La Muse Venale Acting Troupe Calendar (click here).
Productions
Honestly Abe by Robert L. Hecker
La Muse Venale, Inc. presents Honestly Abe by Robert L. Hecker, directed by M. Stefan Strozier, Off-Broadway at The Actors' Temple (339 W. 47th Street, NY, NY 10036) in an open-ended run, every Thursday at 2 p.m., Fridays at 11 a.m. and 2 p.m., and Sundays at 11 a.m. Opening day is Thursday, February 2nd at 11 a.m. Stage manager, Charles Casano; orchestrator/arranger, Cheryl Krugel-Lee; choreographer, Ashley Wren Collins; lighting designer, Terry Prideaux; set and props designer, Alex Gurevich; educational coordinator, Nathan James; costume designer, Michael Fletcher Tester.
Starring:
Jeff Kline, Jonathan Nadolny, Brady Cudmore, Greg Waldren, Jessica Bennett, Lily Drexler, Christina King, Vicki Oceguera, Shannen Rae, Katie Kester, Eva Marie Mastrangelo, Jonathan Lerner, Natalie Pawelek, Torrey Wigfield.
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La Muse Venale presents a musical tale of dreams, possibilities and heartbreak in Robert L. Hecker's Honestly Abe, which shines a light on the early, little-known life of President Abraham Lincoln. Directed by M. Stefan Strozier and set in Indiana in the early 1820s, and based on historical fact, Honestly Abe uncovers young Abe Lincoln as a lanky, prankster boy who loves to read and who can tell quite a yarn. Close to his mother and sister, and never seeing eye-to-eye with his father, Abe Lincoln dreams of the day he can quit the family farm, leave his life of rail-splitting and become a riverboat captain. Family tragedies, a desire for revenge, and the advice of a close friend will cause him to change his plans, setting young Abe Lincoln on the path toward the law and politics--but not before leaving behind someone very special to him.
Robert L. Hecker's very well-liked and critically-praised musical features a full score of exciting songs and dances, guaranteeing to please kids of all ages! Leave the theatre with a smile, inspired by this true story of our greatest
That Other Woman by Robert L. Hecker
La Muse Venale, Inc. presented That Other Woman, directed by Nick Priore. Stage manager: Sarah Jones. Cast: Yoni Ben-Yehuda, Michael Bernardi, Heath Carr, Lash Dooley, Ashley Rebecca Farley, Krista Giffin, Virginia Logan, Athena Masci, Richard-John (R-J) Seikaly. That Other Woman was performed in an open-ended, Off-Broadway run at Actors Temple Theatre every Wednesday, Thursday, and Saturday at 8pm, Starting November 30th, 2011.
Moctezuma by M. Stefan Strozier
La Muse Venale, Inc. presented Moctezuma written and directed by M. Stefan Strozier. Cast: Reanna Muskovitz (stage manager), Rebecca Love (costume designer), Carolina Santos Read, Louis Martinez, Angelko Mar, Daniel Ramos, Marlene Villafane, Suellen Romani, Ash Goldeh, Ronnie Armani, Jennymar. Moctezuma was performed April 8-23rd, 2011 at Mint Theater (311 West 43rd Street). Show times were Friday, April 8th at 4pm, Saturday, April 9th at 6pm, Sunday, April 10th at 1pm, Monday, April 11th at 6pm, Wednesday, April 13th at 6pm, Friday, April 15th at 3pm, Sunday, April 17th at 1pm, Wednesday, April 20th at 6pn and Sunday, April 23rd at 6pm, (April 30th at Symphony Space Leonard Nimoy Thalia).
