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(Doric Wilson - Mark Finley - Barry Childs)
presents as part of
The Billy Blackwell Musical Theatre Project
"...a sweet-tart little slice of cabaret nirvana"
- Jonathan Warman, HX Magazine
"...TOSOS II and Wallowitch are soulmates and should be made to perform endlessly for the rest of the world's deep enjoyment. That would be heaven. ...audiences are urged to drop everything and rush to the Duplex to catch the end of the run"
- John Chatterton, oobr
Mark Finley has fashioned a revue from the songs of cabaret icon John Wallowitch which sing of swank parties, dimly lit dives — late-night gatherings where strangers become life long friends and love arrives and departs — all in a New York Minute.
a revue of the songs of
John Wallowitch
Jolie Meshbesher, Richard Locke & Chris Weikel
in

conceived and directed by Mark Finley musical direction: Ray Fellman
for 5 performances 7 pm -
Saturdays
April 1, 8,
15, 22 & 29 !!!!
The Duplex Cabaret Theatre, 61 Christopher Street (at 7th Ave.)
$10 (plus two drink minimum) Reservation (212) 255-5438
producers: Barry Childs & Doric Wilson
set design: Michael Muccio card design: David Stern
this production is dedicated to
Madam Adam, Todd Blauvelt, David Cuthbert, Graham Jones, Donnie Jay,
Philip Lege & David Smith (Royal Street Courtyard), Jamie Temple,
Lewis Routh & Patrick Shannon - part of the heart of New Orleans
John Wallowitch
(songwriter) In a New York Times review, Stephen Holden wrote "While Noel Coward is no longer around to set the standards for a certain kind of sophisticated songwriting sensibility, Mr.Wallowitch nimbly carries the torch." John’s journey to the cabaret/concert/theatre spotlight began at the Juilliard School of Music where his classical training led to his New York debut at the Carnegie Recital Hall, followed by a concert tour of the Continent under the aegis of the United States State Department. His more than 1,000 songs are recorded by or in the repertory of a long list of singers including Karen Akers, Margot Astrachan, Michael Belliveau, Joanne Beretta, David Berk, Tony Bennett, Berri Blair, Joyce Breach, Barbara Brussell, Cindy Buck, Dixie Carter (who recorded "Dixie Carter Sings John Wallowitch Live at the Cafe Carlyle"), Eric Comstock, Blossom Dearie, John Du Bois, Jonathan Frank, Sue Gandy, Christopher Gines, Nancy Hausman, Kathy Keegan, Morgana King, Helen Klass, Julius La Rosa, Alice Levine, Lynn Lobban, Mark Moore, Mark Nadler, Phillip Officer, Jane Scheckter, Doc Severinsen, Yvonne Sherwell, Bob Stewart, Diana Templeton, Marlene VerPlanck, and Margaret Whiting. In 1984 John Wallowitch joined Bertram Ross in a program of arcane American song by the great composers, appearing throughout the United States, in Switzerland and at "Pizza on the Park" in their beloved London and here at the White Barn. Their CD "Wallowitch and Ross" is now available on the Miranda Music label (mirandamusic.com), and "Wallowitch and Ross: This Moment", a film by Richard Morris has received glowing notices all over the United Statesand is available on VHS & DVD through www.wallowitchandross.com. A new CD, "Bertram's Songs" with John singing and playing songs he wrote for Bertram Ross will be out this coming year. Last September Dixie Carter and John opened the 50thAnniversary Season at the Cafe Carlyle for a four week engagement.Mark Finley (TOSOS II artistic director; director, New York Minutes) Directing credits for TOSOS II include the recent Eisenstein's Monster; three Chris Weikel plays: Speaking Parts, Gareth & Lynette and Penny Penniworth; four Doric Wilson plays: A Perfect Relationship (2003 OOBR Award), Street Theater and readings of The West Street Gang and Now She Dances!; his adaptation of Young Stowaways in Space; and Kevin Brofsky's Dancing Straight. His How Do We Get Her in the Water? opened Movie Lover, a Triple Feature and his new play The Mermaid had its world premiere last season. Mark has directed for Theater for the New City, Abingdon, Emerging Artists Theatre and NativeAliens, and is a graduate of the North Carolina School of the Arts. (finbergl@juno.com )
Ray Fellman (Music Director/Pianist) Off B’way: Captain Louie by Stein/Schwartz (Little Schubert Theater), Off Off B’way:.22 Caliber Mouth by Lauren Robert (Ohio Theater), The Tutor by Wood/Gerle (59E59). Ray has been seen behind the piano at The Duplex Cabaret Theatre in the critically acclaimed New Mondays series (with Bill Russel and Emily Skinner), No Reservations (starring Brandon Cutrell with special guests Karen Mason and Shoshanna Bean), and the Broadway Downtown series with Kristy Cates and Ann Runolfsson. He has also served as accompanist for Utah Festival Opera Company, The Opera Company of Brooklyn, Mid America Productions at Carnegie Hall (with John Rutter) and A Yuletide Celebration with the Indianapolis Symphony starring Judy Kaye. Ray has degrees in piano and voice from the Indiana University School of Music and was a Richard F. Gold Career Grant recipient in 2001.
