WB NEWS

WB ACTORNEWS

An amazing 2007 to you all! I’m saying in our advertising “This is your year!” Get out there and grab it. Many of you are doing just that. 

Off-Broadway at last
If you haven’t already seen ROOM SERVICE at the Soho Playhouse – GO! Aside from the fact that WB Commercial instructor Jerry Coyle is in the cast, it’s an energetic period romp, a Show Biz farce. 

SUDS
Tori booked Jim Wetzel as a U’5 Medical Examiner on ONE LIFE in Dec. Cheri Wicks was called after participating in The Casting Connection Soap Night w/Sheryl Baker. Cheri also booked 2 commercials through Susie Friedman after meeting her here. Look for Paige Allen doing a couple of U/5s on ONE LIFE TO LIVE AND GUIDING LIGHT. She also has a meeting with Arcieri from sending her VO demo. (Fingers crossed!)
Several recent Wonderful Film & TV Showcase actors were brought in to populate both Landview and Pine Valley Alison Walton, Jackie Phung, Jennifer Marsalla, Shauna Pender & Jack Silfen

PRIMETIME
Marie Ryan made her debut on LAW & ORDER SVU this January. After doing many “Assistant Medical Examiner Brody” on the Original L&O Richard Hirschfeld suddenly became Det. Richie (thanks to a suggestion form Chris Noth) on L&O Criminal Intent. And this was so funny I had to pass it along. “Catch Doug Bellito in his "do NOT go to the bathroom or you'll miss him" recurring SVU appearance as the bored, but well-dressed and supremely efficient court clerk! Canny viewers may notice the horrendously deforming case of pink eye I had contracted at Max' (his son) nursery school the day before filming - from an infected four year old whose clueless mother should have kept him home and away from staggeringly narcissistic actors and, while we're on the subject, given him a name other than the ridiculous, "Jaguar".
Jay Seals is the first WB actor to tell me he worked on THE KNIGHTS OF PROSPERITY as a yuppy exec. And the Next actor to tell me he was on was our very own Marvin Chatinover. You may remember Marvin played the crusty Dr. Jerome for three seasons on the NY based ED. PROSPERITY has the same producers, and they remembered Marvin and have brought him onboard to play guest-target Ray Romano’s agent, the also crusty Walter Floyd. Let’s hope the show and the character stick with us.
Big news for Camille Guaty she’s smok’in in THE NINE the hit series on ABC. Camille has bounced from project to project over the past four years (Popstars and the dreadful The Help) So it’s wonderful to see her in something that really showcases her acting. THE NINE is a creepy mystery about what happened to nine hostages over 48hours during a bank heist.
But I’m famous in Japan! Louis Gleb is featured on WORLD ASTONISHING NEWS for Nippon TV as well as in a Japanese commercial. 

THE AD BAG
Go Mikey! Mike Nastu booked a Krispy Kreme Commercial that shot in Boston. Ron Elvena just did 3 day shoot for Bristol Meyers Squibb in Connecticut. Cliff Samara writes” wanted to let you know I completed a six- part Internet commercial for Dominos Pizza running on www.Youtube.com

From Ward Nixon “I have very good news to report!...I booked a Promo for CNBC and a national commercial for Black & Decker. - I just want to Thank You Batt and Jerry once again for the wonderful training at Weist-Barron! I'm constantly telling friends and colleagues about Weist-Barron. No Thank you, Ward we appreciate the good word of mouth.

And this “Hey you guys, it's Kharyzma!! Just wanted to let you know that one of the voice-overs I did for NIKE is up on their website. I am doing the voice of the little African American girl with the red dress on. I hope you like it!! There are two more voice-overs that I did that they will put up in the coming weeks. I'll keep you guys posted.”

After a bit of confusion (which agent sent me to which audition?) Donald Hinson found he booked TWO commercials. One spot was a print for Cirque du Soleil. The other was for Novartis. Everyone should have your problems Donny. Look for cutey Art Symes in an on-camera spot for NY Hospital. In addition Art and Juanita Howard pose as a married couple for an article on long-time marriages for Ebony Mag.

Out of town not out of mind Alice Saltzman In Miami worked as an extra painted gold for 325.00 for First Federal Bank. If it goes to print she gets another 400.00. Alice Gold just shot a commercial for K-MART I hope it runs forever!

