2012 Archives
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December 17, 2012
Surprise, Surprise Today we closed Seussical: The Musical. I had an absolute ball working on this production. Who knew? When I was asked to be in it, I really wasn't sure if I wanted to do it. I was already in rehearsal for two other productions and adding a third seemed a little cray cray. Plus, taking this on meant that I would have 25 straight days of rehearsals. Not a single day off for almost a month seemed paralyzing. On the flip side, I love to get paid for doing what I do and the part involved me walking onstage, belting face, and leaving. The deciding factor? Two of my best friends were in it. So I did it! And I am SO thankful! I absolutely adored this show. I got to be bedazzled . . . 
. . . and work with people I heart deeply . . .
. . . and wear this fabulous outfit and purple wig. (Doesn't it look like cotton candy? I wanted to eat it!)
I honestly thought this past month was going to be the worst because I would be so overwhelmed. Much to my pleasant surprise, it's been awesome. Yes, I am exhausted. Yes, I can't WAIT to have a day off. (That day is only 5 short days away. Amen!) But I am so thankful I said yes to this experience. It's been a joy. Thank you to all involved! I'd happily and without hesitation do another production of Seussical in the future.
In other news, An Evening of Andrew Lloyd Webber is almost completely sold out! Get your tickets today! - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - November 21, 2012
Seussical: The Musical I will be hopping, (pun intended), into the role of the "Sour Kangaroo" in Seussical: The Musical. I was asked to step into the role at the last minute to replace someone who is no longer with the production. SO . . . we open December 8th! December is going to be cray cray as I will be in rehearsal for three shows at once but I am excited to add this to my projects. I LOVE the music. The show promises to be just adorable. I had my first rehearsal last night and I am excited to channel my "inner black diva", (she lives in all of us), for this soulful and belt-your-face-off role! For more information you can visit my events page or get your tickets here! 
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To Be A Star "To Be A Star" from the Original Cast Album of Melanie and the Record Man is here! I have posted it below for you to listen to. Special thanks to Beau and Melanie for letting us share it before the album is finished. Also, a big hug to Beau for pouring his heart and soul into this track and the entire album. I love ya, my friend. More tracks to come soon! So exciting!!! "To Be A Star" from Melanie and the Record Man Company: Melanie Safka, Mandy Hassett, Nick Faruch, Danny Hoskins, Janine Mercandetti, Carl Del Buono and Robyn Fazio. Produced by Beau Jarred Schekeryk Music & Lyrics by Melanie Safka Piano by Andy Pratt Original Production Directed & Conceived by John Haldoupis - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - November 1, 2012
Original Cast Recording I have always wanted to be on the original cast recording of an album and I can finally say that I am! We have officially laid down some tracks from our world premiere production of Melanie and the Record Man! The master, Beau Jarrod Shekeryk, is producing the album. We are hoping to have a few tracks ready to be released by Christmas! I just want to say thank you to everyone who has been so supportive of our production. It's been a whirlwind month and a once in a lifetime experience. I am truly honored to be a part of this exceptional piece of theatre. Melanie and Beau have become like family and I admire their passion, integrity and artistry. Creating with them and getting to know them has been a gift. But I have to say the thing I treasure most has been watching the joy this process has brought my friend John Haldoupis, the creator and director of this production, and being a part of his dream coming to fruition. In addition to that treasure, the audience reaction has been overwhelming. During one performance, the cast and audience literally just sat and cried together. I wish there were words to describe the magic. It is incredibly rewarding to know that our art is reaching people and staying with them long after they leave the theatre. I'm not sure where the show is headed but we had a Tony Award winning Broadway producer as well as some other NYC producers at the show and we are all excited for the great possibilities that could be ahead of us. I will be sure to keep you posted on the latest as I am allowed to share it! Fingers crossed. In the meantime, I have posted a rehearsal clip of "Close To It All" for you to enjoy! Can't wait to share the cast album with you when we can! 
