Emotion Packed Evening at Artists Without Walls' Showcase at The Cell Theatre

“Artists Without Walls creates the space—literally and figuratively—for artists of all stripes to be their best selves, to push boundaries, to experiment, to collaborate in a safe, nurturing environment.” That’s what Connie Roberts, poet and author of “Little Witness” has said about an Artists Without Walls’ Showcase.  Connie’s words provide a perfect description for Tuesday’s Showcase, which was one of the finest and most emotion packed Showcases in the last few years. 

 

Kathleen Bennett Bastis
Kathleen Bennett Bastis

Kathleen Bennett Bastis started the evening with her reading “Man in the Desert” a touching, funny story about how heart break lead her to a spontaneous trip to Burning Man where she found a renewed strength and determination. Who knew that eight days in the desert without a shower could be so cathartic!

 

 

Jenna Nichols
Jenna Nichols

Jenna Nicholls delighted the audience with her voice, singing songs that felt like they were torn from the pages of a 1920’s American Songbook. Songs including “Take Me Out Tonight” and “Back to You” reminded us of a forgotten era…

 

 

 

 

 

Kimberly Kelly Adams, Derek Murphy and Karin de la Penha
Kimberly Kelly Adams, Derek Murphy and Karin de la Penha

Karin de la Penha and Kimberly Adams were wickedly funny in a hysterical scene from Dublin born playwright Derek Murphy’s new play “Dyin’ For It.” The audience were certainly dying for more of Murphy’s very dark, extremely funny, look at what happens when a very unloved loved-one returns home to die, and potentially ruining Christmas. The writing and the acting were razor sharp. Murphy definitely takes no prisoners with his writing, and his actors thrive because of it.

 

Alexander A. Wu and Annette Homann
Alexander A. Wu and Annette Homann

Annette Homann and Alexander Wu recently began collaborating after meeting at an Artists Without Walls’ Showcase. The duo started with Gershwin’s virtuosic “It Ain’t Necessarily So.” Their performance of Piazzolla’s Tango “Milonga de Angel” can best be described as stunning, erotic and breathtaking. Their last piece, Bernstein’s “America” got the audience off their seats. 

 

Walter Parks and Annette Homann
Walter Parks and Annette Homann

Here’s what singer Judy Collins said about Walter Parks, “Walter is an extraordinary singer whose songs can break your heart as well as get you dancing….Walter is a musical treasure, an artist of the highest caliber. To hear him is to be lifted into a mystical sphere.” How true, as we once again experienced Walter’s lofty talents, performing songs he wrote “Comin’ Home Holler,”  “So Bad, So Good,” and “Butta.” He then asked Annette Homann to join him in “Angel’s Point of View.”  What followed was a special moment–exquisite music filled with tension and emotion from two incredible artists.  Standing ovations and many hugs followed, particularly for Annette, who announced she will be returning to her native land, Germany,  in the very near future.  A wonderful evening of artistic expression, good feelings and friendship. 

 

The next Artists Without Walls’ Showcase will be at The Cell Theatre on August 23. Doors and bar open at 6:45. The performances begin at 7:30.

 

All photos by Vera Hoar. 

Vera Hoar's Photos from Artists Without Walls' July Showcase at The Cell Theatre

Vera Hoar’s photos from Artists Without Walls’ Showcase at The Cell Theatre, July 26, 2016

Paul Bevan and Walter Parks
Paul Bevan and Walter Parks
Annette Homann and Michelle Macau
Annette Homann and Michelle Macau
Kimberly Kelly Adams, Derek Murphy and Karin de la Penha
Kimberly Kelly Adams, Derek Murphy and Karin de la Penha
Kathleen Bennett Bastis
Kathleen Bennett Bastis
Richard Deane
Richard Deane
Jenna Nichols
Jenna Nichols
Walter Parks
Walter Parks
Alexander A. Wu and Annette Homann
Alexander A. Wu and Annette Homann
Closing shot: Joe McElligott, Connie Roberts, Tom Myles,  Marty Plevel, Niamh Hyland, Kathleen Bennett Bastis, Charles R. Hale, Annette Homann and Walter Parks
Closing shot: Joe McElligott, Connie Roberts, Tom Myles, Marty Plevel, Niamh Hyland, Kathleen Bennett Bastis, Charles R. Hale, Annette Homann and Walter Parks

"THE VERY BEST IN MUSIC, THEATRE AND SPOKEN WORD" at ARTISTS WITHOUT WALLS' JUNE SHOWCASE at THE CELL

Niamh Hyland
Niamh Hyland

 

“A remarkable evening of front-line talent. Artists Without Walls encompasses the very best in music, theatre and spoken-word. Entertainment in a thoughtful, respectful atmosphere devoid of posturing and ego. Quite refreshing. Bravo!” writer Billy Barrett.

