John Moran and Artists Without Walls are pleased to present a staged reading of Ancient History, by David Ives featuring Stephanie Linas and Daniel Schwait,* January 12, 7:30pm, at The Cell Theatre.
Jack and Ruth, a seemingly perfect match, are suddenly faced with the question of marriage. In this smart and spirited play, serious differences, previously swept under the rug, are now forced into the light. She is culturally Jewish and her parents reject her dating outside the faith; he is a lapsed Catholic who scorns organized religion. She enjoys the finer things in life while he is happy to live with little means. She wants to get married and have a family. He has been married before and vows never to do so again. They make their cases with razor sharp wit and poignant pleas, but is staying together the right thing to do?
The Cell Theatre 338 W 23rd St New York, NY 10011 Door opens at 7 pm, curtain at 7:30, free admission, no reservations required.
There’s another reason why you’ll want to attend Artists Without Walls’ January 28 show “Crossing Boroughs,” where you’ll not only experience an afternoon of wonderful entertainment, but for the price of the show, which is only $15, you’ll have access to all the exhibits in the museum.
If you haven’t been to the Museum of the City of New York you’re in for a treat. It’s in a wonderful building, located on Fifth Avenue across from Central Park and the New York exhibits are always excellent. There are a number of exhibitions that will be on display in late January. One that might catch your attention is “Mod New York: Fashion Takes a Trip.”
“The world of fashion was turned on its head in the 1960s, as its traditions were challenged, rejected, and reimagined for the restless next generation. Beginning with the introduction of First Lady Jacqueline Kennedy as a new American style icon and evolving over the course of the decade, fashions of the 1960s were legendary for their energy, their ingenuity, and their enduring appeal.”
Featuring more than 70 garments drawn primarily from the Museum’s Costume Collection, the exhibition traces the dramatic transformation in clothing between 1960 and 1973.”
Join us for a great day in January! The weather is going to be better–it can’t get worse–there are no football games on that Sunday and the show is sure to lift your spirits.
Artists Without Walls is pleased to announce that it will once again have a show in Origin Theatre’s First Irish Theatre Festival titled “Crossing Boroughs.”
The show will be performed at the Museum of the City of New York, January 28, 3pm.
“Crossing Boroughs” was written by Charles R. Hale and stars Niamh Hyland along with Maya Kronfeld, Jonathan Matthews, Mary Ann McSweeney, Shu Nakamura, Laura Neese, Jack O’Connell, David J Raleigh, and Shirazette Tinnin.
Charles R. Hale/Narrator. Niamh Hyland/Music Director. Charmaine Broad/Director. Mitch Traphagen/Graphics and Images. Christopher Hale/Multi Media and Sound Effect.
Comments heard after Artists Without Walls’ Showcase at The Cell this past Tuesday.
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“The AWoW showcases are always full of creative, surprising and inspiring performances. I was moved by the personal, touching and very clever songs/stories. From the legendary Americana and Irish folklore to the poignant and funny accounts of family legacy and furry members. Bravi to all!!” Theresa Sareo
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“Mick Mcauley’ s performance was absolutely mesmerizing. I loved it.” Marie Mularcyzk O’Connell
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“Last night’s Artists Without Walls’ Showcase was absolutely amazing. Glad to have shared the experience. The artists including, Eddie Brill, Candice Baranello, Lorraine Berger, Marie Mularczyk O’Connell, Michelle Macau, Dave Keener, Niamh Hyland, Michael Brunnock, and his surprise guest Mick Mcauley, were fantastic. Thanks Charles and Niamh for once again putting together such a great “Showcase” of talented artists.” Marty Plevel
“The song Niamh and Michael Brunnock wrote and performed…I MUSThear it again!” Tom Myles
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“Michelle’s story was such a touching tale and one that needed to be shared. Thank you, Michelle.” Niamh Hyland
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Photos by Vera Maura
Lorraine Berger, Candice Baranello and Marie Mularcyzk
Michelle MacauMichael Brunnock and Niamh HylandCharles R. HaleEddie BrillDave KeenerMichael Brunnock and Mick McauleyMountain Maidens with Michael Brunnock: Lorraine Berger, Candice Baranello and Marie Mularcyzk O’ConnellMick Mcauley
The fifth in Charles R. Hale Productions’ series entitled “New Yorkers: Together in Story and Song” will feature German-born violinist Annette Homann and will take place on Wednesday, Aug. 23 beginning at 7:30 p.m., at the cell theatre, 338 W. 23rd St., Manhattan. Homann, who is traveling from Berlin where she relocated to in 2016, will be joined by Hale’s co-founder of Artists Without Wall, County Leitrim native Niamh Hyland on vocals, Alexander A. Wu on piano, Shu Nakamura on guitar and Danny Weller on bass.