La Revolucion by M. Stefan Strozier
La Muse Venale, Inc. presented La Revolucion written and directed by M. Stefan Strozier. Cast: Reanna Muskovitz (stage manager), Rebecca Love (costume designer), Carolina Santos Read, Gustavo Heredia, Angelko Mar, Daniel Ramos, Marlene Villafane, Suellen Romani, Ash Goldeh, Ronnie Armani, Alex Montaldo, Lexi Marcero, Joyce Elwick, Jennymar. La Revolucion was preformed April 6-23rd, 2011, at Mint Theater (311 West 43rd Street). Show times were Wednesday. April 6th at 8pm, Thursday, April 7th at 8:30pm, Saturday, April 9th at 8:30pm, Sunday, April 10th at 3:30pm, Monday, April 11th at 8pm, Tuesday, April 12th at 8pm, Wednesday, April 13th at 8:30pm, Thursday, April 14th at 2pm, Saturday, April 16th at 8:30pm, Sunday, April 17th at 3:30pm, Monday, the 18th at 3:30pm, Wednesday April 20th at 8:30pm, Thursday, April 21st at 2pm, Saturday, April 23rd at 8:30pm (April 30th at Symphony Space Leonard Nimoy Thalia).
Honestly Abe by Robert L. Hecker
La Muse Venale, Inc. presented Honestly Abe at Mint Theater (311 West 43rd Street) by Robert L. Hecker and directed by Joshua A. Kashinsky, and featuring a five-piece onstage band. The cast of Honestly Abe included Richard Brundage, Ethan Angelica, Roy Anthony, Leigh Ellen Caudill, Amber Coartney, Jessica George, Peter Gosik, Dennis Holland, Cassie Okenka, Bridget Ori, Zak Risinger, Antoine L. Smith and Jeremy Zoma. The Scenic Designer is Joseph C. Heitman, Lighting Designer: Duane Pagano, Costume Designer: David Moyer, Production Assistant: Danielle Pedraza. Musical Direction is by Nehemiah Luckett, Choreography is by Amy Klewitz, and Stage Management is by Gwyndolyn Kay. The production was an Equity Showcase. Honestly Abe ran April 9-24th, 2011, Sat, Sun, Wed 2pm, Th and Fri 8:30pm.
La Revolucion by M. Stefan Strozier
La Muse Venale, Inc. presented La Revolucion, directed by M. Stefan Strozier, November 15-21st 2011 at Producers Club (358 West 44th Street), Mon, Tues, Wed, Th, Fri, Sat at 7 p.m. and Sun at 6 p.m. at The Producers' Club, 358 W. 44th St. Starring Alex Mondaldo, Clara Bercaru, Flor Bromley, Sasha Burgos-Conde, Trevor Crane, Juan Carlos Diaz, Cesar di Parra, Wanda Ferreiras, Antonio Garcia Jr., Jeff Horn, Laura Lamberti, Angelko Mar, Daniel Ramos, John Rant, Sonny Parmar, M. Stefan Strozier. Executive Producer Clara Bercaru; Musical Director and Producer of the Cast Album Jeff Horn.
Guns, Shackles & Winter Coats by M. Stefan Strozier
La Muse Venale, Inc. presented Guns, Shackles & Winter Coats, directed by M. Stefan Strozier, November 17-21st 2011 at Producers Club (358 W. 44th Street), Wed, Th, Fri at 9 p.m. Sat at 5 p.m. and Sun at 4 p.m. at The Producers' Club, 358 W. 44th St. Starring Maja Wampuszyc, Jimmy Gary, Jr., JoAnna Rhinehart, Grant Wiley, Alex Montaldo, Bill Lecher, Jeff Lyons, Daniel Ramos.
Trump the Musical by Bernard Margalit and Paul L. Johnson
La Muse Venale, Inc. again presented Trump the Musical January 16-20, Wed, Th, Fri, Sat, and Sun at 7 p.m. and a Sun matinee at 2 p.m. (book and lyrics by Bernard Margalit; music and lyrics by Paul L. Johnson), at Theater 54, Shetler Studios, 244 W. 54th St. Starring William Hoback, Carole Ashley, Rachel Brown, Jordi Wallen, Shaynee Rainbolt, Miles Jackson, Matt Davidowitz, Kay Kock, Christian Zaremba, Dane Reese, Joey Merlo, John Wilkening, Logan Tracey, Robbie Rescigno, Elizabeth Bell. Directed by M. Stefan Strozier; Musical Director Paul L. Johnson.