Barry Childs (TOSOS II administrative director, co-producer) Directing credits (TOSOS II): the world premiere of Hollywood at Sunset (by Robert Patrick; OOBR Award 2004), the premiere of Mark Finley’s The Mermaid and the reading of Sarah B. Divine (by Tom Eyen). TOSOS II producing credits: Street Theater (Eagle NYC); Penny Penniworth (by Chris Weikel; 2003 FringeNYC Festival) and Young Stowaways in Space. Barry holds a PhD in Theatre History from the University of Oregon, and has taught numerous classes in acting and theatre history at the University of North Dakota, the University of Nevada-Las Vegas and the University of Oregon.
cast:
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Robert Locke (singer, founding member of TOSOS) appeared as Bryce Thayer in Mark Finley's How Do We Get Her In The Water? as part of TOSOS II production Movie Lover. He originated the roles of Patch Foster in Mark Finley's Young Stowaways in Space and Carter in Civilized (Native Aliens Theatre Collective). He has numerous regional and stock credits and starred in the New Line independent feature film 68. As a jazz vocalist, he has performed sold-out engagements in California, Mexico, and various jazz venues in New York City. His first CD "In A Mellow Tone" was released in October 2002 (CDs and gig schedule available online at www.RobertLocke.biz). (soundclips and CDs available online at www.RobertLocke.biz). |
| Jolie Meshbesher (singer) recently toured with The Buddha Prince after working in Minneapolis for several years. Regional credits include MacBeth (Lady Macbeth) with the Artists' Shakespeare Festival, The Tempest (Ariel) and Cymbeline (Imogen) with Caliban Co., and The Diary of Anne Frank (Anne/Miep) at Park Square. Most recently, she played Barbie in Ross McLean's The Follies of Grandeur at Theater for the New City. Jolie has a B.A. in Acting (Summa Cum Laude)from the Harrt School and studied with the London Academy of Music and Dramatic Art. |
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Chris Weikel (singer, founding member of TOSOS II) currently plays Robert Benchley in The Talk of the Town, a musical about the Algonquin Round Table. For TOSOS II, he was in Street Theater and The West Street Gang (both by Doric Wilson) and scored a major success in the Igor Goldin production of Boy Meets Boy (by Bill Solly and Donald Ward). TOSOS II has produced his plays Speaking Parts, Gareth and Lynette, and Penny Penniworth. This season, he will premiere three new plays. As a costumer, he designed the TOSOS II productions of Street Theater, A Perfect Relationship, Young Stowaways in Space, Movie Lover and The Mermaid. |
production crew:
Michael Muccio (production design, TOSOS II technical director) has designed the set for the TOSOS II productions of Doric Wilson's A Perfect Relationship (OOBR Award 2003); Robert Patrick's Hollywood at Sunset (OOBR Award 2004); Movie Lover, a Triple Feature and contributed to Mark Finley's adaptation of Young Stowaways in Space; the revival of Doric Wilson’s Street Theater at the Eagle NYC; Musically Speaking: The World of Bill Solly; and . He received his BFA from the University of Wisconsin in 1987.
TOSOS II would like to thank John Wallowitch whose generosity is even grander than his smile; Phil Bond, Thomas
Honeck, Lisa Moss & the Duplex staff who nightly turn this room into the friendliest party in the West Village; Paul Adams, Shay Gines & the EAT (Emerging Artists Theater) family who provide a bottomless pool of talent; and Jack Schlegel & Out Professionals, where our community meets to network.
TOSOS II would also like to acknowledge the attention we have received from Dan Bacalzo (TheatreMania); John Chatterton (oobr); Martin Denton (nytheatre.com); Leonard Jacobs and
Back Stage; and the gay press of this city, specifically Bennett Marcus,
David Noh, David Hurst, Jonathan Warman, Steve Weinstein, and the people of Gay City
News, HX Magazine, the New York Blade, and Next Magazine without whose support TOSOS II could not exist.
TOSOS II is a member of the New York Innovative Theatre Awards and United Stages. Contribution to TOSOS are tax-deductible.
General information: 212 563-2218