Andy Borowitz, The Moth is a podcast of many recordings of spoken monologues by people from many cities about true events, told unscripted and without notes, by anyone who wishes to stand up on stage and tell a story. From their website: "The Moth is dedicated to promoting the art of storytelling. We celebrate the ability of stories to honor the diversity and commonality of human experience, and to satisfy a vital human need for connection. We do so by helping our storytellers to shape their stories and to share them with the community at large. One goal of The Moth is to present the finest storytellers among established and emerging writers, performers and artists; another is to encourage storytelling among populations whose stories often go unheard...Today, The Moth conducts eight ongoing programs and has brought more than 3,000 live stories to over 100,000 audience members."
8. The "Stuff" Podcasts - or that's how I call them, is a series of podcasts made by the folks from How Stuff Works.com. Learn about previously unknown history, science, music, and any other topics. These podcasts enhance an understanding of humanity, and is a great source of ice-breaking topics at your next networking event. Okay, it might not, but as an actor it does us well to be well-rounded overall! My favorites are the Stuff from the B-Side (music), Stuff Mom Never Told You (women), Stuff They Don't Want You To Know (conspiracies), Stuff You Missed in History Class (history), The Coolest Stuff on the Planet (travel, nature), and the Stuff You Should Know (general topics) podcasts. They have many others, so check out their master list and try others out as well.
9. This American Life - by Chicago Public Radio, hosted by Ira Glass, a weekly interview-story-audio pastiche radio show based on a general theme. From the website: "There's a theme to each episode, and a variety of stories on that theme. It's mostly true stories of everyday people, though not always. There's lots more to the show, but, like we said, it's sort of hard to describe." It's always interesting, though - these stories are always edited incredibly well and since it's usually a story about regular people or extraordinary things happening to regular people, it's a great resource for actors to hear how people talk when interviewed and how they live their lives.
10. The Dinner Party Download - A general overview of some interesting tidbits of information of the week's events, jokes, great artist interviews, and always-fascinatingly-tantalizing alcoholic drinks based on "this week in history" segments. Hosts Brendan Francis Newnam and Rico Gagliano strive to help you "win the dinner party"... and what actor doesn't want to do that?!?