In the tradition of Allan Cumming, I’ll be hosting an evening of “theatre, games, prizes, drinks, and raffles.” Yes that means suspenders and no shirt meine damen und herren, mesdames et messieurs, ladies and gentlemen! That’s right I’m the emcee for Lucky Artist’s One Year Anniversary fundraiser. Gotta love a theatre company that was created on Halloween. They already have one show under their belt and their in pre-production planning for something new. In the meantime, they’ve gathered up an amazing roster of performers to entertain. Did I mention I’m in charge of deciding who gets free shots… better come check it out.

Friday, October 30, 2009 at 10:00pm
The Tada Theatre @ 28th and Broadway

I recieved a callback for a show called “Blue Sky Somewhere”, a new play in the Manhattan Repertory Theatre’s fall play festival. The director is Heather Lanza and the show is October 14, 15, 16. It’s down to me and two other guys. Keeping my fingers crossed. Inspired by themes of Eupides’ The Trojan Women, Blue Sky Somewhere approaches present day questions and crises through an interpersonal vantage point, exploring the leverage of hope against all the odds. I’m being considered for the role of Wally, a town boy who works at a lumber yard with aspirations of being assistant manager. He is head-over-heels in love with Lindsey, despite her unwavering resistance. His earnestness and simplicity of spirit is easily interpreted as hapless. He is very wise in his own down home, unassuming way; and a poet at heart.

Sorry Ms. Garland. The road does not get tougher nor lonelier and rougher.

It’s been a while since I’ve posted a “musing.” Only ten months ago this portion of the site was a place for me to regale the world with my tales of awful roommates, leftover turkey meals, etc… I started talking about these things because my career as an actor in Los Angeles was always very cushy.

When I moved to NYC I was determine to leave as many of my creature comforts behind so that I could really focus on being an actor. I vowed to spend my energies honing my craft and auditioning rather than worrying about comfortable furniture, sushi dinners, and items that cost more than $5 (only partly joking). I really wanted to go for it. As I’ve often said, Tobey Maguire supposedly lived on friends couches and survived on rice and beens. I wanted to be that dedicated. I’m proud to say, that I have. I’ve learned a lot and I’m still learning. I guess what I’m saying is this year I’m struggling a bit less. I’ve been involved in seven projects this year and I’m not done yet.

So, it’s time to take this blog in a different direction. According to Webster, the definition of muse is 1) to meditate on, 2) to comment thoughtfully or ruminate upon. But the origin of the word is actually a noun. Muse (noun): the spirit that is thought to inspire a poet or other artist; source of genius or inspiration. So, from now on, I’ll share things that inspire me as an artist. But not now. Now I’m tired of typing. :) Still, doesn’t that sound nice?

When “The Man” murders his brother, pumps heroin into local orphanages, and floods the ghetto with adulterated malt liquor, Black Dynamite is the one hero willing to fight all the way from the blood-soaked city streets to the hallowed halls of the Honky House. Sony’s film “Black Dynamite” hits theaters on October 16th and they’ve hired some improv comedians and performers, including yours truly for an upcoming performance piece in downtown NY. We’re going to be portraying activists for a fictitious charity from the film called “Fight Smack in the Orphanage.” The organization’s motto: “because orphans don’t have parents.” Check out this video:

More information:
http://www.fightsmackintheorphanage.org
http://www.blackdynamitemovie.com

Matt’s busy summer of plays winds down with a jam packed weekend of performances of Rock-A My Soul, the gospel rock musical loosely based on Susan Smith, the Union, South Carolina woman who murdered her two sons. The case received worldwide attention when Smith claimed an African-American stole the car and kidnapped her sons. Matt play’s Susan’s neighbor Ralph who gathers up the people of Union to find the two boys. The show opened earlier this month and closes on Sunday. Performances Fri @ 8; Sat @ 1, 4, and 8; Sun @ 5 and 8.

Purchase tickets online.

Written and Directed by Van Dirk Fisher
Musical Director: Anthony Harris; Lighting & Set Design: Ji-youn Chang
Production Manager: Zaylie-Dawn Wilson; Stage Manager: Joyce Pena;
Assistant Stage Manager: Lauren Monroe; Costume Assistant: Lana Cheng
Properties Master: Jarvis Chapman; Properties Mistress: Shirley Renelique

Featuring: Ambar Aranga, Atieno Ayo Hawkins, Alphonzo Bethune, Jennifer Chrismas, Matthew Falber, Van Dirk Fisher, Eric Gordon, Samantha Karlin, Amanda Kuchinski, Ashley Mas, Katie Matthews, Jonathan McDowell, David L. Murray, Jr., Cassie Newman, Emory Porter, Diana Sanchez, Diane Schwan, John Shasanmi, Whitney Stone, Abigail Taylor, Sarah Vidal, Scott Hodges, Michael Adam Leeds, Abeer Shofani, Gabrielle Mongiovi, Ahmani Croom, Boncella Lewis, Christopher S. Gillard, Tamayu Wiles and Aronda Way.

