#Shakespeare in the Park is So #MuchAdoAboutNothing & More

MuchadoLast night, for the first time since I moved to NYC seven years ago, I went to Shakespeare in the Park. Established in 1954 by Public Theatre founder Joseph Papp, Central Park’s Delacorte Theatre draws thousands each season to take part in free outdoor theater. Over the years, award-winning actors have gotten their starts on the famed stage, including (but not limited to) Martin Sheen, James Earl Jones, Meryl Streep, and Morgan Freeman. This year is no exception with regards to famous faces. I saw Much Ado About Nothing last night starring New York theater favorites, Lily Rabe and Hamish Linklater as Beatrice and Benedick respectively. Other Broadway vets backing them up included Tony winner Brian Stokes Mitchell (who sings in this production, and took my breath away,) John Glover (pop culture crowds will recognize him from TV’s Smallville) and John Pankow. Game of Thrones fans will also recognize Pedro Pascal as yet another villain, Don John in this production.

First off, this is one of the best productions (as it should be) that I’ve seen of Much Ado About Nothing. From a purely aesthetic perspective, it was gorgeous to look at. From the sets to the costumes, to the lighting, it was a real treat for the eyes. A production like Much Ado probably benefits from being in an outdoor theater. The stage incorporated many aspects of nature including a vegetable garden and an orange tree. I think it increased believably for me as an audience member because we were actually outside. The costumes were the best I’ve seen to fit this production. Again, it made the setting and time period extremely believable and visually pleasing.

Now for the acting. Both Lily Rabe and Hamish Linklater come from very well-known theatrical families. Rabe, the daughter of the late actress, Jill Clayburgh and playwright David Rabe. She gained notoriety in the Shakespeare in the Park/Broadway production of The Merchant of Venice opposite Al Pacino.  Hamish Linlater, on the other hand, is the son of theater professor Kristin Linklater, who is renowned for her vocal techniques. In fact, I studied her technique extensively at Circle in the Square Theatre School, and continue to reference her book Freeing the Natural Voice on a regular basis as an actor. It’s no wonder that the two can both handle the difficult text that Shakespeare is famous for, and they do it magnificently. There was a funny moment where Hamish broke the fourth wall, using an audience member’s reaction to a rabbit. It was great. Even to those not familiar with classical and Shakespearean plays will be able to follow the plot and nuances in the hands of the entire cast–but especially Rabe and Linklater. I can’t say enough about them. As for the supporting cast, no one missed a beat. I especially enjoyed seeing Brian Stokes Mitchell and John Glover onstage as I have been a fan of both their work for years.

I am so grateful I had the opportunity to see such a wonderful production. It also reinforced my desire to get back on stage as soon as I can, reminding myself why I came to the city in the first place–to act. It’s weird because I remember seeing a broadcast on PBS in 1998 of Live at Lincoln Center of Twelfth Night. At 13 years old, after acting as a hobby since the age of 7 or 8, I decided at that moment, that I wanted to do that. I wanted to study acting, and I wanted to get better. It also ignited a more profound passion for Shakespeare in me. I had  read  Hamlet and Romeo & Juliet at age 11 without really “getting it.” It wasn’t until Twelfth Night  that I went “Whoa, I get it.” I became an English major in college probably avoiding a traditional theater degree on purpose because, “there has to be a fall back plan.” I’m coming to realize, as I have studied acting more intensely and Shakespeare more intensively as an actor, that I love being an actor. I love it, and I am proud to be one. Last night reminded me that I am, and that I will always be an actor and I’m glad to be part of such rich community of creators and storytellers.  I am so happy I got to see such wonderful and talented performers. I can only hope there was a young kid in the audience who was as inspired by last night’s performance as I was Twelfth Night. Much Ado About Nothing is far from nothing, this production has everything and more. Let’s hope they bring it to Broadway!

 

Happy Father’s Day: 5 Movies That Celebrate Dad

1. 3 Men and a Baby3menandababy: Nothing says. “Happy Father’s Day” quite like making someone an instant father. And, in this ’80s classic, those three men, (Steve Guttenberg, Ted Danson, and Tom Selleck) have to take care of a baby girl who was left on their doorstep.