With Melanie Safka . . . aka "Mama Mel"
- - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - October 23, 2012 Lay It On Down I am excited to share that we begin recording the Original Cast Album for Melanie and the Record Man tonight! That's right . . . we're gonna "lay it on down". (Pun intended). The best part? The album is being produced by Melanie and Beau themselves! I'm also quite honored to share that I have been asked by Melanie to include my solo on this album as well. I sing her Emmy Award winning song "The First Time I Loved Forever" from the television series Beauty and the Beast. Awesomeness. More details about the album as I get them. Until then, enjoy a few pics from our show! 
As "Joyce" with Mandy Hassett as "Younger Melanie"
As "Polly Sakfa" with Mandy Hassett and Nick Faruch
Melanie with Mandy Hassett
With Danny Hoskins, Beau Jarred Schekeryk, Carl Del Buono, Robyn Fazio and Melanie
Our INCREDIBLE set. By John Haldoupis.
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An Evening of Andrew Lloyd Webber I am exhausted from eight days straight of Melanie and the Record Man performances. (Incredible world premiere. More on that later.) So . . . this will be brief. I am happy to share that I will be choreographing and playing Evita (Evita), The Narrator (Joseph and the Amazing Technicolor Dreamcoat), Mary Magdalene (Jesus Christ Superstar) and some other favorites in An Evening of Andrew Lloyd Webber at Blackfriars Theatre! Ring in your New Year with the most cherished songs from this Broadway legend. Only four performances so get your tickets today! 
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Melanie Magic We had our first read-thru for Melanie and the Record Man last night. It was truly magical! What a story to be told. You could feel the energy in the room. You will not want to miss the world premiere of this producition. There is something very special being created here. We're going places peeps. Please enjoy a few pictures from our first rehearsal. Get your tickets today! 
The Company
Mandy Hasset (Younger Melanie) and Nick Faruch (Peter)
Beau Jarred Schekeryk, Janine Mercandetti, Nick Faruch and Mandy Hasset.
Melanie
The Company
- - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - September 14, 2012 Not Just Another Opening Tonight we open [title of show]! I am very excited to finally have an audience. We have all been working very hard to make this show rock and if you are a theatre fan, you most certainly shouldn't miss one. But tonight is not just another opening night like so many I have had in the past. Tonight, I open a show for the first time and my Mom won't be sitting in the audience. Although I know she will be watching from the best seat in the house, I am a different person and therefore a different actor because of this loss. Performing, especially tonight for the first time without her in the theatre, will never be the same. So tonight's show, and every show, I dedicate to my beautiful Mama, Andrea Mercandetti. I love you and I miss you more than words. I've included a couple of pictures from our production below for you to enjoy. I look forward to seeing y'all in the theatre! 
With Elizabeth West (Heidi) and Janine Mercandetti (Susan)
The [title of show] Company
- - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - August 31, 2012 Gig Guide I'm happy to share that I have been asked to join the cast of the JCC CenterStage's production of Encore! Broadway Favorites from the American Songbook. Featuring favorites from Rodgers and Hammerstein, Irving Berlin, Jerome Kern, Leonard Bernstein, Rogers and Hart, George and Ira Gershwin, Lerner and Loewe, Stephen Sondheim and more, the "best of the best" are celebrated in this 10th installment of Linda and Sandy Foster's Jewish-American composer series. I am the only cast member who hasn't been a part of this performance series in the past and am excited to join this company of talented artists and to be working with friends old and new! In other news, I recorded a voice-over for a bank a couple of weeks ago. Always happy and thankful for this kind of work! Lastly, [title of show] rehearsals are well underway! What a ball we are having bringing this one to life. It feels like soul food diving into this comedy and getting back to my comedic roots. We open September 14th then it's right into Melanie rehearsal. For more information on any of these productions or to purchase your tickets, please visit my events page. - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - July 24, 2012 [title of show] I'm excited to share that I have been cast as "Susan" in the hysterically funny four person