Who put their foot on the gas?

This year has been zoomin by, so blogging has taken a backseat.

I just wrapped playing "Martha" in Who's Afraid of Virginia Woolf for Susan Aston's acting class. What a RIDE! Greg Connelly, who plays the Osborn butler in The Amazing Spider Man 2 was my George, and it was a delight peeling back the layers of this combustible couple.

In the midst of this, I've been writing and developing a show with my friend, Wayne Henry. We met a few years ago when we were cast in the Off Broadway revival of the 1940's comedy, Johnny on a Spot. While our characters never had a scene together, we just clicked and said, "Let's make something happen!"

He then brought me onto JAWS the Musical, a mini musical he wrote and composed. It was fabulous fun, running 35 minutes.

While he's been fleshing JAWS out, he wanted to write a show around an improv character he created a few years ago named Petunia Lee Swanson.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=MDTEdavY-Y0

And so Petunia's Coffee House was born! It's a lesbian love story about a couple trying to open a Bohemian coffee spot in NY. I play Petunia's ex-girlfriend, Darlene, aka DAR, and it's been a blast to develop this wild, dark woman who doesn't care about anything but getting what SHE wants. WHAT FUN!

Most of our initial rehearsals were improvised, but we've been writing as well, and it's been fascinating to feel the piece taking shape. I wonder if Christopher Guest works this way, taking a bunch of improvised larger-than-life characters, marrying them together through story, song, and edits, and then unfolding... something fun. :)

It's been an interesting way to work, and I'm enjoying every step of the way! We "open" Petunia's Coffee House in July as a workshop-in-progress. It'll be interesting to see if people want to go along for the ride! I hope so! :)

Springin up Dusty, Belles, and Petunia

It's been such a jam-packed Spring! I feel like a bud about to burst!

 

In March, I played Dusty Springfield's manager in the reading of the new musical, "I Found My Way." Such great music!

I've also been doing producer readings of Hell's Belles, a musical in which I play Judy Garland and Janis Joplin. I've been involved with the show for many years now, and it never ceases to amaze me how people react to those two icons. It is truly an honor to play them! 

I'm also in rehearsals for "Petunia's Coffee House," an improv-based show with karaoke. It feels very Christopher Guest-y, and has been a blast to write and improvise the story.

Now it's May Day, and I feel like I'm busting loose! It's such a thrilling time!

Happy May Day to you! :)

Quarterly Business Review

Like many actors in the city, I have a support job. Luckily, my day job is flexible enough that it works fairly well with my acting gigs, and it provides me with some business sense as well. For example, I never would've thought of doing a Quarterly Business Review (QBR) before, but I've been hearing the term so much lately, and it made sense to look at my acting career with that business perspective.

I just did my taxes and realized I made a nice profit within acting gigs in 2013. Looking at the QBR for this year,  I've already surpassed 2013's profit with various gigs in 2014's first quarter! That feels fabulous! I hope I can keep growing! :)

"Roberta" Recording Completed

Had a blast this week, recording songs and scenes for Jerome Kern's "Roberta." It was treated as a radio play with the emphasis on a historical sound and feel of the 1930s. I played Sophie Teale, a devious debutante who makes the leading man's life hell and thus drives him into the arms of the demure heroine.

Patrick Cummings (above right) played the all-American football hero who inherits his Aunt Minnie's (aka Madame Roberta) French fashion boutique. His best friend, Huckleberry Haines (don't you love these names?), was played by the hilarious Jason Graae (above left), who helps steer him away from my naughty little villainess.

The divine Jeanne Lehman (below), who played Mrs. Potts on Broadway, was my mother, Mrs. Teale, and I used a trick from the August Osage County actresses, who listented to Meryle Streep's cadence and observed her mannerisms to ensure they had that "family" feel. I did the same thing with Jeanne, and Larry Moore, our fabulous factotum, was delighted because we had that in-sync sound. I just sounded higher and more like a spoiled brat! :)

Larry and I worked together on the NYMF show, "The Tragic and Horrible Life of the Singing Nun," so it was a blast to collaborate again!

We recorded at John Kilgore's Studios, which were quite nice! The incredible Judy Sherman was our recording producer, and Rob Berman was our fabulous conductor.