2. Father of the Bri2fatherofthebridepartIIde: Part II: This may be the one and  only case where I actually enjoyed a sequel more than the original. It’s cheesy, I know, but Steve Martin, Diane Keeton, and Martin Short help make this movie one to watch on Father’s Day. Plus, it’s a double dose of Father-ness. Check out the pill-popping scene.

3manofthehouse3. Man of the House (1995): In a distant land, many many years ago, I had a crush on Jonathan Taylor Thomas (JTT for those who really kissed their Tiger Beat posters at night) and this was my favorite movie of his (other than The Lion King, of course.) Chevy Chase plays the stepfather who wants to connect with his stepson, but JTT wants none of that. This hysterical Disney movie also features Farrah Fawcett, and a slew of ’90s character actors.

4PaperMoon 4. Paper Moon (1973): Since Tatum O’Neal won an Oscar for her portrayal of Addie Loggins at the age of 11, no one has been able to beat her, and for good reason. Acting alongside her real-life father in this ’70s classic, the O’Neal clan team up as a father (maybe, maybe not?) daughter con-artist duo during the Great Depression.

5thegodfather5. The Godfather (I & II): It’s darn near impossible for me to make this list without these movies. While I’ve mentioned these two before, they hold a special place in my heart for being a movie that my father, grandfather, and I would watch together. I also put both parts 1 & 2 in one category because it seems like you can’t have one without the other. And, much like fatherhood, you can’t have one without the other.

20th Annual Screen Actors Guild Awards: An #Actor Votes. #SAGAwards #2014

As a member of the Screen Actors Guild, I am able to vote in the SAG Awards. Below are my choices for  each award.

The Screen Actors Guild Awards air Saturday, January 18th on TNT & TBS at 8p.m.

OUTSTANDING PERFORMANCE BY A CAST IN A MOTION PICTURE

Nominated: 12 Years a Slave, American Hustle, August: Osage County, Dallas Buyers Club, Lee Daniels’ The Butler.

Voted for:  August: Osage County seems to me to be a true ensemble piece in itself, but with these specific actors, they gave performances that helped move the film along as a whole. As an ensemble. Plus, filming dinner scenes are actually extremely complex.  

OUTSTANDING PERFORMANCE BY A MALE ACTOR IN A LEADING ROLE

Chiwetel Ejiofor (12 Years a Slave), Tom Hanks (Captain Phillips)  Matthew McConaughey (Dallas Buyers Club), Forest Whitaker (Lee Daniels’ The Butler), Bruce Dern (Nebraska)

Voted For: Chiwetel Ejiofor (12 Years a Slave): I was so impressed with his performance. It’s truly amazing because it has made me want to become a better actor. To learn as much as I can. Although, I was impressed with Matthew McConaughey, I thought the depths that Chiwetel Ejiofor had to go to in order to give a complete portrayal of his character were so much deeper. *Side note, he’s BRITISH and does one of the best American accents I’ve ever heard.

OUTSTANDING PERFORMANCE BY A FEMALE ACTOR IN A LEADING ROLE

Nominated: Meryl Streep (August: Osage County), Cate Blanchett (Blue Jasmine). Sandra Bullock (Gravity), Judi Dench (Philomena), Emma Thompson (Saving Mr. Banks)

Voted For: Cate Blanchett (Blue Jasmine): It was a toss up between Meryl Streep and Cate Blanchett for me once I narrowed my choices down. Ultimately, I thought the arc of Blanchett’s character was played beautifully, her performance as Jasmine simply impressed me more than the others. Although, it was extremely difficult NOT to vote for Meryl Streep (BECAUSE she’s MERYL STREEP)

OUTSTANDING PERFORMANCE BY A MALE ACTOR IN A SUPPORTING ROLE

Nominated: Michael Fassbender (12 Years a Slave), Barkhad Abdi (Captain Phillips), Jared Leto (Dallas Buyers Club), James Gandolfini (Enough Said), Daniel Bruhl (Rush)

Voted For: Jared Leto (Dallas Buyers Club): He truly immersed himself into this character and the power of his performance, for me, is undeniable. Although, before I saw it, I was convinced I would be voting for Michael Fassbender because there is nothing forgivable about his character, and it’s extremely difficult to play the bad guy well. Leto blew the competition out of the water for me.

