Prisoner of 2nd Avenue

In Neil Simon’s The Prisoner of 2nd Avenue, Mel Edison is on the verge of a nervous breakdown. His current situation can be summed up as follows:

1)   Out of a job
2)   Paranoid
3)   Has noisy neighbors
4)   Can’t sleep
5)   Air conditioning barely works
6)   Pissed off at the world
7)   Struggling to pay rent
8)   Taking pills to cope

Funny enough, this list seems to apply to the majority of the working class people in New York City, which is why I think Prisoner of 2nd Avenue is on its way to Broadway. It’s currently playing at the Old Vic Theatre in London and stars Jeff Goldblum and Mercedes Ruehl.

Jeff Goldblum and Mercedes Ruehl in Neil Simon's "The Prisoner of Second Avenue"

Jeff Goldblum and Mercedes Ruehl in Neil Simon's "The Prisoner of Second Avenue"

Given the economic uncertainty of today, I think this play will resonate with a lot of New Yorkers. Regardless of the commercial success, I am definitely paying to watch Goldblum and Ruehl do their thing. It’s getting very solid reviews. Check out the New York Times Article here:

http://www.nytimes.com/2010/07/31/theater/31prisoner.html

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Shooting Avión with Sasha Grey

Entourage has totally blurred the line between entertainment and reality.

I was chillin in a Tequila Bar (La Bibiloteca) on Saturday night and I thought I would play a joke on the waiter. I asked her how she would rate Tequila Avión, knowing full well that Avión is a not a real tequila, but rather a fake label used for HBO’s hit series Entourage. Unfortunately the joke was on me as she proceeded to describe how the agave in Avión was found in the highest regions of Jalisco, Mexico. Avión is a real brand of Tequila ! And Avión’s placement in the show didn’t cost the founders a penny. Check out the story on Bloginity:

http://www.bloginity.com/blog/2010/08/22/avion-tequilas-entourage-debut-cost-penny/

Avión Tequila in Entourage

Avión Tequila in Entourage

Another blur in Entourage is Sasha Grey, girlfriend of Vincent Chase (played by Adrian Grenier). Grey is a porn star in real life and essentially plays herself on the show. Vince tries to get Grey a part in his next film “Air-Walker” to keep her from making another porn movie. Grey is a porn star playing a porn star trying to get a part in a real movie. I can’t imagine this is different from her actual life. To make matters more confusing, Grey actually starred in Steven Soderbergh’s The Girlfriend Experience in real life and the movie is referenced in the show.

Sasha Grey with the cast of HBO's Entourage

Sasha Grey with the cast of HBO's Entourage

In case you haven’t heard of the rapper Nas and reggae artist Damian Marley, you couldn’t miss their latest song Patience, once again in the credits of Entourage. This is yet another example of how Entourage can hype a band or a label. Through clever placement, Entourage has redefined how to successfully promote the most popular actors, people, celebrities, brands, and groups.

Nas & Damian Marley

Nas & Damian Marley

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“Hung” Up on the 3rd Pitch

I am not a male prostitute. I repeat: I am not a male prostitute. But I like watching Hung on HBO where Thomas Jane plays a male prostitute named Ray Drecker. For all intensive purposes, the show is garbage and the acting is mediocre. But Sunday night, Ray Drecker got to me.

The setting: It’s the alumni baseball game. Drecker can’t play because he injured his rotator cuff while pleasuring a woman the night before (standard injury in his profession). However, in spite of his pain, he suits up late in the game to try and hit one more homerun. He gets a “signal” that a high fastball might be coming his way on the third pitch.

Thomas Jane as Ray Drecker in HBO's "Hung"

Thomas Jane as Ray Drecker in HBO's "Hung"

I feel for the guy but at some level I understand his pain. I’m still looking to hit one more home run in more ways than one. I get the signals all the time, but sometimes I don’t swing. Like Drecker, I want to do it on my own terms, not someone else’s. However, when you know a high fastball is coming your way on the third pitch, you have to suck up your pride and swing.

In case you haven’t figure it out, Drecker hit that third pitch out of the park !

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Vitamin Kid

Ok so now I am convinced that the newest and coolest songs are played not only during the credits of popular television shows (i.e. Entourage), but also during commercials. Back in May, I first heard a killer song on a Vitaminwater commercial. It was Pursuit of Happiness (Steve Aoki mix) by Kid Cudi. Listen to Cudi’s song in the commercial below. You get a real taste of it at the end:

You may know Kid Cudi from his song Day ‘N’ Night which was one of top ten singles in late 2009. In any case, Pursuit of Happiness is an awesome tune. Cudi uses his deep and slow voice while interacting with all his beats in a subtle way. His style is basically singing, rapping, and spoken word.

Kid Cudi in Vitamin Water Commercial

Kid Cudi

Having been involved with 50 Cent (Curtis Jackson) in the past, Vitaminwater is no stranger to hip hop artists. If you like Cudi’s music, check out his blog (http://www.kidcudi.com/news/).

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Who is in your Entourage?

During the credits of Entourage last Sunday, I heard a sick song so obviously I googled the lyrics. The song is Don’t Give It Away by FreeSol. If I had better hip-hop knowledge, I could categorize this group. Luckily, they describe themselves for us on their website (http://www.freesolmusic.com/) as a “progressive, and unique hip-hop, rock, and soul infused band.”

They also sing Rocknrolla which is a hip-hop remix of the Smashing Pumpkins song 1979. This song is a little commercial, but still a fresh take.

