A Staged Reading of Two New Plays by Neil Cole

A Staged Reading of Two New Plays by Neil Cole
Both plays are by acclaimed Australian playwright Neil Cole and will be directed by Elayne LeTraunik.
Event Info Host: Episcopal Actors Guild
Type: Music/Arts - Performance
Network: Global
Time and Place Date: Sunday, December 21, 2008
Time: 1:00pm - 7:00pm
Location: Episcopal Actors Guild
Street: 1 East 29th Street
City/Town: New York, NY
View Google MapGoogleMapQuestMicrosoftYahoo
Contact Info Phone: 7737241554
Email: vitrualelayne@gmail.com

DescriptionCome see me, I will be perfroming in both readings! :)

Two new Holocaust themed plays will have staged readings in New York City on December 21, 2008 at Episcopal Actors Guild, 1 East 29th Street, New York. Both plays are by acclaimed Australian playwright Neil Cole and will be directed by Elayne LeTraunik.





“Notes from the Warsaw Ghetto” (Reading begins at 1 p.m.): This play relates the efforts of historian Emmanuel Ringelblum and the members of Oneg Shabbat to document the life of the Jews in the Warsaw Ghetto. This play is based in part on the book “Notes from the Warsaw Ghetto “edited and translated by Jacob Sloan.



“The Trial of Adolph Eichmann” (Reading begins at 4 p.m.): This play is based on the court proceedings in Israel in 1959 which was the first time the horrors of the Holocaust were seen by the world at large.



Following each reading will be a brief discussion. In addition, playwright Neil Cole will be in attendance.



Playwright Neil Cole is a former member of the Victorian State Parliament of Australia and in the 1990’s was Victorian Shadow Attorney General. He is a lawyer as well as a professor and has had 7 plays produced in Melbourne, Sydney and Brisbane including “Alive at Williamstown Pier”, “Dr Cade” and “Personality Games.” He has won the Griffin Theatre Award for the best new writing for theater in 1999 and was short listed for the Victorian Premiers Literary Award in 2001.



This event is free and no reservation is required. Following each reading, refreshments will be served. For more information regarding this event, please contact Karen Lehman at 212-685-2927 or by email at karen@actorsguild.org. For information on the plays, contact Elayne LeTraunik at 773-724-1554 or by email at vitrualelayne@gmail.com.

Youtube Video of Carnegie Performance

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=xMF9cJRWCrk


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

Carnegie Hall performance on Broadwayworld.com

http://www.broadwayworld.com/article/Photo_Coverage_NYC_Gay_Mens_Chorus_Holiday_Spectacular_at_Carnegie_Hall_20081211

THE NEW YORK CITY GAY MEN'S CHORUS launched its 29th season with a time-honored New York tradition: under the Artistic Direction of Charles Beale, NYCGMC presented The New York City Gay Men's Chorus Holiday Spectacular "Celebrate Me Home" at Carnegie Hall on Tuesday December 9th. The special guest stars for the evening were the cast of [title of show], Jeff Bowen, Hunter Bell, Susan Blackwell and Heidi Blickenstaff.

NYCGMC's annual Holiday Spectacular is always one of the most anticipated highlights of the holiday season in New York. This year, with "Celebrate Me Home," NYCGMC gathered with friends and family to share the holiday spirit, while continuing its steadfast efforts to celebrate the LGBT community through song.

[title of show], a self-described musical about two nobodies named Hunter and Jeff who decide to write a completely original musical starring themselves and their attractive and talented ladyfriends, Susan and Heidi, was the hit of 2004 The New York Musical Theatre Festival. Shortly afterward, the show opened at off-Broadway's Vineyard Theatre before opening on Broadway for a brief but beloved run earlier this season.

The New York City Gay Men's Chorus Holiday Spectacular "Celebrate Me Home" also payed tribute to the amazing work of PFLAG, the organization for parents, friends and families of Lesbians and Gays as well as the Ali Forney Center which helps provide homes for the up to 25% of LGBT teens who are turned away by their families and find themselves homeless on the streets of New York.

The New York City Gay Men's Chorus' 2008-2009 Season is made possible with the generous support of Norman Hanson. The New York City Gay Men's Chorus Holiday Spectacular "Celebrate Me Home" is additionally receiving support from Time Warner, American Airlines, The New York City Department of Cultural Affairs, The Manhattan Monster, Darden Restaurants, Next Magazine, HX Magazine, The New York Blade, and Lips Restaurant.

THE NEW YORK CITY GAY MEN'S CHORUS is an auditioned, 250-voice male chorus serving the gay community and the greater community at large by the performance of classical and contemporary male choral music as proud and openly gay men. In addition to their regular concert series, NYCGMC also performs at a variety of local and tri-state area functions, benefits, and performances. For 29 years, NYCGMC audiences have filled auditoriums including Carnegie Hall and Lincoln Center's Avery Fisher and Alice Tully Halls to standing room only. Unanimously acclaimed by America's leading music critics, the Chorus has sung with some of the world's brightest stars, commissioned and premiered many major works, made celebrated television appearances, and sold recordings worldwide. NYCGMC continues to serve the community each day through its education and AIDS outreach programs. Youth Pride Chorus, a free program for LGBTQ young people and their allies between the ages of 14-21, is the first program of its kind to be sponsored by an adult mentor chorus. NYCGMC has appeared with guests artists including Academy Award winners Liza Minnelli and Joel Grey, Grammy Award winners Marilyn Horne and Cyndi Lauper, Tony Award-winning actors Carol Channing, Harvey Fierstein, Faith Prince and Kristin Chenoweth and Olympic Gold Medalist Greg Luganis, as well as joint performances with Stonewall Chorale, Lavender Light Gospel Choir, Boston Gay Men's Chorus, Gay Men's Chorus of Washington D.C., Noot an der Mann (Amsterdam), and Schola Cantorosa (Hamburg) and other choruses from around the world. As the membership continues to grow and diversify, the Chorus will continue to extend its message of love, compassion, and positive examples of gay lives for many years to come.

