JOSEPHINE FOUNDATION Announces Nominees for 2013 Awards

The 2013 JOSIE Awards Nominations for excellence in the Performing Arts have been announced and winners will be selected at the Awards Gala June 14th. This year The Josephine Foundation had over 1000 voters, who nominated shows and performances from all over the metro area.

As is customary, the top vote getters are listed as finalists. The "Follow Your Dreams Gala" will take place on June 14, 2013 at the Crest Hollow Country Club.

The 2013 JOSIE Performance Awards Nominees are listed below.

THE JOSEPHINE FOUNDATION EXCELLENCE IN THE ARTS AWARD FOR BEST PERFORMANCE OF 2013 BY AN ADULT FEMALE

• Monica Barczak, Anything Goes, Maggie’s Little Theater
• Kristin Robles, Anthology, Broadway Blockbusters
• Amanda Doria, Ragtime, FSF Community Theatre Group
• Carol Georgio, Annie, Herricks Community Players

THE JOSEPHINE FOUNDATION EXCELLENCE IN THE ARTS AWARD FOR BEST PERFORMANCE OF 2013 BY AN ADULT MALE

• David Cronin, Ragtime, FSF Community Theatre Group
• Richard Masin, Anthology, Broadway Blockbusters
• Malcolm Spaulding, Anthology, Broadway Blockbusters
• Bill Kane, Annie, Herricks Community Players

THE JOSEPHINE FOUNDATION EXCELLENCE IN THE ARTS AWARD FOR BEST PERFORMANCE OF 2013 BY A FEMALE TEENAGER TO 19 YRS OLD

• Elizabeth Boyle, Oklahoma, St Mary’s Manhasset Theater Program
• Caroline Adrien, Anthology, Broadway Blockbusters
• Kristin LaBruna, Oklahoma, St Mary’s Manhasset Theater Program
• Charlotte Simone, Oklahoma, St Mary’s Manhasset Theater Program

THE JOSEPHINE FOUNDATION EXCELLENCE IN THE ARTS AWARD FOR BEST PERFORMANCE OF 2013 BY A MALE TEENAGER TO 19 YRS OLD

• Kent Williams, Anthology, Broadway Blockbusters
• Patrick Sheehan, Oklahoma, St Mary’s Manhasset Theater Program
• TJ Li, Oklahoma, St Mary’s Manhasset Theater Program
• J K Larkin, Ragtime, FSF Community Theatre Group
• Paul Inglese, Oklahoma, , St Mary’s Manhasset Theater Program

THE JOSEPHINE FOUNDATION EXCELLENCE IN THE ARTS AWARD FOR THE DIRECTOR OF THE YEAR 2013

• Rich Titone/Mary White, Footloose, Sacred Heart Academy
• Mary Ellen Pierce, Ragtime, FSF Community Theatre Group
• Ann Smith, Willy Wonka, St Mary’s Woodside Theater Program
• John Hayes, Annie, Herricks Community Players

THE JOSEPHINE FOUNDATION EXCELLENCE IN THE ARTS AWARD FOR THE MUSIC DIRECTOR OF THE YEAR 2013

• Pat White/Rac Naccari, Anthology, Broadway Blockbusters
• Paul Johnson, Ragtime, FSF Community Theatre Group
• Pat White, Oklahoma, St Mary’s Manhasset Theater Program
• Susan Weber, Annie, Herricks Community Players

THE JOSEPHINE FOUNDATION EXCELLENCE IN THE ARTS AWARD FOR THE CHOREOGRAPHER OF THE YEAR 2013

• Kevin Wallace, Anthology, Broadway Blockbusters
• Barbara Murphy, Annie, Herricks Community Players
• Dan Stravino, Oklahoma, St Mary’s Manhasset Theater Program
• Lindsay Levy, Anything Goes, Maggie’s Little Theater

THE JOSEPHINE FOUNDATION EXCELLENCE IN THE ARTS AWARD PRODUCTION OF THE YEAR 2013 (finalists are in bold print)

