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Today we discuss Ray's addiction to chocolate-covered berries, our current pandemic, and most importantly, we have a special interview with the UK based musician, Michael Grant.   Michael Grant's Web Site: https://www.michaelgrantmusician.com/ Michael A. Grant is a freelance musician, proficient on clarinets, bassoon, saxophones and flute. He is currently based in Manchester but available for work throughout the universe.Michael is an experienced performer in a variety of genres, including orchestral music, big band swing, and traditional jazz. He is also in high demand as a reed player for musical theatre productions, on account of his strong sight-reading ability and expertise across multiple instruments.Furthermore, he is a very capable arranger and orchestrator, as well as a keen composer. Michael Grant's new Musical: https://www.michaelgrantmusician.com/inrta/ It’s Not Really the Apocalypse’ tells the story of four friends, who wake one day after the mother of all hangovers to discover they are the only humans left on the planet. Over the course of 14 songs they must adapt to their new lifestyle, whilst also overcoming a much greater challenge: learning to live with each other. This dark subject matter is juxtaposed with a catchy, ragtime-influenced score that is sure to have you tapping your feet and singing along. Armageddon never sounded so good. If Only Your Legs Were on Your Head: https://youtu.be/jM5zlL17TSw The Jelly Roll Jazz Band: http://www.thejellyrolljazzband.co.uk/ ------------------------------------------ Green Room On Air Web Site: http://greenroomonair.com or http://raysgreenroom.com Opening and Closing Music by Carly Ozard: http://carlyozard.com    

  Today's guest is Sara Moore Sara Moore is an award-winning American clown.  Her new show is called "The Supers" Moore has created, directed, and performed material for Ringling Bros. and Barnum & Bailey Circus, The Krofft Puppets, Royal Caribbean International, Tropicana Hotels and Resorts, The New Pickle Circus, Six Flags Show Productions, and Merv Griffin’s Resorts Casino and Hotels, among others. She also wrote, directed, and co-produced the independent feature film “Homo Heights” starring Quentin Crisp, which is widely considered a cult classic today. Her recent solo show, Show Ho, has earned critical and popular acclaim through several sold-out runs. ____ Tickets for "The Supers": http://www.zspace.org/supers THE SUPERS - A Science-Fiction Magical Realism Human Cartoon Opera - written by & starring Sara Moore will be performed Feb. 19 - 29, 2020- Limited Engagement – 10 Performances Only! _____ Music by Carly Ozard: carlyozard.com Green Room on Air Web Site: raysgreenroom.com Please take a little time and rate my podcast on Itunes - http://bit.ly/GreenRoomOnAir  

As we close the show Circle Mirror Transformation at Livermore Arts, I reflect on the play and my experiences with it with it.   Music by Carly Ozard: https://carlyozard.com Green Room on Air Web Site: http://raysgreenroom.com

Circle Mirror Transformationby Annie BakerDirected by Misty Megia Livermore Arts Tickets: https://lvpac.org/ Synopsis: When four lost New Englanders enroll in Marty’s six-week-long community center drama class and begin to experiment with harmless games, hearts are quietly torn apart and tiny wars of epic proportions are waged and won. Circle Mirror Transformation is a charming and beautifully-crafted diorama, a petri dish in which we see, with hilarious detail and clarity, the antic sadness of a motley quintet. Taught by Marty, their free-spirited and supportive leader, the group — Schultz, a recently divorced, emotionally vulnerable carpenter, Teresa, an earnest and vibrant former actress, James, Marty’s quiet and genial husband, and Lauren, a reserved and self-conscious high schooler — move through a series of acting exercises, ranging from the heartbreaking to the ridiculous. Over the course of the seemingly trivial games, their emotional wounds are revealed, nursed, and healing slowly begins. Winner of the 2010 Obie Award for Best New American Play, Annie Baker’s quiet masterpiece explores the human condition and the subtle yet powerfully transforming effect we have on others through our words and indirect actions. Directed by Misty Megia, Circle Mirror Transformation will run for eight performances at the Bothwell Arts Center from November 15-24, 2019. The East End of the Bothwell Arts Center provides the perfect setting for the play which is set in a similar community center in Vermont. Megia directed last year’s acclaimed production of RED by John Logan at the Bankhead Theater, the first play self-produced by Livermore Valley Performing Arts Center. Read an interview with Misty Megia here. “Annie Baker’s play is an absolute feast… the kind of unheralded gem that sends people into thestreets babbling and bright-eyed with the desire to spread the word…”—New York Times __________________ Green Room on Air Web Site Carly Ozard provides the music for this episode    

