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To be Human....
Fall 2019
It's Thanksgiving in NYC's Chinatown and the Blake family has gathered to celebrate the year and maybe reveal a secret or two. Stephen Karem's Tony award winning play is a beautiful challenge to perform. And as a bonus, we get to prepare and eat a full Thanksgiving dinner every night!
The Island Packet wrote of the production...
"... an effulgent balance of coruscating comedy and heartrending poignancy....
"...we note the careful cosseting of the most exquisite cast. All six actors have come together to offer astonishing performances. Perhaps, not to act but to become “The Humans.”
Once again Lean Ensemble Theater has brought thoughtful theatre to Hilton Head. I am honored to be a part of it.
The Hunt for Answers....
Fall 2018/Winter 2019
Perseverance Theatre in Juneau, AK, is tackling the questions of art vs. science and story vs. fact in this world-premiere play by Samantha Noble. I play a determined scientist searching for the lost ships of Sir John Franklin's 1840s Arctic expedition to find the Northwest Passage. While on the hunt my methodical ways conflict with a singer-songwriter who is also aboard the research vessel and creating a concept album about the lost expedition. Click here for a first look.
The play is directed by Hannah Wolf (a 2018 O’Neill Center National Directing Fellow) and features original music by indie composer Marian Call. To learn more, click here for a Juneau Empire article. Or listen to an interview I did on KTOO public radio (scroll down for recording). Performances through December 16.
Will she or won't she....
Winter 2019
Della, the proud owner of Della's Sweets in Winston, NC is about to be a contestant on the Great American Baking Show and bakes cakes for every occasion...or so she thinks. But this baker's world is turned upside down when her best friend's daughter asks Della to bake a wedding cake -- for her marriage to another woman.
I'm delighted to be back at Lake Dillon Theatre in Silverthorne, CO playing Della in this poignant and wonderfully funny play that addresses how we deal with our strongly held beliefs and how we can connect if we open our minds and listen to each other. And oh yeah, there may involve some naughty scenes with buttercream frosting and instant mashed potatoes.
Written by Bekah Brunstetter (writer/producer This is Us) and directed by Melissa Livingston, the play will run at the Flex Theatre March 15-31. For more information, click here.
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One Night Only!
September 2018
In 2006 I had the pleasure of performing with Prospect Theater in their production of The Flood, a musical the New York Times hailed for "a majestic score that evokes the free-ranging Americana of Ragtime." On September 8th, I will be part of a professional New York cast who will come together with 36 singers from Monroe County Illinois, many who experienced the 1993 Mississippi floods on which the musical was based, for a one night concert version of the show at the TimesCenter. The concert will raise funds for continued hurricane relief in Puerto Rico and the Hispanic Federation's UNIDOS campaign. Tickets for the concert are $30-$50 and can be purchased at www.PropsectTheater.org. It promises to be a very special night of theatre.
Outstanding Actress in a Featured Role
Summer 2018
The NY Innovative Theatre Award nominees were announced and I am thrilled to be nominated for Outstanding Featured Actress for my role as Carlotta in APAC's Follies as well as part of Outstanding Ensemble for Follies. My thanks to everyone involved who made this show a joy to perform every night! And even more exciting, the show garnered a total of 10 nominations...congratulations to all nominees!
Outstanding Production of a Musical
Outstanding Choreography (Sara Brians)
Outstanding Ensemble
Outstanding Actor in a Lead Role (Greg Horton)
Outstanding Actress in a Featured Role (Victoria Bundonis)
Outstanding Actress in a Featured Role (La Donna Burns)
Outstanding Set Design (Ann Beyersdorfer)
Outstanding Costume Design Jennifer Jacob)
Outstanding Lighting Design (Annie Weigand)
Outstanding Sound Design (Caroline Eng & James Higgins)
The Old Showgirls Still Have It!
Spring 2018
According to the Queens Chronicle, "the old showgirls still have it in this sleek production" of Follies .
It's a story about the dreams and hopes of the young juxtaposed with the realities of life 30+ years later at a reunion of the Weismann Follies showgirls on the eve of their former theater's demolition. The show features some of Sondheim’s most well loved songs including “Losing My Mind," “Broadway Baby,” and that anthem to survival -- "I'm Still Here" -- that one sung by yours truly as Carlotta Campion. Performances run May 3-26th, Thursdays, Fridays and Saturdays at The Astoria Performing Arts Center. For more information to click here.
Order from Chaos, that's what I do!
