Title: “Neighbors”

Your Theatre Reviewer: Erica Mer

“Neighbors:” “And I told you, you were an African, not an Africant.”

Hi, I’m Erica Mer, your theatre reviewer for Thespian Thoughts on Actors Entertainment.

The play, “Neighbors,” brilliantly presented by the Matrix Theatre Company in Hollywood California, left a big impression on me. “Neighbors” is not the typical, light-hearted comedy. The storyline, at times, feels uncomfortably provocative, completely uncensored and raw. Neighbors targets a mature crowd, especially those who can relate comfortably to sexual references, vulgar language, and extremely stereotypical jokes.
The writing, direction and acting, come together in a positively beautiful way. Every aspect of this production shines profoundly, both on and off stage.
The show’s writer, Branden Jacobs-Jenkins, is the winner of the “Princess Grace Award,” the “Dorothy Strelsin Playwriting Fellowship,” and received a fellowship in playwriting from the New York Foundation for the Arts. It is absolutely understandable why Jacobs-Jenkins receives praise as a play writer. He brings nothing but expertise to the stage.
Much applause also goes to the director, Nataki Garrett, who is on “The Performance Faculty and is the Co-Head of Undergraduate Acting at California Institute of the Arts where she received her MFA in directing.” Garrett does an outstanding job in bringing this story and cast together.
And, every single actor in “Neighbors” adapted to their roles so intensely and cleverly that it was pure magic to watch. Keith Arthur Bolden, Leith Burke, Julia Campbell, Baadja-Lyne, James Edward Shippy, Rachae Thomas, Daniele Watts, and Derek Webster are the 8 artists who grace the stage. Although they portray fictional characters, I never once felt like I was watching a scripted play. The dialogue, the timing, and the pace of the play were perfect. Yes, perfect.

I was particularly impressed with the actor Julia Campbell. I left the theater constantly thinking about her role and what she brought to the production. Campbell displays every single emotion; happy, sad, angry, hurt, awkward; she was not just reading lines. Campbell conveys the feeling of every word spoken. She enhances real truth to every speech, every laugh, and every cry. Julia Campbell’s performance is nothing shy of excellence.

If you would like to see a production with fantastic writing, directing, acting, and experience a great theater on top of it. Neighbors runs through October 24th, 2010 at the Matrix Theater, located in the heart of Hollywood

For more information, visit:
www.plays411.com/neighbors

Location: The Matrix Theater
7657 Melrose Ave, Hollywood, CA 90046
(Between Fairfax & La Brea, at Stanley)
Parking: Street parking near the theater

Tickets: $25
Reservations: (323) 960-7774
www.plays411.com/neighbots

Remember, all the world’s a stage.

Acting In Style
Episode 5

Red Carpet from LA Fashion corner 2010 Pre-Emmys Fashion Show
“Caring with Style” to benefit “Charity Live”

Local and national fashion designers united for a charitable cause with the LA Fashion Corner’s “Caring with Style” Fashion Show. This exclusive fashion event took place August 24th, in Hollywood, CA.

Red Carpet from LA Fashion corner 2010 Pre-Emmys Fashion Show, Part One

On the Red Carpet:

Jaimie Hilfiger, Model, Actress and Host
• Parris Harris, Associate, Daisy, Victorian
• Farin Fanaian, Student, FIDM
• Vartan Nadjaryan, Hye Angle Designs
• Angie Babaknani, Vismaya, Scarfs
• Melanie Harrison, Model
• Igal Dahan, Celebrity Jewelry “Cuffs of Love”
• Malgorzata Couture (San Diego)
• Audrey Genevieve Holland, Snow Princess fil,
• Jae Tracie, Model
• Jon Morgan Woodward, Journey film
• Sandy Jeanphillippe, Actress, Bank of Hollywood Reality Show
• Wayne Chang, Samsara
• Karla Gisselle, lingerie
• Andrea Lin, a dance and gogo creator
• Alicia Hovell, actor
• Lynda-Maree Ceritsen, actor
• Danielle LoPresti, singer, performer

Red Carpet from LA Fashion corner 2010 Pre-Emmys Fashion Show, Part Two

On the Red Carpet:

• Claire Sinclair, Actress – Playboy Centerfold October 2010
• Dave Shelton, Writer, Cartoonist, Actor
• Esau McKnight, Black Cat Limousine Service
• Mark Valinsky, actor
• Marc Mendez, certified airbrush make-up artist
• Walter Mendez, designer Walters Collection
• Darche Cinn, singer
• RydazB HoNrtist, singing group
• Diahnna Nicole Baxter, producer
• B. Howard, singer
• Aaron M. Sanchez, NBC Radio Host

The event raised funds and awareness on behalf of the communities affected by the oil spill earlier this year in Louisiana’s Gulf of Mexico. While many designers have supported their individual causes in the past, this event marked the first time a group of designers joined together in the name of one cause. The Gulf spill has devastated the long-term livelihood of thousands of Gulf residents – fisherman, restaurant and resort owners/workers, sport fishing operators, shop owners and business owners and workers at large – leaving them all at dire risk for their economic future. Additionally, the sea life of the area has suffered greatly; turtles, fish, birds, alligators, and vital plant life are all victims of this tragic event.

