So lots of good things are happening for me right now!
First, Midsummer is going swimmingly, there are three shows left (one of which is tonight, so I must be short with this post) so check it out at the Wings Theatre. Also, we got reviewed and it was quite positive, including this gem of a quote: "Shakespearean doubling includes...the versatile Julia Giolzetti as both the shrinking rustic Snug and the fairy Moth." For having such a small part, I'm honored to be recognized. Finally, I'm versatile, instead of "simply at a loss" as I was with American Soldiers. For the record, I was NEVER at a loss! NEVER!
See the full review here: http://qmetropolis.com/?p=1159
Baxter, lying on the exercise mat next to me, just squealed while dreaming his doggie dream.
Aaaaand last but most certainly NOT least, I got a call from the Bloc agency asking to sign me for legit representation!!!!!!!
YIPEE!
I met with them a couple weeks ago but was so nervous and thought I was so poopy I didn't feel the need to mention it. This all came from a seminar at the Network (www.thenetworknyc.com), so if you're looking for help, I'd check with these guys. I am so grateful to begin working with such a great agency. They had such a good vibe, like the antithesis of the scary agent man screaming on a cell phone. So we'll see where this takes me, I'm beyond thrilled to have other people trying to get me auditions, but I know that nobody can do all the work for you. If anything, I'm going to start working harder at getting better jobs and reaching higher levels in the industry. Until I don't need to work three (yes, three) other jobs. Or skip meals cause I'm low on cash. No more wondering if I have what it takes. Clearly someone else thinks I do....you know, I might actually be able to make a sound career doing the only thing that's ever truly made me happy.
Sorry I am gushing. It's a good feeling. Feels right. Well, off to go roar my ass off.
PS I saw Clash of the Titans on Easter and I'm not kidding in the least when I say it was the most entertaining thing I've seen in a while. RELEASE THE KRAKEN!!!! Liam Neeson is my homeboy.
Showing posts with label reviews. Show all posts
Showing posts with label reviews. Show all posts
Thursday, April 8, 2010
Monday, February 8, 2010
I'm aliiiiive!
Yes, it's true, I've finally found five minutes to sit down and write in my dear darling blog. American Soldiers was a great experience, and has since come to a close. We had a great audience turnout, much more than I've experienced in Off-Off Broadway especially in the BITTER cold we've been having. Unfortunately (or fortunately, I guess) my performance was not enjoyed by the two critics who wrote us up. Figures that my first actual New York reviews were unpleasant. But I say they were fortunate because now I understand that feeling and also understand how little it really means in the scheme of my career. One reviewer thought I, as the actor, had not decided what my character thought about what was happening or where her loyalties stood. I found that interesting, because first of all, I'm not stupid and of course I made choices. But besides that, I'm not sure how necessary it is to know how every character feels about every aspect of any situation. I'm not sure they ever need to know anything! Ever heard of Beckett? Pinter? Those characters are never entirely disclosing everything. Ugh, it's not even worth it to argue when the person you're arguing with is on the Internet and gets to judge you as their job.
The other review, from a very large publication, was just plain mean-spirited and I feel sorry for people who feel the need to project negativity on the undeserved. But enough about that, as it doesn't bother me anymore. The show was good, people liked it, just not the people who write on the Internet! Rawr.
But of course, in typical Julia busybody style, I am already in the thick of rehearsals for another show, and the character couldn't possibly be any different from Marie. Yes, I finally get to play an ingenue, and it's awesome. In Dear Brutus by J.M. Barrie, a bunch of strangers are invited to a mischievious ageless (Pucklike) man's house, where it's said on Midsummer Eve a magical wood appears. If you chance to enter the wood, you can experience what everyone there desires: a second chance at life. For my character, whose husband is in love with another woman, the second chance is the possibility of never marrying him, and therefore never being a wistful, sad pathetic creature. And it's a COMEDY!