The Two Show Day. CAST Rebecca Davis (Theresa) recently appeared as Christine Daaé in the Ohlone College/Stage 1 Theatre production of “Phantom of the Opera.” Other favorite credits include Eliza Doolittle in “My Fair Lady” at Contra Costa Civic Theatre, Laurey Williams in “Oklahoma!” at Altarena Playhouse, and Abigail Adams in “1776” for Tri-Valley Valley Theatre. Rebecca spends her free time hiking, playing video games, and eating all-you-can-eat Korean barbecue. John Girot* (Shultz) make his debut with LVPAC in Circle Mirror Transformation. Recent credits include A Few Good Men (Hillbarn Theatre), Fifth of July (Aurora Theatre Company), Arcadia (Jewel Theatre Company). He has worked locally with Central Works, EXIT Theatre, Berkeley Theater Project, and PlayGround. John is a proud Bay Area native and member of Actors’ Equity Association. He lives in Oakland with his wife and two daughters. Emma Nelson (Lauren) is so pumped to be part of the cast and crew of Circle Mirror Transformation. She loves to act, and has been doing it since she was about eight, thanks to her encouraging parents. So far, she has been in shows in and outside of Dublin High School, and one student film. She loves strawberries, rollerblading, and the color yellow. As a senior, she is remembering to take time for these little things in life while preparing for the next steps in pursuing a career in film. Ray Renati* (James) has performed in major Bay Area and London theaters, as well as in several independent films and TV programs. Favorite stage roles include Henry Higgins in Pygmalion, Arthur in Superior Donuts and Neil in The Quality of Life, Burton in Burn This, Lee in True West, and Antonio in The Merchant of Venice. Ray studied at the Royal Academy of Dramatic Art in London where he earned a certificate in Acting Shakespeare. Ray is a co-founder of the Pear Theatre in Mountain View and a proud member of Actors’ Equity. His theatre podcast is Green Room on Air (raysgreenroom.com). Rhonda Taylor (Marty) recently appeared as Jacqueline in “Don’t Dress for Dinner” and Morticia in “The Addams Family Musical” both with Chanticleers Theater. Rhonda, a long time Pleasanton resident, has been active in community theater for over 20 years. Some of her favorite credits include Louise in “Always Patsy Cline,” Gloria in “Boeing, Boeing,” Evy in “The Gingerbread Lady.” Rhonda is a lead singer for The Pushbacks, a local classic-rock cover band and has her own jewelry design business called Under a Gypsy Moon.