Fall 2017
It is the year of the murder mystery farce for me. This time I take the stage as Inspector Goring, a kooky, British detective who arrives at William Gillette’s Connecticut Castle on Christmas Eve 1936 determined to find a murderer...and the victim, if there is one. Goring may miss all the clues and spend as much time performing Shakespeare monologues as she does interviewing suspects, but she always gets her man...or woman.... in this very funny thriller by Ken Ludwig. Playing though November 19. Get your tickets now.
Is it Mrs. Shubert? In the salon? With the scissors?
Summer 2017
This murder mystery farce is America's longest running play and Southeastern Summer Theatre is bringing it to Hilton Head with me playing Mrs. Shubert, the socialite suspect. It's been voted Best Comedy of the year eight times in Boston and Best Play of the year in both Chicago and Philadelphia. The madness of the show stems from the audience's questioning of the suspects and voting on the endings. It's different every night! The show runs at the Main Street theatre July 18-August 6th. Get your tickets here..
Mamma Mia: A SpectABBAular Evening of Music!
Winter 2017
One night only! Put on your disco shoes and get ready to dance the night away to the hit show Mamma Mia in Silverthorne, CO. I'll be taking on the role of best friend, Rosie, and having a blast singing such classics as "Dancing Queen," "Chiquitita," and "Take a Chance on Me." And even better, for the first time in decades I'll be performing on the same stage as my fabulously talented brother Al Bundonis in the role of Sam Carmichael.
Everything's Coming Up Roses!
Autumn 2016
It's my turn to try my hand at the indomitable Mama Rose in Gypsy! Come check out this wonderful, classic backstage musical. Performances run Sept 17- October 9 at Gallery Players in Brooklyn. For tickets go to GalleryPlayers.com
The Worst Pies in Anchorage
May 2016
It's back to Alaska -- this time further north where we will remount Perseverance Theatre's successful production of Sweeney Todd at the Alaska Center for the Performing Arts in downtown Anchorage. It will be fun taking the show that we originally performed on a thrust stage for 175 people and restaging for a proscenium stage at the huge Discovery Theatre which seat as 750. The whole cast is back and we even have an expanded orchestra. It'll be great to revisit Nellie Lovett and her meat pies. So much fun! See what the critics said the first time.
Master of the House: A Les Miz Concert
March 2016
I'm heading out to the lovely Lake Dillon Theatre in Silverthorne, Colorado, for a one night concert of Les Miserables. I will be playing the formidable Madame Thenardier and gleefully belting out "Master of the House." After playing Mrs. Lovett, I have the lack-of-moral-compass down pat. So if you are in CO and don't have plans to celebrate the Irish on March 17th, come join us for a little French!
Sweeney Todd in Alaska
Autumn 2015
In 2011 I had the great good fortune to play Mrs. Lovett in a wonderful production of Sweeney Todd directed by Andrew Glant-Linden at Mt Washington Valley Theatre in New Hampshire. Now I get to head to Alaska and play Nellie Lovett again in an all new production of Sweeney at the fabulous Perseverance Theatre in Juneau. Rumor has it, it will be a slightly non-traditional, more minimalistic version, but thankfully it doesn't seem like I will have to play the tuba like Ms. Lupone did in the last Broadway revival!
You Have Arrived at La Cage Aux Folles
Summer 2015
It's off to the beautiful Rocky mountains for a summer of playing Madame Renaud and Madame Dindon at Lake Dillon Theatre Company in their intimate production of this big Jerry Herman musical. Looking forward to singing that rousing score and spending time at a theatre I love. Plus I'll be singing in their Sunday night cabaret series. A fun chance to tackle new material!!
Calendar Girls on Stage
May-June 2015
Ivoryton Playhouse will be presenting the US professional premier of this heartwarming comedy. The play, based on the movie, based on real life, is the story of a group of Yorkshire Ladies who decide to bare all for a calendar to raise money for a local hospital. I play Marie, the head of the Women's Institute who is none too thrilled at her ladies' fundraising plans. The cast plans to do our own fundraising calendar... look for me and my strategically placed badminton racquets as Miss June.
Gala Time!
April 2015
An evening of cocktails and performing selections from Rodgers and Hammerstein's Allegro, NY-themed songs and a salute to APAC's spring show Merrily We Roll Along alongside some terrifically talented APAC alums. Looking forward to being part of this benefit to support this wonderful theatre and honor two special individuals Ted Chapin, President of the Rodgers and Hammerstein Organization and City Council member, Jimmy Van Bramer.