“Anthology”- Broadway Blockbuster Productions

"Annie," - Herricks Community Players

“Ragtime”- Free Synagogue of Flushing

“Oklahoma”- St Mary’s School Manhasset Theater Program

“Anything Goes” - Maggie’s Little Theater

“Footloose”- Carle Place HS

“Willy Wonka”-St Mary’s Woodside Theater Program

“Footloose”- Sacred Heart Academy

“Spirits Alive”- Friends of Maple Grove

“O No! Another Night Out With the Stars”- American Martyrs

The Josephine Foundation Mission Statement

 The Josephine Foundation is an organization, founded in 2002 and incorporated in 2004, to honor and remember Josephine Koslosky, a woman who believed that by using arts and sports programs, young people and adults can reach for their dreams regardless of their background and financial status.  She considered all people equal and if allowed to chase their dreams, anything was possible when given the opportunity.  Josephine encouraged everyone to get involved with these programs in their communities. She trusted that people could help each other raise funds to keep these programs alive and still have a great time doing it, all without financial burden. Remembering Josephine’s work with the children of East New York, Brooklyn in the 1960s, 70s and 80s, this Foundation strives to keep her ideals alive.

Through their annual events and works, The Josephine Foundation raises money and distributes 100% of these funds to help give special individuals and approved programs an opportunity to achieve their goals in life. Through the disciplines of properly run music, arts and sports programs, young people and adults can reach for their dreams regardless of race, creed, nationality, gender, age or financial status. The Foundation will distribute the money raised by awarding grants at its Annual Gala each Spring.  In addition, they will use special performing arts projects to raise funds and support 501(c)(3) charities providing support for medical, quality of life and disaster relief throughout the world.

The Josephine Foundation aims to show people how to enjoy getting involved and working together, without it burdening anyone’s time or finances.  Their goal is to grow by raising and distributing 10% more than the previous year. They will raise these funds through private donations, fundraisers, concerts, shows, events, public grants and awards.  While achieving our goal, they will focus on bringing all people and communities, nationwide and worldwide, closer together.

In addition to grants, the Foundation bestows non-monetary awards recognizing outstanding service and performance.  Our annual Recognition Awards and Chairman’s Honorees applauds the service of people and programs that excel in areas consistent within our mission statement. The annual Josie Awards recognize excellence in the area of arts and sports.

In sum, The Josephine Foundation endeavors to become and remain synonymous with various good will activities, positive deeds and great events throughout the year.

As of January 2012, in its short time in existence, The Josephine Foundation has been responsible for more than one million dollars in grants, donations and/or services to deserving programs and individuals.  The IRS and New York State have recognized The Josephine Foundation as an official 501(c)(3) Public Charity Organization and Non profit Group, effective August 10, 2004.  In 2009, after a five-year review, the Foundation was granted permanent 501(c) (3) status by the IRS.   

2013 TONY AWARD® NOMINATIONS ANNOUNCED

The Tony Award Nominations in 26 competitive categories for the American Theatre Wing’s 67th Annual Antoinette Perry “Tony” Awards® were announced this morning, April 30, by Tony winning-actress Sutton Foster and star of both stage and screen Jesse Tyler Ferguson, at the Tony Award Nominations Announcement sponsored by IBM. 

Some of the top category nominations included (BEST PLAY):The Assembled Parties, by Richard Greenberg; Lucky Guy, by Nora Ephron; The Testament of Mary by Colm Tóibín, Vanya and Sonia and Masha and Spike by Christopher Durang.

For BEST MUSICAL: Bring It On: The Musical; A Christmas Story, The Musical; Kinky Boots; Matilda The Musical

Top nominations went to Kinky Boots with 13, Matilda The Musical with 12, Pippin with 10 nominations, and Rodgers & Hammerstein's Cinderella with 9.

Click on the following link to get the complete list of nominations

The 2013 Tony Awards will be broadcast live from Radio City Music Hall on CBS, Sunday, June 9th, 8:00 – 11:00 p.m. (ET/PT time delay). 

The Tony Awards are presented by The Broadway League and the American Theatre Wing.

LocalTheatreNY.com congrattulates all the nominees.

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DREAMGIRLS to Open at The Gallery Players April 27.

