They got the Oscar

Wooo! Weee! They won. Congratulations to all involved in "The New Tenant". Especially to my dear friend, Erica Hampson. Sorry they didn't show you all dressed up and girly, although I am sure you were lovely. Now back to "Talk Radio". We are set to open on Thursday, March 11th. Things are coming along great. I'm going to have marathon rehearsals for the next three days. Thank God for my lead, Mitch Haley. He has loads and loads of lines and all eyes are constantly on him. At this point, I would like to thank the whole cast for coming together to build the set and the play. Mitch Haley, Mahli, Don Manley, Steven Pawlowski, Elliot, Angel, Abe De La Rosa, Kevin Igar, Dan McWeeney, and Cash DeCuir. Your a handful but a pool of talent. "Break a leg"

Academy Award Nomination

The short film, "The New Tenants", produced by my friends, Erika Hampson and Sam Bisbee and featuring my bro, Vincent is nominated for an Academy Award. Congratulations to you all that were involved. Anyone can see this film on itunes. Check it out! See ya at the Oscars!
http://www.thenewtenantsfilm.com/trailer/

Talk Radio

Barry Champlain, radio call-in host extraordinaire, has a malicious, abusive, downright nasty way of dealing with his invisible audience and the world at large. An indignant crusader, Champlain is a man who sees through all of the lies and hypocrisy and "tells it as it is."

Eric Bogosian's Talk Radio examines the lives of Barry Champlain, the host of Night Talk, a popular Cleveland radio talk show, as well as numerous callers, his engineer, operator and both his executive and assistant producers. Popular local actor J. Mitchell Haley is Barry Champlain.

"This decadent country needs a loud voice; and that's me," Barry tells his listeners, "and it's a cry, a warning for anyone who fears the madness and petty dictators that rule America 's airwaves."

"Imagine Lenny Bruce deciding to become popular talk-show host-
and you begin to have an idea of the whiplash intensity and black hard-edged cynicism of Talk Radio."The New York Times.

Under the direction of Elizabeth D'Onofrio for The Laboratory Theater of Florida, Talk Radio plays March 11, 12, 13, 18, 19, 20, at 8 pm at the Sidney and Berne Davis Art Center, 2301 First Street, Fort Myers River District.

For ticket information contact the SBDAC box office at 239-333-1933 or visit www.sbdac.com.

First Wedding Anniversary

Hey all! Been married a year now to the most wonderful man in the world. Shawn Halladay. My Ol' beachdude. We went out to dinner last night since I am rehearsing tonight. Had a wonderful time! Life is sweet being married for a change. LOL. It had been a very long run as a single mom. Yes, for those of you that don't think I raised my child on my own, I did. Yes, I am lucky to have family that helped out throughout the years, although my son always lived with me. He has grown into a very secure, handsome, sensitive, intellectual, young man of 22. Not to mention the two beautiful daughters that I gained from my marriage. Chantal and Alicia, both in their twenties also. Both bright, gorgeous, and loving. Life is good!

Hello everyone out there in cyberland. Rehearsals started for "Talk Radio" and it is going well. Very exciting figuring out all that it takes to put on a play production. Lighting, sound, blocking, scene design, characterization and the whole Mise En Scene. It's so much fun for me. I love directing and after this one I am going to be directing another play here on the beach. Although, right now it's all about Talk Radio. I can't get over my connection with Eric Bogosian. A bit nervous about the fact that he may know that I am directing his play. Not only is he a friend of my brothers, but his son is a friend of my son. Small world. I am hoping to do his play justice. It is a realistic play and with a small budget. I am trying like hell to do the best we can with a minimal set. All in all, everyone cast is doing a great job, already. They are bringing some nice creativity to the table. This is a big cast of eleven. It helps a lot that the actors are experienced on the stage, so I don't have to start from scratch with them all. The play is very different from the film. I have the utmost respect for Mr. Bogosian's script. You should take a read of it sometime.

Just wanted to put in a little note about this years NYC workshop in June. Please start writing in if you are interested in making it. I believe it will be on Saturday, the 12th of June from 1pm - 5pm. Will have a sign in button put on soon. Hope to see you all there!

Life Goes On

Well, there went January. Jeez, the time is flying. All quiet in the D'Onofrio/Halladay household. I am getting ready physically and mentally to endure the rehearsal period for Talk Radio. So, looking forward to it. Can't stop thinking about all the devastation in Haiti. I have made donations and hope you all do to. I was in the Northridge Earthquake back in the 90's. It was like a war zone. Our condo was inhabitable and we had to move away from beautiful Calabasas to deeper in the San Fernando Valley. It was very scary. Especially all the aftershocks, but not even close to the death toll and devastation in Haiti. It all sure makes one think about how bad life can actually get, and how lucky we are to be just enduring a recession. Life is too short, to ponder on the bad luck we have all had to live with in the last 10 years. Lets move forward by helping others in need and redirecting our lifestyles to fit in with the times. Do what you can to help and let life go on graciously. http://www.hopeforhaiti.com

Family

It's so nice to have my family with us this month. My step-daughters, Alicia and Chantal and my son Hawk. Music fills the house along with unconditional love and care. So nice to be able to enjoy the kids before I have to put my nose back to the grindstone. A lot of work on the play, Talk Radio awaits me in February. I got a great cast and am so excited about putting up Eric Bogosian's play for March. It's so funny that I was asked to direct this play, with Eric working with my brother, and Eric's son befriending my son in NYC. It's a small small world. Life is starting out good in 2010. Still just getting by, but at least doing what I love and having my loved ones near. It's all about a good family base that supports you in your endeavors. Without my husband and kids support, It would be much harder for me to find the strength and time to do what I got to do. Love is great. I wish the same for all my readers. Your great, and thanks for all the support and well wishes you have given me and my family.