Providing a nurturing environment to develop new projects and showcase artists on the internet via streaming videos. www.therianttheatre.com/video

Sunday, February 22, 2009

The Winners of the Winter 2009 Strawberry One-Act Festival Are:


The Best Play
FREE COUNTRY by Steve Monarque


Best Director
Alyse Rothman for PEAR

Best Actor
David Fielder in DR. FREEMAN & HILDA

Best Actress
Scout Durwood in
ON MY REEL: REAL LIFE IN REALITY TV



The 4 Plays Performing At The Awards Ceremony & Performance for the Strawberry One-Act Festival Are:

The Nominees for BEST PLAY:

1. DAILY SOUNDS Written by Jay Prasad

2. ON MY REEL: Real LIfe In Reality TV Written by Scout Durwood

3. FREE COUNTRY Written by Steve Monarque

4. PEAR Written by Carol Paik

The Awards Ceremony & Performance for the
STRAWBERRY ONE-ACT FESTIVAL
Sunday, February 22nd at 2PM
At the American Theatre for Actors
314
West 54th Street, between 8th & 9th Avenue
Tickets: $25.00
www.therianttheatre.com

Friday, February 20, 2009

The Nominees for the Strawberry One-Act Festival Are . . .


The nominees for BEST DIRECTOR are:

1. V.V. Gil
for THE CUPCAKE DIET
2. Samantha Lee Manas
for ANYONE, ANYWHERE
3. Danny Mitarotondo
for SEA
4. Alyse Rothman
for PEAR
5. Lucile Scott
for ON MY REEL
6. Sherry Teitelbaum
for DR. FREEMAN & HILDA

The nominees for BEST ACTOR are:

1. Joe Coburn
(Chad) in THE CRIMSON LINE
2. David Fielder
(Dr. Freeman) in DR. FREEMAN & HILDA
3. Gannon Forrester
(Jack Oliver) in LUCAS KISSES PAL'S GAL
4. Burt Harris
(Homeless Man) in STEEL OR PRETZELS
5. Armando Merlo
(Todd) in FREE COUNTRY
6. Matt Skibiak
(Administrator) in THE LOVE PERMIT

The nominees for BEST ACTRESS are:

1. Gloria M. Buccino
(Lisa) in FREE COUNTRY
2. Scout Durwood
(Performer) in ON MY REEL: REAL LIFE IN REALITY TV
3. Colleen Fee
(Madeline) in FAN-BOY
4. Jennie Franks
(Hilda) in DR. FREEMAN & HILDA
5. Johnnie Mae
(Hilda) in TEA UNDER THE LILAC TREE
6. Amie Tedesco
(Kate) in NO SEX IN THE CITY

The 4 nominees for BEST PLAY that will perform at the Awards Ceremony will be announced shortly after the FINALS on Saturday, February 21st.

The winners will be announced at the Awards Ceremony & Performance for the Strawberry One-Act Festival on Sunday, February 22, 2009 at 2PM at the American Theatre for Actors, 314 West 54th Street.
Tickets:
$25 www.therianttheatre.com or call 646-623-3488
Dress Code:
Formal

All nominees should email the Riant at therianttheatre@aol.com or call 646-623-3488 to secure your complimentary ticket and other details.

Thursday, February 19, 2009

Plays Moving To The Finals on Saturday, February 21st at 1PM

The Finals for the Strawberry One-Act Festival:
Saturday, February 21st at 1pm

At the American Theatre for Actors, 314 West 54th Street, NYC.

