Category: acting

Nostalgia….’Our Lady of the Tortilla’

Our Lady of the Tortilla
Our Lady of the Tortilla

Recently one of my writer friends asked me about ‘Our Lady of the Tortilla‘ by Luis Santeiro. Directed by yours truly in 2003-2004 season at the Harbor Playhouse, Corpus Christi, Texas. It got back to  me that the well established directors said, with a sneer, that they didn’t want to direct ‘that little Mexican play’. Since I was new to the area, and trying to establish myself at Harbor, I jumped at the chance to direct anything.

‘That little Mexican play’ sold out every weekend.   It was heartwarming to see new faces (in  the Harbor Playhouse audience) including Catholic priests, nuns, and Hispanics who needed an interpreter.  Continue reading “Nostalgia….’Our Lady of the Tortilla’”

The Early Days of Rehearsal…Stanley the Stalwart Dragon

Elem.Sch.#4n Elem.Sch.#3n Elem.Sch.#2_n Elem.School#1_nEastford Elementary School Drama Dept. (Connecticut)  begins rehearsal for their production of “Stanley, the Stalwart Dragon” by Trisha Sugarek.

Opens in May 2015.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

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DON’T MISS UPCOMING BLOGS featuring INTERVIEWS with  best-selling AUTHORS! April’s author is Jodi Thomas. June’s author is mega-superstar, Dorothea Benton Frank.
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Stanley, the Stalwart Dragon Visits Chicago and Connecticut this Spring

fairy tales, fables, elves, fairies, running away, audio books  Two elementary schools will produce my stage play, ‘Stanley the Stalwart Dragon‘ in May.

This is what I live and write for!

Medinah Christian School, outside of Chicago opens the play May 8th.  And, also in May, Stanley opens at the Eastford Elementary School in Connecticut.

I have been in touch with both schools and will be sending ‘Stanley’ in the illustrated story-book form to their library.

Synopsis:  Stanley, a young dragon, has run away from home. He feels that he is a failure and, as dragons go, he probably is. He’s kind, soft spoken, a good friend and can’t for the life of him, breathe FIRE! One day Stanley and his best friend and side kick, a lady bug named Persnickety land in the fabled forest. Emma is an earthling girl who lives on a farm and plays in the nearby forest with her magical friends. The loveable villain is a raven named City Slick, the Third. Thomas, the pedantic sea turtle, expresses himself in colorful sea faring lingo. And Cheets, the effervescent elf, are just a few of Stanley’s new friends.

One dark night Slick lures Stanley away from the forest and sells him to the circus. The owner of the circus, Freckles the Clown, has left Stanley chained, alone in a tent, ‘where he will remain until he breathes fire!’ The Queen of the Faeries gives Donald and Emma a quest; to go and find Stanley and rescue him.

While this is an adventure story full of laughter, it teaches children that no matter what, it is never a good idea to run away from home and is frequently very dangerous. The fable addresses bigotry, greed, loyalty and kindness to others.
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DON’T MISS UPCOMING BLOGS featuring INTERVIEWS with  best-selling AUTHORS! April’s author is Jodi Thomas.  June’s author will be Dorothea Benton Frank.
To receive my posts sign up for my blog, blogs, blogger, writer, author, playwright, books, plays,fiction  On the home page, enter your email address.  I love comments!  Take the time to write one at the bottom of the post.   Thanks!

 

 

Celebrate Black History Month with Billie Holiday!!

Billie Holiday, black history month, African-American, people of colorPlaywright, author, Trisha Sugarek celebrated Black History Month with a musical, staged reading of her one woman show, “Scent of Magnolia”, A Tribute to the Life and Music of Billie Holiday.  Playing to a sold out house, the reading featured Krystle Pitts (as jazz singer, Billie Holiday) and Ben Rafuse (as Billie’s ‘piano man) on keyboard’. ‘God Bless the Child’ video from the show, click here:  https://www.facebook.com/writeratplay

black history month, billie Holiday, people of color,
Ben Rafuse, Billie’s ‘piano man’

Synopsis:
“Scent of Magnolia” tells the story of a young woman who rose above poverty, rape, bigotry, prostitution and imprisonment to become one of the most memorable and celebrated artists of the twentieth century. This one woman show portrays the life of a black jazz singer in America during the 30’s. The script does not dwell on the sensationalism of her addiction to alcohol and drugs but chooses, rather, to celebrate the whole woman and her music.

Billie Holiday, stage plays, scripts, monologues, jazz singer, segregrationBillie tells us not only her story, but the nation’s story. She interjects her tale with her most famous music as well as some of her more obscure songs. In her own words, she talks about her struggle to succeed in spite of the segregation of that time and the difficulties she experienced singing with the great bands, most of which were white men. Without self pity , she talks about the daily slings and arrows that are a part of bigotry. Billie takes complete responsibility for her life, her choices, and her actions. Her triumph was her music and her songs that will live on forever.

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Where will your writing take you?

Billie Holiday, jazz, stage play, one act play,              I was going through some old photos to update my gallery here on my site and I came across this wonderful production shot of Latrelle Bright, as Billie Holiday.  The Renaissance Guild in San Antonio, Texas featured “Scent of Magnolia” in their OneAct Series back in…..gosh, I want to say 2003.  Originally I was the playwright, Latrelle was directing it and we had an actress who could sing.  We lost our actress so Latrelle (an accomplished actor) stepped in as Billie Holiday and I stepped up as director.  Happy Accident time!  She was fabulous!  Sang all of Billie’s songs acappella. Who knew she had such a lovely voice?  Standing “O’s” every performance with lots of tears from the audience. (A writer’s dream)

Latrelle is now a happy resident of Chicago (where it all started for me with this script; funny how that worked out) and is pursuing her teaching career in the performing arts.

