Wednesday, May 28, 2014

Introspective Memorial Day

Manhattan Boys, Despondent,                                                               & The Complete Works of William Shakespeare {Abridged}

     Happy (Almost) Birthday, Hamlet Isn't Dead! This past Memorial Day, we expanded our topics of conversation to a record-breaking three!! We spread the love as much as we could and got to talk about Despondent, Manhattan Boys, and Hamlet Isn't Dead's own upcoming Complete Works of William Shakespeare {Abridged}



     The words speak for themselves this week, so we'll leave you and the blog alone to...get to know each other. The links will be waiting below when you're ready. And we'll see you on June 18th for our ONE NIGHT ONLY performance of The Complete Works of William Shakespeare {Abridged} at Bar Reis in Park Slope. The show starts at 8pm and is done when you're done drinking all of those Happy Hour price drinks! The performance is FREE, but if you can spare a little to keep Hamlet Isn't Dead of the streets, we'd be incredibly grateful.


To learn more about Despondent and Flopitworks, click HERE!
To learn more about Manhattan Boys, click HERE!
To RSVP to The Complete Works of William Shakespeare {Abridged}, clicketh HERETH!
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As always, thank you for reading about, listening to, Liking, Following, and generally supporting Hamlet Isn't Dead! And if you only fall into one or a few of those categories, it's not too late to take it up a notch!

Like us on Facebook HERE!
Follow us on Twitter HERE!

And if you or anyone you know feels the need to join us on an episode of Tales Told by a HIDiot (the world's 82nd greatest Shakespeare-related podcast), e-mail us at hamletisntdead@gmail.com and we'll save you a seat!

All the best,
David Andrew Laws Robin Rightmyer
     Artistic Director, HID Executive Director, HID

Wednesday, May 21, 2014

Episode Fifteen: Grimm Women

Zounds! "Grimmen" Returns!

     If you've listened to Tales Told by a HIDiot the past, you've heard the name Megan Greener at least once before, and you've heard Brandon Monokian busier-than-a-bee theatrical schedule. Here we focus in on a great collaboration involving the two, Grimm Women. Five actors. Five fairy tale characters. Lots and lots of misconceptions. Forget everything you know about your average bedtime story, because this collection is gonna keep you wide-awake and laughing.

     We sat down this week to talk to a whole plethora of artists this week who're all working on this darkest of comedies: Brandon Monokian, playwright; Megan Greener, director; and Hannah Rolfes, actor (Red). We've never done an episode with five people in the room, but be sure the hilarity is only increased.

     Also, know this! Grimm Women is only in town for a limited time. So limited that we were lucky to get them on the show! This Friday and Saturday, May 23rd and 24th are your ONLY foreseeable chances to catch this cast. We'll be there Friday at 9:30, having our fill of entertainment. Did we mention that the theatre is also a bar?! That's right, come to The West End Cabaret Theatre at 955 West End Ave. to not only see a spectacular new comedy, but to have a drink with your favorite podcasting HIDiots.


Listen well, friends, and come enjoy the retellings you'll be retelling your friends about for years!

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As always, thank you for reading about, listening to, Liking, Following, and generally supporting Hamlet Isn't Dead! And if you only fall into one or a few of those categories, it's not too late to take it up a notch!

Like us on Facebook HERE!
Follow us on Twitter HERE!

And if you or anyone you know feels the need to join us on an episode of Tales Told by a HIDiot (the world's 567th greatest Shakespeare-related podcast), e-mail us at hamletisntdead@gmail.com and we'll save you a seat!

All the best,
David Andrew Laws Robin Rightmyer
     Artistic Director, HID Executive Director, HID

Monday, May 19, 2014

Episode Fourteen - Peter (by Kelly Feustel)

Extra! Extra! Hear All About It!

     Listen well, folks! This isn't your grandfather's J. M. Barrie. Kelly Feustel has devised a Peter Pan origin story that will knock you off your feet (luckily there are plenty of seats). And Turn to Flesh Productions is bringing it to life this Thursday! So many of your favorite HIDiots will be there that you may not be able to contain yourself
     
     That's right, the Dream Team behind Hamlet Isn't Dead's Taming of the Shrew is together again for the One-Night-Only Spectacular that is "Peter!

     David Andrew Laws plays Peter Pan's father 'Pan', the Greek god of fertility. And shirtlessly at that.

     Robin Rightmyer plays Solomon, the stork-god emperor, and James, a young man who somehow grows up in the Neverland, with dangerous consequences.

     And Tiffany Abercrombie plays the mystical and Shakespearean Queen Mab and the ever-energetic Tiger Lily.

     Plus, Two Gentlemen of Verona's 'Lucetta', Emily C.A. Snyder, rounds out the production with her masterful directing.


Though this will be presented as a Staged Reading, that's no reason to think the actors will be sitting behind music stands. With choreography both combative and romantic, shadow-play, and more, you'll quickly forget the scripts in hand and find yourself transported to a world before the Neverland.

On this very special edition of Tales Told by a HIDiot, we sit down with author Kelly Feustel and director Emily C.A. Snyder and wax amazing on J. M. Berrie, Peter Pan, and the fantastic production you can ONLY see on Thursday May 22nd at 7pm. Come on down to Rusk Renovations, ring buzzer Number Three, and let us whisk you away to Neverland!