1. The Parking Lot Written by Holly Hunt & Directed by Susan Tromans (15 min) (From Wild Night #2 tie)
2. Pear Written by Carol Paik & Directed by Alyse Rothman (15 min) (From Wild Night #2 tie)
3. Dr. Freeman & Hilda Written by Jennie Franks & Directed by Sherry Teitelbaum (From Semi-Finals #1)
(30 min)
4. The Crimson Line Written & Directed by David Fulco (From Semi-Finals #2) (15 min)
5. Free Country Written by Steve Monarque (20 min) (From Semi-Finals #3 - Tied)
6. On My Reel: Real Life In Reality TV
Written by Scout Durwood (30 min) (From Semi-Finals #3 - Tied)
7. The Cupcake Diet Written by V. V. Gil (30 min) (From Semi-Finals #4)
8. Daily Sounds Written by Jay Prasad & Directed by Evan Papas (30 Min) (From Wild Night #1)

Tickets: $25.00 (Includes reception)
For tickets go to http://www.therianttheatre.com/ or call 646-623-3488


The Nominees for Best Director, Best Actor & Best Actress will be posted by 10:00 a.m. Friday, February 20th.

Saturday, February 14, 2009

The Plays Moving To The Semi Finals Are...


The Plays moving to the Semi-Finals #1 on Wednesday, February 18, 2009 at 7:30 p.m. are:

1. Fan-Boy by Megan Sass (From Series A) (Photo Above)
2. Steel Or Pretzels by Mara Gilbert (From Series B)

3. Game Point Deuce by John William Schiffbauer (From Series C)
4. Then Or Now by Paul Trupia (From Series E)
5. Dr. Freeman & Hilda by Jennie Franks (From Series D)


The Plays moving to the Semi-Finals #2 on Wednesday, February 18, 2009 at 9:30 p.m. are:

1. The Crimson Line by David Fulco (From Series D)

2. Pear by Carol Paik (From Series B)
3. My Talk With God by Andy Daniel (From Series C)
4. No Sex In The City
by Elisabeth Kent (From Series A)
5. Valentine's Day by Joseph Lizardi (From Series E) (Photo Above)


Semi-Finals #3 on Thursday, February 19th at 7:30 p.m.

1. Lucas Kisses Pal's Gal by Todd Gray (From Series H)

2. The Reading Birds of Tinos by Elizabeth Birkenmeier (From Series G)
3. On My Reel: Real Life In Realty TV by Scout Durwood (From Series I)
4. Free Country by Steve Monarque (From Series F) (Photo Above)


Semi-Finals #4 on Thursday, February 19th at 9:30 p.m.

1. Sea by Danny Mitarotondo (From Series I)
2. Anyone, Anywhere by Amanda Fleming (From Series H) (Photo Above)
3. The Love Permit by Christopher Ludgate (From Series G)

4. The Cupcake Diet by V. V. Gil (From Series F)
5. Tea Under The Lilac Tree by Melissa Kuch (From Series I)

Wild Night #1 on Friday, February 20th at 7:30 p.m.

1. Dray Horse by Deirdre Dowling
2. Daily Sounds by Jay Prasad
3. Stoop by Caroline V. McGraw
4. Burden Me by Michael Weems

Wild Night #2 on Friday, February 20th at 9:30 p.m.

1. The Parking Lot by Holly Hunt
2. I Knew You'd Say That by John Kearns
3. Halloween by Gabrielle Fox
4. Rise and Shine by Azizah Rowen

One play from each semi-finals and wild night will advance to the Finals on Saturday, February 21st at 1pm. Tickets: $25 (Includes reception.)
The nominees for Best Director, Best Actor & Best Actress will be posted on Friday, February 20th by 9:00 a.m.
For tickets go to www.therianttheatre.com or call 646-623-3488.
The performances are at the American Theater for Actors,
314 West 54th Street, 2nd Floor, NYC.
The Awards Ceremony and Performance is on Sunday, February 22nd at 2pm
Tickets: $25

Friday, February 06, 2009

Interview with artists in Series I from the Strawberry One-Act Festival

Interview with the artists from the play Blue Streak by Carston Turner


Interview with the artists from the play TEA UNDER THE LILLAC TREE by Mellissa Kuch



Interview with the artists from the play SEA by Danny Mitarotondo



For tickets go to www.therianttheatre.com or call 646-623-3488

Interview with artists in Series G from the Strawberry One-Act Festival

Interview with the artists from the play HALLOWEEN by Gabrielle Fox



Interview with the artists from the play THE LOVE PERMIT by Christopher Ludgate




For tickets go to www.therianttheatre.com or call 646-623-3488
Series G: February 14th & 15th at 9pm
At the American Theater for Actors, 314 West 54th Street, NYC