As you can see, I'm really, really excited for this show. Everyone in the cast is spectacular, which is so important when doing period pieces. I'm using my Adler training more here than I've ever been able to before (the classical training anyway; how to sit in a chair, walk in heels, not be a clunky awkward thing, etc) and it's great to work with people who have the same vocabulary and understanding of the time period. And I love, love, love the challenge of working with a British accent. And this is RP, the mother of all British accents--this is the "oh, dear", and "Rather!", and "We're awfully sorry" accent that is so crisp and proper that my mouth feels weird after doing it for a while. It's hard not to get wrapped up in the character when you change how you walk, sit, and speak! I'm sure people who know me well will get a kick out of me being chased through the forest by a suitor wearing a flowery pink dress and holding a parasol. Hopefully the audience will laugh too. That's the other hard thing....this comedy is so specific. It's all about timing and inflecting the right words, so I'm lucky to have such generous and smart scene partners.
So come to Christopher Street and see me! We're at the Wings Theatre and the showtimes are weird so I'm going to list them here for clarity's sake:
Saturday 2/20 2p
Sunday 2/21 2p
Tuesday 2/23 8p
Wednesday 2/24 8p
Saturday 2/27 2p
Sunday 2/28 2p
Press, Industry, and Ticket Line: 212-627-2961
More info at theateronline.com
Anything else? I'm tickled pink that the Saints have won, as were the thirtysomething people gathered at my apartment. Many thanks to all who brought copious alcohol and pretty much gourmet food (including an awesome NFL cake) (thanks Lisha). Ummm, I have no Valentine's plans despite having a boyfriend. We may just eat chocolate and watch TV. That's pretty romantic to me. Not spending money is also romantic. Wow, I'm old.
Ok, I have to find time to update more often. I'm very pleased with all the work I keep getting, but it's making it very difficult for me to actually DO anything. Alright, I promise my next post will be soon. Soonish.
The other review, from a very large publication, was just plain mean-spirited and I feel sorry for people who feel the need to project negativity on the undeserved. But enough about that, as it doesn't bother me anymore. The show was good, people liked it, just not the people who write on the Internet! Rawr.
But of course, in typical Julia busybody style, I am already in the thick of rehearsals for another show, and the character couldn't possibly be any different from Marie. Yes, I finally get to play an ingenue, and it's awesome. In Dear Brutus by J.M. Barrie, a bunch of strangers are invited to a mischievious ageless (Pucklike) man's house, where it's said on Midsummer Eve a magical wood appears. If you chance to enter the wood, you can experience what everyone there desires: a second chance at life. For my character, whose husband is in love with another woman, the second chance is the possibility of never marrying him, and therefore never being a wistful, sad pathetic creature. And it's a COMEDY!
As you can see, I'm really, really excited for this show. Everyone in the cast is spectacular, which is so important when doing period pieces. I'm using my Adler training more here than I've ever been able to before (the classical training anyway; how to sit in a chair, walk in heels, not be a clunky awkward thing, etc) and it's great to work with people who have the same vocabulary and understanding of the time period. And I love, love, love the challenge of working with a British accent. And this is RP, the mother of all British accents--this is the "oh, dear", and "Rather!", and "We're awfully sorry" accent that is so crisp and proper that my mouth feels weird after doing it for a while. It's hard not to get wrapped up in the character when you change how you walk, sit, and speak! I'm sure people who know me well will get a kick out of me being chased through the forest by a suitor wearing a flowery pink dress and holding a parasol. Hopefully the audience will laugh too. That's the other hard thing....this comedy is so specific. It's all about timing and inflecting the right words, so I'm lucky to have such generous and smart scene partners.
So come to Christopher Street and see me! We're at the Wings Theatre and the showtimes are weird so I'm going to list them here for clarity's sake:
Saturday 2/20 2p
Sunday 2/21 2p
Tuesday 2/23 8p
Wednesday 2/24 8p
Saturday 2/27 2p
Sunday 2/28 2p
Press, Industry, and Ticket Line: 212-627-2961
More info at theateronline.com
Anything else? I'm tickled pink that the Saints have won, as were the thirtysomething people gathered at my apartment. Many thanks to all who brought copious alcohol and pretty much gourmet food (including an awesome NFL cake) (thanks Lisha). Ummm, I have no Valentine's plans despite having a boyfriend. We may just eat chocolate and watch TV. That's pretty romantic to me. Not spending money is also romantic. Wow, I'm old.
