Hey Friends and Fans,

My favorite holiday is almost upon us. In fact, many people started celebating this weekend. Halloween! Hooray.

Halloween makes you think of witches, and witches makes me think of my iPhone witch game, starring me: The Red Witch.

You may already have this fun game last Halloween, but if you don't have it yet go to the iPhone App Store and download it now so you can fly around the solarsystem as me (Red).

Make this Halloween the one where you get to rule the universe with Red!

The Red Witch is fun to play any time of year!

Kisses . . .

                 Red

What Maisie Knew is one of my favorites, both as a project I worked on, and as a film. This movie, based on a modernized version of Henry James 1897 Novel, was beautifully shot and smartly cast (and crewed). 

Since its premier at 2012 Toronto International Film Festival, What Maisie Knew was nominated for the Tokyo Grand Prix at the 2012 Tokyo International Film Festival, and was chosen as the New York Times Critics' Pick. It's done well in the indie film world, and continues to gather more fans. Now available on iTunes, Amazon and Vudu, What Maisie Knew is definitely worth seeing.

Push Play to watch trailer if you cannot see video on your device. 

Directing team, Scott McGehee  and David Siegel, knew what they were doing when they cast this film. The chemistry and talent of the actors is why this movie is relate-able to all of us, even though it's shot from a child's perspective. Seeing the world through a child's eyes is part of the magic that Onata Aprile brings this to life as Maisie, which won her the "Outstanding Achievement in Acting Award" at the 2013 Newport Beach Film Festival.

An amazing child-actress, Onata carries this film with her endearing and emotionally real performances in scenes with Julianne Moore (Maisie's aging rock star mother), Steve Coogan (Maisie's art-dealing father), and with both Alexander Skarsgård (Lincoln) and Joanna Vanderham (Maggie) -- the two adults who see what Maisie knows.

Beside Onata Aprile, the other great talent who was unknown to most American audiences before this film is Joanna Vanderham (Pictured here with Onata  during the filming of What Maisie Knew).

Joanne's preformance as Maggie made me cry and laugh and feel. Working with her was a dream, so I am happy that she is now playing more and more visible roles -- like the role of Denise in the PBS Masterpiece Classic Series,The Paradise. If you haven't started watching it yet, you should!

Soon, Joanna can be seen playing Pamela in Dancing on the Edge, a 2013 British BBC drama by Stephen Poliakoff, which will air on Starz as a miniseries. It premiers October 19th at 10PM, so set your DVR or whatever it is you these days do to make sure you don't miss the next big thing in TV. That's what Joanna Vanderham is quickly becoming -- the next big thing!

The more I see, the more the talent of What Maisie Knew amazes me.

Last month, I went to see the Edward Hopper Collection at The Whitney. It was wonderful....here's a little teaser. 

Push Play to watch video of art.

I watched the Emmy's tonight because I love TV Shows (and of course movies and webcasts). It is my business. And what a business it is! But my true love is Musicals so this Emmy Show was great fun for me. Below I've selected the best moments, and my personal picks as winners for you're entertainment.

And the Emmy winner is: Neil Patrick Harris for Best Musical Awards Show!!

Push play here to view video if you cannot view it on your device.

And just when you think the music has ended he adds a musical dance number for and by the nominees for Best Choreography....

Push play here to view video if you cannot view it on your device.

Best acceptance speech: Merritt Wever

Push play here to view video if you cannot view it on your device.

Now you've seen all the best parts of the show!!  

I went to see the revival of Rogers and Hammerstein's CINDERELLA on Broadway a few weeks ago and fell in love all over again. Maybe I'm just a sucker for a good love story, but I know this musical inside out, and have since I was a child. I grew up watching it, listening to it, and singing every song . . . in my own little corner.

I admit I was a little skeptical when I heard that they had "updated" it, especially given my familiarity, and childlike awe for this musical. It's kinda like love, the second time you fall it's almost never as powerful or wondrous as that first magic crush. So you really don't want to go, if it's just going to hurt. Trust me, I've had devastating revival-depression before (See my review of the 25th anniversary reworked version of LES MIZ). 

But Musical Theatre is my one true love, so I put my fears aside and went. I even let myself feel hopeful enthusiasm along with of all the other audience members. As we entered the theatre, I was filled with anticipation. I was so excited about the possibility of being swept off my feet again, I bought myself the Cinderella tiara from the theatre souvenir counter. AND I wore it, feeling as if I was going to the Ball to meet my Prince.

Uh-oh! I'm in trouble now. Worried that revival might break my heart beyond repair, I took my seat. 

Then, something amazing happened. The overture began and, suddenly, I was lost in the music. Played flawlessly by the orchestra, it sounded even better than I remembered -- perhaps it's the new orchestration. Still, I knew every note and had to bite my tongue not to sing out the news!

If you are unable to view video on your devise, push the play to watch the Cinderella on Broadway Trailer.

"It's possible, it's possible!" I was completely caught up in the show from overture to ovation. It was as magical as I had dreamed it could be.

I love the updates too, they all were perfectly consistent with truth of the story, and the real meaning behind love.