Opening night of Circle Mirror Transformation at Livermore arts. https://lvpac.org/event/circle-mirror-transformation/2019-11-15/ CAST Rebecca Davis (Theresa) recently appeared as Christine Daaé in the Ohlone College/Stage 1 Theatre production of “Phantom of the Opera.” Other favorite credits include Eliza Doolittle in “My Fair Lady” at Contra Costa Civic Theatre, Laurey Williams in “Oklahoma!” at Altarena Playhouse, and Abigail Adams in “1776” for Tri-Valley Valley Theatre. Rebecca spends her free time hiking, playing video games, and eating all-you-can-eat Korean barbecue. John Girot* (Shultz) make his debut with LVPAC in Circle Mirror Transformation. Recent credits include A Few Good Men (Hillbarn Theatre), Fifth of July (Aurora Theatre Company), Arcadia (Jewel Theatre Company). He has worked locally with Central Works, EXIT Theatre, Berkeley Theater Project, and PlayGround. John is a proud Bay Area native and member of Actors’ Equity Association. He lives in Oakland with his wife and two daughters. Emma Nelson (Lauren) is so pumped to be part of the cast and crew of Circle Mirror Transformation. She loves to act, and has been doing it since she was about eight, thanks to her encouraging parents. So far, she has been in shows in and outside of Dublin High School, and one student film. She loves strawberries, rollerblading, and the color yellow. As a senior, she is remembering to take time for these little things in life while preparing for the next steps in pursuing a career in film. Ray Renati* (James) has performed in major Bay Area and London theaters, as well as in several independent films and TV programs. Favorite stage roles include Henry Higgins in Pygmalion, Arthur in Superior Donuts and Neil in The Quality of Life, Burton in Burn This, Lee in True West, and Antonio in The Merchant of Venice. Ray studied at the Royal Academy of Dramatic Art in London where he earned a certificate in Acting Shakespeare. Ray is a co-founder of the Pear Theatre in Mountain View and a proud member of Actors’ Equity. His theatre podcast is Green Room on Air (raysgreenroom.com). Rhonda Taylor (Marty) recently appeared as Jacqueline in “Don’t Dress for Dinner” and Morticia in “The Addams Family Musical” both with Chanticleers Theater. Rhonda, a long time Pleasanton resident, has been active in community theater for over 20 years. Some of her favorite credits include Louise in “Always Patsy Cline,” Gloria in “Boeing, Boeing,” Evy in “The Gingerbread Lady.” Rhonda is a lead singer for The Pushbacks, a local classic-rock cover band and has her own jewelry design business called Under a Gypsy Moon.

The rehearsal process. Insomnia and Stage Fright.

Dress rehearsal with the set.

The first dress rehearsal for Circle Mirror Transformation at Livermore Arts

RaysgreenRoom.com CarlyOzard.com

Rehearsing CIRCLE MIRROR TRANSFORMATION with Livermore Arts. Livermore Arts: https://lvpac.org/ Rayrenati.com RaysGreenRoom.com Music: CarlyOzard.com

Driving home from rehearsal of “Circle Mirror Transformation” in Livermore, CA.

Theatre of Yugen Web Site http://www.theatreofyugen.org/ Puppets & Poe Directed by Shannon R. Davis Inspired by Edgar Allan Poe, devised by Theatre of Yugen, enacted with post-consumer material puppets. BE VERY AFRAID October 3 - November 2, 2019 Thursday, Friday, Saturday at 8 PM $15 STUDENTS, $35 GENERAL ADMISSION, $45 VIP (INCLUDES FREE DRINKS) Preview on October 3: Use Code “PREVIEW” at checkout for $20 Tickets Featuring: Ella Cooley, Alan Coyne, Shannon R. Davis, Steven Flores, Nick Ishimaru, and Jamin Jollo CLICK HERE FOR TICKETS or Go to http://www.theatreofyugen.org/poe     ___________________________ NICK ISHIMARU - ARTISTIC DIRECTOR Nick Ishimaru was trained originally as a musical theatre performer and started exploring Japanese theatre while studying at Colorado State University (BA, 2005), where he directed a kabuki adaptation of MacBeth. He went on to study at San Francisco State University, (MA, 2009). His work explores a combination of Western and traditional Asian performance techniques for original creations, along with work in conventional musical theatre and Shakespeare. In October 2016, he opened his debut as Theatre of Yugen’s Artistic Director, The Red Demon by Noda Hideki.  Previous directing work includes It Ain’t Me by Claire Rice (original), Land of Infants by Meghan O’Patry (original), and Kaguya (original adaptation).  Other recent production work includes A Minor Cycle by Greg Giovanni (original; actor and fight choreographer), This Lingering Life by Chiori Miyagawa (original; actor), and several traditional kyogen plays with the Theatre of Yugen (actor). SHANNON DAVIS - ARTISTIC ASSOCIATE Descendant of the Potawatomi, Ojibwe, and Saami people, Shannon R. Davis (Bay area director, actor, and educator) is 2018 Phil Killian Directing Fellow at Oregon Shakespeare Festival. Credits: Othello (associate director, American Repertory Theatre); Othello & Manahatta (assistant director, Oregon Shakespeare Festival); Adulting for Beginners (Musical Café/Ashby Stage); Religomania (Exit Theatre/San Francisco Fringe Festival); Monsters & Wild Things (Brava Theater Center).   ____________________ Music by Carly Ozard - CarlyOzard.com Find all my podcasts at RaysGreenRoom.com    

