Fringe Encores and other such interesting goings ons

So i have been neglecting this poor little blog this summer, and I am sorry. I feel like I've been super busy but at the same time, I've had some much needed time off before encores starts. And now that we're getting down to the wire, I wish I had more time off. We re-open on Tuesday. Yeah, Tuesday!

I'm excited as hell, don't get me wrong. Another chance to step into the shoes of this character? Any time, anywhere. And I'm pretty sure I've said it before, but I haven't had this much fun on stage in a long time. So many things about this festival have been so overwhelmingly amazing and positive. We've been chosen for Encores...pretty sure that falls under the category of amazing. We've been dubbed "the little show that could" by who, I don't know, but it seems we are that indeed. We've gotten amazing..there that word is again, reviews. Which I am so very thankful for. It's actually quite humbling to hear people say how much they enjoyed your work. I can't explain it but I guess it gives you a feeling of.."well crap, what did I do again? And i better not screw up the next one." It's like the pressure is on. Big time.

I didn't write about this before, but someone from the WB (yes Warner Brothers themselves) saw the show and invited me in to audition for them. Just a general audition, but still, thats a big freakin deal. I mean I know people see these shows, but someone from a studio?

see here: picture of me at the wb (geek moment there)

And now that Encores has started I've tried to see shows I wasn't able to see during the festival proper due to time/laziness/laziness. Our playwright and I were outside a theater yesterday evening waiting to see one of the other shows in Encores and what happened is something I don't think i could ever get used to. We were recognized. For serious. Don't get me wrong, it's cool to have someone come up to you and congratulate you on your work, but to be recognized? Which then caused other people to come up to us and compliment us on our work. Still, sooo weird. And I just felt very awkward. Thankful, but awkward.

And now we're in the final brush up rehearsals in preparation for the extension. I hope this show moves on. I feel it has a life beyond fringe. Of course I feel that way, but I really hope we continue on.

At the same time, actors never rest or sleep. I can feel the end of this ride approaching so I'm trying to line up auditions and gigs for the months to come. I know in October I'll be voicing a character in a radio sci-fi-action/adventure-comedy-drama show..thing. But on top of that I've finally landed an audition with York Shakespeare. A company some friends have worked with and I have been interested in working with for a while. So on Thursday if anyone has a spare second...just send good energy my way.

Somewhere in all this there was a crazy storm that was just a lot of wind and rain for me. I love this kind of weather. I don't know why, but give me a storm any day. Granted I'm happy the tornado(s?) didn't come near me.

Oh yeah, this might sound totally lame on my part, but it's pumpkin weather. Pumpkin flavored everything. And I love it.

FringeNYC news and new video!

So some good news from the past few weeks. First off, and sadly, the NY Fringe Fest is over. It was a crazy 2 weeks and I thank you all for coming out and seeing the show, supporting, laughing. Drinking afterwards. It was a great time.

But guess what? While the festival is over, it doesn't mean we are. Why is that? you're asking yourself...We've been extended!! Thats right! Getting Even With Shakespeare is officially part of the Fringe Encore season. The encore season? again you ask yourself. Well, it's basically the 'best of the best' of the fringe. Audience favorites, shows that did well ticket wise, and audience buzz-wise (if that's a word).

Now we're all in this for the art and for the chance to tell a story, or entertain, but Encores is a huge deal. Who knows what producer will show up, or what house will say 'we want you.' So it's a bit freakin deal. Of all fringe shows I've done, THIS show always had the potential to go on. So hooray! I mean, a lot of productions go in hoping to get noticed enough to even be considered. And we're in! And in good company too, there are some amazing shows that are a part of this year's encore. Check them out, but see ours first. All the info can be found here.

The press we've gotten, as you've seen since I shared some of it, has been so positive that it hurt to think after the festival is over we wouldn't get to do the show again. Hooray for extensions. And I have to say, this is some of the most fun I've ever had on stage. Very few exceptions. Playing Harry Houdini will always be a hilight, but this farce makes me want to laugh on stage every single night.

Buy tickets!!!! See it before we're off-broadway! Haha.

And in other news. A few months ago I shot a commercial for the website My Music Portfolio, which is a lot like kickstarter, but for bands. It allows people to invest in small bands and eventually someday see a return on their money. And of course help launch a career or two. The commercial is short and sweet but very pretty.

I shall share it with you now:

My Music Porfolio Commercial from Patrick Pizzolorusso on Vimeo.

It's good for a laugh. Really well done though. Something that was shot in 2 days with no rehearsal. We just jumped into it. Who knew I could play the drums. And notice my go-to army jacket. It's everywhere!