 

 

 

Allison Sylvia
Allison Sylvia

Allison Sylvia, a recent graduate of NYU, is a thinking young woman who melds song, dance, poetry, chant and humor in her work, and on Tuesday night she had the crowd on the edge of their seats. Allison transforms her scraps into art and it’s exciting to watch her perform. “A year or more ago, I’d read snippets from journal entries Allison had written—character sketches she committed to paper as she rode the subway between Manhattan and Brooklyn.  Mark my words, she’s only coming into her own,” Poet Connie Roberts

 

 

John Moran and Rebecca Lowry
John Moran and Rebecca Lowry

 

 

John Moran, Rebecca Lowry and Courtney Torres followed, performing an excerpt from Brendan Connellan’s SAVAGE. Family issues come to a head and things get said that have long needed saying. The daughter, Torres, has only just told her father, Moran, that she is getting married and soon. Out of desperation, he calls the girl’s mother, his ex-wife, Lowry, who walked out on them when the daughter was just a baby and nobody has seen her or been in touch with her ever since.  She’s just arrived at the house….and from there we were subject to some wonderful performances from three fine actors.

 

Joe McGinty and Andrea Diaz
Joe McGinty and Andrea Diaz

Here’s what pianist Joe McGinty said about singer Andrea Diaz, “I’ve probably played piano for thousands of singers on my piano karaoke nights, but even after just one song, I knew there was something special about Andrea.”  And that’s how they met. 

 

We were thrilled to have Joe and Andrea join us on Tuesday night. The Duchess and The Fox, as they call themselves, is a throwback to an era of glamour with McGinty’s piano and Diaz’s voice combining to create highly sensual, piano cabaret music with a solid dose of New York nightlife flavor and grit. Great performance, including shouts of “Encore,” which Joe and Andrea willingly provided.  

 

Justin Phillips and Clarissa Hoffmann
Justin Phillips and Clarissa Hoffmann

What happens when a 19th century German immigrant meets a 21st century NYC casting director? Hilarity! Justin Phillips, a nineteenth century German immigrant farmer comes to America to pursue his dream of becoming a Broadway star. He meets a slick, twentieth century casting director played by Clarissa Hoffmann and all hell breaks loose.  

 

The short comedic theater piece “John,” written by Jodie Leidecker and performed by two first time Artists Without Walls’ performers was very well received by AWoW’s audience. Here’s what Clarissa wrote before the show, “I really loved the atmosphere at the April  Showcase and I think this piece “John” would be a great complement to the cultural and artistic mix of such an inspiring evening.” And that’s exactly what it was. We hope to see much more of Justin and Clarissa. 

 

Alexander A. Wu
Alexander A. Wu

Pianist Alexander A. Wu stepped up next and announced he was going to play some Gershwin.  And did he ever!  The first piece was a dazzling “Embraceable You,” which had been transcribed as a classical piece by Earl Wild.  

 

Not only did Alexander’s performance bring to life one of Gershwin’s earlier piano works, the aforementioned, “Embraceable You,” Alex also performed excerpts from one of the composer’s large scale works, “An American in Paris.” We’re excited to have Alex as our newest member and we hope that between his performances on the international stages with orchestras and chamber groups throughout Asia, Europe, Latin America and the USA it won’t keep him from performing at another Showcase in the near future.  

 

The evening was hosted and emceed by Artists Without Walls’ Artistic Directors Niamh Hyland and Charles R. Hale. Artists Without Walls next Showcase will be on Tuesday, June 28, 7:30pm at The Cell Theatre, 338 W23rd St., NYC. 

 

Photos by Vera Hoar

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

CLARISSA HOFFMANN and ALEXANDER A. WU at AWoW's MAY SHOWCASE at THE CELL THEATRE

Clarissa Hoffmann
Clarissa Hoffmann

Two and a half years ago, actress Clarissa Hoffmann moved to NYC to study at the Stella Adler Studio. Since graduation she’s been involved in a feature film with Oscar nominated actresses Renee Taylor and Lainie Kazan, several theatre productions, a web series and a number of short films.

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You can meet Clarissa and watch her perform with Justin Phillips at Artists Without Walls Showcase at The Cell, Tuesday, 5/24  in a comedic “New York City, pursue you dream” piece: What happens when a 19th century German immigrant meets a 21st century NYC casting director?

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After her first experience at a recent AWoW Showcase, Clarissa said, “I love the concept of Artists Without Walls. The performers were so brilliant! I can’t wait to perform.”

 

Alexander A. Wu
Alexander A. Wu

Alexander A. Wu, AWoW’s newest member, is as comfortable performing the American Songbook as he is performing classical music. He has given numerous concerts, master classes and workshops on both coasts and he has recently performed in Weill Recital Hall at Carnegie Hall, Alice Tully Hall, David Rubenstein Atrium, Spiegeltent Festival at Bard College and Meet the Artists at Lincoln Center’s Walter Reade Theater.

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Alex has also appeared on the international stage as both a soloist with orchestras, and a chamber player that includes St. Martin in the Fields Church (London) and Academia di Chigiana (Siena).

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Alex also recently joined the elite roster of Yamaha Performing Artists; from classical and jazz pianists Abbey Simon, Hank Jones, and Dr. John to pop artists Sir Paul McCartney, Sir Elton John, Alicia Keys, and Norah Jones.

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The Cell Theatre is located at 338 W23rd St, NYC. The doors and bar open at 6:45 and the performances begin at 7:30.