Title Of Show Cast joining the chorus this upcoming Tuesday night at Carnegie Hall!

http://www.theatermania.com/content/news.cfm/story/16263

Come See Us!

I'm a complete working actor! :)

Sooooooo, just a life update. I am leaving the "money job," and going to do tv shows and film to earn some money. I feel better working as an actor and meeting people and you never know what will come of a shoot. So I will be acting 24/7 now! :) I will be leaving this upcoming week, and so far the films are helping me out alot. :) Sooo lets all hope this was a good choice. I believe it was.

I'm on TV this TUESDAY NIGHT!

Sooo tune in to Fringe 8pm,September 23, 2008. I belive on FOX, this upcoming Tuesday night. Episode 3, of the first season, you shall see me! :) It's a great episode, and hopefully you can see me on that. I am filming some other shows also, and will keep you posted when they air, I know I missed the first episode of Law and Order:Criminal Intent, I did, but some of my other shows should be coming up very soon.

Law and Order: Criminal Intent

Sooo I had a two day shoot, for my second episode of Law and Order: Criminal Intent this past week. I play an altar boy, in the new season, (episode 1 of the season), "Faithfully!" Airs on November 6th 2008. Sooo catch me in it. It shall be worth it. It was alot of fun, got to see and work with some famous actors, and got to shoot in a huge Church, near my apt. It was neat. Had to carry this STUPID candle, that was ungodly heavy! :( hahaha..but I really enjoyed the shoot. I have tons of screentime! Sooo watch for it!

Holiday Spectacular 2008 -Carnegie Hall

Come see me perform at CARNEGIE HALL!!!!!

After a year of innovative performances at Carnegie Hall, the New Jersey Performing Arts Center, and Fashion Institute of Technology, NYCGMC returns to Carnegie Hall once again on Tuesday December 9th 2008. This year, we’ll gather with our friends and family to celebrate the holiday season, while continuing our steadfast efforts to fight homophobia through song. As ever, our Holiday Spectacular will include an entertaining and varied mix of songs, celebrities, and surprises! There will be laughter, tears and inspiring messages of hope. With gas prices through the roof, ditch the car and spend an evening on Santa's Carnegie Hall Sleigh with a red-nosed reindeer and over 200 gay men of all shapes and sizes - you are promised the warmest of welcomes!

Ticket Prices- (FROM ME Till OCT. 13)
Prime Parquet- $79
1st Tier Box- $79
Parquet- $60
2nd Tier Box- $60
Dress Circle- $45
Front Balcony- $35

After that...or without my help (LOL)..
Prime Parquet- $88
1st Tier Box- $88
Parquet- $66
2nd Tier Box- $66
Dress Circle- $50
Front Balcony- $39

Let me know if you want to purchase tickets.. :) THANKS! Hope to see you there, its going to be an AMAZING performance!!!

Gossip Girl

Soooooooooo..Tomorrow I will be filming Gossip Girl.. :) YAY!!!! FINALLY.. I think I have done them all now.. LOL...

JK!
Matthew

The Line

A media project I filmed a month or so ago is finally on youtube.com, I believe it was for yahoo.com, but SNL produced and directed it. Sooo check it out, I appear in #5, but I was there for most of it, 2 days worth of filming...

Episode #1
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=L3TN9urUuDc

Episode #5
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=CM7lokXWyL0

*watch them in order, from the beginning, its not funny if you watch them out of order.

Thank again!
Matthew

Engaged-Can you find me....

Hi ladies and gents,


At long last, "engaged" has been completed and posted online.


Please click on the link below to view:


http://myspacetv.com/index.cfm?fuseaction=vids.individual&videoid=40847234

I DID NOT DIE!

Hahhahah..Hello all, sorry its been over a month, alot has either been happening or not, depending on how you look at it. I finished Stranded, in which I recieved an honorable award for my performance with that show, and am currently looking for some other projects. My mother came in town and we spent some time together and had a blast, went to the Hamptons, really enjoyed ourselves. Also I just got back from LAS VEGAS!!! :) It was really really nice, the heat was great, the sun, and lack of rain. A total great place. I also saw Cher perform while I was there, OMG!! what a legand! :)But now that I had my month of relaxation, and time to myself, its back to the grindstone. I also am now a member of the NYC Gay Men's Chorus, and am extremely proud to be apart of such a wonderful group of performers and men. ( www.nycgmc.org )
I will keep you posted about exciting events from that group, I know of one, at Carnegie Hall!!! (AHHHHHHH!) Tuesday, December 9,2008 1pm-Holiday Concert. (tooo cool!) Nothing much else new, but hope all is well, and I will postings some clips from some film work I have done. Also I know that the last Tuesday evening of September, (I believe) Fringe, (the episode I filmed) will be airing...

Peace-
Matthew

Film and TV

Sooooooooo I haven't blogged about this, but I have been doing some AFTRA work, I have done in the last couple mouths, Rescue Me, (Backgroud) for an episode about 9/11, Law and Order: Criminal Intent (Featured Extra, Pedifile), and got a Sag Waiver! :) And, "The Line," which will be on yahoo.com produced and with cast members from SNL. Tomorrow I will be filming Fringe, and playing a dead body...soooooooooo excited about that! :)...sadly I've always wanted to, and the make-up should be FIERCE! :) I know that the Rescue Me episode will air next march, but I will have to let you know when the others will be aired... thanks so much! :)

Stranded! It's Finally opened! :)

Sooo we opened Stranded, the other night! YAY!!! It went extremely well I do say, and the audience really seem to love it! :) YAY!!! Now...we have 3 more shows of it, our next one is this Wednesday night, and then every 5 days. :) Its totally worth seeing, plus you get two other shows the same night, Grim Late Night, and Plastic Surgion from Oz. I plan on stopping in to see the other shows in the festival, and I will review them as well, if I remember to. :) No new projects set in stone yet, still waiting... :( Hope everything is going wonderful in everyones lives. :)

Best-

Come see Matthew Burton in the Bad Musicals Festival!