Trump the Musical by Bernard Margalit and Paul L. Johnson
La Muse Venale, Inc. presented Trump the Musical (book and lyrics by Bernard Margalit; music and lyrics by Paul L. Johnson), Dec. 14th, 15th, 16th at 7 p.m., and Sunday matinee at 2 p.m. on the 16th, at Theater 54, Shetler Studios, 244 W. 54th St. This was a staged reading for a private audience. La Muse Venale Acting Troupe has been holding readings since 2006, work-shopping and developing Trump the Musical; this production was our first staged reading of the full script and entire score. Starring Carole Ashley, Miles Jackson, Ben Bailey, Robbie Rescigno, John Wilkening, Tyler Stein, Rachel Brown, Karina Murray, Logan Tracey, Jordi Wallen, Christopher Norwood, Rachel Bloom, Kimberly Allen. Directed by M. Stefan Strozier; Musical Director Paul L. Johnson.
Guns, Shackles & Winter Coats by M. Stefan Strozier
Read a newspaper article about playwright M. Stefan Strozier and Guns, Shackles & Winter Coats. La Muse Venale presented Guns, Shackles & Winter Coats, a harrowing journey of a soldier who suffers from post-traumatic stress disorder, starring Ben Bailey, Alfredo Diaz, Richard Essig, Jeff Lyons, Sean Manning, Chris McGuire, Giovanni Olivera, Sean Pritchard, Robbie Rescigno, Michelle Sims, Tabea Tarbiat, Evelyn Voura, Abigail Ziaja; written and directed by M. Stefan Strozier. Tickets were: $20 (TH), $25 (FRI, SAT), $18 (SUN), $15 for students, seniors, military, and during the final week. Location: Where Eagles Dare Theatre (347 W. 36th Street, ground floor). Dates: Thursdays-Saturdays at 8 p.m. & Sundays at 3 p.m. Oct 25, 26, 27, 28; Nov 1, 2, 3, 4, 8, 9, 10, 11, 15, 16, 17, 18. TDF vouchers/tickets were accepted. See our flyer.
Mass. Murder by Edward Musto
La Muse Venale presented Mass. Murder by Edward Musto, a collection of 3 one-act plays--dark comedies all--presented in one evening at Blackbird Theatre (347 W. 36th Street, between 8th and 9th), September 13-16th; Th-Sat at 8 p.m. and Sat & Sun at 2 p.m.. Directed by Judd Silverman; starring: Elizabeth Gee, Nell Gwynn, Bellavia Mauro, Annie Pesch, Robbie Rescigno, Abigail Ziaja, Dana Watkins; costumes by Catherine Fisher. See our flyer.
Craving by Jessie Fahay
La Muse Venale, Inc. produced Craving at Where Eagles Dare Theatre, by Jessie Fahay and directed by Jeff Love, Friday, May 25, 26, 26 & June 1, 2, 3. Craving is a heartbreaking story about a man with a strange addiction that affects his relationships with the many women who dominate his life. Starring: Marc Adam Smith, Liz Wexler, Keri Ann Peterson, Felicia Velasco, and Liza Pross. Tickets were $15, discounted to $12. TDF vouchers were accepted.
The Green Game
Listen to a podcast with cast members in the Broadway Bullet.
Theater of romance, espionage, traitors, about con artists, dirty wars, greed and money. U.S. Senator Nick Albright, his family and fortune, are destroyed by greed. This beautifully wrought tale, accompanied by a delightful blend of music and extravagant dance routines, is set in a Casablanca-style nightclub; but the story is an epic tragedy. Featuring choreography by Mindy Upin; dancers Kurt Gorrell, Madeline Nero, Keri Ann Peterson; Musical Director Paul L. Johnson; starring: Ben Bailey, Jessie Fahay, April Gentry, Joe Wissler, McGregor Wright. Written and directed by M. Stefan Strozier, founder and artistic director of La Muse Venale Acting Troupe, editor-in-chief of World Audience Publishers. Appeared at Theater 3 (311 W. 43rd Street, 3rd floor), Wed-Sun, March 29th-Apr 22nd (first show on Thursday), 2007. Tickets $25, and $22 for seniors, students and military, at Smarttix.com. Read our press release. TDF tickets/ vouchers were accepted.