“These talented musicians will be crossing musical genres, presenting jazz, rock, classical, tango, Latin music and more,” Hale said.
Vera Maura Hoar’s photos from Artists Without Walls’ July Showcase at The Cell, July 25, 2017
Theresa, Sareo, Amanda Thorpe and Serena JostNiamh HylandSam Adelman, Craig Fogel and Maleni ChaitooGary RyanCharles R. HaleChristina Jolie Breza and Gabriel CharlesRon VazzanoMichi FujiAnana Kaye and Irakli Gabriel
Many thanks to Artists Without Walls’ cofounders Charles Hale and Niamh Hyland for another great Showcase at the Cell Theatre. The artistic presentations ran the gamut: Poetry, film, music and storytelling. Playing to a standing-room-only house, the skilled performers generously shared their talents with Artists Without Walls’ members, friends and guests.
David Hofstra, Joel Forrester and Michi Fuji
The Michi Fuji trio, with Michi, violin, David Hofstra, bass and Joel Forester, piano, opened the show. The trio played two of Foster’s original compositions, which had the audience swaying and tapping their feet to the beat. Michi, a Japanese born violinist, who has found her niche in jazz, delighted the audience with her dazzling performances in both works.
Ron Vazzano
Ron Vazzano followed with a poetry reading, a unique and nuanced performance, combining reading and singing skills. Ron either recited or sang a verse from a song, always relevant to the pithy poem that followed. His reading of “Comey Quartet,” incorporated lines from both Joni Mitchell’s “Both Sides Now” and Simon and Garfunkel’s “Sounds of Silence.” Then, incorporating lines from Charlie Chaplin’s “Smile,” Ron created the warm sound of singer Nat King Cole. He then wrapped a poem around the music, which described daily life in a nursing home. His reading of the poem beautifully enhanced his poem’s message.
Gabriel Charles and Christina Jolie Breza
Next up was the lovely Christina Jolie Breza, who was accompanied by pianist Gabriel Charles. Christina presented the love story of her life in story and song. Her stories and choices of songs, “Basket Case” by Green Day and “Falling Slowly” from the musical “Once” held deep and special meaning; She was talking and singing about her husband, Gui. Christina’s presence and grace on the Artists Without Walls’ stage is always well received by the adoring audience.
After accompanying Christina on the piano, Gabriel took center stage. In the past, Gabriel has provided piano accompaniment for performers at Artists Without Walls’ Showcases but on Tuesday he made his debut as a soloist, backed up by vocalists Jasmine Brown and Jenna McDonald. Gabriel sang two songs from his recently released, inspirational CD “Free Falling.” It was the first time religously inspired music was presented at an Artists Without Walls’ Showcase and judging by the audience’s receptivity, it won’t be the last.
Amanda Thorpe
A surprise is always an unexpected pleasure and London’s Amanda Thorpe’s appearance was no exception. Backed by vocalists Serena Jost and Teresa Sareo, Amanda performed an impromptu, melodious tune, filled with harmony that was reminiscent of folk music’s heyday. Many thanks to Amanda, Serena and Theresa for this special treat.
Gary Ryan
Gary Ryan followed with a short story filled with vivid details from his childhood on the east side of the Mississippi River, in the hill country of Mississippi. The story centered on a “big old dog” that had been tearing up his family’s back yard at night and their effort to get rid of it. After hearing the story, it’s no wonder that the event has captivated Gary all these years later and that he felt moved to write about it. A compelling story in the hands of a compelling storyteller.
Sam Adelman
Artists Without Walls’ charter member, filmmaker and editor Sam Adelman delighted the audience, presenting an episode from “Don’t Shoot the Messenger,” a comedy series that can be seen here. The series explores the humorous side of communication between people who use signing as a language and those who don’t. Episode six, which delighted the audience, dealt with the humor that arises when a person thinks they know sign language, but doesn’t.
Deni Bonet, Anana Kaye and Irakli Gabriel
The duo of Anana Kay and Iraki Gabriel, who emigrated from Georgia in the USSR, wrapped up the entertainment portion of the evening. The talented couple presented a video of their work and followed with a song, “American Smile.” Anna and Irakli capped off a wonderful and varied AWoW showcase.
Join us for the next Artists Without Walls’ Showcase at The Cell on August 22nd. The doors and bar open at 6:45 and the performances begin at 7:30.