OUTSTANDING PERFORMANCE BY A FEMALE ACTOR IN A SUPPORTING ROLE

Nominated: Lupita Nyong’o (12 Years a Slave),  Jennifer Lawrence (American Hustle), Julia Roberts (August: Osage County), June Squibb (Nebraska), Oprah Winfrey (Lee Daniels’ The Butler)

Voted For: Lupita Nyong’o (12 Years a Slave): She truly gave a supporting performance and was so visceral in the process of playing Patsey, that I felt I had so other choice but to vote for her. I was blown away by her skill and talent. Although, there were pleasant surprises from Julia Roberts and Oprah, but Lupita is one to watch. She was fantastic.

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TELEVISION

OUTSTANDING PERFORMANCE BY AN ENSEMBLE IN A DRAMA SERIES

Nominated: Boardwalk Empire, Breaking Bad, Downton Abbey, Game of Thrones, Homeland.

Voted For: Breaking Bad

OUTSTANDING PERFORMANCE BY AN ENSEMBLE IN A COMEDY SERIES

Nominated: 30 Rock, Arrested Development,  Modern Family, The Big Bang Theory, Veep.

Voted For: Modern Family

OUTSTANDING PERFORMANCE BY A MALE ACTOR IN A DRAMA SERIES

Nominated: Steve Buscemi (Boardwalk Empire), Bryan Cranston (Breaking Bad), Peter Dinklage (Game of Thrones), Kevin Spacey (House of Cards), Jeff Daniels (The Newsroom)

Voted For: Bryan Cranston (Breaking Bad) *There was no contest. Seriously.

OUTSTANDING PERFORMANCE BY A FEMALE ACTOR IN A DRAMA SERIES

Nominated: Jessica Lange (American Horror Story: Coven), Anna Gunn (Breaking Bad), Maggie Smith (Downton Abbey), Claire Danes (Homeland), Kerry Washington (Scandal)

Voted For: Anna Gunn (Breaking Bad) *Side note, this was the most difficult decision I had to make this year. I love them all.

OUTSTANDING PERFORMANCE BY A MALE ACTOR IN A COMEDY SERIES

Nominated: Alec Baldwin (30 Rock), Jason Bateman (Arrested Development), Don Cheadle (House of Lies), Ty Burrell (Modern Family)  Jim Parsons (The Big Bang Theory)

Voted For: Ty Burrell (Modern Family)

OUTSTANDING PERFORMANCE BY A FEMALE ACTOR IN A COMEDY SERIES

Nominated: Tina Fey (30 Rock), Julie Bowen (Modern Family) Edie Falco (Nurse Jackie), Mayim Bialik (The Big Bang Theory), Julia Louis-Dreyfus (Veep)

Voted For: Julie Bowen (Modern Family)

OUTSTANDING PERFORMANCE BY A MALE ACTOR IN A TELEVISION MOVIE OR MINISERIES

Nominated: Matt Damon (Behind the Candelabra), Michael Douglas (Behind the Candelabra), Rob Lowe (Killing Kennedy), Al Pacino (Phil Spector), Jeremy Irons (The Hollow Crown)

Voted For: Michael Douglas (Behind the Candelabra

OUTSTANDING PERFORMANCE BY A FEMALE ACTOR IN A TELEVISION MOVIE OR MINISERIES

Nominated: Angela Bassett (Betty & Coretta), Helena Bonham Carter (Burton & Taylor), Elisabeth Moss (Top of the Lake), Holly Hunter (Top of the Lake), Helen Mirren (Phil Spector)

Voted For: Helen Mirren (Phil Spector)

OUTSTANDING ACTION PERFORMANCE BY A STUNT ENSEMBLE IN A MOTION PICTURE

Nominated: All is Lost, The Fast the Furious 6, Lone Survivor, Rush, Wolverine.

Voted for: Wolverine

OUTSTANDING ACTION PERFORMANCE BY A STUNT ENSEMBLE IN A COMEDY OR DRAMA SERIES

Nominated:  Boardwalk Empire, Breaking Bad, Game of Thrones, Homeland, The Walking Dead. 

Voted For: Game of Thrones. Due to the sheer amounts of stunts in this series, for me, it was  a clear choice. Plus, it seems like they would have more fun. Voting for stunt ensembles is really difficult.