That's right, he is up to more shows!

BAD MUSICALS FESTIVAL '08
Genre: Comedy, Lesbian+Gay, Musical, Festival, Other
presented by NY Artists Unlimited as part of the International Cringe Festival
These musicals are not actually bad but REALLY GOOD. However, they are all naughty, satirical, and politically incorrect. They're filled with bad language/puns and other sorts of things that would be otherwise frowned upon.
Approximately twelve short musicals are arranged in various theme evenings (ex: Is That a Gun in Your Pocket?). The bad house band, Bronze Fondue, and East Village comedians provide entertainment between the shows.
At the Fairies & Phantasies Benefit (7/25), legendary actress Marilyn Sokol and Warhol superstar Ultra Violet will be presented with honorary golden pineapples. Benefit attendees are encouraged to come in costume as a wacked-out version of their favorite children's character, and to bring a toy or book to donate to needy children. There will be costume prizes and raffles. Co-chairing this event are playwright Jean Hart and Kimberly Kopera. In keeping with the bad children's theatre theme that night, there will be lunchbox specials: assorted finger sandwiches (including P&J!), cupcakes, cake, cookies, penny candy, punch, booze, and more.
There will be a Carmen Miranda Closing Benefit (8/10), featuring the presentation of the Golden Pineapple, Silver Tomato, and Bronze Banana (award winners selected by audience vote) for the playwrights & directors and the presentation of the Jack Lemons for the best bad actor & actress. Costumes are encouraged and there will be prizes. Come dressed as your favorite fruit! There will be a special award for the Best Carmen. $25 per person ($20 if you come in costume) benefits the company's work with under-served children & families, seniors & elderly. There will be entertainment, food, booze, and lots of fruit!
The lineup for the Bad Musicals Festival '08 will be as follows:
IS THAT A GUN IN YOUR POCKET? - Mon. 7/21, Sat. 7/26, Thurs. 7/31, Tues. 8/5
Charlie Chang & the Mysterious Salami, Book & Lyrics by Anne Berlin, Music by Andy Cohen, directed by Tony Spinosa
Henry & Hyde, Book by James M. Eisenman and Thomas Adams, Lyrics by James M. Eisenman, Music by Thomas Adams, directed by Maryna Harrison
FOREIGN & FAMILIAR BODIES - Tues. 7/22, Sun. 7/27,Fri. 8/1, Wed. 8/6
Falling in Love Again by J. Boyer, directed by Anita Brown
Too Much Love, Lyrics by Douglas M. Parker, Music by Denver Casado, directed by Tom Amici
OBGYNia, a Sci-Fi Musical Romp! by Justine Lambert and Kenneth Nowell, directed by Tom Amici
POLITICS & POOPSY - Wed. 7/23, Mon. 7/28, Sat. 8/2, Thurs. 8/7
The Virgin Dictator: A Love Story starring Kim Jong Il by Itai Grunfeld, directed by Brady Amoon
Daffodils in Deutschland by Dray Rigg, directed by Kenny Wade Marshall
CRIMINALLY INSANE PUPPETS - Thurs. 7/24, Tues. 7/29, Sun. 8/3, Fri. 8/8
Pinokenstein by Mark LaPierre, directed by Diane Englert
The Dependents, Book by Bebe McGarry, Lyrics by Debra M. Gussin, Music by Michael Paul Girard, directed by Sara B. Ware
IT AIN'T KANSAS ANYMORE! - Fri 7/25 (benefit), Wed. 7/30, Mon. 8/4, Sat. 8/9
Stranded!, Book & Lyrics by Raymond Bokhour, Music by Ilan Maazel, directed by Leslie Nemet
Grimm Late Night, Book & Lyrics by Mark LaPierre, Music by Jodi Eichelberger, directed by Nikki Rothenberg
The Great Plastic Surgeon of Oz by Zurbon Gish, directed by Robyne Parrish

Tickets are available through TheaterMania, though they can also be reserved by calling NY Artists Unlimited directly at (212) 242-6036.
For further information, see our website, http://www.nyartists.org/.

Stranded!, Book & Lyrics by Raymond Bokhour, Music by Ilan Maazel Three friends, a desert island, and an ancient Mesopotamian oil lamp--sounds like an old joke--and it is.


Open: 07/21/08
Close: 08/10/08

Schedule: 7/21/08-8/10/08:
8:00 PM shows Mon. - Sat.
2:00 PM shows on Sun. Benefit on Friday 7/25. Closing Night Award Ceremony & Celebration on Sunday 8/10. Theater: Producers Club Theatres - The Grand
Address: 358 W 44th Street
New York, NY 10036 Show Map

Cost:$25.00 gen. admission ($20.00 advance sales - deadline July 1), $15 students
Buy Tickets Online or Call: TheaterMania at 212-352-3101


Company: NY Artists Unlimited Official Web Site: http://www.nyartists.org/



Thank you and hope to see you there! :)

I WENT TO THE TONY AWARDS!!!!!!

I went to the Tony Awards Last night!!! It was amazing..I was in Heaven!!!! MUSICAL HEAVEN!!! I saw Glenn Close, and Kerry Butler, and pretty much everyone who was anyone, and then some! We had great seats, first mez. center... The performances were amazing... Patti was AMAZING, Xanadu was great, it was also nice to see some shows which I haven't seen, and see what they have to offer..! Kudos to all those who won, and congrats! Thank you to Lance, for the ticket! I owe you! I can't wait to go back to the awards soon, this time, for a show I'm in!