Neva and Cristina have been seen on stage in London, the UK, New York, and Los Angeles. Neva has performed in over 60 stage productions and has worked with Francis Ford Coppola, Will Smith, Jon Voight and others. Cristina has worked at many of the professional companies in the San Francisco Bay Area and Los Angles  including Theatreworks, Capital Stage, Pacific Rep. and the Grove Theatre (L.A.). Ray has teamed up with these two powerhouses to put together a production of "Love Letters" by A.R. Gurney. Love Letters will be showing at the Dragon Theatre in Redwood City for two performances only: Sunday September 14th and 15th at 7 pm. Tickets for LOVE LETTERS: http://bit.ly/lovelettersplay or Head to BrownPaperTickets.com and search for "Love Letters" Web Site for Green Room on Air: RaysGreenRoom.com  

Cate Hayman, a Bay Area Local, is making her SF Playhouse debut as Sally Bowles! She is a rising senior musical theatre major at Carnegie Mellon University.  SF Playhouse Web Site Green Room on Air Web Site Carly Ozard ________ greenroomonair@gmail.com  

Ready to interview the fabulous Cate Hayman (Sally Bowles) at SF Playhouse, I forgot to turn on the recorder and we talked but nothing was saved. This is a mistake I will never make again! Cabaret at SF Playhouse is a must see musical.  Get your tickets here. __________ Green Room On Air Opening and Closing music by Carly Ozard  

Ray talks about his second time seeing Hamilton, more on Cabaret at SF Playhouse, living life as a cabby, and the Toure de France. www.raysgreenroom.com

More thoughts on the musical Cabaret. The British parody film: Hot Fuzz on Netflix

If you happen to be in San Francisco or even if you have to make a special trip, a must see show that’s happening right now is the fantastic musical Cabaret playing at the San Francisco Playhouse. Do yourself a favor and go see this show! https://www.sfplayhouse.org/sfph/

Recently I spoke with Ellen Callas and Daniel Savio of the Tony Award winning SAN FRANCISCO MIME TROUPE. The company opened a new musical today entitled "Treasure Island".  "Treasure Island" - is it the mythical isle where untold wealth awaits marauding pirates, or the freezing cold, artificial island in the middle of San Francisco Bay awaiting cut-throat developers? Or is it both? That's the question for Jill Hawkins when an old sea-dog of a developer drops anchor in her office at City Hall, and drops a mystery in her lap. "Developers...they scour the map looking for cities with fat purses, ready to be plundered, damn the regulations!" But if Treasure Island is such a wonderful opportunity why has no one developed it yet...? What about the people who live there now? And who is the one-legged developer Hawkins was warned about? ____________________________ About the Mime Troupe The San Francisco Mime Troupe creates and produces socially relevant theater of the highest professional quality and performs it before the broadest possible audience. They do plays that make sense out of the headlines by identifying the forces that shape our lives and dramatizing the operation of these giant forces in small, close-up stories that make our audiences feel the impact of political events on personal life. To make this work accessible the Mime Troupe performs its shows in local parks at a price everyone can afford: FREE. The San Francisco Mime Troupe does not do silent pantomime. We mean 'mime' in the ancient sense: to mimic. We talk, we sing, we make a lot of noise. We are satirists, seeking to make you laugh at the absurdities of contemporary life and at the same time, see their causes. We've done shows about most of the burning issues of our time, generally shows that debunked the official story. We perform everywhere from public parks to palaces of culture, aiming to reach the broadest possible audience. SF Mime Troupe Web Site: Mime Troupe ____________________________ Green Room Radio Web Site: Green Room On Air Ray Renati on the Web Facebook: Ray on Stage Twitter: @rayrenati _____________________ Opening Music by Carly Ozard