For seat reservations, e-mail turntoflesh@gmail.com. And tell 'em Hamlet Isn't Dead sent'cha!!


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As always, thank you for reading about, listening to, Liking, Following, and generally supporting Hamlet Isn't Dead! And if you only fall into one or a few of those categories, it's not too late to take it up a notch!

Like us on Facebook HERE!
Follow us on Twitter HERE!

And if you or anyone you know feels the need to join us on an episode of Tales Told by a HIDiot (the world's 82nd greatest Shakespeare-related podcast), e-mail us at hamletisntdead@gmail.com and we'll save you a seat!

All the best,
David Andrew Laws Robin Rightmyer
     Artistic Director, HID Executive Director, HID



Wednesday, May 14, 2014

Episode Thirteen: Ruddy Productions

Ruddy Good Theatre, Whether You Like It or Not!

     You know what they say: April Showers May Bring Theatre! Or...something like that. Either way, we have more theatre news in the upcoming weeks than you could shake a stick at. Several sticks, really. And we're gonna start the moving and the shaking by introducing Ruddy Productions!
     Born of a group of Meisner-trainted students of Maggie Flanigan, Ruddy Productions is beginning its journey in the New York City Theatre scene with a New Works Festival like you wouldn't believe! It's coming to you from Midtown, and we have all the details below.

     Ruddy Productions may be new, but they're already swimming in new works. For their upcoming festival, they received over 400 submissions from artists all over the world! Only a few were lucky enough to be chosen, but we've been assured that they are the best of the best.

   Join them (and us!) at the John DeSotelle Studio from June 6th to June 15th to see the newest new theatre your eyes have yet beheld. Did we mention that the purchase of a ticket includes a free beer or glass of wine? Because we should have. That's pretty much a guarantee that we'll be somewhere.

     As usual, the links are below and also scattered throughout the above article! Go ahead, give 'em all a click. Ruddy Productions is also in the middle of fundraising via Kickstarter. We at Hamlet Isn't Dead remember those days and know how nerve-wracking it can be. So if you can spare anything at all, please click on over and help them out. Not convinced yet? Listen well and you will be! You will be!



To Like Ruddy Productions on Facebook, click HERE!
To Help them out via Kickstarter, click HERE!
And, no, seriously, help them out on Kickstarter. DO IT!
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As always, thank you for reading about, listening to, Liking, Following, and generally supporting Hamlet Isn't Dead! And if you only fall into one or a few of those categories, it's not too late to take it up a notch!

Like us on Facebook HERE!
Follow us on Twitter HERE!

And if you or anyone you know feels the need to join us on an episode of Tales Told by a HIDiot (the world's 59th greatest Shakespeare-related podcast), e-mail us at hamletisntdead@gmail.com and we'll save you a seat!

All the best,
David Andrew Laws

     Artistic Director, HID

Wednesday, May 7, 2014

Episode Twelve: The Mysteries

The Gospel According to Anna Dart and Asia Kate Dillon

     We totally stole that title from Michael Bradley Block, but WE DON'T CARE! But the biblical comparisons don't stop there, because we sat down this week and talked to the way, the truth, and the light: Anna Dart and Asia Kate Dillon. These angelic women (they play part of the Angel Chorus and Lucifer, respectively, so we're allowed to call them that) are two of the members of The Mysteries, a 53-actor production at The Flea. This five-hour interpretation of The Bible, composed by 48 different writers, is a massive evening full of food, fun, and Jesus. But it only runs until May 25th, so even if you have to trek through the desert, find a way to see this show!

     From the casting out of Lucifer to Judgement Day, each episode (of which there are about fifty) approaches the story with a different writer's perspective, but plenty of heart, humor, and theatrical magic. Top this off with dinner, desert, music, and lots of interaction with the actors themselves, and you have five hours that will fly by. But don't take our word for it! This show is a New York Times critic pick! So read the review HERE, then come back and listen to the podcast. Or read while you listen, if you're that kind of talented person.

     So, as usual, the podcast is below, give it a listen, then check out the awesome links below that! David was true to his word as always and linked everything he said he would, namely Asia's awesome "What You Will" tattoo.
     In the beginning there was the word, and the end has yet to come, but somewhere in the middle there's still Hamlet Isn't Dead: Theatre You'll Love, Whether You Like It Or Not.
     Also, The Mysteries.


For more information on The Mysteries, click HERE!
For tickets to The Mysteries, click HERE!
And to see Asia's awesome tattoo, click HERE!
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As always, thank you for reading about, listening to, Liking, Following, and generally supporting Hamlet Isn't Dead! And if you only fall into one or a few of those categories, it's not too late to take it up a notch!

Like us on Facebook HERE!
Follow us on Twitter HERE!

And if you or anyone you know feels the need to join us on an episode of Tales Told by a HIDiot (the world's 63rd greatest Shakespeare-related podcast), e-mail us at hamletisntdead@gmail.com and we'll save you a seat!

All the best,
David Andrew Laws          Robin Rightmyer
     Artistic Director, HID          Executive Director, HID