Sites for the Bad Musical Festival

Broadwayworld.com

http://www.broadwayworld.com/viewcolumn.cfm?colid=28089

Theater Mania

http://www.theatermania.com/content/show.cfm/show/144015

Theatre Online.com

http://www.theateronline.com/playbill.xzc?PK=17789

Stranded! - The Musical

I have just been cast in the Bad Musical Festivals production- Stranded! The Musicals in the festival are not bad -- they're really GOOD plays that are delightfully naughty -- politically incorrect, political satire, explicit, bad language/ puns, or utterly zany -- and don't we all need that in these times? The Bad Musicals Festival, in its third year, is "movin' on up" to the Grand Theatre at the Producers Club in the Times Square/theatre district, July 21-August 10. Mon.-Sat. at 8 p.m. and Sundays at 2, musicals are huddled under a theme umbrella for one all-inclusive price per presentation.

My themed night is- IT AIN'T KANSAS ANYMORE! featuring: Stranded!, book & lyrics by Raymond Bokhour, music by Ilann Maazel, The Moon, book & lyrics by Mark LaPierre, music by Jodi Eichelberger, and The Great Plastic Surgeon of Oz by Zurbon Gish.

I am extremely excited to work with Leslie C. Nemet; director for the show, and a really talented group of 3 other men that she has cast! :) ( I must do well with guys! heheh)

Stranded!
Three friends are stranded on a desert island in the middle of nowhere -- nothing but ocean as far as the eye can see for some-odd days, eating nothing but coconuts day in and day out, when out of nowhere appears an ancient Mesopotamian oil lamp. Curious, the three friends decide to uncork the bottle -- and all hell breaks loose.

NY Artists Unlimited is a 25 year old nonprofit organization that provides theatre and art to under-served audiences. The company is supported in part by the NYC Department of Cultural Affairs, Lower Manhattan Cultural Council, Nancy Quinn Fund, Puffin Foundation, Dramatists Guild Fund, corporate and individual contributors. These festivals, in their own wacky way, lend a hand in supporting the mission to serve the community. The movers 'n shakers behind this insanity are: Melba LaRose, Artistic Director; Bill & Anita Brown, associate producers from Shooting Star Theatre; Elson de Faria, Managing Director; Courtney Sweeting, Technical Director, Kim Kopera, Administrative Assistant and co-chair with playwright Jean Hart of the Benefit Committee; plus myriad interns and volunteers that make the whole thing happen.

Tickets $25 at door; $20 advance sales (deadline July 1); $15 students with ID. Reservations are strongly recommended. For more information or reservations, call 212-242-6036 or visit www.nyartists.org. For online ticketing: www.theatermania.com. Grand Theatre at the Producers Club, 358 W. 44 St., betw. Eighth/Ninth Aves., July 21-August 10, M-Sat. @ 8, Sun. @ 2. The show runs 1¾ to 2 hours in toto, including a short intermission.

Running...with Dutch Courage

Soooo...about less than 2 weeks, and Dutch Courage will be over.. :(. Come see it now, its truly an amazing show, with a great, great crew and cast! :) I am so touched and honored to be a part of this production. Everything is going fine, our poor stage manager Vanessa, broke her leg, so she is hopping around doing everything, poor girl! :( And Mary is working hard, she is soo much fun, she is our stage hand, helping, sister! Anthony will be filling in while she misses a couple of our shows, he is a great guy, I love him! :) Its really hot in NYC this weekend, and performing with no coolings system..is HELL!!! Really, its VERY hot on stage, and for the audience, I pray we all make it thru this heat spell. :) I am finding it sooo amazing to make the show so new and exciting every night, and I am doing it so well, to myself at least, I am finding new things all the time, and really love exploring the roles, the message, and the show! I am sooo proud of my part of this piece, so come support and see Dutch Courage! :)

Buy Professtional Photos of Dutch Courage

Here are some amazing photos of our show...feel free to purchase some of them...they are truly amazing! :) Thank you Carlos Gustavo Monroy!

The link is:
http://public.fotki.com/JUSTGIVEITASHOT/broadway/dutch-courage/


More info on the photographer- "Photos by Carlos Gustavo Monroy" with a link to his site www.monroyphotographs.com

Dutch Courage website

Visit www.dutchcourage.info

Site just updated with pics from our production.. :)

Got a little mention.. :)
Greta and Jakob recruit a group of young men to ensnare the Germans. Matthew Napoli (Jopie) Matthew Burton (Jan) Dustin Tyler Moore (Rost) Daniel Moser (Willem) and Ben Strothmann (Derk) entrtained with their disciplined ensemble work in “Fags Can’t Fight”, though special mention must be given to Matthew Burton’s lead in “Sleeping With The Enemy”, Daniel Moser’s “Final Bow” and a sensational rendition of “Only Fools” and “Reprise” by Dustin Tyler Moore.

Also-another site that we found...
http://www.cabaretexchange.com/index.php?option=com_content&task=view&id=460&Itemid=1

I make YouTUBE

These are with the latest Dutch Courage Cast PR Event, at The After Party!

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=uW2yIGU9wv0

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=jQM1A2wYwqc

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=x-BU72hvb64

Buy tickets here-and look my name is on this site! LOL

http://www.nytheatre.com/nytheatre/showpage.php?t=dutc6953

Reviews from Audience (opening night)!

DUTCH COURAGE
Posted On: 5/23/08 at 11:41 PM
From (broadwayworld.com-Here_I_GO_AGAIN)

Anyone else see this production form the wings theatre company!!!! Great show with a pretty strong cast.

DUTCH COURAGE
by Here_I_Go_Again @ 05/23/08, 11:39:38 PM
Great new show from the wings theatre. tonight was oeing night. Cast was wonderful and the story heart warming and well told. Anyone else going?