musical [title of show]! From Wikipedia: [title of show] is a one-act musical, with music and lyrics by Jeff Bowen and a book by Hunter Bell. The show chronicles its own creation as an entry in the New York Musical Theatre Festival, and follows the struggles of the author and composer/lyricist and their two actress friends, Heidi and Susan, during the initial brief (three-week) creative period, along with subsequent events leading up to the show's production. [title of show] was chosen for production by the Musical Theatre Festival and premiered there, in September 2004, in New York City. It later ran off-Broadway at the Vineyard Theatre in 2006, earning a second limited run the same year, then played at Broadway's Lyceum Theatre in 2008 for 13 previews and 102 regular performances. Writer/stars Bowen and Bell, as well as director Michael Berresse all won Obie Awards for their work on the off-Broadway production, and Bell was nominated for a Tony Award for Best Book of a Musical. Our production will also feature the talents of the incredible Dan Howell (Jeff), Matt Liptak (Hunter) and Elizabeth West (Heidi). This show is laugh out loud funny and a tuneful love letter to the uniquely American art form. For more information on this must see production please visit my events page or visit Blackfriars Theatre to purchase your tickets today! - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - July 11, 2012 Some Updates As fate would have it, I actually can't be a part of Love, Loss, and What I Wore. I am out of town for most of the rehearsals and although it's a rotating cast for the performances, we all agreed I should sit this one out. However, I did go to the first rehearsal and the ladies are all terrific. I hope you will still see the show if you can. I'm leaving the information on my site so you have all of the details at your fingertips. I am signing on to another project. This one isn't until next year but I am looking forward to sharing the details with you when I can. It's been a summer of surprises. I look forward to returning to the stage in a couple of months. Honestly, it will be good for my soul. I hope you are all well. Stay tuned . . . - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - June 30, 2012 Love, Loss, and What I Wore The creative universe has a strange and beautiful way of bringing projects into my life that I can not only relate to at present but that through my work in them, provide me a sense of healing. I am happy to share that I will be a part of Nora and Delia Ephron's play Love, Loss, and What I Wore. The play is a series of monologues. The subject matter of the monologues includes women's relationships and wardrobes and at times the interaction of the two, using the female wardrobe as a time capsule of a woman's life. As many of you know, Nora Ephron recently passed. My own precious Mother also died suddenly a couple of weeks ago. I believe working on this play will be cathartic and allow for some deeply truthful work. I will not be performing in every show and will provide a list of the performances I am in once I have them. For information on the production, visit the Blackfriars Theatre website or my Events page. I have also added a song to my Recordings page. It's a live recording of my Mom and I singing "The Prayer" at my brother's wedding a couple of years ago. It's a partial recording but most of the song is there. It is incredibly special to me. I hope you will listen. - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - June 11, 2012 'Melanie' is a Rockin' and a Rollin' There are so many exciting things to share about Melanie and the Record Man. I'll start with our set. The sketch is completed and it is INCREDIBLE! The record on the floor is a turntable. There is a purple painted scrim tab curtain with antique sari's sewn together as swag drapes in the back. The center brick wall flips "over" and is a giant tilt mirror on the other side. That's just a few of the breathtaking elements of this original set. It's designed by director and co-creator John Haldoupis. Check it out below. 
T-shirts and sweatshirts will soon be available to order online. They will also be available for purchase at the show! Actually, there will be an assortment of Melanie merchandise for sale online soon. I don't have a complete list of everything yet but I do know we are making a commemorative photo book of our rehearsal process and the production itself. Melanie will be selling her CD's and her latest book at the show as well. Check out the T-shirt below! I will post the link to our online store so you can purchase your items as soon as it becomes available to me. 