Monday, April 22, 2013 - Park Slope, Brooklyn | By Roger Gonzalez

This week we welcomed The Gallery Players to LocalTheatreNY.com...but last week I had the opportunity to sit in on a rehearsal of The Gallery Players production of "Dreamgirls" and I can't stop thinking about how good this cast sounds. In fact, allow me to predict that this show will be a huge creative success.

Musically, the numbers I had the good fortune to see were energetic, inspired and vocally brilliant.  Talent seems to be in abundance with this cast. From the little I could see (it was not even a full dress rehearsal), the sets are also shaping up beautifully. Already I can tell this will be an exceptional production all around. I was so impressed that I decided to write a sort of "preview," which can be seen below.

Dreamgirls is being directed by Gallery Players' President and long time member, Mark Harborth and features Charnette Batey as Deena, Kolton Bradley* as Curtis, Charles Browning* as CC, Aisha Curtiss as Lorrell, Frank Holmes* as Marty, Inuka Ivaska* as Michelle, Tunisia Renee* as Effie and Caliaf St. Aubyn* as Jimmy (*denotes member of AEA). Also in the cast are Tamara Pilar Allen, Jennifer Ambler, Troy Anthony Burton, Donald R. King, Derrick Bryant Marshall, Peter McIntosh, Kendra Moore, Janelle Neal*, Ilene Pabon, Alex Pagels and Michael Terry.

I remind you that this was only a rehearsal. Nonetheless, I was impressed enough to produce the following video preview which I share with you today. The show opens Saturday April 27th and runs at The Gallery Players in Park Slope until May 19th.

I strongly urge you to pre-order your tickets online or by phone (https://web.ovationtix.com/trs/cal/104 or call TheaterMania at (212) 352-3101)

VIDEO:

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HOW GOOD IS YOUR MONOLOGUE?

Dear Friends:

Let me go out of my way to recommend BO Acting: Monologue 7-Week Intensive.

I don't usually do this, but in the last few weeks I've wanted to up my game - I've rarely ever auditioned for parts and don't even have a monologue ready for such things and I wanted to change that. So I went to the introductory class last Sunday and was floored!

Fabio Taliercio (actor, manager, director) teaches the course and is incredible! In just a few minutes, he pointed out about four things I immediately need to do to up the ante!

So I am strongly urging my fellow actors and aspiring actors to consider joining me tomorrow at 5PM for an intensive 6 weeks of Monologue training with BO' Acting!(Every Sunday for the next 6 weeks at 5PM, but you have to come tomorrow if you want to do this).

If you are looking to improve the way you audition by choosing, sharpening and mastering the right monologues for you, this is it!

Classes are very affordable and you will come out of there feeling ready, confident and prepared for your next monologue audition. The contact information can be found by clicking on the image below or emailing TheBizofActing@Yahoo.com.

Reach out to them with any questions and please check it out.I just had to share this...

All the best!

Roger Gonzalez, Editor & Publisher

LocalTheatreNY.com

Ken Davenport: Why I’m producing Macbeth on Broadway.

By Ken Davenport

 Remember when I tweeted this?

If you saw last night’s late NY Times or Playbill announcement, then you’ve probably put two and two together and realized that the “#NewShowThisSpring” I was talking about was the National Theatre of Scotland‘s production of Macbeth starring Alan Cumming that I’m producing on Broadway this spring.

So what’s the story behind it?  The Times alluded to it . . . but let me give you a few of the details . . . because isn’t that what this blog is about?

Yes, it’s true, I did get a call about my interest in producing this one-man interpretation directed by John Tiffany and Andrew Goldberg that played to sold out crowds at NTS  and last summer’s Lincoln Center Festival.

And when I hung up the phone to think about it, it took me, oh, about 37 seconds to pick the phone back up, and say, “I’m in.”

Why did I decide to do it so fast?

The funny thing was . . . as I told Mr. Healy from the Times . . . I didn’t see it when it was at the festival.  I was out of town and frankly, it was hard to score a seat.

But I wanted to see it.  Badly.

I’m not usually the biggest fan of seeing Shakespeare.  I love to read it.  I love to study it.  But seeing it is another matter. (To Read the full Blog, please CLICK HERE)

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ABOUT KEN DAVENPORT