Interview with artists in Series H from the Strawberry One-Act Festival

Interview with the playwright and actor from RISE AND SHINE by Azizah Rowen


http://www.youtube.com/v/hD1FmTfxjSg&hl=en&fs=1">

Interview with artists in Series F from the Strawberry One-Act Festival

Interview with the artists from MY KILLER, MY KID by Gerty Agoston




Interview with the artists from FREE COUNTRY by Steve Monarque



Interview with the artists from the play DRAY HORSE by Deirdre Dowling



Interview with the artists from the play THE CUPCAKE DIET by V. V. Gil



For tickets go to www.therianttheatre.com or call 646-623-3488
Series F: February 14th & 15th at 7pm
At the American Theatre for Actors, 314 West 54th Street, NYC

Interview with artists in Series E from the Strawberry One-Act Festival

Interview with the artists from the play ONE BOX AT A TIME by Peter Andrews



Interview with the artists from the play THEN OR NOW by Paul Trupia



Interview with the artists from the play VALENTINE'S DAY by Joseph Lizardi



Interview with the artists from the play BURDEN ME by Michael Weems



For tickets go to www.therianttheatre.com or call 646-623-3488
Series E: February 14th & 15th at 5pm
At the American Theatre for Actors, 314 West 54th Street, NYC

Interviews with artists in Series D of the Strawberry One-Act Festival

Interview with the artists from the play SECOND TIME AROUND by Art Brown







Interview with the director from the play DR. FREEMAN & HILDA by Jennie Franks




Interview with artists from the play THE CRIMSON LINE by David Fulco



For tickets go to www.therianttheatre.com or call 646-623-3488

Interview with artists in Series C from the Strawberry One-Act Festival

Interview with artists in the play CONNECTION by Michelle Weilert



Interview with the artists in the play I KNEW YOU'D SAY THAT by John Kearns



Interview with the artists in the play MY TALK WITH GOD by Andy Daniel



The Riant Theatre's Strawberry One-Act Festival
Series C: February 14th & 15th at 1pm
At the American Theatre for Actors, 314 West 54th Street, NYC
Tickets: www.therianttheater.com or 646-623-3488

Interview with artists in Series B from the Strawberry One-Act Festival

Interview with the artists from the play STOOP by Caroline V. McGraw



Interview with the artists from the play PEAR by Carol Paik



Interview with the artists from the play STEEL OR PRETZELS by Mara Gilbert



The Riant Theatre's Strawberry One-Act Festival
Series B, February 12th & 13th at 9:30 p.m. at
The American Theater for Actors, 314 West 54th Street, NYC
Tickets: 646-623-3488 or www.therianttheatre.com

Interviews with the artists in Series A of the Strawberry One-Act Festival

Interview with the artists in the one act play THE PARKING LOT by Holly Hunt.



Interview with the artists in the one act play FAN-BOY by Megan Sass




Interview with artists in the one act play NO SEX IN THE CITY by Elisabeth Kent



Interview with the artists in the one act play DAILY SOUNDS by Jay Prasad



The Riant Theatre's Strawberry One-Act Festival
Series A: February 12th & 13th at 7:30 p.m. at the American Theater for Actors, 314 West 54th Street, NYC. Tickets: www.therianttheatre.com or 646-623-3488

Sunday, February 01, 2009

BROADWAY & SOAP STARS GRACE THE STAGE AT THE STRAWBERRY ONE-ACT FESTIVAL


BROADWAY & SOAP STARS GRACE THE STAGE
AT THE STRAWBERRY ONE-ACT FESTIVAL
AS THE RIANT THEATRE CELEBRATES ITS 15TH SEASON

THE RIANT THEATRE’S STRAWBERRY ONE ACT FESTIVAL
February 12th – February 22nd (Monday through Friday at 7:00pm & 9:00pm; Sat & Sun at 1pm, 3pm, 5pm, 7pm & 9pm)
At the American Theatre for Actors, 314 West 54th Street, between 8th & 9th Avenues.