Here's the full Cast List:

Billy Boyden, the band’s manager . . . . . . . . Tally Sessions
Sophie Teale, the debutante . . . . . . . . . . . . Laura Daniel
John Kent, the fullback . . . . . . . . . . . . Patrick Cummings
Huckleberry Haines, the crooner . . . . . . . . . . Jason Graae
Mrs Teale, the mother . . . . . . . . . . . . . Jeanne Lehman
Aunt Minnie, Madame Roberta . . . . . . . . Diana Montague
Ladislaw, the doorman . . . . . . . . . . . . . Eamonn Mulhall
Stephanie, her assistant . . . . . . . . . . . Annalene Beechey
Lord Henry Delves, friend of Madame Roberta . . . John Molloy
Scharwenka, the cabaret star . . . . . . . . . . Kim Criswell
Anna, the fitter . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . Aine Mulvey
Luella LaVerne, the model . . . . . . . . . . Michele McKenzie
Marie, the cutter . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . Christina Whyte
Sidonie, the presser . . . . . . . . . . . . . . Mary O'Sullivan
Buyer, Bartender, Cafe Russe Owner . . . . . . . Stephen Cole
The Collegians: Adam Alexander, Kyle Guglielmo, Justin Keyes,
Michael Marcotte, Tim McDevitt, Patrick Mellen, Kevin Vortmann

Orchestra of Ireland
Conducted by Rob Berman

 

The CD will be released on New World Records. I'll let you know when! :)

Recording "Roberta"

This week I go into rehearsals for the international recording of  Jerome Kern's "Roberta." This project is quite special, as it's being done as a radio play with a focus on the authentic sounds of the 1930s.

The European cast recorded in Dublin. Below Larry Moore, our fabulous factotum, with Diana Montague as Madame Roberta. :)

Larry and I worked together years ago on the NYMF production of "The Tragic and Horrible Life of the Singing Nun." He's such a doll and shared some of the pix from the Dublin recording.

Below is Annalene Beechey, who played Roberta's assistant, Stephanie (and Russian princess in disguise!). She sings the famous number, "Smoke Gets In Your Eyes."

I'm with the American cast, who start recording next week. I play Sophie Teale, a "devastating" debutante who makes the all-American football hero, John, suffer quite a bit. She reminds me of a mix of Scarlet O'Hara, Veruca Salt, and my character, Barbara, from "Johnny On a Spot."

Great fun to dive into this devious debutante! ;)

Janis and Judy

I've been involved with the musical, Hell's Belles, for quite a few years now, and it's a treat to see how audiences respond to the piece. 3 women play a total of 21 infamous women, performing in a cabaret in "hell," led by a devilish master of ceremonies named Lester.

I've played Salome, Eva Braun, Lizzie Borden, Queen Guenevere, Alice B. Toklas, Joan Crawford, Lady Godiva, Janis Joplin, and Judy Garland.

Of all these, it never ceases to amaze me how audiences fall in love Janis and Judy. One gent last week told me he had gone to college with Janis, so she was his favorite. Another fellow told me I took him through Judy's entire career with one song! It's incredibly cool, and I feel fortunate to play homage to such fabulous women!

"Let's sing 'em all!"

Script Juggling

I've been juggling a lot of scripts lately. I had 4 last week: 1 was for a callback for an independent film, another was a mini musical version of "Hell's Belles," and 2 were for acting classes (stage and screen.

This week I've got 3: one is for a reading of an independent film, another is the libretto for the international recording of "Roberta," and the last is "Crimes of the Heart" for acting class.

All these characters are so delicious, and it's a treat to research, character build and act them.

Off with a Bang!

Everyone I know is starting this year with a huge surge of energy, and it's exciting! There's a lot going on!

For me, gig-wise, I'm doing a producer reading of Hell's Belles. I got a callback for Kara Herold's independent film, 39 and 1/2. I'm preparing for the international recording of Jerome Kern's Roberta. It's being done as a  radio play, and I play the devious debutante, Sophie Teale. I'm also going into rehearsals for an improv-based musical called "Petunia's Coffee House." Think Pee Wee's Playhouse with lesbians. :)

I'm back in acting class with Susan Aston, and I started a film class with Paul Schnee. Both are brilliant!

Google Paul, and you'll see he offers a ton of great advice about "the (audition) room," and I especially liked the article on how he and Kerry Barden cast The Dallas Buyer's Club.

I also have to give a huge shout-out to Heidi Marshall and Tim Phillips, whose on-camera classes have made a major impact on how I approach and prepare for auditions and casting director workshops.

I am thankful to be working with such great people!