Freesol at Lollapalooza on August 6th, 2010

Freesol at Lollapalooza on August 6th, 2010

Where did these guys come from? Justin Timberlake saw Freesol perform in 2006 and signed them to his Tennman records (Timberlake’s label). Freesol will release their first album soon on Tennman/Interscope. Don’t Give it Away is now up on itunes. You can also check out their songs on youtube:

Don’t Give it Away
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=2UfNy3C9hLA&feature=related

Rocknrolla
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=jJdRfC4BBZ8&feature=related

Call me crazy, but once your song gets played on Entourage, success is in the near future. Freesol is going to be big. Check their stuff out now !

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Secrets of the Trade

TimeOut magazine gave Secrets of the Trade 5 stars. So obviously I had to see it. Yes, 5 stars in TimeOut is my measure of success for a play. Sorry but I love TimeOut, they know their shit.

I always struggle to play the married guy with two kids who is going through a divorce because I am not at that point in my life and hopefully never will be (at least the divorce part). 19-year-old Noah Robbins has the maturity to do just that, connect to life beyond his age. By doing so, he goes toe to toe with Tony Award Winner John Glover (Love! Valour! Passion!).

Secrets of the Trade at PrimaryStages

Cast of "Secrets of the Trade": Bill Brochtrup, John Glover, Noah Robbins, Amy Aquino, and Mark Nelson

So I don’t really want to review the play. Yes I do. It’s awesome. The staging, 4th wall usage, comedic nature, Jewish parents, passion, love, great quotes, and all the moment-to-moment stuff are brilliant. Jonathan Tolins writes, Matt Shakman directs. Bottom line – go see it at Primary Stages at 59 East 59th Street (http://www.59e59.org/shows/Secrets.html).

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Great Choices as an Actor

Ok, so you just finished a small off-broadway production of Arthur Miller’s Death of a Salesman. As an actor, you think you made some good “choices” in your portrayal of Willy Loman, the father. But, good is never good enough and the actor wants to know what GREAT looks like. What choices did Brian Dennehy make as Willy Loman in his Tony Award winning role on Broadway in 1999?

Brian Dennehy in Death of a Salesman on Broadway in 1999

Brian Dennehy in Death of a Salesman on Broadway in 1999

The Theatre on Film and Tape Archive (TOFT) will show you what GREAT looks like. You can actually sit and watch a video of that production of Death of a Salesman. Since 1970, TOFT has recorded thousands of broadway, off-broadway, and regional theater productions.

For the actor, this is priceless. Visualizing and understanding the choices of the greatest performers can inspire you to make bold choices in the future. TOFT is located on the 3rd floor of The New York Public Library for the Performing Arts at Lincoln Center (http://www.nypl.org/locations/lpa/theatre-film-and-tape-archive).

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High on Regional Theatre

I thought regional theatre was for mediocre actors who can’t make it on Broadway. On a separate note, Hartford sucks as a city. So what the hell is Kathleen Turner doing in a play in Hartford, Connecticut?

Kathleen Turner in "High"

Kathleen Turner in "High" at TheaterWorks in Hartford

Well, Hartford does suck as a city, but the three actors who take the stage in Matthew Lombardo’s production of High are the opposite of mediocre. Kathleen Turner, Tony award nominee Michael Berresse, and Evan Jonigkeit are nothing short of brilliant in this world premiere at TheatreWorks in Hartford (http://theaterworkshartford.org/)

For all you wannabe actors in New York, take note: The way to Broadway is through regional theatre. If you want to act on Broadway, look off-broadway for your next role.

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Pearl Jam – Staying Relevant

The ability for a performing artist to maintain relevancy over time is rare. In August of 1991, Pearl Jam released their debut album “Ten.” The album was certified “diamond” and sold almost 10 million copies. Fast forward 20 years and Pearl Jam is still rocking out with the same passion they showed when they first hit the grunge scene in the early 90s.

Pearl Jam 2009

Pearl Jam 2009

With the release of their ninth studio album “Backspacer” in the summer of 2009, Pearl Jam has once again produced a #1 album. The last time they reached the top of the Billboard 200 was 1996. “Backspacer” joins their previous #1 albums: “Vs.,” “Vitalogy,” and “No Code.” Below is a clip of Pearl Jam performing Unthought Known live from Berlin on June 30th of this year:

Those who know me well know I love Pearl Jam. I have seen them perform six times including three times this year (Hartford, Newark, and Madison Square Garden). The energy they put into their concerts is electric. The meaning behind their songs speaks for itself. Their lyrics are universal. The love they have for their fans is commendable. Their incredible live performances are amazing. I am sure I will be blogging about Pearl jam in the near future !!

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Getting the Dream Role

I have never gotten the dream role in a movie or play. But, I can tell you that submitting to actorsaccess.com, mandy.com, and backstage.com is just ONE way to do it. However, online you are always in competition with people who have the same look, have more experience, and have more connections. I am not suggesting to give up, but rather to consider alternative options.

One option is to write a script with a role specifically for you. Matt Damon didn’t have an agent get him the part of “Will” in Good Will Hunting. Damon and Affleck wrote the screenplay for the movie that they then pitched around Hollywood. Do this on a smaller scale with a smaller budget. Write a screenplay that you are passionate about and include yourself as a main character. Hire a director and a DP (Director of Photography) from a grad student film program.

Matt Damon Will Hunting Mirror

Matt Damon in Good Will Hunting: Writting on mirror

Another option is to get involved in a showcase. There are showcases happening all the time. Find a few acting buddies and write a script together. You can perform a scene or short play together or you each can do a solo show. If you are into improv or comedy, check out “Gutbucket” at Upright Citizen’s Brigade Friday night’s at midnight (http://newyork.ucbtheatre.com/shows/1300). It’s a monthly standup open-mic show.

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