I’m happy to report that I had several casting sessions in December and managed to book SG members Ryan Sutelan in a print job for Smirnoff and Dale Radunz and Christine Bennett in a very funny 50’s style promo for MTV. I also referred Eric Ashenbrenner to former WB alumni David Seivers who does promotion and event planning for Goldman Sachs. Eric was the perfect choice to play BORAT in a funny video they filmed.
Brian McMullan let me know about his show on NBC (yes, that NBC!) airing weekdays this fall 11am-12noon called $9.99 EVERYTHING FUN, FREE, AND INEXPENSIVE IN NYC! One of three hosts, he’s not featured in every show, but still. $9.99 airs on NBC-4 Mon/Wed/Fri from 11am-12noon Fri.

Officially hooked up - Tod Engle signed with C.E.S.D. after meeting Lakey Wolf here in Sept.

LIVE! WITH REGIS & KELLY & James DeLeon on the 9/22 broadcast he was a "Red Carpet Model" for their Relly Awards (the awards they give out to their favorite guests). James has a Promo for safe sex running constantly on MTV. James was also on "One Life to Live" as "Football Player/U5" for 2 episodes.

MAJOR MOTION PICTURE
I’ve often mentioned David Paterson in the newsletters since he has 8 plays published through Samuel French. David did the screenplay for LOVE LUDLOW that broke Blockbuster records for rentals last year. Well get ready for THE BRIDGE TO TERABITHIA. I was delighted to learn the original book was written by David’s mother Katherine. David has spent 17 years adapting the book for film and Disney has put it on the screen to rave reviews. The trailer is beautiful and amazing. Destined to be a classic. And just think, ten years ago David built the benches in the WB Sun Room!
And fans of Blake Robbins (we are ..we are) check out two films he is proud to have been involved with. BUNKER HILL they just completed work on their website. Go to www.bunkerhillthefilm.com/. And ARC is doing the festival circuit.
The now, Academy Award winning THE DEPARTED features Cameron Steele teaching ballistics to Leonardo DiCaprio. From the left coast Deb Cresswell announces the release of EL CORTEZ. Filmed in August 2004, Deb has a small role -- but it's opposite Lou Diamond Phillps, which is kewl. Also, it was her VERY FIRST LA JOB. It had a limited run at the QUAD here in NY. Also from LA - Remy Wallace sent me a hilarious short he did called RED LIGHT RENDEZVOUS. 

Dono Cunningham worked on the Disney flick ENCHANTED & was an Army MP for Ridley Scott's AMERICAN GANGSTER where he got to literally rub shoulders with Russell Crowe on a transport plane. He also did an aerial dance workshop with one of the dancers from De La Guarda. go to http://www.xyandz.org & click on classes & then click class schedule, you'll see him in a streaming video of the class.

From Peter Stoer “Since last seeing you I did a training film for the VA. I played a Vietnam vet with Post Traumatic Stress Syndrome. The film will be used to introduce a new method of treating PTSD that cures it in 12 sessions! (Some WW II vets are still under care with the current system). I also did a web video for "Kids Get It" (I think- I didn't get it) I was a kind of sleazy senator being interviewed by these 2 10year old twins. And I'm doing a new play by Thomas Bradshaw, who Time Out New York named one of the 5 new playwrights people should see. It's a one-act comedy called "Strom Thurmond is Not a Racist". I play Strom's father, the major supporting role. I booked it through my web page on Backstage.com the third play I've gotten in the past year without seeking any. Strange business.

ON THE BOARDS
Mark Peters was in BETWIXT BETWEEN BETWAIN by Danny Ashkenasi at the Metropolitan Playhouse in January. Suzanne Mernyk was in SALLY SUNSHINE at the Neighborhood Playhouse. Brendon deSpain did THE TALL BAZILLE at an off-off-Broadway theater that's Located ON Broadway. Jennifer Weedon is in THE VAGINA MONOLOGUES go to the vaginafestival.com for details. Kristina Wilson is in PINKALICIOUS (love that name) the musical through Feb 25 for the Vital Children’s Theatre. Misti Tindiglia was in GARDEN PARTY for the Strawberry One-Act Festival.
And look for Rich Ramirez & Friends in FUNNY-RICAN PRODUCTIONS AFTER WORK COMEDY SHOW featuring Angel Salazar at Kokonuts and ConSazon in the Bronx.