We made it to Broadwayworld.com!!!

Tonight Matt Castle and 'Dutch Courage' at The After Party



Friday, May 23, 2008; Posted: 4:09 PM - by BWW News Desk

THE AFTER PARTY welcomes COMPANY's Matt Castle and the cast of DUTCH COURAGE plus a birthday celebration for Jason Courson.


Doors open at 10:30pm and the show begins at 11pm. No cover. No minimum.


Matt Castle most recently played Peter (and piano and bass) in the Tony Award-winning revival of Company. Off-Broadway: The Musical of Musicals, in which he played both Willy and Jitter, and the York Theatre's LingoLand, for which he also served as musical director and arranger. Regional: roles at Paper Mill Playhouse, Cincinnati Playhouse in the Park, Sacramento Theatre Company, and Music Circus. Musical direction: York Mufti series, Jean Cocteau Rep, Theater Ten Ten, and many, MANY new works at NYMTF, NAMT, BMI, Tisch, Theatreworks/USA, et al. Concert: arranger and vocal soloist with Omaha and Stockton symphonies, and over 250 solo and chamber recitals at venues across the country. www.MattCastle.com.

DUTCH COURAGE The year is 1940. Germany invades the Netherlands. Jews are rounded up, Gypsies are exterminated, but the lowest of the lows were Holland's homosexual community. Based on fact, "Dutch Courage" tells the hilarious and moving story of a group of gay resistance workers, fighting the Germans in every way they can. Lead by Greta – a transsexual club owner and performer, she and right hand man Jakob recruit a young group of men Jopie, Rost , Jan and Willem. Together they wreak havoc through sabotage, seduction and blackmail. Yet when the clampdown comes – will Greta's protection be enough to get them through?


THE AFTER PARTY is located within the West Bank Cafe 407 west 42nd Street @ 9th Ave. 212-695-6909

Dutch Courage Opening Night!!!

Sooooo tonight I make my Off-Off Broadway Debut! Sorry It hass been awhile since I posted, but I have devoited my entire life to this show, and tonight is the opening night!!! :) We even have a PR event at an open mic night at Laurie Beachman theatre, showing off some numbers in our show...should be exciting! If anyone wants to come this evening or tomorrow eveing, let me know, I'll get ya in free! :) The show is going great! It really is, I am extremely proud to be a part of this show, its message and this cast! I have met some truly great and amazing people with this show, so tell your friends, and I will blog about the show soon...

Stay tuned, and come see us!

OFF OFF BROADWAY!!! HERE I COME!!!

That's right!!! I've made it!!!! (well in rehearsals for!) DUTCH COURGAGE-THE MUSICAL!!!! I was recently hired to be apart of the 9 memember cast (and what great, amazing men are they!) of a new show, Dutch Courage. It will be the first production for the show, besides a reading that was done in Austrailia! Its going really well, I am soooooo happy to be apart of this production, the director is great, the musical director (from Astrailia) is great! I so enjoy going to rehearsal all day, everyday! I have yet to have a show like this before! We open in 2 weeks, at the Wings Theatre, on Christopher Street. I play Jan/German Soldier/Nian all great characters. COME SEE ME!!!! Its gonna rock!

Here is a little information-
Dutch Courage is a powerful and timely musical providing strong roles for 10 male actors. Set in Amsterdam during the occupation of Nazi Germany, Dutch Courage brings a unique perspective to the historic occurrences of World War II, affecting its audiences with messages of acceptance, persecution and survival.

Based on fact, Dutch Courage is a graphic tale of personal identity, belief in the betterment of the world, persecution of minorities and the cement of friendship, loyalty, and the redeeming of the human spirit.

As Nazi Germany besets Europe a small group of resistance fighters in Amsterdam do their darndest to change the course of the planet. They play many dangerous games as the mercurial rules of survival morph before them. They were not Jews, socialists or communists. Not philosophers, politicians, musicians, or actors. They were homosexual.

Music: Sean Peter
Lyrics: Sean Peter
Book: Barry Lowe

Fred C.L. Mann III
Director/Choreographer

Cast:
Greta- Kenny Wade Marshall
Jokob- Daryl Brown
Jopie/Inmate- Matthew
Rost/ German/ Inmate- Dustin Tyler Moore
Willem/ Inmate- Daniel Moser
Jan/ German/ Nian- Matthew Burton
Kurt/ Inmate- Frank Galgano
German Officer/ British Consul- (not sure of his name yet.. )


Performances:
May 23rd 8:00 PM (First Show)
May 24th 8:00 PM
May 29th-30th 8PM
May 31st 3:30PM
June 1st- 8PM
June 5th — June 7th & 9th 8:00 PM
June 8th 3:30 PM
June 12th — 14th & 16th 8:00 PM
June 15th 3:30 PM
June 19th — 21st at 8PM (Closing Show)

"This quite simply is a devastatingly brilliant new show ... touring and film possibilities are limitless." - (Adelaide Messenger, 1997)

"... judiciously mixes comedy, music and drama ... hits some telling chords." (Adelaide Advertiser, 1997)

For Tickets- http://www.wingstheatre.com/reservations.html

I play Jan/ German Soldier/ Concentration camp Inmate.

This is surely a performance not to miss...

AEA Showcase
Wings Theatre , Off-Off Broadway theatre located in New York City's Greenwich Village. Wings produces a year-round season comprised exclusively of new plays and musicals by American playwrights and composers under a Tier IV agreement with AEA

More info for Shakespeare Saturdays Sing!

Donna Stearns, Producer
Jason Kendall, Artistic Director
of
Shakespeare Saturdays present...

