Nick Garr

MULTI-TALENTED LINE UP ON TAP at AWOW'S SHOWCASE at THE CELL, TUESDAY, JULY 28th.

“We are given the opportunity to share our creative work and be received by a truly supportive and empathetic audience of fellow AWoW members and their guests. AWoW’s talented artists revitalize my spirit giving me strength and passion as I pursue my craft.” Michelle Macau

A great lineup of talent has been assembled for Artists Without Walls’ July Showcase at The Cell Theatre beginning with cellist Noah Hoffeld. The soulful maturity of Noah’s new album Play Human belies the fact that Noah comes from a life in Classical Music. But playing Classical was never everything to Noah. Before graduating from Juilliard, he began pushing the limits by improvising, bringing rock and pop to the cello, and asking questions that would push his career beyond the ordinary. Cellist Noah has played for the likes of Renee Fleming, Philip Glass, Bebel Gilberto, and Brad Mehldau and records solos for films and television such as The Skeleton Twins (starring Kristin Wiig and Bill Hader), and Showtime’s Happyish. Noah will be singing a few songs from his new album and accompanying himself on piano and cello.

Richard Stillman is an all around performer. As an actor he has performed on Broadway, the Kennedy Center and in regional theater. These days he is mostly performing his own shows in schools, libraries and care centers. He will be telling at the New Jersey Storytelling Festival on Sept. 20th and will be performing his Spirit of Vaudeville show in Summit, NJ on Sept. 27th. During Tuesday,’s Showcase Richard will be telling two of his own stories. One is from the highlands of Scotland and the other is from the highlands of Peru.

With a commanding stage presence and stirring poems of triumph, tribute, and forgiveness, I.S. Jones’s poetry stunned the audience into roaring “amens” at AWoW’s March Showcase. If you missed her you have a chance to meet her and hear her work at this Tuesday’s Showcase at The Cell. I.S. is recent transplant from Southern California, is currently a graduate candidate at Hofstra University and she is a teaching colleague of Connie Roberts. I.S. was recently asked to come onboard as an editor-in-chief at Encore Radio Show, a show that delves into the culture and history of hip-hop. She is the winner of the Power Poetry Scholarship and publishes in several other literary magazines such as Harpoon Review, Chaparral, and Fat City Review.

Nick Garr, whose photo left was taken while performing Jerome Robbins” “Broadway” will be presenting a character from his show “The Mob Psychic” and presenting it in a way that will be completely new and original to an AWoW Showcase. Sam Adelman has been working with Nick on his web series, and will be shooting Nick’s scene for his series. Get ready for some real excitement.

Ed Romanoff, whose song “St Vincent de Paul” won Song of the Year from the Nashville Songwriters Association, and whose self-titled debut was a Roots Radio Top 100 for 2012, and ranked as high as number 12 on the European Americana Charts. Ed will be performing a not yet recorded “old tune” about the claddagh ring (might Niamh Hyland join him?) and possibly a song he recently wrote which “…was inspired by Connie Robert’s moving book launch,” said Ed.

And rounding out the evening’s entertainment is first time AWoW presenter, Alex Shapiro. Alex is a poet born and raised in Beacon, New York. Having completed his undergraduate studies at Northeastern University this past May, he will be moving to the Midwest this Fall to pursue his MFA at the School of the Art Institute of Chicago.

Join emcees Niamh Hyland and Charles R. Hale for a great night of fun an entertainment The Cell Theatre, Tuesday, July 28th, 338 W23rd St. The doors open at 6:45pm.

ARTISTS WITHOUT WALLS' HOLIDAY SHOWCASE at THE CELL THEATRE, TUESDAY, 12/23, 6:45PM

“This is a note of thanks for supporting my efforts through pictures and words these past two years. I’ve been working as an actor for at least twenty five years now and I’ve never before been involved in anything quite like this. AWoW is a unique blessing. So happy to be a member.” Jack O’Connell, actor, New York

Ron Vazzano is a writer/poet who has read his work at The Cell on a number of occasions since becoming a member of AWoW. As an actor, at a recent Showcase, Ron performed at a monologue he’d written called, “Ten Totems of Obsolescence in Passing.” Tuesday night he will be reading one, as he says, “Seasonally appropriate, poem.” No doubt, humor will abound.

Ed Romanoff’s debut album was a Roots Radio Top 100, number 12 in Europe, and its opening song was voted Song of the Year by the Nashville Songwriters Association. Recently, at fifty years of age, Ed discovered that he’s not Russian as he’d always believed, but Irish. Ed is writing a book about uncovering his true identity as well as recording a followup CD. He will be performing a few of his tunes with, we’re sure, a story or two thrown in.