Yeah, a cruise might be nice
January 2015
Every time I get new copy from Liberty Travel, I look out the window, see the snow, hear the cold wind blowing and then I dream about a little vacation. I've actually never been on a cruise, But on the right ship it might be nice!
The Book of Life VO
December 2014
I voiced a fun cross promotional commercial for Liberty Travel and 20th Century Fox on the occasion of the release of Fox's animated feature The Book of Life -- available on Blue Ray and DVD January 27th. I hadn't seen the movie, but it looks cute and now I think I have to. It features the voice talents of Zoe Saldana, Channing Tatum, Ron Perlman, Christina Applegate and Ice Cube. Not bad company!
Goodbye Nurse Jackie: the final season
December 2014
On election day in 2008, I was hired to be one of the "core nurses" in a new show called Nurse Jackie. The first day on set I was handed my All Saints Hospital badge, a pair of purple scrubs and a purple stethoscope -- that would become my uniform for the next several years. My badge said I was nurse Allison Baker, but Stephen Wallem, who played Thor, soon nicknamed me "The Purple Nurse of Death" since I always seemed to be presiding over a patient who didn't make it. The legendary Eli Wallach was my first screen patient to feel the curse.. There were many others. I also became the stand in for Eve Best who played Dr. O'Hara, Jackie's s British best friend who has a penchant for sexy stiletto pumps. Being a stand-in for one of the leads in a episodic TV show is a masters in screen acting. You are onset all the time, you learn to watch and do and see it from the perspective of the cast, crew and production staff. Eve left early in season five, and because of my other projects I didn't work on Jackie for almost two years. But as they were filming the last episode of the series, Eve was coming back -- I got a call to come back too. It was a joyous reunion on set and a perfect way to wrap up the series and a memorable period of my career.
In the Bones at Astoria Performing Arts Center
Autumn 2014
It is always interesting to play a not so sympathetic character. In Cody Daigle's beautifully moving world premier of In the Bones, I had the chance to walk in the shoes of Dee Benton, a mother who loses her only son when he commits suicide after returning home from two tours of duty in Afghanistan. Not only does she have to deal with her overwhelming grief but also her feelings about his hidden homosexuality when it becomes impossible for her to deny any more.
Leah in Vegas at FringeNYC
August 2014
"Leah in Vegas is one of the most satisfying new American plays I've seen all year: it's a truly compelling story told with humor, maturity, intelligence, and heart. It should be one of FringeNYC '14's biggest hits."
- Martin Denton, Indie Theater Now
Come see us perform! I play the agoraphobic, OCD mom! Venue #11 64E4 Mainstage
Tues 8/12 at 2:30pm
Thurs 8/14 at 9:45pm
Sat 8/16 at 2:15pm
Sun 8/17 at 9:45pm
Sat 8/23 at 4:30
Project Greenlight: Inseparable
July 2014
Booked a last minute role to play a wife who comes back from the dead to help her husband face his own mortality in a short film being shot for Beast of the East's entry into Matt Daymon's and Ben Afflick's Project Greenlight which is designed to promote and encourage new directors. It was delightful to work with first time director Evan Eron and producers Ramfis Myrthil and Adam Lawrence.
Branded at Gallery Players
June 2014
Written by T.J. Edwards', this is a world premier of a comedy inspired by G.B. Shaw. I play Jenny, a woman who almost dies from an AIDS-like disease. When a miracle drug saves her, she's recruited to do a testimonial for the drug. Her charm makes her an overnight celebrity and she becomes the "face" of the drug company, bringing her great wealth. But when she begins advocating that the drug be given away free to save lives, threatening the profits of Big Pharma, she learns that every drug has a cost--not only financially. Branded was a semi-finalist for the 2013 Eugene O'Neill Theatre Festival. Get your tickets now at galleryplayers.com.
Goodbye Barcelona at The York
May 2014
I knew very little about the Spanish Civil War until I was cast in the first American reading of this beautiful new musical written by KS Lewkowicz and Judith Johnson. It is a love letter to the International Brigadiers who went to Spain from all over the globe to fight fascism. I play Rebecca, an London East ender who sets off for Spain to bring back her teenaged son who's run off to join the cause. Along the way she finds love and a newfound respect for those who fight for their beliefs. It's directed by Hans Frederich and stars an awesomely talented group. Come see us at the York Theatre Co Theatre at Saint Peter's 54th St. Just East of Lexington Avenue, NYC. Reservations at yorktheatre.org.