Shakespeare Saturdays Sings!
Written and Directed by Award-Winning Songwriter Donna Stearns

A comedic 40-minute revue, featuring scenes and songs from "Twelfth Night," "Two Gentlemen of Verona" and "As You Like It." Featuring
Keiri Beth, Matthew Burton, Megan Cooper, Anthony De Luca, Brendan Rothman-Hicks, Ross Hewitt, Katie Murphy, Soo Nam and Eric Vetter.
http://www.moonbeam.net/ShakespeareSaturdays/PIXSSings2.shtml

Reading Performance at 1:00 PM
Saturday, May 17

Inwood Branch of the New York Public Library
4790 Broadway


By Subway: Either the A-Train or 1-Train:
...A-Train to Dyckman (200th St.): The library is north of the subway exit, right on that block.
...1-Train to Dyckman: Walk west a few blocks to Broadway. Turn north on Broadway and it's on that block.
NOTE: Unfortunately, there has been weekend construction on the A-Train line. Please see for http://www.mta.info/nyct/ for important service updates such as delays. I recommend adding on 20 minutes to travel time to insure seeing our revue from its beginning.


Free Admission
http://www.ShakespeareSaturdays.com

Shakespeare Saturdays Sings!

I booked another show, this one is a quicky! (LOL) It's a one performance gig, staged reading, in Inwood.

Shakespeare Saturdays Sings!" - a comedic 40-minute revue which is
returning to The Inwood Library on Sat., May 17 at 1:00 PM. It
features scenes and songs from "Twelfth Night," "As You Like It"
and "Two Gentlemen of Verona."

I will be playing the role of Orlando. And thats about all I know, I will keep you posted, but come see me in my debut with Shakespeare.

Busy Week/ Emperor Updates

So...life has been full of shows, and auditions, and work and many events. Emperor has been going well, this week is our big week with 5 shows in one week, which seems to be the fullest week we have on the tour, ( I know, not bad!)treking myself out to Long Island is sometimes fun, sometimes boring... LOL, the spaces we get to work in are very different, yesterday we have a huge hall, that sat around 1,000, and tomorrow I heard its a library and its very small, so small we aren't getting a set, just our props and furniture. (LOL) If no one knows, (since I haven't put up pictures) the set is a castle thrown room area, then a stone platform area, connecting the two with a footbridge, and an extra door, and things... its small, but it travels well, kinda crapped. But it works! Monday we performed at Bethpage, in a really nice theatre, they had no sound system nor did we bring our own, thinking since it was deep enough to use mics, but it worked, a bit hard to hear the pianist when singing, but it was ok. Friday and Saturday we have back to back performances at Bellmore, and Saturday, I have some good friends and family coming to see the show, I am excited for them to see me perform, so I hope all goes well, as it should and I hope they don't hate it too much! :) Auditions have been well auditions, nothing new, just going and doing my thang! Nothing amazing yet... :( Work is work, ... just something to pay the bills, well sorta! LOL... Happy Birthday to Lance, he is turning 40, congrats on that! :) NYC is warming up, and really lovely as well... had some amazing days where you just wanna go to Central Park and play with the doggies, not gonna lie, I DID! LOL... So I will keep you posted...Emperor is about half way thru so come see it before its gone! :)

Opening Weekend for Emperor

Well, 3 shows done! LOL.... :) Saturday we opened in Bellmore, our "home" theatre, the stage is not my favorite, its small, but do-able, but its raked, and a backwards rake! So its feels as if you are going to fall backwards! LOL... Oh, it was great to see 17 people there, who actually liked the show... LOL! It went well. I was pleased! Sunday, we then took the show to Queens College, and even though Heather and I had a ton of issues finding the theatre, when we did find it, my mouth dropped! It was PERFECT! HUGE HUGE HUGE Stage!, Amazing seating area, and just a great backstage, tons of room to move around, it was a great venue! We had 500 people for that performance.And due to a wedding, most orginal cast members, except Heather, Jack (Emperor) and myself were not there and they had their understudyies or subs, go on, and they did amazing! I really love many of the understudies. And Monday we performed in Douglaston, at the Jewish Community Center there, it was a smaller stage then Bellmore, but the set fit better there, and it worked. Even though its not meant really for a theatre, it worked and the show was great. It seemed like we had a thousand kids there, and they wanted to take us home, I swear we almost didn't get out! LOL... But we have most of this week off, a show in Bellmore on Saturday, then we perform mostly every day next week. Next week is gonna be busy, with my shows, personal events and birthdays, and possibly my family coming next Saturday to see a performance.

Hope you all get a chance to come see the show-

:)
Matthew

Tech Rehearsal

Just a quick update on the show, we finished Tech rehearsal, and tonight we have our first Dress Rehearsal, should be exciting, I'm really excited for my costume and to add the last touches to my character, and I am pretty happy how he is coming along. There were some really strong choices made that I am keeping, and hopefully I will keep adding tons more. The set is very interesting, we made it work to what we had blocked, since we had a different idea about what the set did actually look like. I receieved my Jester's Bauble yesterday, and its something also to add to my character, trying to figure out where and what to do with it. We did two run-thru's last night, one full original cast, and then an understudy cast, (with me and Heather (VERTITY), since we are doing the full run) and I was happy with both of them. I actually had alot of fun with the understudies, they did very well, and found new actions and ideas that my character would have. I love exploring different things with each character I play. And Chester is becoming more and more, Chester every time I run thru the show...So lets hope the clothes make the Jester.