Reservations: 646-623-3488 or online at www.therianttheatre.com. Tickets: $20.00
The Finals, February 21st at 1pm. Tickets: $25.00 (Price includes reception during intermission.)
The Awards Ceremony & Performance will be on Sunday, February 22nd at 2pm. Tickets: $25.00.

Alexio Barboza, who played young Simba in Disney's THE LION KING on Broadway and Laura Carrington, who played the headstrong Lisa on ONE LIFE TO LIVE and the lovable Dr. Simone on GENERAL HOSPITAL, will play son and mother respectively in CONNECTION by Michelle Weilert in the Strawberry One-Act Festival on Saturday, February 14th & Sunday, February 15th at 1pm. The play is being directed by Rob Anderson whose cinematography of New York scenes have appeared on Law & Order, Seinfeld, Gossip Girls, The Bronx Is Burning and Frank TV. In the age of technology and internet dating, CONNECTION deals with a young man, Brian, played by Alexio Barboza, coming to terms with his identity and the question that many youth deal with today: Is where you come from who you are? Brian asks himselof this question when his origins are revealed.

The Strawberry One-Act Festival opens on February 12th with 2 different shows at 7:30 p.m. and 9:30 p.m. at the American Theatre for Actors, 314 West 54th Street, NYC, between 8th & 9th Avenue. Tickets are $20 & $25. For tickets go to www.therianttheatre.com or call 646-623-3488.

Opening night features 4 one-act plays in Series A, February 12th & 13th at 7:30 p.m.; THE PARKING LOT written by Holly Hunt & directed by Susan Tromans; FAN-BOY written by Megan Sass & directed by Marie Buck; NO SEX IN THE CITY written by Elisabeth Kent & directed by Sara Schabach; and DAILY SOUNDS written by Jay Prasad & directed by Evan Pappas.

Series B, February 12th & 13th at 9:30 p.m.; STOOP written by Caroline V. McGraw & directed by Erica Cardwell, PEAR by Carol Paik & directed by Alyse Rothman, and STEEL OR PRETZELS written by Mara Gilbert & directed by Nonie Gilbert.

To see the full schedule of plays go to www.therianttheatre.com

The Strawberry Festival offers a wonderful opportunity for theatre goers to see 34 plays from all over the country and as far away as Ireland (DRAY HORSE - Series F 2/14 & 2/15 at 7pm) in 11 days. At each performance plays are voted on by the audience as well as the theatre's judges and advance to the semi-finals and then the finals. The four BEST PLAYS are presented at the AWARDS CEREMONY & PERFORMANCE on Sunday, February 22nd at 2pm, where awards will be presented to the Best Actor, Best Actress, Best Director and Best Play. The playwright of the winning play wins $1,500.00 and a development deal to have a full-length play produced by the Riant Theatre. Tickets for the Awards Ceremony are $25.

Over the 15 years that the Riant has been presenting the bi-annual Strawberry Festival, (it's also presented in the summer), several plays have been selected and published in our 5 anthologies THE BEST PLAYS FROM THE STRAWBERRY ONE-ACT FESTIVAL, which are available at the Drama Book Shop, www.amazon.com, www.barnesandnoble.com and other stores nationwide. As a result, several plays have been granted permission to be performed in festivals across the country, London and Canada.

The Riant Theatre is happy that it has been able to use the Strawberry One-Act Festival to help it fulfill it's mission of providing a nurturing environment to develop new plays and outstanding artists. Artist Director, Van Dirk Fisher says, "We are very proud of this accomplishment and I'm always delighted when I learn that a play that was seen in the festival has been picked up by a film producer and made into a short or feature film. But competition aside, the festival is a wonderful opportunity for all the artist to network and build bridges for future projects." Some of our alumni include celebrity biographer Charles Higham, whose biography "Howard Hughes: The Untold Story," was used for the film the Aviator starring Leonardo DiCaprio; and actor/director Chaz Palminteri.