Funny Ladies Suzanne Mernyak was at the IMPROV in Sept. And on Friday’s come by for a night of comedy at Rose’s Turn...the fabulous Cathie Boruch will MC/Host. Also catch Cathie at Don’t Tell Mama’s every Saturday.

All My June Film & TV Showcase guys are so busy!
See Brandon deSpain as Manuel Roma in SHADOWS BEHIND THE FOOTLIGHTS the mystery unfolds against the intrigue and drama of the 1940s and '50s written and directed by Gerard Denza. Nov 1 to 19 ATA Sargent Theater 314 W. 54th St.

Dono Cunningham who worked on AMERICAN GANGSTER where they used his hands for a mortician. Was also in DEFINITELY MAYBE with Ryan Reynolds & Rachel Weisz then did Ballet for Young Audiences NUTCRACKER. Dono narrated & did Arabian for a week in Dec as well as some smaller parts in the corps. He also shot a short with WB Advanced Film instructor Bill Hopkins. And lots of news from Daniel Kennedy “Just wanna let you know I've was cast as the lead in an independent feature entitled "A Stranger Among Us." The lesions I have learned everywhere I go helped me land this job: I told the CD I was going to be out of town on the day they wanted to audition me, to which the response was "I don't know why the director picked you anyway." Not even sure if they would see me, I showed up on the day I was available (don't take no for an answer, right?). 4 days later, I got the call! God is hooking me up; I was also cast as the lead in an Off-Off Broadway Comedy. And of course, I'm in Alex Geana's play 3 TABLE'S, which you cast me in (your check is on it's way).

Other news from all over 

Mark Irish played Leo Schneider in Neil Simon's CHAPTER TWO in November at The Schoolhouse Theatre in Croton Falls, NY. It was Marks first Neil Simon play and he’s thrilled to be launching with CHAPTER TWO classic Simon. Ken Glickfeld got back last week from Cape May. His show WHY MARRY was huge hit and he was happy to be lead role. By the way, Katherine Puma was in the cast as well. So sorry to have missed Chuck Karol in MCDEATH at the Producers Club if, for no other reason than to see Chuck in kilts with a Scottish dialect. Wendy Merrit got great notices for THE OCTOROON which received all kinds of good press. It looked like a great production. Another one I missed. Hope I have more time in the future to see more of your shows. Always busy Dale Radunz was in A WONDERFUL LIFE at Papermill. Scott Matthew Harris was in SOUL SEARCHING part of the NY Musical Theatre Festival.

SG members Tod Engle, Jerry Ferris and my Hubby Don Juhlin joined this time around by Cheri Wicks remounted their Fringe hit A COLLAPSE for eight performances at the Kraine. Another favorable note about the Commercial Improvisation Class comes from Peter Stoer “First of all, I want to tell you that Jackie Sydney's Improv class had an unexpected benefit. Something she referred to reminded me of something Peter Miner mentioned several times about how to get into character. So this finally clicked and really helped my acting! A couple of weeks ago I did a commercial for WebMD. I will be seen all over the world, standing with my partner and saying "Sexual Health"(sigh). I did a trailer to be used internally at "The Onion" to sell a project to management. Starting in January they will do three new segments each week of SNL type skits on their website. I'll have a recurring role or roles and it will be a SAG contract. So far I've been a senator, a CEO, a doctor and a news anchor. For now, at least, Life is Good”

Musical theatre on the High Seas Stephen Brockway is still on the Prinsendam, going to the QE 2, then back to the Prinsendam. Stephen was in Ohio over the summer for JESUS CHRIST SUPERSTAR (Simon Zealotes) followed by TAKING SIDES. On Oct. 2, he flew to Cypress to rejoin the Prinsendam. He will be on the ship for just over a month, leaving in Cape Town, South Africa on Nov. 8th, flying back to OH. On the 11th he will fly out to CA to begin rehearsals on the 12th, for his next cruise gig; joining the Prinsendam on Jan. 5, going to the Amsterdam in Feb., then back to the Prinsendam in April, finishing that gig on Aug. 11, 2007. WHEW! I’m exhausted just writing that.

May the blessings of Peace, Health, Achievement, Love, Friendship and Joy be with each of you all days.

                                      Valerie 

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