"Engaged" / Tech & Dress Rehearsal

So...Yesterday I did my first filming! I was a featured extra in a film with 31 Caliber Productions, called "Engaged." I played a cook, and I appear a couple times in the film. It was kinda scary, and exciting having that done, scary it being the first time I have ever done anything to that degree, but I did well. I was glad I did it to get that experience. It was certainly interesting preparing ice cold food(LOL), and mainly playing a cook, and not being one... I love acting! :) The whole aspect of filming the sounds, then the different angles...really interesting... :) ! So today we start our Tech & Dress Rehearsals for Emperor!!!! I am getting excited and anxious to get this character ironed out.. tonight I really want to focus on the character and getting him thru all the way! The show is turning out very cute, and it should pull together fine. Lines are memorized, by me and songs learned... I feel the only thing now is to play with it.. so to speak! LOL... I have great cast..they are each funny and talented in their own way, and something really new I have never experienced, multiple understudies. Many of our main actors have performances that they can not make, and they were given 1 or 2 understudies to fill in for them, so it is interesting to work with many people in each role. I however do not have one, since I will be doing every performance. And also I believe my counter part, if that is the right term, Heather who plays Verity, the scullery maid, (who I fall in love with!) does not have an understudy, and we are the only ones. So her and I will have many a cast! LOL... I had my costume fitting last night.. I really love my outfit, its sparkely and Green, and gold. It looks very Princely...and I look GOOD in it! :) So I will keep ya'll posted this week on how the rehearsals go...

Stay tuned!

Emperor's New Clothes Update

Hello all,
So after my third rehearsal, and only 2 more left before tech and dress rehearsal week.. (SCARY!)..the show is going ok. I have come to terms with my Jester-ness, and am enjoying playing this goofy role, he actually is more that a clown, he has feelings and, actually the show has a twist ending, and I have a huge part in that. :) Traveling to Long Island for the rehearsals is something new and different for me. If I can manage to grab a seat on the train all is great. The director, Tommie Gibbions, is a fun fella to work with, and his dog is wonderful to have backstage! :) I am enjoying the cast, each and every person is PERFECT for their role. I am pretty much off book, and am polishing up the character. Nothing to huge to talk about yet, I am sure after next weekend, I will start filling up these blog with how the last minute changes effect my life.
Last weekend I went to Gettysburg, Pa with my doggies, we had a blast they loved running free, and actually seeing grass and trees. We mainly went there to go Ghost Hunting, I know it sounds weird. But its totally awesome! Got some great photos, hopefully I might be able to get them off my camera, and show you guys some.
Tonight I am going to see my dear friend Katie Klaus in her 3rd Broadway show, A Catered Affair. Break a leg Katie, and Congrats on yet another!
So that is about it, life is busy, complicated, and everyday I learn something new.

Thanks!

The Emperor's New Clothes

I got a NEW SHOW!!! YAY!!!! I was hired by Plaza Theatrical, http://www.plazatheatrical.com/index.html, to do their production of The Emperor's New Clothes. I am very excited to join their cast and crew for this. The production runs From April 12th-May 15th. See below for ticket purchasing! :) I will be playing Chester the Jester. I will start rehearsal this Sunday, and lets hope all goes well. I will keep you informed along the way and give you updates.

Information-

http://www.plazatheatrical.com/plaza_theatrical_006.htm

You can purchase Tickets on http://www.theatermania.com/ or call (516) 599-6870.

Tickets are only $10, so its totally worth it to see me...

Summary-

The Emperor’s New ClothesOne of Hans Christian Andersen’s finest tales about a “wise old” ruler, who was excessively fond of new clothes and two swindlers. The swindlers bamboozle the Emperor into wearing a suit of clothing that is invisible only to fools. The swindlers in the meantime pretend to weave a magnificent suit, but of course do not. Naturally, since the Emperor did not want to appear ignorant, he wore his new outfit in a parade and, or course, made an even bigger fool of himself. This fabulous musical adaptation was presented on CBS-TV!

Matthew Burton

So its official! I changed my professtional name! Matthew Benjamin was taken at AEA, so I decided to changed it so that its the same in all unions, since I joined AFTRA! YAY!!! So now maybe I will start getting some GREAT jobs! LOL.... I can only hope! :) But Matthew Burton, I am looking at in a couple different views; 1) a new journey, 2) a step in the right direction, and 3) a dedication to my father. So to all of those who do read this, sorry if you loved Matthew Benjamin, but I am still him, as your friend and person, but on stage, I am Matthew Burton, (kinda superhero like!). lol... I am SUPER pumped to be apart of AFTRA, and I can't wait for the work to start! :)

I Got Da Beat!

Hello Everyone!
Hope life has been going well to you all, just wanted to inform you all about a new undertaking I have started working on, I Got Da Beat Productions! I have been hired to work on Fundraising for them, I am extremely excited to be working with a talented team of artists who really love the art of acting, and of theatre. Let me tell you a little about the company-"Audiences have been inundated with the spectacle of theater rather than the sincerity of it. The mission of I Got Da Beat Productions is to create a community focused on artistic education as well as escapism. By creating simplistic, thought-provoking experiences utilizing all facets of art, we strive to recapture the essence of art as a forum for awareness and change as well as for entertainment.Upcoming projects include our Fall Main Stage Productions of A Case Is Never Closed and our soon-to-be-announced Year-End Benefit Gala as well as our on-going Playwright's Lab/Reading Series. We also are currently finalizing the centerpiece of our Arts-In-Education program, That's A Career!?!?, a show for all ages educating on the endless possibilities of a career through the arts.Short term goals of the company are to explore the live venue of art (theater, dance, spoken word) on a project-by-project basis. Long term, I Got Da Beat Productions will branch out to the facets of film, visual art and book publishing while solidifying steady, ground-breaking seasons of the live-venue arts division." Again we are a non-profit organization, so if you would love to help us out with our vision and help one or many of our productions, just visit the website, www.igotdabeat.org. Feel free to drop by the Donations section of the website, and leave a little... I would greatly appreicate it! :)

Happy Valentine's Day

Ahh...I'm back from the Bahamas! How I miss them! It was amazing... I will try and show pictures if I can every get time to upload them. LOL... But I must say best thing I have ever done, was to go on a cruise to the Bahamas! I had the time of my life, really, really wish it was every day! Started the new job, going ok... Going to Baltimore tomorrow for a couple days.. nice to get away again! :) Auditions are going well, happy with them... getting some good feedback. Just felt I should update you all on the life of Matthew! LOL... till next time...