Singer/songwriter/producer Michael Sheahan will be performing Christmas songs from his three-time award winning Christmas Book, CD and Dance DVD “Mr. Holidays Presents The Roof Top Hop,” as well as songs from his latest Christmas CD, “Some Things Never Change.” Looking for some additional holiday music? Look no further.

“Paper Tigers” is a solo theatrical piece, which is currently being developed by Nick Garr. In “Paper Tigers”, Nick creates, or rather, “recreates,” a variety of characters from the underbelly of the familiar. With them, he explores our shared issues of love, sex, ambition, and self-image, in a world where things are often not as they appear. Nick will be performing a segment that shows Father Rodney, a teacher at an all boys Catholic high school, presenting his final religion class to a group of graduating seniors.

Playwright and writer Joseph Goodrich will present “The New Boy”—-a holiday reminiscence set in Minnesota, where Goodrich grew up. In “The New Boy,” Christmas 1970 is fraught with loss, anxiety, and an unexpected guest. We heard Joe present this piece at Ed McCann’s “Writers Read” recently. Brilliant.

Honor Molloy and Niamh Hyland will present “Christmas on an Island”–adapted from a Radio Eireann script written by Honor’s mother Yvonne Voight. This selection from “Smarty Girl – Dublin Savage” is set in the last days of 1954 when Noleen’s mother heads out to the wilds of Inish Maan for Christmas. Might this include a tune from Ms. Hyland as well?

Marion Stein is a graduate of the Sarah Lawrence MFA program. Her work appeared in Gordon Lish’s legendery Quarterly Magazine. You can catch her snarky television recaps at Happy Nice Time People. Marion’s available fiction includes “Loisaida” – a novel of gentrification and its discontents – as well as the new work she will be reading from at the Showcase.

And rounding out the evening’s performances will be a scene from Brona Crehan’s “Moonlight Sonata,” which will be performed by Grainne Duddy.

A number of artists will have CD’s and books for sale, so if you’re looking for last minute stocking stuffers you’ll find them at The Cell Theatre, 338 W23rd St, tomorrow night,Tuesday, December 23rd, 6:45pm

We hope to see you then.

BRILLIANT LINEUP ON TAP for ARTISTS WITHOUT WALLS' "SHOWCASE AT THE CELL" 8/26

Why attend an Artists Without Walls’ Showcase? Here’s what poet Connie Roberts said about a recent event. “It was a thrilling, life affirming night—life-affirming in the sense that an Artist Without Walls’ showcase highlights beautifully, often spectacularly, our shared humanity. In our fast-paced, rat-race lives, it is easy to feel disconnected from the world, from our fellow man/woman. But then you have a space like AWoW has created, where people bring their stories and share them—their hurts, betrayals and joys—in various mediums, with a bunch of other folks, who have their own stories. It’s as if by magic, the whole room experiences a sense of connectedness, real-time affirmation that we’re all part of a rich and complex tapestry.”

We have a great line up planned including Mark Donnelly who will perform the opening monologue from his new play No Dead End. Set in Los Angeles in the late 1980s, No Dead End explores the blurring of movie fantasies and reality through the friendship of a film librarian and an aging actor. Mark writes plays, poetry, short stories and nonfiction. Mark holds an M.F.A. in Creative Writing from Brooklyn College and is an adjunct English professor at St. Francis College in Brooklyn Heights.

Honor Finnegan is a Kerrville New Folk Song Contest Winner, and an accomplished vocalist. She will be sharing a couple of her songs, and covering one by Christine Lavin. Aviv Roth will accompany her on guitar. She will be peddling CDs so bring your spare change.

Renata Hinrichs, a Cannes Film Festival and Obie award winning actress, will present a section of Random Acts, a solo piece she wrote about growing up on the South Side of Chicago in the late 60s. Her father, a young Lutheran minister, wants to change the world, and her mother just wants to be the perfect pastor’s wife. Renata is performing in the United Solo Festival on Theater Row, Sunday, Oct 12th at 2 pm.

Singer/songwriter Warren Malone loves to sing, write songs and play guitar. “I love traditional folk music as much as I love a great pop song. The first record I ever put on was a Hank Williams’ record when I was four years old. As a kid I loved Elvis.” Joining Warren on the piano for some old time rock ‘n’roll will be his son Gibson Malone. If you haven’t heard these two play together you’re in for a treat.

Nicholas Garr has appeared in film, TV and Broadway. “Lobsterman” is an excerpt from his solo play, Paper Tigers. Nick appeared at a Showcase earlier in the year and meshed his great physicality and comedic skills with piped in sounds as diverse as spraying mouthwash, bullets flying through the air and screams to create an intense piece of theater.