Charity Lives, LA Fashion Corner and F.A.M.E (Fashion, Art Music Entertainment) came together to provide this star-studded fashion show capping off the 62nd annual Emmy Awards by showcasing some of the country’s most exciting new fashion designers. The fashion industry’s top models, wardrobe stylists and hair and make-up artists donated their time and talent to the cause.

The red carpet was followed by a luxury fashion show with music, fashion industry exhibits, gourmet appetizers and complimentary gift bags. A VIP reception featuring celebrities from the worlds of entertainment and fashion was held for special sponsors and donors.

For Interview, Talent and Media please contact:
Yvette Morales
YM & Associates PR | Marketing | Business Development
949-244-9769 or YMoralesY@aol.com

/wp-content/videos/5_LA_Fashion_Corner_Photos_by_Travis_Jourdain.flv
Photos by Travis Jourdain

Acting in Style is on Actors Entertainment, an arm of the Actors Podcast Network, a Pepper Jay Production.

“Love is like a bus stop, some people seem to be waiting for it here.”

The Vagabond Players Theater Company presents, “Passengers,” by author Sam Bobrick. This theater company is “a 12-year-old self producing company of actors, directors, and writers committed to the production of quality published and original works of passion, depth, and humor, illuminating the various colors of the human experience.” Lewis Hauser directed and Catherine Michaels produced this production that brings positive work to the stage. The show involves eight actors who play seventeen characters in eight short scenes, all set in a small mid-western bus station. Bobrick’s writing provides wit and clever twists, which I enjoyed greatly. Some of the concepts within “Passengers,” are over the top, but extremely enjoyable because they’re real. Life is not always censored or respectable, they are sometimes cruel and difficult to watch. He allows the audience to watch relatable characters and have fun while doing it.

Each scene allows the audience to feel what its like at a bus stop. What’s especially engaging is observing the different groups of people as they converse. Personally, I am a people watcher and enjoy drawing my own conclusions about who they are, where they are possibly going, and why. The concept for this play allows the audience to watch without getting caught staring at the wacky characters.

Each scene was different from the next, but because the story was well written, all the sections came together.
The first scene, at the bus stop, involves two lonely and sad people who believe they are dead. They sit together, imagining how the afterlife will be. They eventually break away from their miserable feelings and allow happiness to stem from each other’s company. One line that I found to be so clever is, “I’m a republican.” “Why are you telling me that?” “I didn’t want you to expect too much.” The transition from this story to the next was subtle, but the subject matters were so different.

The last story that I really enjoyed involves a woman wearing a wedding dress and she runs into the bus station with a gentleman. The man is not in a suit, but rather in jeans and a shirt. I will not give away the plot, but a line that really made me laugh was, “To be carried away by my old boyfriend, this is always how I wanted my wedding to be.” This particular scene plays quite differently from one that the audience may expect.

“Passengers,” tells eight short stories that all provide wit, humor and overall a very enjoyable time. I encourage people to attend the production of “Passengers.” I am certain that every person in the audience will be able to relate to at least one character, or know somebody with a similar story. “Passengers” writing and storyline is simply fantastic and should not be missed.

The Vagabond Players Theater Company presents:
“Passengers”
A Comedy/Drama
By: Sam Bobrick

Runs: Fridays & Saturdays at 8:00pm

Closing: Saturday, August 28, 2010 at 8:00pm

Location: The Raven Playhouse
5233 Lankershim Blvd, North Hollywood (just north of Magnolia)

Parking: Street parking near the theater, also city lot (entrance on Magnolia, free after 6:00pm)

Tickets: $15-Students, Seniors & Group discounts
Reservations: (818) 206-4000

Models Best Friend
Episode 1
Title: Photography Tips from photographer John Wright & model Regina Schnitzer

Hollywood, California
Professional High-Fashion Model Regina Schnitzer (Romania, Israel) with photographer John Wright share tips on taking fashion photos using a reflector and natural lighting. Also assisting is model Simone Schmitz (Germany) and model-in-the-making Katelyn Haynes (Florida USA).

Model Regina Schnitzer

Always good to “play” in front of a camera.
Break the body down into interesting different positions.
The models gaze can be far away or into the lens.
Change thoughts and attitude with each photo session segment.
Look through fashion magazines and see how the advertising models pose.
When it’s bright, especially with a reflector, close your eyes until right before the shot.
The shine from the reflector should not be directly on the model’s eyes.
Pay attention to your surroundings … sometimes it’s good to clean things up and sometimes it’s better to work with the dirt and stuff that’s in existence.

Tips for Plus Size Models by model Anne Beyer:

Models are beautiful for who they are; when their beauty inside shows on their outside. A good model puts soul into the pictures.
The eyes and the smile are very important.
All kinds of models are needed because there are all kinds of clothes; not just skinny models for skinny clothes.
Never lose your passion!

Model Anne Beyer

Photographer John Wright John Wright’s Website

Models Best Friend or Models BFF is a show on Actors Entertainment, a site on the Actors Podcast Network, a Pepper Jay Production.