I feel truly giddy about this production and am honored to be a part of it from its inception. I'm so looking forward to sharing the stage with a true living legend! I will be updating you here about the production as it continues to grow and evolve so be sure to check back soon! - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - May 14, 2012 JCC's 'Parade' Musical is a Stellar Production I have received the most wonderful emails, letters, phone calls and audience responses about our incredible production of Parade! I can't thank you enough for the way you have embraced our show and the truly generous and moving words so many of you have shared with me about my work as "Lucille Frank" and the work of everyone involved in the production as a whole. Below is a letter that was in the newspaper today from an audience member that I wanted to share you. Letter to the Editor: I’ve spent 25 years in this cultural city and have been regularly impressed with the quality of its live theater. Last night was memorable. I was at the Jewish Community Center for their musical Parade, based on a true story that happened early in the 20th century. The music was melodious and powerful. It enhanced the mood of the story and added beautifully to the periods of love, sadness, gaiety and thought provocation. It premiered at the Lincoln Center in NYC but was set aside for some rewrite work. Everything about the production was superb. There was much well-integrated dance that helped move the story along. The professional cast left you wanting for more after each scene. I feel so fortunate that the JCC had the courage and talent to present it. Another gem of a theater in our cultural city. -DOLORES FRATES - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - May 3, 2012 The Parade Begins Tonight is our preview performance of Parade! I am incredibly proud to be a part of this production and the art that is being created on stage by our gifted company of professional actors, musicians, and creative artists. I can sincerely say that you will truly regret missing this stunning, powerful, and brilliant piece of musical theatre. Below is a letter from our director. We hope to see you in the theatre! Dear supporters and theatergoers, I cannot thank you enough for the tremendous encouragement and support during the six years I have been running the JCC theatre. It is exciting and rewarding for me and I appreciate the feedback, both positive and negative. It all helps us grow the theatre together. While I get excited about every show we do, our upcoming PARADE holds the honor of "most anticipated" for me. I have loved this beautiful and powerful musical since I first heard it over 10 years ago, but only now, did I feel that the theatre and the audiences were ready to experience it on the JCC stage. We have assembled the most amazing cast, staff and orchestra to ensure this epic story is one you can appreciate, connect with, and enjoy. PARADE is a musical in the tradition of Les Miserables, Fiddler on the Roof, Caroline or Change, Rent, Evita, West Side Story and others, which use the power of music to tell important and meaningful stories. Please join me in embracing this wonderful new show at CenterStage and thank you for all you do to ensure quality, professional theatre can thrive at the JCC. Sincerely, Ralph Meranto, Artistic Director - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - April 25, 2012 Spatola's Party Rental I recorded a jingle for Spatola's PartyRental today. Listen for it to hit the radio sometime next month! - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - April 20, 2012 The Zero Hour The JCC CenterStage will be presenting a SummerFest Readers Theatre series in their Hart Theatre. The festival includes three staged script in-hand readings beginning in June. I have been asked to play "O" in the The Zero Hour! Below are the details for the entire festival. The best part? It's free! Come join us for some provocative and engaging theatre this summer! Bent by Martin Sherman Sunday, June 10 at 7pm This 1979 play about Nazi persecution of homosexual men has become the definitive play on the subject leading to increased awareness and research into this forgotten aspect of the holocaust. No Word for Me in Guyanese by Wendy Graf Sunday, June 24 at 7pm As if being an average American teenager isn't hard enough, try being a Muslim lesbian from Guyana coming of age in post-9/11 Queens. A new play that has taken L.A. and NYC by storm. The Zero Hour by Madeline George Sunday, July 1 at 7pm Rebecca and her chronically unemployed butch girlfriend, O, have created a happy nest in their run-down walk-up in Queens, but things are starting to unravel. The more O pushes Rebecca to stop hiding their relationship, the more Rebecca's work life - writing a textbook for seventh graders about the Holocaust - begins to bleed into her personal life as visions of mysterious Nazis start visiting her on the subway. - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - April 7, 2012 Coming Soon We are less than a month away from opening night of Parade! Tickets are now on sale. To purchase yours, you may call the box office at (585) 461-2000 ext. 235 or go online to the CenterStage website. I am so excited to bring this true story to life alongside a cast of 36 exceptionally talented artists. It's a stunning and important piece. This production is not to be missed. Get your tickets today! - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - March 13, 2012 Melanie Lowdown Melanie and the Record Man in blowing up! People are actually flying in from Europe to see the