Thanks!
Matthew

Donate to my Aids Walk Fund!

Please Donate to my Aids Walk Fund!

http://aidswalknewyork2008.kintera.org/matthewbenjamin


I am writing to let you know that I have registered for AIDS Walk New York and am very excited about the event. This is a very important issue to me so I have set an ambitious fundraising goal. I want to do as much as I can to make a difference in the lives of men, women, and children affected by HIV and AIDS. Even though there has been a lot of publicity about drug treatments which are prolonging some people's lives, they don't work for everyone and there is still no cure in sight. Moreover, young people are still getting infected at alarmingly high rates.GMHC and about 40 other AIDS organizations in the area get the money from the AIDS Walk. It's clear that we need more services and more prevention programs than ever before. I want your help. Will you please sponsor me for the AIDS Walk? Just click on the website address below to enter my personalized web page and charge your donation. Thank you, in advance, for supporting this important cause and for showing that you join me in wanting to end this epidemic.A few facts you may want to know:~AIDS Walk New York is the world's largest AIDS fundraising event. ~AIDS Walk New York stands out as a model of community action and cost-efficient fundraising. The priority has always been to have the money raised go directly to vital services to help people living with HIV or AIDS.~AIDS Walk New York benefits GMHC (Gay Men's Health Crisis), the nation's oldest and most comprehensive AIDS Service organization. The organization's staff of 189 and 7,000 dedicated volunteers provide services to more than 15,000 men, women, and children living with HIV and AIDS and their families.~A portion of the net proceeds from the AIDS Walk also goes to dozens of other AIDS organizations within the tri-state area.

To Donate-
http://aidswalknewyork2008.kintera.org/matthewbenjamin

Bones!

Come see me in my show...

January 15th, 16th 2008

Performing at 78th Street Theatre Lab

8PM

For information and tickets
http://theatervision-playtime.com/
OR Visit
www.theatermania.com

My review on the show-so far...
It's a very interesting piece, mainly about evolution, and religion, and how they effect the world we live in. But mind you, the show only has 4 actors, the Devil, God, the Jaguar, and Monkey, I play the Monkey, the show is not very long, maybe 15-20mins. And its odd, but makes you think. Come out and support me, Manhattan Debut!

Bones...(I'm in a show!)

I got a show! YAY! I will be playing one of 4 actors in a production of "Bones." We have one rehearsal tomorrow, which I will give you more information on after, then we open Tuesday night, Jan. 15th, and close on Jan. 16th. LOL... just before my cruise! Its tight, but pray for us... its a very interesting piece, I play "Monkey," I will have to let you know about my character more, after I study him, very interesting charactar, going to be great work for me to do, he will bend me back into shape! Bones is written by Guadalupe Flores, and performed at the 78th Street Theatre Lab.

West 78th Street and Broadway
Manhattan, NY 10024

I'll let you know more information after I get it....

Thanks... :)

No More Day Job!

So, I was hired by a new restaurant, Grayz, ( http://www.grayz.net/ ) which seems to be a great place, to be a Full time reservationist, so that will take care of the day job, and enable me to audition more and more, and still make money to pay the bills...! YAY!!! I will miss Organic, but its for the best, one more step closer to BROADWAY! :) I walked by Les Mis, and The Grinch on Broadway today, which closed, and they were packing up... made me teary eyed... gives me even more motivation to get there... not to close a show, but to at least be in one.

"I'm Going Back!"

Hahaha, So not to quote the Lion King, but "I'm going back!" I can feel a light at the end of the tunnel for the "day job!" Everything is not a hundred percent set yet, but close I feel. It's time to leave, I feel that I am starting to get unhappy with the office envirnment. I did enjoy my stay but I need to act. So I am trying to find something to supplement my income. Kinda hard, but have a job in mind.
Voice Lessons are going extremely well, voice is really improving, and I am re-vamping the auditions again. Want to soon starting taking some dance classes, hope I can, really want to improve, as they say you can never stop learning!
Can I just give one word of advice to actors starting out, NEVER stop auditioning, it is kinda hard to get back into the swing of things. I feel like I have to learn every song, and monologue over again. But at the same time, I get to experience the growth I've had as a person, and see that the material hasn't gotten old on me yet.
Some recent shows I've seen- Xanadu, GO SEE IT, one of the funniest and most talented shows and casts I've yet to see. Really enjoyed it, seen it three times!
So for this New Year in 2008, I want to get the dream body! I use to be about 300lbs, and now weighing 150lbs is a huge accomplishment, but I need to get the total "package" going. So I plan to start really focusing on the rest of the "junk."
I have an audition tonight for a show in Manhattan, not sure it will work out, due to me going on vacation for most of the rehearsal period, but I can still hope and pray, and at least do it. And in a couple weeks I have another audition for a show I would love to be in, just to have done it, and get back into things. I will keep you posted on how they go.
My friend Enchantee is doing a show in New Jersey, really excited to see her perform, she is playing Andrea in "Once on this Island." I attended a rehearsal a couple weeks ago, really enjoyed the work they were making, the team is a great match, and the cast is enjoying themselves alot! I will post information on that soon, so if anyone does care to see the show, they can support the cast and crew.

https://robot.boxofficetickets.com/800-494-TIXS/WebObjects/BOTx2005.woa/wa/inspectProgram?id=39571&passKey=62b16f3b65&webWrapNC=1

So 13 days till the BAHAMAS!!!! YAY!!! I am thrilled to leave the city for ten days, be the heat, and sun, and just spend money, and sleep and just do "nothing!"
Alright, well have a great day, and weekend, I will keep you posted on life and things hopefully very often, and let you know everything that is going on.

Thanks for everything,
Matthew