Hi all! I've been delinquent in my communication on so many levels, but this summer's end and autumn have been the pinnacle of activity in my NYC experience thus far (acting and survival jobs alike), marking my first full year in the city with just enough to show for it, so despite the delay, I thought it was about time to recap all the excitement. Hard Times was an ever-loving hit, and I know I speak for the team when I say we couldn't have been more thrilled and honored to have nurtured this project from the ground up to such rave reviews. Here are just a few brief highlights of some of the terrific press we received. New York Times "Under Kira Simring's sure-handed direction, "Hard Times" bursts with vitality...By the end of the evening, the audience is up, cheering and stamping. In "Hard Times," Mr. Kirwan has not only delivered a knockout entertainment, he's done a public service, reacquainting us with the Foster songbook and the striving, teeming America for which it was written." (Read More) New York Post “It bursts with life, thanks to Kira Simring’s inventive staging and the superb singing and dancing performed to the accompaniment of a first rate, five-piece band.” (Read More) Back Stage "Music director Andrew Smithson gives vibrancy and power to the score, which combines Foster's classic Americana with Kirwan's modern sensibilities... The small cast infuses their roles with intensity and detail as well as musical muscle." Theatre Reviews Limited "Stephen Foster's songs and Larry Kirwan's songs counterpoint each other and create a fugue for freedom and future." (Read More) I've added some quotes regarding my own performance to the new press page on this website if you have any interest- Fortunately enough for me, there were some good things worth sharing! Since the close of the show, talks have already been in the works regarding a remount, and we are hoping to develop that more in the spring. Meanwhile, we'll be recording a cast album, and I'll be trying my best to keep the Irish steps fresh in my mind... The cell theatre has become a second family to me, and I'd be a fool to turn down any opportunity to work with them again. I'm proud to say I'll be continuing my work there in a staged reading this December of a play entitled Cowboys (Straight, Queer, Quixotic, & Otherwise Allegorical) by Michael Marceline. You can come check it out at one of these 2 dates! Click through for Facebook event info. Cowboys Friends Festivus Fests I Cowboys Friends Festivus Fests II Otherwise I'm working on adding some new photo galleries from my recent role as the Minstrel at the Princeton Music Festival and as Owen in Hard Times. Keep an eye out! Ah yes, and last but not least, I'm absolutely ecstatic to announce my new status as a proud member of the New York Gilbert and Sullivan Players! Catch me in the Mikado in January! See below for world's greatest promo for our upcoming season.
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I'm thrilled to announce that I'll be joining the cell theatre in Chelsea for their brand new musical "Hard Times" opening September 13th. I'll be playing Owen Duignan, a troubled Irish immigrant who works as a performer at a local bar in the Five Points slum of Civil War-Era New York City. I'll also be busting plenty of Irish moves! The project thus far has been a dream come true in many ways, and I must say this show is not to be missed! I'm surrounded by a wellspring of talent, both in front of and behind the scenes. Come see what these brilliant artists have created! "Hard Times, a soulful musical of clashing Irish and Afro-American cultures, written by Larry Kirwan of Black 47. Through a re-imagining of Stephen Foster’s songs, Kirwan conjures the hybrid creation of Tap and explores the troubled life of the “father of American Music” against the backdrop of NYC’s Civil War draft riots." Buy tickets HERE Find our show on Facebook HERE Check out the Cell on Facebook HERE P.S. Summer's almost over, y'all The Last Rose of Summer- John Charles McLaughlin
Well, guys. I'm officially relocated to Princeton, NJ (and not for graduate school as you may have presumed from my undeniable intellect). Joining what I believe is their seventh summer season this year, I am thrilled to announce that I will be taking on the role of the Minstrel in Princeton Music Festival's production of Once Upon a Mattress!
Be sure to visit their website HERE for all the info. Once Upon a Mattress Music by Mary Rodgers Lyrics by Marshall Barer Book by Jay Thompson, Dean Fuller and Marshall Barer June 15, 16, 22, 23, 28, 29, 30 at 8pm Sunday matinees - June 17 and 24 at 3pm Matthews Acting Studio 185 Nassau Street Princeton, NJ Hope to see you there! -JCM Hello all! I'm so thrilled to actually have NEWS to report. I could get used to that I think. Be sure to catch me performing this weekend, Saturday, June 9 for MARK JANAS' 60th BIRTHDAY PARTY / CABARET SHOW / FUNDRAISER I'll be performing some of Mark Janas' original music from his show, "Pinocchio of Chelsea" as none other than Pinocchio himself! RSVP is required, so if you're interested, reserve some spots asap- It's going to be a really great event for an even greater guy. I'm honored to be included in this incredible lineup of talent for such a special occasion. I'm anticipating quite a memorable evening. Don't be a stranger.
-JCM "Every new beginning comes from some other beginning's end" -Semisonic lyric from my awkward years5/6/2012 Welcome to the new website! Thanks for joining me on my journey into the 21st century! Wait, what? It started over a decade ago? Huh.
Oh well, here we are. I'm diving head first into the interwebs, and the water's fine. If you like what you see (and I hope for your sake that you do!), you can look forward to more new videos and audio samples coming very soon. In the meantime, make yourself at home, grab yourself a drink (not included with access to this site, though I'll see what I can do in the future), and get to know me better! Other developments currently in the works include a YouTube page, more information on side projects involving original music, and ideally updates on new and upcoming GIGS (i.e. ways to see me do what I do). Side note: if you're in the business of offering gigs, then you my friend are in luck, because I'm currently in the business of ACCEPTING THEM. Also a BIG thank you goes out to Cherie Rice, whose eye behind the camera is nothing short of inspiring, and whose company in person is even better (also without whom this site would SUCK). Thanks again so much for taking the time to check out the page. Until next time, cheers! -JCM Thanks for visiting the new website. The old one gave me seizures.
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