show. Tickets are now on sale for our original production and the press has begun! I invite you to like the Melanie page on facebook. I will be keeping everyone up to date on here as well but all the latest will always be posted on facebook and on the Blackfriars website. This is such an exciting opportunity. I feel blessed to be a part of the process and to work with a true living legend. I will actually be singing her songs in front of her! I feel so honored . . . and a little nervous. Also, here is a link to the first of many articles about the show. Check it out! Melanie Article - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - February 21, 2012 Casino Voice-over Spot I recently booked a voice-over spot for Hamburg Casino! I spent a few hours today in the studio recording it. There were two other people there with me and we had a ball. The three of us did all of the lead and back-up vocals. It turns out they will be making two spots out of our session. One is a 30 second radio spot which will obviously play on the radio. The other is a full 2 minute spot which is being turned into a music video that will play in the casino. Once I have a copy of the radio cut, I will post it to my voice-over page. I have to say, I really do love this kind of work. I look forward to doing more of it soon! - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - February 18, 2012 Blackfriars Theatre Board I am excited to announce that I will be joining the Board of Directors at Blackfriars Theatre! Blackfriars Theatre produces 6 plays each year (5 per season, 1 special summer show). Their theatrical season starts each fall and runs through May. The committed group of performers, technicians and volunteers are proud to bring live entertainment in the form of dramatic and musical productions to the community in western New York. I look forward to continuing my work there both on and off stage and giving back to my community in the way that means most to me! _ - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - January 20, 2012 Parade I am elated and honored to share that I will be making my debut at the JCC CenterStage Hart Theatre playing the role of "Lucille Frank" in the regional debut of Jason Robert Brown's Parade! This poignant musical tells the true story of the 1913 "Trial of the Century" in which Leo Frank, a Brooklyn-born Jew living in Atlanta, was falsely accused of killing Mary Phagan, a young girl working in the factory he managed. Leo was railroaded through a trial, found guilty and sentenced to hang. His wife, Lucille Frank, launched a heroic campaign to save his life, eventually convincing the Governor to overturn the death sentence — only to have a mob of vigilantes drag Leo from prison in the middle of the night and lynch him. The show's title refers to the annual parade held on Confederate Memorial Day, for it was on that day in 1913 that the murder took place. The parade (which is seen at the start, middle and end of the musical to mark the passing of years) was a rallying point for proud Southerners still affected by their defeat in the Civil War. With a beautiful, evocative score by Broadway composer Jason Robert Brown (The Last Five Years, 13, Songs for a New World) and a powerful book by Alfred Uhry (Driving Miss Daisy) this highly acclaimed musical is at once a riveting murder mystery, a gripping courtroom drama, a moving love story, a profile in courage and a searing social commentary. This production is not to be missed! Please visit my events page for more information. I hope to see you there_ - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - January 12, 2012 National Anthem I will be singing the National Anthem at the Blue Cross Arena (War Memorial) again! Dates are posted on my events page and will be continually updated there as they become available to me. I hope everyone has a very merry Christmas! - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - January 10, 2012 Melanie Contest Below is a post from Melanie about how you can win tickets to the show and an original cast recording . . . My Dear Ones, Here's a way for you to get involved in the October 2012 opening of "Melanie and the Record Man - a musical memoir"...a play about Peter and me. Help me find the perfect picture of Peter for this poster. Send in pictures you've taken of Peter over the years (1960s-2010). If we choose your photo for the poster, you'll receive 4 free tickets to the show, credit in the program and a copy of the original cast recording signed by the entire company. Send your photos to [email protected] Love, Melanie We hope to see you at the show! - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - January 7, 2012 Melanie and the Record Man "Melanie and the Record Man [working title] is in development to have it's debut at Blackfriars Theatre in Rochester, NY and plans to tour nationally prior to a Broadway engagement. The show will star Melanie Safka as herself and Broadway performer Nicolette Hart portraying her younger self. Beau Jarred will serve as Musical Director and arranger. A cast of 6 performers will weave the love story of Peter's life with the legendary star using her song catalog as well as new material." - melaniesafkacult.com I am happy to announce that I have been cast in Melanie and the Record Man! I will be playing "Woman 1" which means I get to play every other female character in the show other than Melanie. Since this is a brand new musical, I don't have all the details just yet but look forward to sharing them with you when I can. Updated information will be posted here and on my events page. Please stay tuned! |