Getting ready for callbacks for "A Chorus Line" at Village Players

Last week I held auditions for "A Chorus Line" at Village Players in Forest Park, IL where I am directing and choreographing the production. I am pretty excited as we had some really talented people who turned out for these auditions. Callbacks are slated for December 14th 6-10pm. We should have the cast posted by Wednesday of that week!

Shawn Quinlan in "Rudolph The Red Hosed Reindeer" Opens Dec 5th!

I am currently getting ready to open this production Saturday! The show is in its 7th year and there has been new songs and characters added. I play Score one of Santa's "Mary" elves!


CHICAGO'S FAVORITE TRANSVESTITE REINDEER RETURNS WITH A VENGEANCE

Reinvigorated and ready to ROCK

OFFICIAL OPENING TOMORROW!

RUDOLPH THE RED HOSED REINDEER Book and Lyrics by David Cerda Music by David Cerda w/ Scott Lamberty Directed by Derek Czaplewski* Choregraphy by Brigitte Ditmars* Starring- Patricia Austin*, David Besky, Christopher Carpenter, David Cerda*, Chad, Barbara Figgins, Alex Grelle, Michael Hampton, Ed Jones*, Aaron Lawson, Terry McCarthy*, Shawn Quinlan, Jennifer Shine, and Lori Lee as Yukon Cornelia. * indicates Handbag ensemble member ONLY 15 SHOWS, TICKETS ARE ALREADY SELLING FAST Hell in a Handbag Productions is proud to remount David Cerda's parody of the classic children's television special "Rudolph the Red-Nosed Reindeer", now in it's 12th year! The 2009 version has a new character and song along with a stellar cast. Where: Mary's Attic , 5400 W. Clark St. Previews: Dec. 3, 4 Opens Dec. 5 Runs: Thurs.- Sat. Closes: Jan. 2 No shows: Dec. 24, 25, 31 Add'l show dates: Dec. 23, 27, 30 Showtime: 7:30 Admission: $10- $15 Reservations: (800) 838-3006 or go to Brown Paper Tickets http://www.brownpapertickets.com/event/87450

Costuming "A Midsummer's Night Dream" at Circle Theatre

I costumed a modern day version of Shakespeare's "A Midsummer's Night Dream" where the lovers are preppy teen-agers, the mechanicals are working class slackers and the fairies are now punk rockers!

The show was fun with everyone in the beginning scene starting in black and white versions of their colorful and crazy outfits they wear once they have entered the forest.

Circle Theatre’s resident youth program, The Emerging Young Artists (CTEYA), will continue its commitment to exposing young people to the classics (Much Ado About Nothing 2008) with one of Shakespeare’s greatest works featuring 90 minutes of Rock ‘n Roll infused, highly physical comedy and a cast of young performers ages 12 to 18.

Among the most popular of all Shakespeare’s comedies, this play humorously celebrates the complexities of love. With its several pairs of lovers, on-again, off-again romances, magic spells, fairies, and a bumbling troupe of would-be actors, the play continues to enchant audiences.

Performances:
October 15, 17, 18, 22, 24, and 25
Thursdays and Saturdays at 7pm
Sundays at 2pm
No Friday performances

Tickets:
All Seats $13
Student/Srs: $12

Call 708-771-0700 for reservations

please visit: http://www.circle-theatre.org for more details.

Chicago Free Press Reviews "Annee Pocalypse"

‘Annee Pocalypse’
Written by Jason Dabrowski, Calidonia Olivares, Jacob Christopher Green
Showing: Hydrate, 3458 N. Halsted, through Oct. 24.
Tickets: $10
Contact: (800) 838-3006; hubrisproductions.com

Reviewed By Brian Kirst

CFP Contributor

Throw Andrea McArdle, George Romero and Chi Chi LaRue into a blender and you’d be lucky if you get something as outrageous and sick with fun as Hubris Productions’ “Annee Pocalypse.” Taking lowbrow to desperate depths, Hubris distorts Charles Strouse & Martin Charnin’s melodies from the beloved musical “Annie” into pornographically specific filth strewn delights.

After being blinded and nearly ‘Nair-ed’ by an atomic blast, Hubris’ (barely red) Annee finds herself in the employ of Mistress Flanigan, a post apocalyptic madame. Eventually escaping Flannigan’s sweaty clutches, Annee is soon found on the street by porn magnate Daddy Starbucks’ faithful, psychotic secretary, Grace. Soon Annee is blazingly happy, regularly performing outrageous sexual acts in a world of helpful zombies, dead dogs and leather swings. But, do money hungry Flannigan and jealous hooker Muffy have the power to destroy Annee’s new, frequently pulsating world?