What a journey Billie and I have had.  Originally I wrote this stage play for a friend Continue reading “Where will your writing take you?”

My Years in the French Quarter, New Orleans! Nostalgia (part 8)

New.Orl.Mist.Hand to the heavens these are all true stories of my life in New Orleans. 1977-79 was a wonderful time to live in the French Quarter.  I was working full-time as an actor (stage, radio, TV) and since that never pays anything regular, I had a part-time job as personal assistant to the publisher of a tourist magazine.  So now to the storytelling:

My apartment was a two room attic above a restored (1860’s) town house. I couldn’t afford the downstairs. (starving artist, remember)  The slave quarters on the other side of the garden was also a luxury apartment.  But I loved my little place where when you opened the windows you could look out over the French roof tops and see just the upper structure of freighters moving slowly up the river.  Late at night I would lie there with the windows open and listen to the clip-clop of the horse-drawn carriages wearily making their way back to the stables.  The tenants changed out below me and  my new neighbors, it turned out, was the mob boss’s nephew coming up through the ranks and his (high-end call girl) girl friend who worked at Lucky Pierre’s (a lounge and escort service).  I’ll tell you more about the ‘connected guy’ later.  Continue reading “My Years in the French Quarter, New Orleans! Nostalgia (part 8)”

Prologue to a Saturday Post

Saturday I will post a nostalgic piece about my years living in the Vieux Carré of New Orleans.  Full time actress, part time day job (gotta pay the rent) radio and TV talent.  Hookers, mob bosses, millionaires all supporting our live theatre productions. Rehearsing in the cellar of the Performing Arts Building, where little beady red eyes watched from the shadows.   So we will start with a little poetry to wet your curiosity:

New.Orl.Mist.Adieux My Beauty  ©

Standing outside the gate,
eager to say goodbye, remembering
all the reasons to say hello

New Orleans, that witchy woman, whose song is
loved and never forgotten, whose taste
lingers on the tongue forever.
Where love bloomed on a rain slick night

Now, as I bend to kiss the powdered, rouged
cheek, my nostrils are assailed by
the sweet odor of rotting flesh eaten
away in the darkest recesses by a decadent,
self indulgent cancer Continue reading “Prologue to a Saturday Post”

Getting Ready to Audition?

Are you gearing up for that special audition at the high school, university, or community theatre?  Or maybe you are a seasoned actor who needs something NEW and FRESH to show them!!

Cover.Frnt .Mono. Final Monologues 4 Women is just that.  Original, never before seen monologues mixed in with the classics.

 

 

Tear away all the profound, pompous opinions about a successful audition.
Here’s the nitty, gritty facts of going through the audition process by an actor/director/author with thirty years experience in the theatre.

This collection of contemporary, original monologues also includes several pieces for the African-American woman.  Mixed with classic.

 

Available at https://www.writeratplay.com/monologues-for-women/   Add one more book of your choice and get FREE Shipping!!
OR

http://www.amazon.com/Monologues-Women-Original-monologues-character/dp/1480150711/ref=sr_1_128?s=books&ie=UTF8&qid=1411910013&sr=1-128&keywords=monologues+for+women
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DON’T MISS UPCOMING BLOGS featuring INTERVIEWS with  best-selling AUTHORS!

In addition to my twice weekly blog I also feature an interview with another author once a month. So come along with me; we shall sneak into these writers’ special places, be a fly on the wall and watch them create!    Barbara Delinsky and Elizabeth Hoyt will be my October authors.

To receive my posts sign up for my blog, blogs, blogger, writer, author, playwright, books, plays,fiction  On the home page, enter your email address.  Thanks!

Who is that Actor? The Not-so-Famous, Obscure Actors..

‘I love that actor!  Wasn’t he on Boston Legal?  What’s his name?  Didn’t she used to have her own show? Can you name him/her?  (Answers below if you get stumped.)

clemenson
Just last week he had a guest appearance in the wildly popular “Manhattan” (Manhattan Project was the code word for the development of the A-bomb)  In 1999, He appeared in the Buffy the Vampire Slayer episode “Bad Girls” as a morbidly obese demon named Balthazar. He wore a large padded suit and extensive make-up for the role, and the character’s repulsive, villainous nature contradicted many of his earlier roles.  Recently, He has become known for his role as Jerry “Hands” Espenson on the television series Boston Legal. For playing Espenson, he won an Emmy Award for Best Guest Actor in a Drama Series in 2006 and was nominated for the same award in 2007. He remained with the series through to its finale in 2008.  In 2009, He joined CSI: Miami as the new medical examiner, Dr. Tom Loman. He appeared throughout the show’s eighth, ninth and tenth seasons as a recurring character. 2013, also he appeared as guest star in Harry’s Law.  Answer: (nosnemelC, naitsirhC) Continue reading “Who is that Actor? The Not-so-Famous, Obscure Actors..”

That’s a Wrap! The Final Exit…Robin Williams

RobinWhat’s with you middle-aged men who give up?  Just when the door of freedom is opening.  Free to do what you want and ignore the rest, freedom from putting up with a–holes, freedom to NOT set the alarm clock.  Freedom to start on your bucket list.

You might say, ‘Trish, you’re being a little harsh.  You don’t know what he was going through.”  YEAH, I DO and I’m harsh because it’s such a damn waste of life and living.  And because my middle-aged man took his own life so I’m an expert on the devastation, guilt and  grief that suicide leaves behind!  I am more than a little pissed off at Robin for leaving us…his fans.  And I know exactly what his wife and family are going through.  The worst being that there are so many unanswered questions.  I was one of the lucky ones who got answers.  Did they make me feel any better,  NO.robin.2…

Continue reading “That’s a Wrap! The Final Exit…Robin Williams”