Rock n roll! :)

Looking Back with Love and Thanks

As I prepare to step into the New Year, my friend, Tina, reminds me to look back at the strides I made the year before. I am so thankful for friends like Tina, my family, and especially my awesome husband, Rob, who joyously share The Ride with me and encourage me to make my dreams come true!

Thanks to David Gerard, my former Singing Nun producer who called me in to audition for a radio spot for Toyota. I booked the gig and recorded a spot with Laurel Coppock, who's the fabulously funny spokesperson, "Jan."

Thanks to Donald Brenner, who directed me in "Sasquatched! The Musical," and asked me to sing the opening number for the Abingdon Theatre Company gala, Swinging On A Star. That was an incredible night! Meeting Cherry Jones was the cherry on the cake! :)

Thanks to Phil and Jules Darg who brought me on board as "Pat the Park Ranger" for the New York Musical Theatre Festival production of "Sasquatched! The Musical." That was one of the highlights of my summer, working at The Pearl Theatre Company, including a special performance at 54 Below.

 

Thanks to great composer-lyricists like Andy Monroe and Wayne Henry, who asked me to perform demos of their material for BMI and The Dramatists Guild. Thanks also to Bryan D. Leys, James Campodonico and Matthew Gurren for inviting me to play lead roles in readings of their musicals at The Abingdon and York Theatre Companies.

Great gratitude to the awesome casts and crews I've worked with this year. Incredibly talented people! And let me tell you, an exceptional Stage Manager is worth their weight in gold! :) David S. Keaton-Cohen, I'm talking about you! ;)

I am thankful to have reconnected with childhood friends like Kara Herold, who is a fascinating filmmaker. I got to work with her one day on her new film, 39 and 1/2, and it was a blast from the past mixed with the Gift of the Present. Good growth! :)

Huge thanks to the terrific teachers I've worked with this year: Susan Aston (acting), Heidi Marshall (film), Tim Phillips (on-camera), Scott Wojcik (commercials), Ali Farahnakian (Writing for SNL) and Seth Weinstein (voice). I've realized this year more than any other how incredibly important it is to keep studying!

"It takes a village" to mount any production, and it's been my pleasure to be part of so many great teams!

January is already filling up with rehearsals and classes. I can't wait to see what the New Year brings!

Happy New Year!

Watch, Listen and Learn

I have been so fortunate to study with some amazing teachers this year: Heidi Marshall for film & TV, Scott Wojcik and Brette Goldstein for commercials, Seth Weinstein for musical theatre, and I am currently studying with acting coach Susan Aston. Most of them have offered the same advice to all their students: to watch the medium you're trying to break into. For example, with commercials, which commercials do you think you'd be cast in? What's your type and what do you bring to the table that's so utterly uniquely you?

That's applicable to film, TV and theatre as well. By watching performers who are working,  I've gained extra insight.

And doing it - working on scenes, songs and sides - exploring and finding my way in, it's been a blast! I feel stronger with every piece I work on, and auditions have become a welcome experience! 

I've also seen some incredible productions this year which have definitely informed my work.

Vanya and Sonia and Masha and Spike ignited a passion for Christopher Durang's plays and Anton Chekov! ;)  The acting, writing, direction, the set! Talk about a master class in comedy!

Musical theatre has been my main genre - I recently played Pat the Park Ranger in Sasquatched! The Musical - so I've always got my ear to the ground, so to speak. ;) I saw a lot of new musicals this year and really enjoyed Hands on a Hardbody, though it didn't last long on Broadway. The music, the acting, the story: I was really invested in the characters and their journeys. And the music was a BLAST!

I also saw Pippin, which was everything a Broadway show should be! Andrea Martin. WOW. Her performance HAD to be experienced!

Kinky Boots, Big Fish, Once... It's all been a delicious musical ride! ;)

The last production I saw was Twelfth Night, and it was truly exceptional! All of the actors were such masters of their craft! Mark Rylance earned laughs by simply walking! He has this little jaunty tip toe as Olivia when she was trying to take control of a situation. It was brilliant! But his Olivia was not a clown. She was a very passionate woman, mourning the death of her father and brother, and finding herself falling in love with Cesario / Viola, whose love she needed like a tonic. It was mesmerizing.

I couldn't believe it was Stephen Fry's Broadway debut. He owned the stage as Malvolio and even played with the audience when a woman gasped during his speech.

And Samuel Barnett's Voila (below left) was so gorgeously heartfelt. The way he held himself as this character - I truly saw her!