Secrets
John Chatterton and La Muse Venale, Inc. presented Secrets, by Gerald Zipper, directed by Ted Mornel, at St. Luke's Church (308 W. 46th St.) in 2006. Starring Mark Hamlet, Darren Lougee, Lissa Moira, Alyce Mayors, Tom Sminkey, Elena Zazanis. Secrets opened June 25th, 2006, with performances Wed - Mon at 8 p.m., and matinees at 3 p.m. Sat and 7 p.m. Sun. Tickets were $45. TDF tickets/ vouchers were accepted. Click here to read a review in The New York Times.
The Tragedy of Abraham Lincoln
The Tragedy of Abraham Lincoln, written by M. Stefan Strozier, directed by Alan Kanevsky, was presented at Where Eagles Dare Theatre (347 W 36th Street) in 2006, April 13th-May 7th, 2006, Thursdays-Saturdays at 8 p.m and Sundays at 7p.m. Starring: Greg Adair, Douglas Caine, Maureen Chandler, John Chatterton, Robert Cross, Judeth DeMott, Justin Ellis, Reginald Ferguson, William J. Growney, Ida Lamberti, Sunrise Marks, Paul Mischeshin, Ross Pivec, Katharine Poklemba, Rob Richardson, Mary Riley, Aaron Sandler, Matt Slavin, Josh Stamell, M. Stefan Strozier, McGregor Wright; Assistant director, David Segretto; Dramaturge, John Chatterton; Lighting technician, Leck Dzie; Stage manager/Sound technician, Eliot Lanes. Tickets were $15. TDF tickets were accepted. Here is a review of the final script, published in "Small Press Review". Read 2 reviews of the first draft of the script: 1st review;. 2nd review. The final version of The Tragedy of Abraham Lincoln is published by World Audience, or available at the playwright's Web site.
Beyond the Veil
Beyond the Veil, written by John Chatterton, directed by John Chatterton and Alan Kanevsky, starring James Arden, Nora Armani, Sean Dill, Naama Kates, Greg Lauterback; costumes by Roi Escudero; stage manager Emileena Pedigo, was produced by John Chatterton and La Muse Venale Acting Troupe at Where Eagles Dare (347 W. 36th St.) in 2006, Feb. 2nd-26th, 2006, Thurs. through Sat. at 8 p.m. and Sun. at 2 p.m. Tickets were $20.
The Whales
The Whales, written and directed by M. Stefan Strozier, is a satirical look at the present state of theatre and art in general. It was performed at Where Eagles Dare Theater in 2006, Jan. 5th-29th, Thursday-Saturday at 8 p.m. and Sunday matinees at 2 p.m. Tickets were $20. Starring: Ann Pielli, Brenna McGuire, Doua Moua, Veronica Heffron, Rich Warren, Ben Bailey, Mark Phillips, Susan Bucci, Don Jeans, Holly Vanesse, Grant Peters, Mark Larson, Denise Collins, Tristan Lawrence, Jordan Peters, Griselda Lazo.
Dead Poets Come Alive
La Muse Venale presented Dead Poet Come Alive! Three actors, in period costumes, resurrected the poetry and persona of Elizabeth Barrett Browning, Emily Dickinson, Edgar Allen Poe. Directed by Eric Hoelle; the AD was Bryan Kern. Starring Sarah Burns as Dickinson, Sarah Yahr Tucker as Browning, and Tom Brink as Poe. It was performed at Where Eagles Dare Theater in 2005, on Dec 15th, 16th, 17th, 18th. Dead Poets was also performed at Peter's Place Shelter (123 W. 23rd Street) Dec. 10th and 11th. Tickets were $15.
Only His Knees & Losin' Mannie
LMV was proud to produce Only His Knees and Losin' Mannie, by our resident playwright, Eddie Betz, who lives in New Orleans, LA. Both plays were performed at Where Eagles Dare Theater in 2005, on Nov. 5th, 6th, 10th, 12th, 19th, and 20th. We also performed free shows at Peter's Place homeless shelter, on Nov. 10th and Nov. 12th. A portion of our proceeds went to help the relief effort in New Orleans. Eddie, who survived the storm, is already writing about his experiences. Larissa Lury directed Only His Knees; and, M. Stefan Strozier directed Losin' Mannie. Losin' Mannie starred Mark Larson, Eric Hoelle, Denis Lanza, Holly Vanasse, Yza Shady, Griselda N. Lazo. Only His Knees starred Natasha Kotovsky, Taylor Thompson, Russell Kerr, Suellen Vance, and others. Tickets were $15.