Ok, I have to find time to update more often. I'm very pleased with all the work I keep getting, but it's making it very difficult for me to actually DO anything. Alright, I promise my next post will be soon. Soonish.
Tuesday, October 6, 2009
PINK! Praise and other goings-on
So now that PINK! is past, what better time to post other's thoughts on it? Yes, it is backward, but better late than never. Besides, PINK will be back. Oh it will.
"I am the Managing Director of the WorkShop Theater Company where the production of PINK is taking place, and I had the good fortune of seeing the show last night.
Besides the setting (a sleep-a-way camp for 12 year old girls. ), there is NOTHING saccharine about this play.
In fact, I would best describe it as a "God of Carnage" for "tweens."
It is coarse, vulgar, innocent, sweet, deadly dramatic, and most importantly, very, very funny.
It only runs a week more -- but the play and performances are so good, that I just had to write to those of you who were wavering, to check this play out.
It will be 90 minutes very well spent."
--David M. Pincus, Managing Director WorkShop Theater Company
www.workshoptheater.org
Chair, Theater Task Force
Manhattan Community Board 4
And here is Broadway After Dark's Review, which gives such a nice summary of my character I chuckled in agreement:
http://www.broadwayafterdark.com/Durell.htm
Cabaret and Other Wanderings with Sandi Durell
Welcome to Camp “PINK”
Down Payment Productions WorkShop Theater Main Stage
Reviewed by: Sandi Durell
September 20, 2009
"Ah, pubescence, those wonderful years of honesty, no cares, exploration. In this case, however, the girls at Camp “Pink” are the result of a more modern day phenomenon. They are the Me Generation capable of saying and doing anything. They are nasty, vicious and abusive. Five nymphets finding womanhood at sleep-away camp, obsessed with everything sexual as they refer to each other as Vagina and batter each other with brutal honesty, eventually turns into the ultimate horror.
Samantha (Julia Giolzetti), the quiet book reader, sensible and mature is the butt of much battering and ‘odd girl out’; Ashley (Caitlin Mehner) sexually mature, is the leader of the pack, suffering from the dysfunctionality associated with sexual abuse by her father. She is mean, lies and capable of anything as we see at the conclusion. Zoe (Kaela Crawford) is Ashley’s shadow, slave and play toy. Tracy (Alison Scaramella) is good natured, fair and understanding but sometimes caught in the web of being just a 12 year old trying to grow up. Abby (Stephanie Strohm), a bit overweight, would like to have experienced more and finds herself confused much of the time as she is tossed around in the emotional play of the Me Me’s.
The 90 minute ride provokes both laughter and riveting disgust as they tear each other apart with everything from whose Bat Mitzvah they will attend ( 2 of the girls have the same date), the experience of a first menstruation, dealing with parents’ affairs, fashion, cheating, boyfriends, first sexual experiences and all the bitchiness one might imagine.
The final horror occurs as Ashley wants to give Abby the experience of sexuality and, with Zoe’s assistance, Abby is tied up and inadvertently smothered to death. In typical Ashley style, she immediately blames Zoe as she tries to deny who and what she is and has done.
The cast is top rate in their performance abilities, the play disturbing and thought-provoking, and although playwright Stacy Davidowitz assures that the content is entirely fictional and none of the characters and events are based upon real people and events, there remains a BIG question mark in my mind! The run of this play is complete but should it be revived I recommend you see it and decide for yourself."
Whew! Good times!
So rehearsals have begun for T.A.B. (take 2) and I'm really excited to see the play in a new light and go back to work on Kathy. Since this time around we're treating everything much more abstract, I'm going to need a much firmer grip on the character so I can then go crazy with the text. The director, Tracy, is wonderful and has so many great ideas that it almost feels like I'm working on an entirely different, but still awesome play. And it's cool to see new actors playing the other parts; while nobody is necessarily doing it "better", it's fun to see how different people interpret the same characters and dialogue...sometimes the line readings don't change at all, sometimes they're radically different...I love it!
Also PUNCHDRUNK is coming to the USA and I'm in the midst of a field trip planning to go for Halloween! If you're not familiar with the troupe, Google that ish NOW. They are amazing, and I only know that from firsthand accounts.