After today there will only be two more performances of The Divine Will of Ryan Morgan and I will have to say goodbye to one of my favorite characters ever. Thus far our audiences have really enjoyed the show and we’ve sold more tickets than any other show in the BoCoCa Arts Festival. It’s a talented cast, an amazing script, and it really looks great on stage. If you have some time, you should really come see us Friday @ 9pm or Saturday at 4pm.

Tickets and More Info:
http://www.theluckyartist.org/luckyprojects.php

That’s right… three. I’ve just booked a one act play written (my fifth play this year) by Anthony Fusco called “Straight Men Are Bitches Too.” The play will be performed in the Theatre at St. Clements as part of the Off-Broadway Strawberry Festival. You’ll have to come check it out on August 14th at 9pm. More performances will be announced if the play advances. Well, I better get back memorizing these scripts and working on these characters… things are busy!

In Union South Carolina, Susan Smith, a mother of 2 little boys, reaches out to the media and community to help her find her children when her car is carjacked. At the same time, Taylor Cooper is proposing to Julie Johnson, the woman he loves but something terrible happens to shake his world. Faith is the only thing that holds them all together. The soul-stirring gospel-rock musical is written and directed by Van Dirk Fisher, founder of the Strawberry Festival and artistic director for The Riant Theatre. I will be playing the part of the comedic role of Ralph, Susan’s neighbor who rallies the town to try to find her lost children. This is my fourth theatrical production this year in New York and I’m so happy.

For Tickets Visit:
The Riant Theatre Online

Dates:
Sunday, Aug 16 @ 2:00 p.m.

Saturday, Aug 22 @ 1:00 p.m.

Saturday, Aug 22 @ 4:00 p.m.

Saturday, Aug 22 @ 8:00 p.m.

Sunday, Aug 23 @ 8:00 p.m.

Thursday, Aug 27 @ 8:00 p.m.

Friday, Aug 28 @ 8:00 p.m.

Saturday, Aug 29 @ 1:00 p.m.

Saturday, Aug 29 @ 4:00 p.m.

Saturday, Aug 29 @ 8:00 p.m.

Sunday, Aug 30 @ 5:00 p.m.

Sunday, Aug 30 @ 8:00 p.m.

Summer is here but Matt is experiencing a brief winter moment.

What the hell happened this week? Why do I feel like I’m recovering from being hit by a truck? As much as people complain about working 9-5, and as much as I know I did when I did it, it gives you structure. Sometimes you wind up in this place where you’re struggling just to get out of your apartment. “What’s he talking about?” Let me start at the beginning.

The stars aligned this week to deliver me with lots of bad news. During the Tony Awards I found out I might lose my apartment — I just got a bed finally from my cousin when he moved to Portland. Yes, that wasn’t so great. I miss my cousin. The apartment struggle went on for a few days and then seemed to fizzle as if it was never an issue. I’m still not convinced that I’ve heard the last of it. Then everyone I’ve ever known in my life came to me with stories of breakups, death, depression, drugs, and the dreaded loss of a job. I actually lost a friend because apparently I wasn’t sympathetic enough to the job loss situation. A part of me didn’t care, it was too much for me to process in one week.

You see, I had things I was dealing with — and I always do. My chosen profession makes me somebody banks don’t want to deal with. It’s impossible for me to get an apartment in this city without subletting. I think I’m very talented but you’re always asking yourself, even when you are working as I am, will I ever achieve that level? But when people start talking about their losses, I often realize that Read the rest of this entry »

Whether is was Oannes or Dionysus, St. Genesius or St. Vitus, somebody’s been looking out for Matt.

They say that it’s no good to keep banging your head against a brick wall. It’s certainly a bloody metaphor isn’t it? I mean that would hurt. While, I’ve not been beating my head against anything, I’ve reached a point in my career where I need to accomplish some new things to move forward. So does that mean I’m punching the wall? I better get something to wrap my hand with.

Though it’s hard to believe, we’re almost halfway through 2009. Fortunately, I’ve been in some production or another since the beginning of the year. My acting has also been improving significantly since about November. I walk out of auditions and hear people say “wow, he was good” from outside the door. These things say to me, “Matthew (I don’t always go by Matt), you’re ready to crank things up a notch. You need an agent.”

Without delay, I bought some envelopes, wrote some letters to 30 different agencies that sounded promising and enclosed my resume and… oh no! Read the rest of this entry »