While smartly bashing Republicans and former president Bush (he’s the reason for the mass destruction), director Jason Dabrowski’s obviously glee ridden direction is full of musical snap and some tart comic timing from lead performers Ariel Trocino (Annee), Calidonia Olivares (Mistress Flanigan), Jacob Christopher Green (Muffy) and Shawn Quinlan’s sexy, puppet loving Grace Feral.

While Trocino is buxomly adorable, in this age of filmic undead babies (the recent, powerful “Grace” and the upcoming “Zombieland”), it is the lumbering and loveable undead troop (highlighted by the shining Patricia Moy) that may truly steal modern, joyful audience’s hearts city-wide. Indeed, Hubris’ disgustingly fun “Annee Pocalypse” should truly able to spread a widespread infection of fun before its run is through this fall.

It's been a busy couple of months...

Hi All,
Haven't had a chance to update my blog in a while but wanted everyone to know what I have been busy with!

Last month I finished a successful run of "A Chorus Line" that I co-choreographed and also starred in playing the role of "Bobby" in New Buffalo Michigan as part of the Harbor Festival.

We will resume again with a Chicago run in January at The Theatre Building Chicago.

I also closed a production of "High School Musical 2!" at Circle Theatre in which I also co-choreographed and costumed.

Before that I choreographed a few number for Hubris Productions' "Bent" which played at the Victory Gardens Green House in July.

Hope everyone had a great summer!

"A Chorus Line" previews this weekend! I play Bobby and co-choreographed!

This weekend I will be previewing the classic musical "A Chorus Line" with Night Blue Theatre. We are doing a "preview run" in New Buffalo, Michigan as part of the
The Harbor Country Theater Festival. I am playing the role of "Bobby" and it has been a blast! I also co-choreographed. I choreographed the opening audition sequence as well as the "Bows/One" for the finale. Both sequences were my own original choreography.

Performance Dates are as follows:

One Singular Sensation

A Chorus Line

Saturday, August 1st 8:00pm
Saturday, August 8th 8:00pm
Sunday, August 9th 3:00pm
Saturday, August 15th 8:00pm
Sunday, August 16th 3:00pm
Friday, August 21st 8:00pm
Saturday, August 29th 8:00pm
Sunday, August 30th 3:00pm

All performances will take place at:

The New Buffalo Performing Arts Center
1112 Clay St., New Buffalo, Mi. 49117

Please visit: http://www.nightbluetheater.com/ for more information and to purchase tickets!

"Sister Mary" scene filmed with Brent Corrigan

Whew! It has been a couple of fast and furious past weekends trying to finish up the left over scenes for the feature film I am working on, "Sister Mary". I know, I know your probably like what the heck? "Didn't you start filing that film last Oct!" Yes, sir I did. But it has been complicating trying to work with every one's schedule and the weather so the rest of the filming was pushed back until a few weeks ago.

This push back allowed the time to add 2 new names to our cast list. Bruce Vilanche of "Hollywood Squares" and the National Broadway Tour of "Hairspray" and Brent Corrigan a Falcon porn star, and lets not forget he played a merman in the crazy sequel "Another Gay Sequel!"

I did not have any scenes with Bruce BUT I did have a special scene written by the director and added last minuet to the script for me and Mr. Corrigan:)

But, I'm not leaking any details you'll have to wait til the film is released to see what the scene entailed!

"The Who's Tommy" Opens at Circle Theatre

Hey Guys-
I am currently performing in "The Who's Tommy" at Circle Theatre. We have been Jeff Recommended and opened to rave reveiws! I also served as assistant to the choreographer Kevin Bellie on this production.

Please visit:
www.circle-theatre.org to order tickets!



Tommy
previews May 8, 9, and 12, 2009
May 13 - July 19, 2009
Music & Lyrics by Pete Townshend
Book by Des MacAnuff & Pete Townshend
directed by Jeffrey Cass
music directed by Carolyn Brady Riley
choreographed by Kevin Bellie


Circle delves back into the world of rock operas in the tradition of such classic Circle musicals as Jesus Christ Superstar, Hair and Evita. Tommy is sure to please music and theatre lovers alike with its blend of stage craft wizardry, soaring vocal gymnastics, and gripping characters. After witnessing a brutal crime, young Tommy is so traumatized that he is rendered mute. As his life meanders on in post World War II England, he suffers abuse from sadistic relatives and neighbors. Tommy's life is saved, however, when he falls in love with pinball and achieves super stardom as a pinball wizard!