Martin Kleinman, a native New Yorker, who was born and raised in The Bronx, returned in 2010, after living in Manhattan, Jackson Heights and, for 25 years, in Park Slope, Brooklyn. Over the years, he has written a novel, screenplays and a recently published collection of New York-centric short fiction. Martin will read a short section from that collection, from the story called “Home Front.”

The Cell's Artistic Director, Kira Simring and Steven Simring — **The Cell’s Artistic Director, Kira Simring and Steven Simring**

Steve Simring is a forensic psychiatrist with more than a passing interest in theater. In his quest to understand his long deceased mother, he has attempted to channel her and explore her long and problematic marriage to his father. He’ll be doing just that on stage this Tuesday.

And maybe a short film and an additional song or two. So join us Tuesday, August 26, 7pm for a great night of entertainment and conviviality at The Cell Theatre, 338 W23rd St., NYC. See you there.

ARTISTS WITHOUT WALLS' SHOWCASE WRAP UP, JANUARY 28, 2014

“The event last night was replenishing, especially because of AWoW’s spirit and the vibe among the people. They were all so happy to be there.” Justine Blau, author of Scattered: A Mostly True Memoir.

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Afro Peruvian guitarist Yuri Juarez and percussionist Jhair Sala got the evening off to a great start with a song called “Idolatría.” The song is a traditional Peruvian waltz with a free and open interpretation for guitar and cajon. Yuri and Jhair followed with “Arroz Con Concolón,” a Festejo or in English a celebration. “Arroz con concolón is rice with the toasted rice in the botton of the bowl. You can see that in the Spanish paella. It’s delicious,” Yuri explained through his infectious laughter. Great music, a great beginning.

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Nick Garr followed with an outstanding performance from his solo theatre piece, Paper Tigers. Written by Nick, the work is a stunning combination of comedy and drama. Nick meshed his great physicality with piped in sounds as diverse as spraying mouthwash, bullets flying through the air and screams to create an intense piece of theater.

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**Photographer Vera Hoar and Noel Lawlor**

Actors DJ Sharp and Mary Tierney were splendid in a scene from Joe Davidson’s Looking for Cans. DJ, as the butler Philip, perfectly captured the lubricious behavior of Philip, as he attempts to extort money from his boss, the wealthy socialite Mary Wellsworth. Mary T, as she always does, slipped into her role of “wealthy socialite,” well, as if she were one. Is she? A stirring scene brought alive by two great actors.

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Jim Hawkins, making his first appearance with AWoW, began his presentation by giving the audience a brief background on the life of Eamon Kelly, the great Irish storyteller or seanchai. Jim followed with a wonderful rendition of Eamon’s story, “The White Cat,” and concluded with a spirited version of Tommy Makem’s humorous song, “The Liar. Of Jim’s performance, actor Jack O’Connell said, “I love watching a great pro who’s come prepared.” Well said and right on the mark.

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Actor John Duddy and singer/songwriter Michael Brunnock opened the second half of the show bringing to life the extraordinary character that was Irish Nationalist, Roger Casement. Their passion for telling Roger’s story was palpable and truly compelling in its intensity. If this is a taste of what’s to come , then I believe the audience is hooked. John and Michael aroused the listener’s curiosity through haunting melody and Casement’s own words, telling the story of one of the great humanitarians of this century . “I believe Roger Casement and what he represents is as important today as when he died, one-hundred years ago. I am privileged to tell how I see his story and working with John Duddy on this has been such an inspiration to me ” said Michael. “We are so excited to work together and looking forward to producing the full show in the late spring.” And we’re looking forward to having this dynamic duo return.

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**Emcee Caroline Winterson and AWoW Cofounder Charles R. Hale**

Aedin Moloney, one of NYC’s finest actresses, performed a scene from her award winning performance in A Most Dangerous Woman, a play about writer George Eliot. During this bravura performance, Aedin held the audience captive as she brought to life the disappointments and frustrations of being a great woman writer in a man’s world.

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Mary Lannon charmed the crowd reading from her completed novel An Explanation of the Fundamentals of the Derivation of Dilapidated Brown Station Wagon Theory aka How I Became A Scientist and Discovered the Truth About Getting Stuck in the Wrong Universe by Miranda J. McCleod. (Yes, that’s the title.) She also encouraged everyone to “Facebook Friend” her main character Miranda J. McCleod as she seeks out an agentpublishing opportunities for this terrific young adult novel.