I am so thankful to live in NY, to be surrounded by master craftsmen and women who are so inspiring! And I am so thankful to my friends and family who encourage me to keep living the dream! I've had so many moments this year that have made me feel like my dreams are coming true, and it's thrilling!

Time Flies!

So I must be having fun! ;)

Actually, I am! I'm involved in so many expansive projects, including prep for auditions and classes.

Last week, I met with a scene partner for a new acting class. We both brought along lots of possible plays and decided to do a scene from The Performers.

On Saturday, I worked with Kara Herold on her new experimental film, 39 and 1/2, which was wild, because we used to do plays and make movies together in our back yards when we were 8 years old. It was definitely a blast from the past!

On Sunday, I worked on music with Seth Weinstein for upcoming auditions. And I'm in the midst of building a character for an improv show called Petunia's Coffee House (think Pee Wee's Playhouse, but run by lesbians).

It's a wild time, and I'm having a ball! Feels like an artistic explosion! Boom!

My favorite time of year!

I've always loved Halloween! No wonder I became an actor. I get to dress up and pretend all the time! ;)

The city's a blast at this time of year. Everyone's in costume, no matter what age! New Yorkers like their holidays, and Halloween kicks off the fun for a good few months!

Today I'm dressed as Merida. All I need is a strong bow! :)

 

 Happy Halloween!

Comedy Work in Progress

It's fun to see how work I've done over the years has created my own little cast of characters. I recently submitted for an online comedy series, and they asked for a list of my work, so here's what I sent:

I recently played an excited caller on a radio spot for Toyota. The clip's online at http://www.lauradaniel.net/media.htm

Comedy mastermind, Ali Farahnakian, taught me sketch writing, focused for SNL at The PIT. I've also performed in various shows there, playing s secretary on crack. ;)

I played the Great White Shark's girlfriend, Sally, in JAWS the Musical at the Broadway Comedy Club. A clip from my big song is on Youtube: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=KajE0KZiKwc

I was a New Yawk laundress in the short film, Laundry:
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=mswi_6z_R6U

And I recently played Pat the Park Ranger in Sasquatched! The Musical. Yup, I was Bigfoot's BFF. ;) http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=xSwP4YiR73A

Up Next: I play a loose lesbian on the prowl in Petunia's Coffee House. ;)

Swinging on a Star at the Abingdon Theatre Company's Gala

On Monday October 7th, I had the immense privilege of singing the opening number for the Abingdon Theatre Company's annual gala. In fact, I sang the theme song to the evening: Swinging on a Star.

The divine Dick Cavett hosted the event, which honored legendary stage actress Frances Sternhagen who originated the role of Ethel in "On Golden Pond" and played the feisty Miss Daisy onstage in "Driving Miss Daisy" (before both plays were made into films). Most kids of my generation will know her as Bunny MacDougal, Trey's mischievous mother on 'Sex and the City."

I was trippin because I had watched Dick Cavett's interviews with Janis Joplin (to play her for Hell's Belles), and it was surreal to be on the same stage with him. He was a master craftsman!

My friend, Michael, who was my date for the evening, had seen Frances perform with Cherry Jones in "The Heiress" on Broadway in 1995 (below). Both ladies won Tony Awards for their work in that play, and it was amazing to be at the gala with them.

The gala was directed by the fabulous Donald Brenner, who was also my director this summer for the NYMF production of "Sasquatched! the Musical."

It was such a pleasure to collaborate with Don again.

I was also fortunate to make music again with Joshua Zecher-Ross. He was the magical music director from "Sasquatched!" and kept the gala groovin the entire night. ;)

Joshua is off-the-charts talented and such a card! 

Jan Buttram, the gorgeous gal in gold below (on the far right), is the artistic director for the Abingdon, and she kicked off the night with Managing Director, Heather Henderson. These two ladies have so much fire-power, they are amazing!

2 other ladies were honored for their commitment to the mission of the Abingdon Theatre Company: actress Sheila Ball Burkert (1st from left), founding director of the Act II...Gether Troupe for girls ages 7-14, and Barbara Blair Randall, President of the Fashion Center Business Improvement District (3rd from left). I had the pleasure of introducing Sheila, as well as some of the girls from her troupe, and it was inspirational to hear of these young ladies finding and empowering their voices through theatre.

I met many of the Board of Directors for Abingdon, and it was an honor to be in the midst of such a collaborative spirit!

The cherry on the cake of the evening was meeting Cherry Jones (above left with Jan). She is taking Broadway by storm with her portrayal of Amanda Wingfield in "The Glass Menagerie," and I have long respected the exquisite quality of her work. To meet her in person was incredible! She was so gracious and kind and generous. I hope our paths cross again and we get to work together.