Artists Without Walls’ May Showcase by Vincent Nauheimer
The attendees at Tuesday night’s Artists Without Walls’ performance at the Cell were richly rewarded by a diverse group of artists and, for a number of the performers, a debut in grand style.
The evening started out with a heart-warming story told in spoken word and song by first time Artists Without Walls’ presenter, Mary Catherine Bolster, or MC as she is known. She was accompanied on the piano by Gabriel Charles. In a beautiful voice, MC recalled how she and her sister grew up with music and then moved on with their lives in separate directions. The one thing that was quite obvious from her words, emotion and song, was that the love they had for each other never diminished. Her performance ended with a beautiful rendition of the Ave Marie in tribute to her now deceased sister.
Gabriel Charles and MC Bolster
Cynthia Neale, who was in New York this week to celebrate the early release of her book, “The Irish Milliner” at McSorley’s Old Ale House, followed MC. Cynthia, together with our own Charles Hale, (Co-founder of Artist’s Without Walls) performed a scene from her play, which revolved around the prejudice shown to both the Irish and women in the 1850’s. The irony of the scene is that it depicted a woman trying to get a drink in McSorley’s and the bartender played by, Charles, promptly showing her the door. The scene ended with Cynthia and Charles doing a modified version of the Irish Jig which would have made Fred and Ginger envious!
Charles R. Hale
Cynthia Neale
Peter Stoopack, also a first time Artists Without Walls’ performer, added drama to the evening, delivering two engaging pieces. Peter’s first piece was Robert Frost’s poem, “Death of the Hired Man.” Skillfully delivered, the poem examines what the word home means and recounts Frost’s tale of the hired hand coming back, to what he considered his home, to die. Next, Peter launched into the famous St. Crispin’s Day monologue from Shakespeare’s “Henry V.” It was a rousing performance of Henry the V’s call to his army to beat the French at Agincourt. If Peter had been Henry, we would have followed him into battle following his amazing delivery of this emotional charged speech.
Peter Stoopack
Next to take center stage was Patrick Bamburak, who is best known as a founding member of the indie-rock band, bait-oven, (pronounced “Beethoven” – as a pun on the composer’s name.), but is also globally recognized as a contributing editor for Black Belt Magazine. Patrick, a veteran artist, songwriter and singer played three of his own compositions including his opening number, America Can’t Last and then added, Without Love. He recognizes that it is the artists who are called to be the keepers of the flame and speak their truth especially concerning the power of love and compassion. Patrick finished up his set with a splendid rendition of another appropriate song for the times, “America” by Simon & Garfunkel.
Patrick Bamburak
Gui Augustini and Christina Jolie Breza extracted numerous belly laughs from the audience in a hilarious scene from “Sight Unseen” by Donald Margulies. The action began as a first time artist’s model, played by Christine, cajoles the artist, Gui, to show her his sketches. She then comes on strongly to the rather timid artist, who obviously doesn’t know what to make of it. This was an amazing, high energy performance, playing off each other so incredibly well, which the scene’s hilarity. It was a pleasure watching these two perform and judging by the abilities displayed at the Cell, we will be hearing and seeing a lot more of them.
Christina Jolie Breza and Gui Agustini
The final performance was comedic, one that included an underlying message of great importance. Jennifer Rawlings was welcomed for the first time to the Artists Without Walls’ stage by Niamh Hyland, co-founder of Artists Without Walls. Jennifer,who has appeared on Comedy Central, CMT, PBS, FOX, VH-1, A&E, CNN, Joy Behar and TEDx talks, highlighted the pain and suffering of mothers and women in warzones and asked the question, “What am I/we going to do about it?” Jennifer then proceeded to discuss the making of her documentary “I Only Smoke in War Zones” which documents the effects of war on women. The underlying theme was a magnificent and inspirational story about the power one woman wielded when she set her mind to it. A brilliant ending to a wonderful evening. And lastly, as a veteran, I would like to personally thank Jennifer for the over 300 shows she has done for members of our armed forces all over the globe.
The fifth in Charles R. Hale Productions’ series entitled “New Yorkers: Together in Story and Song” will feature German-born violinist Annette Homann and will take place on Wednesday, Aug. 23 beginning at 7:30 p.m., at the cell theatre, 338 W. 23rd St., Manhattan. Homann, who is traveling from Berlin where she relocated to in 2016, will be joined by Hale’s co-founder of Artists Without Wall, County Leitrim native Niamh Hyland on vocals, Alexander A. Wu on piano, Shu Nakamura on guitar and Danny Weller on bass.