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Actor Andy Baldeschwiler closed the evening by sharing the Tom Robbins’ travel story “Two in the Bush”, depicting a couple’s romantic mis-adventures in the African wild. His animated and hilarious performance elicited many appreciative guffaws from the crowd and was the perfect send off into a chilly New York night.

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The next Artists Without Walls’ Showcase at The Cell will be on March 3, 7pm at The Cell Theater, 338 W23rd St., NYC. For more info on Artists Without Walls contact info@artistswithoutwalls.com

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Photos by Cat Dwyer and Vera Hoar.

ARTISTS WITHOUT WALLS' FIRST ANNIVERSARY SHOWCASE at THE CELL, TUESDAY, 1/28/14

“What’s been needed so desperately is what AWOW gives us, a loving ear to witness. That room, that audience of art friends, people that really understand and want to see you express it. Wonderful!” Mary Tierney, actress

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And we expect more of that tomorrow night, Tuesday, January 28th, 7pm, at The Cell Theater in NYC.

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Nicholas Garr has appeared on Broadway, Off-Broadway, and around the U.S. in productions of A Streetcar Named Desire, A Doll’s House, Godspell, Brigadoon, Orpheus Descending, West Side Story, and Jerome Robbins’ Broadway. His television credits include Law and Order, Dream On, Another World, and Loving; and independent films Joey and Mike and Doctor’s Intentions. Nick is also the founder of City Theatre Project, a not for profit group, which teaches young teens theatre arts in the South Bronx. Nick will performing a piece titled “Action Hero” from his solo show Paper Tigers.

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Seanchai JimHawkins will be making his first appearance at an AWoW Showcase. Jim will be telling “The White Cat,” a story of one of Ireland’s great storytellers, Eamon Kelly, and singing a song “The Liar” that was written and sung by the great Tommy Makem of the “Clancy Brothers and Makem” fame. Jim will accompany the song on the Irish drum, more accurately known as a bodhran. (bow-ron)

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Actors Mary Tierney and DJ Sharp will be performing a scene from Joe Davidson’s play “Looking for Cans.” In the scene, the butler Phillip (DJ), is attempting to extort money from Ms. Wellsworth (Mary) through the revelation of a strange encounter thirty years earlier with a now homeless veteran. Joe’s play will be performed at both the Manhattan Veterans Hospital and Northport Veterans hospital and the ultimate goal is a fundraiser for the Wounded Warrior Project.

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One of the evening’s highlights is sure to be Afro-Peruvian guitarist Yuri Juarez, who will be joined by the great Peruvian percusionist Jhair Sala, one of the most sought after percusion players in the city. Yuri, who was named the 2009 Latin Jazz Guitar Player of the Year, has crafted a distinct approach to jazz harmony and improvisation, placing it carefully among Afro-Peruvian rhythms.

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Singer/songwriter Michael Brunnock and actor John Duddy, who is seamlessly making his way from being a champion boxer to a top notch actor, will be performing an excerpt from Michael’s highly anticipated new work, a musical drama highlighting the life and legacy of Irish Nationalist hero Roger Casement. Of his award winning album, Orchard, one reviewer said, “…encapsulated by the slow build-up of rich, warm harmonies, uplifting melodies, and beautiful folk instrumentation.”

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AWoW member Mary Lannon will be making her first reading in front of an AWoW audience. Mary will be reading from her finished, young adult novel An Explanation of the Fundamentals of the Derivation of Dilapidated Brown Station Wagon Theory aka How I Became A Scientist and Discovered the Truth About Getting Stuck in the Wrong Universe by Miranda J. McCleod (Yes, that is the title…I confirmed it…twice) and sharing a little about publication strategies.

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Actress Aedin Moloney, who has had great success in the last few years in her roles in Dancing at Lughnasa and Air Swimming, and most recently in her brilliantly reviewed A Most Dangerous Woman about the life of George Eliot, asked if her presentation could be a “bit of a surprise.” Why not? Whatever Aedin comes up with is bound to be incredibly special. We’re honored to have her.

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Aedin Moloney in "A Dangerous Woman." — **Aedin Moloney in “A Dangerous Woman.”**

And closing out what is sure to be a great evening will be actor and voiceover artist Andy Baldeschwiler. Andy’s recent stage credits include work with The Pearl Theatre Company, Shakespeare on the Sound, The Glass Eye, and the Accidental Shakespeare Company; he has also appeared in a few short films and web series. A lover of words and storytelling, Andy said “I’m excited to be sharing with the AWoW audience some humor and wit from one of my favorite writers.” Can you guess whom that might be?

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The fun begins at 7pm–please arrive on time–at The Cell Theater, 338 W23rd St., NYC. Hope to see you there.