Aaaaand what else? It's getting colder around here but I am resisting busting out the big jacket because that means winter and winter is poopie.
Well off to rehearsals!
"I am the Managing Director of the WorkShop Theater Company where the production of PINK is taking place, and I had the good fortune of seeing the show last night.
Besides the setting (a sleep-a-way camp for 12 year old girls. ), there is NOTHING saccharine about this play.
In fact, I would best describe it as a "God of Carnage" for "tweens."
It is coarse, vulgar, innocent, sweet, deadly dramatic, and most importantly, very, very funny.
It only runs a week more -- but the play and performances are so good, that I just had to write to those of you who were wavering, to check this play out.
It will be 90 minutes very well spent."
--David M. Pincus, Managing Director WorkShop Theater Company
www.workshoptheater.org
Chair, Theater Task Force
Manhattan Community Board 4
And here is Broadway After Dark's Review, which gives such a nice summary of my character I chuckled in agreement:
http://www.broadwayafterdark.com/Durell.htm
Cabaret and Other Wanderings with Sandi Durell
Welcome to Camp “PINK”
Down Payment Productions WorkShop Theater Main Stage
Reviewed by: Sandi Durell
September 20, 2009
"Ah, pubescence, those wonderful years of honesty, no cares, exploration. In this case, however, the girls at Camp “Pink” are the result of a more modern day phenomenon. They are the Me Generation capable of saying and doing anything. They are nasty, vicious and abusive. Five nymphets finding womanhood at sleep-away camp, obsessed with everything sexual as they refer to each other as Vagina and batter each other with brutal honesty, eventually turns into the ultimate horror.
Samantha (Julia Giolzetti), the quiet book reader, sensible and mature is the butt of much battering and ‘odd girl out’; Ashley (Caitlin Mehner) sexually mature, is the leader of the pack, suffering from the dysfunctionality associated with sexual abuse by her father. She is mean, lies and capable of anything as we see at the conclusion. Zoe (Kaela Crawford) is Ashley’s shadow, slave and play toy. Tracy (Alison Scaramella) is good natured, fair and understanding but sometimes caught in the web of being just a 12 year old trying to grow up. Abby (Stephanie Strohm), a bit overweight, would like to have experienced more and finds herself confused much of the time as she is tossed around in the emotional play of the Me Me’s.
The 90 minute ride provokes both laughter and riveting disgust as they tear each other apart with everything from whose Bat Mitzvah they will attend ( 2 of the girls have the same date), the experience of a first menstruation, dealing with parents’ affairs, fashion, cheating, boyfriends, first sexual experiences and all the bitchiness one might imagine.
The final horror occurs as Ashley wants to give Abby the experience of sexuality and, with Zoe’s assistance, Abby is tied up and inadvertently smothered to death. In typical Ashley style, she immediately blames Zoe as she tries to deny who and what she is and has done.
The cast is top rate in their performance abilities, the play disturbing and thought-provoking, and although playwright Stacy Davidowitz assures that the content is entirely fictional and none of the characters and events are based upon real people and events, there remains a BIG question mark in my mind! The run of this play is complete but should it be revived I recommend you see it and decide for yourself."
Whew! Good times!
So rehearsals have begun for T.A.B. (take 2) and I'm really excited to see the play in a new light and go back to work on Kathy. Since this time around we're treating everything much more abstract, I'm going to need a much firmer grip on the character so I can then go crazy with the text. The director, Tracy, is wonderful and has so many great ideas that it almost feels like I'm working on an entirely different, but still awesome play. And it's cool to see new actors playing the other parts; while nobody is necessarily doing it "better", it's fun to see how different people interpret the same characters and dialogue...sometimes the line readings don't change at all, sometimes they're radically different...I love it!
Also PUNCHDRUNK is coming to the USA and I'm in the midst of a field trip planning to go for Halloween! If you're not familiar with the troupe, Google that ish NOW. They are amazing, and I only know that from firsthand accounts.
Aaaaand what else? It's getting colder around here but I am resisting busting out the big jacket because that means winter and winter is poopie.
Well off to rehearsals!
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