PARADE - the workshop

Here are some great photos taken by Mark Ramont of the workshop of Parade at Ford's Theatre that I did a few weeks ago. Enjoy!

Parade

I had the pleasure of spending my past week participating in a workshop of Jason Robert Brown's Parade at Ford's Theatre. Ford's is looking to produce the show, and wanted to rehearse a group of actors on the piece for a week and present it to some of the theatre's donors to get feedback on the possibility of producing the piece, which had a limited run on Broadway and a brief tour afterwards. This piece has always been a favorite of mine, and the chance to work on this amazing score was impossible to resist. The cast was made up of what we like to call most of the "Usual Suspects" i.e. - Eleasha Gamble, Tom Simpson, Chris Bloch, Amy McWilliams, Lauren Williams, Bligh Voth, Chris Sizemore, among others.

Leo was portrayed by Steve Rosen, and Lucille was played by Jill Paice - both of who are NYC based.

I had the pleasure of playing Britt Craig, the news reporter who starts the sensationalism of the trial via his columns in The Atlanta Georgian.

Parade is based on the true story of the murder of Mary Phagan, and the subsequent trial and lynching of Leo Frank in Atlanta, circa 1915.

The story is very grim material for a musical, some might argue, but I think that it is an important story to be told, and the musical does it so very well. It is truly an American Opera.

The reading went great, and time will tell if the piece gets the go ahead or not, but there seems to be a great deal of excitement around it.

xoxo

sgs

BUSY BUSY BUSY

Sorry everyone! Life is a little bit crazy right now - I have not posted much because of this. I am teaching in 3 Fairfax County schools, just choreographed "High School Musical" for Rockville High School, I am doing James Thurber's "Many Moons" at Falls Church Art Space - (see below), am bar tending at Signature, working at Ticketplace (sometimes), and doing a workshop of "Parade" at Ford's Theatre this week. So a very busy man am I. And this is also audition season here in DC, so there has been plenty of that, and ongoing.
More updates will follow soon, as many things are forthcoming - including me doing a DC Fringe show for the first time...stay tuned!
XOXOX
SGS

2010 Helen Hayes Award Nominations

I have been nominated, along with my fellow cast mates for a Helen Hayes Award for Outstanding Ensemble in a Musical for The Civil War at Ford's Theatre. Here are some of the other nominations garnered from show that I have been blessed enough to be in:

THE CIVIL WAR
Outstanding Director, Resident Musical
Jeff Calhoun, The Civil War, Ford's Theatre
Outstanding Musical Direction, Resident Production
Jay Crowder, The Civil War, Ford's Theatre
Outstanding Supporting Actress, Resident Musical
Eleasha Gamble, The Civil War, Ford's Theatre
Kellee Knighten, The Civil War, Ford's Theatre
Outstanding Resident Musical
The Civil War, Ford's Theatre
The Canadian Embassy Award for Outstanding Ensemble, Resident Musical
The Civil War, Ford’s Theatre






ADDING MACHINE: A MUSICAL
Outstanding Lead Actor, Resident Musical
David Benoit, Adding Machine: A Musical, The Studio Theatre
Outstanding Musical Direction, Resident Production
Christopher Youstra, Adding Machine: A Musical, The Studio Theatre
Outstanding Resident Musical
Adding Machine: A Musical, The Studio Theatre
Congrats to all, and I am so proud of all of my fellow cast mates from both of these incredible shows!
For a full list of nominees, click HERE.

2009 - On The Stage.

The year began as the last one ended - with Les Miserables at Signature Theatre. The show was a huge success, and very rewarding to do. The family of people working on it was like none that I had ever experienced, and I treasured every moment of it.

We went on to win many awards at the Helen Hayes Awards this year, including "Outstanding Ensemble" and "Best Musical". It was a truly amazing experience.

I went directly into the next show from Les Miserables, which was The Civil War at Ford's Theatre. This show was a pleasure to work on from the start, and ended up being one of the most fun experiences that I have ever had in the theatre. From the cast to the show, it was a sheer delight to perform every night.












In July, I had several things going on. First was my third 6th cabaret at Signature, entitled "The Stephen Gregory Smith Show", which mimicked the Ellen show in format and style. I had about 10 guests come up and sing with me throughout the evening. While it ran a little bit long, it was a fantastic evening of songs and duets that I am very proud of, and very thankful to all of my friends for appearing in with me!














Also in July I started a 3 week workshop process at Signature called "21/24". Two pieces were workshopped different casts of actors. The tow pieces were "The Boy Detective Fails" by by Adam Gwon and Joe Meno, and "The Hollow" by Matt Conner and Hunter Foster. I appeared in the former.



The experience was like theatre summer camp, and was so fun for all of us. Joe Calarco directed The Boy Detective, while Eric Schaeffer directed The Hollow. The Boy Detective is based on Joe Meno's novel of the same name, and concerns a thirty year old former boy detective named Billy Argo. I treasured playing Billy Argo, and this character has become one of my favorites that I have ever tackled.










It was one of my favorite roles I have ever attempted, and I truly hope that Billy Argo comes around again. Only time will tell.








My last full production of the year was at Studio Theatre, in the show Adding Machine: A Musical. This strange little show was the little engine that could. With hardly any set, a minimal costume and lighting plot, and a score harder than any I have ever worked on, this piece is one that I will always hold close to my heart.





I also got to meet and work with David Benoit, who was a pure delight. I valued my time with him so much!


Adding Machine: A Musical was listed in the "Best Of 2009" by both the Washington Post and The City Paper. I am so proud of our little engine that could. It was one hell of a ride.


And as you can see from my earlier posts, I ended the year with the Swinging Santas Cabaret at Signature. So a busy year, all in all. I am so grateful and thankful to all of the people who were a part of all of these experiences. And also thankful to anyone who cared enough to come and see them.
I hope everyone had a happy and safe New Year!
xoxo
SGS

The Civil War in pictures.

Production photos by Mark Ramont. I have no words to go with these photos. I just enjoy every last one of them.
xoxo
SGS