Carolyn Brady Riley’s credits include music direction for Circle’s mainstage (Dear World, Meet Me in St. Louis) and CTEYA program (Seussical!, Anything Goes, Thoroughly Modern Millie). Jeffrey Cass is no stranger to Circle. He has previously directed Burning Blue, The Distance From Here and Bash. For Circle's youth program he has directed Crazy For You, Beauty and the Beast, Thoroughly Modern Millie and Urinetown. He is the Producing Artistic Director of Echo Theatre Co.

Featuring the talents of Tom McGunn, Michelle Pickett, Eric Lindahl, Shannon Boland, Gerald J. Kelel, Darcy Wood, Jon Landvick, Alex Turner, Dylan Angel Manianglung-Lainez, Bear Bellinger, Jeremy Myers, Peter Durkin, Rachel Quinn, Carol Rose, Camille Vafakas, Scott Neild, Cameron Brune, and Shawn Quinlan

This production has been Jeff Recommended!


Showtimes:
half-price previews, May 8, 9, and 12 @ 8:00 pm
opening night: Wednesday, May 13 @ 8:00 pm
Fridays and Saturdays @ 8:00 pm
Sundays @ 3:00 pm

Important Note:
There will be no performances July 3-5.

Tickets:
Fridays: All Seats $20
Saturdays and Sundays: $24 adults, $22 students/seniors (over 62)

Shawn Quinlan in Chicago Kids Company's "Goldilocks and the 3 Bears"

This hilarious musical is "JUST RIGHT"!

Production Dates: Feb 4 - May 29, 2009

Performance held at:
Beverly Arts Center 111th & Western, Chicago

This show is based on the classic story of a young girl who ventures into the woods and stumbles on a cute house with 3 bowls of porridge, 3 chairs, and 3 beds!
A CKC classic! Don't miss out!

Reserve your tickets today by calling: 773-205-9600

Shawn Quinlan as Dieter in Circle Theatre's "A Perfect Wedding"

This is the next show I am in. Hope you get a chance to come out and see it!

A Perfect Wedding

Previews

March 13, 14, and 17, 2009March 18 - May 3, 2009

written by Charles Mee

Directed by Joanie Schultz

Love, romance, marriage: it all falls apart in the woods, until two gay wedding planners (thats me!) decide to get married--and then everyone's faith in the institution of marriage is restored by their example -- with a big Bollywood dance number toward the end. Playwright Charles Mee, the featured playwright at New York’s Signature Theatre in 2007-08, displays his signature blend of music, dance and storytelling in this surprising and intriguing play.

Joanie Schultz returns to Circle after directing the Jeff nominated Stone Cold Dead Serious in 2007. She recently made her off-Broadway debut, directing the world premiere of Sean Graney's Autophagy in the Drama League's Directorfest. Most recently in Chicago Joanie directed the Midwest premiere of Adam Rapp's Faster at the side project and Itamar Moses' short play Treadmills for the Collaboraction Sketchbook. Joanie holds her MFA in directing from Northwestern University, was a Drama League Directing Fellow, and is part of the Lincoln Center Director's Lab.

Showtimes:half-price previews, March 13, 14, and 17 @ 8:00 pmopening night:

Wednesday, March 18 @ 8:00 pm

Fridays and Saturdays @ 8:00 pm

Sundays @ 3:00 pm
Tickets:Fridays: $20Saturdays and Sundays: $24 for adults $22 for students and seniors (over 62)

Call: 708.771.0700 for tickets

Costumeing- "Les Miserables, School Edition" at Circle Theatre

March 10-14, 2009
LES MISERABLES SCHOOL EDITION
Music by Claude-Michel Schönberg
Lyrics by Alain Boubil and Herbert Kretzmer
Book by Alain Boubil

This program is sponsored by the Forest Park National Bank & Trust Company.Tickets: $13 adults; $12 students/seniors
Performance Location:DOMINICAN UNIVERSITYMartin Recital Hall, 7900 West Division St. River Forest, ILPerformance

Schedule:Tuesday, March 10 @

7pm Wednesday, March 11 @ 7pm

Thursday March 12 @ 7pm

Friday, March 13 @ 7pm

Saturday, March 14@ 3pm and 7pm

Call 708-771-0700 for tickets

Oklahoma!- At Roosevelt Middle School

I just finished choreographing a production of "Oklahoma!" at Roosevelt Middle School that performed at the end of February.