Anything can happen! There is magic in the air! "You could be swingin'... on a star!" ;)

Thanks to Joseph Marzullo/WENN for Playbill.com and Genevieve Rafter Keddy for Broadway World, who took pro pix of the gala.

Next Up!

While doing a show, its very common to hear people ask, What are you working on next? 

In the midst of Sasquatched, I received the script for an international 
recording of Jerome Kern's "Roberta." I play Sophie Teale, a devilish debutante 
(my friend, Larry Moore calls her a debutramp!) who abuses the sweet but naive 
leading man. Larry said he needed someone who could give a bitch a sense of 
dimension, so he came to me! ;) 

The recording is being done like a radio play, so while I don't get to sing some 
of the famous songs in the show like "Smoke Gets in Your Eyes," I have some 
wonderfully wicked scenes! It's a blast to work on this script!

I also start rehearsals next week for, "Come and Get It," a musical revue about 
food at the Abingdon Theatre Off Broadway.

I get to sing a jazzy take "On the Good Ship Lollipop," and a purrfectly delightful 
number about a cat's view of suppertime. ;)
 

In September, I'll be doing another concert reading of Hell's Belles, playing my 
favorite icons, Janis Joplin and Judy Garland.

And I'm starting rehearsals for "Petunia's Coffee House," an outrageous 
musical event with my friend Wayne Henry that's a wee nod to Pee Wee's 
Playhouse. I get to play Petunia's butch ex-girlfriend.

As one of my friends said, "You get the funniest parts!"

A tribute to Jonathon Robinson

Tonight I raise my glass to the memory of Jonathon Robinson. He passed away on 
July 25 after a heroic battle with melanoma. 

I met Jonathon 23 years ago when we were cast in the Shakespearean troupe for 
the PA Renaissance Faire. We were both such kids and were as different as night 
and day, but somehow I had the good fortune to become his friend. He had a razor 
sharp wit and wicked sense of humor. He was also stunningly beautiful.


Outside the Faire, I had the good fortune to work with him on his pet project of 
a large scale cast for Greater Tuna. He cast me as a girl with HUGE thighs and 
took great delight in padding me to kingdom come! The result cause such a huge 
non-stop laugh, and it was my first time with BIG comedy (pun intended). 
Jonathon directed me to keep it was serious as possible which only heightened 
the comedy since it was tragedy multiplied to the utmost degree. 

I thought of Jonathon a lot with my most recent role of Pat the Park Ranger in 
"Sasquatched! The Musical," a larger than life character bedecked in bulky men's 
clothes with a really passionate take on life. I think he would've loved it! 

He also directed me in Poe Evermore, and played a devious version of Nathaniel 
Hawthorne (below on the farleft). I can still remember sharing the stage with him in 
a darkly erotic version of The Raven. Man, he was brilliant!


He taught me to not be afraid of horror films. He showed me all the tricks 
and special effects, and taught me to revel in the artistry that went into all 
that gore. 

We lost track of each other after the Faire but found each other again on 
Facebook, and my husband and I had the pleasure of meeting Jonathon's partner, 
Mark. They were such a great pair, and it was an honor to share some laughs with 
them. I always say they inspired me to get married.

My last project with Jonathon was a voice over industrial for Viacom which we 
recorded in NY. I still remember meeting him at the door of the recording 
studio, this larger than life presence. He'd direct me in front of the mic and 
then bounce into the sound booth for the recording. He said I sounded like his 
favorite video game at the time, and asked me to say something about cake, to 
which he giggled with delight.



When he and Mark moved to FLA, we kept up on Facebook, and I loved seeing their 
pix from adventures in Disney World.

When "The Importance of Being Earnest" made headlines in Canada because of a man 
playing Lady Bracknell, I emailed Jonathon right away, because he had played 
Lady B. so many years ago in a mini production at Mt. Hope in an interactive 
theatre space in a Victorian mansion. He was playing Oscar Wilde, playing Lady 
Bracknell, and I still remember hearing his voice echoing through the mansion, 
as he exclaimed, "A handbag????"

He was such a great actor, director, and friend. When I had a rough time with 
something, he'd give me a big hug and offer his best counsel. He seemed to live 
his dreams and had a great penchant for encouraging others to do the same thing

He was such a great man, and I can't believe he's gone. I hope he's free and at 
peace and is having a great time in that big party in the sky.