Cinderella's strength came through in Laura Osnes' performance. Her voice is Disney beautiful, as is she. Osnes is very believable as a girl who has found a way to make her lot in life (being basically her step-mothers and sisters handmaid) tolerable. Without an ounce of bitterness, this Cinderella is smart. She finds joy in reading and learning, and never falls victim to playing the victim to her circumstances. Instead, because of her own understanding of limitations, she is kind and empathetic towards others. This quality come through in her desire to help people champion their causes to make their lives better. Laura Osne's Cinderella comes a cross as sincere -- a girl who dreams, yet sees the world realistically. (Side-note: I also absolutely LOVED Laura Osnes as Bonnie in Frank Wildhorn's BONNIE & CLYDE.)

The prince, played by Santino Fontana, is just plain funny. His voice is so gorgeous, it's enchanting. If he wanted to sing to me all day, I might even consider marrying him, too. Though this prince has his own reservations about running the kingdom, it is clear that he will never be truly great without Cinderella's savvy. Nice touch, new book writer, Douglass Carter Beane!

Speaking of the new book, I loved that there was a new character added, Jean-Michell (Greg Hildreth), who challenges the prince to make the kingdom a better one while also providing another quirky love-storyline with one of the "evil" step-sisters, Gabielle (Marla Mindellle). I didn't even mind that Ann Harada's Charlotte is the only one singing the Sister's Lament. She's funny and endearing in her evil ways. But one of the best played under-appreciated roles was Lord Pinkleton (Phumzile Sojola), his voice is delicious and his demeanor is hilariously formal in his tights.  

The visual impact of the show is magical - from the set, designed by Anna Louizos (See my illegally taken photo of the stage), to William Ivey Long's stunning costumes (pictured below, behind me and my friend outside the theatre) Amazingly, every magic transformation happens on stage -- right in front of the audience. No lighting tricks necessary when there is true magic. This is the stuff of real theatre. This is why we love Broadway Musicals.

Don't miss the magic! From cast to music, from book to setting, there is nothing but wonder to be had with this brilliant production of Rogers and Hammerstein's CINDERELLA. We all deserve a night at the Ball.

A Lovely Night!

Dear Fans,

I have a special treat for you!

While working on a film called Valley Inn this summer, I spent the entire month of July in Arkansas. I never could have imagined that Arkansas is so full of excitement. From the "Sale Barn" (where they auction off live cattle), to the Rodeo of the Ozarks (where they take them down), to the Little O' Oprey in West Fork (where country music lives) -- I had so many new adventures, I can hardly count them all.

Watch this Video, so you too can capture a bit of the fun and magic of this amazing culture, which I was lucky enough to be a small part of this summer. Arkansas, I love you!

Yes, ya'll, that's me singing and yodeling like the country music star I always wanted to be! 

The sound on my video is from my friend Brooks, who filmed my performance on his iPhone. The actual video from his phone was blurry so I added my own video to his sound -- most of which was taken on my iPhone -- isn't technology grand.

My costume only looks so good because Leslie Pennel (co-costume designer for the Valley Inn film), is a brilliant stylist. That girl is a beauty herself, and she can make anybody look good. In fact, she does so all the time with her own fashion designs called ESQUE. I'll be reviewing her beautiful designs an upcoming post -- be on the look out for that so you too can look fantastic. And remember what Red says, "It not how you feel, it's how you look that matters!"

The many other faces in my video are some of the brilliant people I met during my journey southward, I cannot name them all (or I'll have to kill you), but I will say....Here's my howler, Tausha! 

Now, I have to take a moment here to shout out to The Little O' Oprey Band. An amazing group of talent, ranging in age from preteen to post-older, they are incredible and gracious musicians. Making music with them was my favorite time in Arkansas. I'm so honored that I could be apart of their show, even if it was just make-believe. I say that because I was only singing as my character, Marlene, for the Valley Inn film. Hopefully, the Little O' Oprey will have me back someday. In fact, they did ask for my number because they wanted to see if they could book me for some of their regular shows. I sure hope the fact that I'm currently living in Manhattan doesn't get in the way of my Country Music Career!! 

When the  Valley Inn movie comes out you can see me on the big screen, playing the role of Marlene. She's the town tart, don't you know! What can I say . . . type casting. (To watch my video audition for Valley Inn Film CLICK HERE.)  

That's all for now....but have no fear there will be more fun adventures to come! If you know me at all, you know there is never a dull moment in my life.

Kisses. . .
            Red

"Whoever said, 'It is better to have love and lost than never to have loved at all' has obviously has never loved!"

For all Red Says Quirky Quotables Click HERE

In the summer of 2000, Jason Nabeta was taken from my life - far too early, and so unexpectedly.  Our relationship will always be an unfinishable story in my life. One I'll never be able to completely come to terms with. Nothing can change this truth, no matter how much time passes.

When he died, I was away. Far from him and our home in New York City. Alone in a way I'd never been before, I was empty, numb, angry and frightened. Not only did I lose my best friend, my love and my joy, I also lost the chance to say goodbye with others who had known him at AMDA, where Jason and I had spent so much of our time, our life together.

Though I had my own private memorial in my apartment with our closest friends, missing his AMDA memorial has always a source of additional sadness for me. Now, thirteen years later, because my dear friend Ben Caron posted this Video, we can share the service where I longed to be when I first knew Jasone was gone.

For Jason, I will always be grateful.

To read more go to: All Posts Jason.

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Valley Inn, the movie about a NJ girl's adventures in a small dusty town in Arkansas, is gathering momentum using Indiegogo. Take part in the making of this funny, heart-warming movie, click below and help them meet their goal!

Watch Video to see some of the starts from Valley Inn!!

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