The Knife Assassin
The Knife Assassin, written by Alan Kanevsky, directed by M. Stefan Strozier, was performed at Where Eagles Dare Theater in 2005, on August 13th, 20th, 26th, 27th, Sept 15th; and, in Spotlight On, Inc.'s Halloween Festival on Oct. 8th, 12th, 13th. The cast was Joe Wissler, Diego Aguirre, Denis J. Lanza, and the director was M. Stefan Strozier. Tickets were $15.
Guns, Shackles & Winter Coats
Guns, Shackles & Winter Coats, written and directed by M. Stefan Strozier, was performed at the following theaters/locations (each performance with a different cast): The Workshop Theater Company (312 W 36th Street, NYC), Aug, 2004; Rose's Turn Cabaret (55 Grove Street, Greenwich Village, NYC), Oct, 2004; The Producers Club (358 W 44th Street, NYC), Mar 12th, 2005; four times at Peter's Place Shelter (123 W 23rd Street, NYC), Nov 11th, 2004 and in 2005; and, the world premiere at Where Eagles Dare Theatre (347 W 36th Street, between 8th and 9th Aves, NYC), July 4th - 10th, 2005, directed by Alan Kanevsky and starring: Chris Sorensen, Anita Anthonj, Yza Shady, Joe Wissler, JohnpauL, Diego Aguirre, M. Stefan Strozier; and, in the Midtown International Theatre Festival, July 24th, 25th and Aug 5th, 2005. Tickets were $15. Read a review of an early version: here. Read a literary review.
La Muse Venale Data and Contact:Please donate securely to La Muse Venale, Inc. by clicking the Paypal button below. We need your help to keep producing plays! Thank you.
La Muse Venale, Inc. is a 501c3, tax-exempt, non-profit theater company. We were founded by M. Stefan Strozier in 2004, with 2 productions of his first play, Guns, Shackles & Winter Coats. We are authorized by New York State to solicit donations (#21-61-27). We are registered in Data Universal Numbering System (#784515202). Our office address and phone #:
La Muse Venale, Inc.
303 Park Avenue South
Suite 1440
New York, NY 10010-3657
ph: 646-620-7406
M. Stefan Strozier is the founder and artistic director of La Muse Venale Acting Troupe. His plays, Guns, Shackles & Winter Coats, The Whales, The Tragedy of Abraham Lincoln, and The Green Game, were performed in lengthy runs, off-off and Off-Broadway, and in the Midtown International Theatre Festival and other festivals and locations. Additionally, he has written Belzac December Night (a one-act play; the first of 8 plays about America), and La Revolucion (the first of 4 5-act plays about Mexican history; he is working on the first play in the series now, called The New World). He has directed seven plays and two staged reading of a musical, and produced twenty-one plays. His novels, short stories, poems, essays, plays, etceteras, are on his Web site: www.mstefanstrozier.org (please visit his blog: www.blog.mstefanstrozier.org). He has been published in literary journals (online and in print), magazines, and newspapers. He is the founder, CEO, and publisher of World Audience Publishers, and the editor-in-chief of Audience Magazine.
Links to our friends:
Midtown International Theatre Festival --
Every summer in midtown Manhattan, the Midtown International Theatre Festival (MITF) celebrates the diversity of theatre in New York City and beyond. We emphasize imaginative, low-tech staging. But putting on a play in a festival burgeoning with many other shows -- in only 4 theatres -- means tight organization, both in the Festival and among the participants. We have sufficient caring, paid staff to keep the trains running on time. The MITF welcomes submissions of any kind of stage play, musical or otherwise, new or revived, mainstream or specifically focused on an ethnic or cultural niche.
New York City Theater Tickets -- A New York entertainment site with great resources for events and venues including New York City Theater tickets information.
World Audience
The Internet Theater Bookshop
