DIRECTOR OF MURDER ON THE NILE

I will be directing MURDER ON THE NILE by Agatha Christie at the Amateur Comedy Club. The ACC is a private theatrical club located on Sniffen Court at 150 E. 36th St. in New York City. The ACC has been producing theatrical productions in unbroken succession since 1884. MURDER ON THE NILE plays February 6th through February 18th, 2017.

BEST DIRECTOR AT 2015 THESPIS THEATER FESTIVAL!

I am happy to announce that I just  received the BEST DIRECTOR AWARD for the 2015 Thespis Theater Festival in NYC. The new musical that I directed and choreographed, WELCOME TO THE HARD LUCK CAFE, by Karin Ringheim, was also a finalist.

WEST COAST PREMIERE OF ROPE!

I am happy to announce that I will be directing and choreographing the West Coast Premiere of ROPE, the new western musical that I directed at the Venus Adonis Festival in January. ROPE will be performing at the Tenth Avenue Arts Center in San Diego, CA and will start public performances on March 17th, 2016. ropethemusical.com

Directing/Choreographing New Musical!

In two and a half weeks, I will be starting rehearsals for the World Premiere of a new musical, "Welcome to the Hard Luck Café." We are part of the Thespis Theater Festival, which is the 2nd largest theatre festival in the country! The show is written by Karin Ringheim and follows a group of recovering addicts/alchoholics as they try to reinvent themselves. The show plays Sept. 15th @6:15, Sept. 19th @8:30 and Sept. 20th @1:00 at the Hudson Guild Theatre at 441 W. 26th St. between 9th and 10th. For tix:   http://www.brownpapertickets.com/event/1732976

hardluckcafe.info

BLITHE SPIRIT!

I will be directing "Blithe Spirit" for the Snarks, LTD.--a 104 year old private theatrical club. Performances are June 4th-June 13th at the Amateur Comedy Club, 150 E. 36th St. between Lex and Third.

ROPE review!

Just saw this review from the new musical ROPE!

ROPE, by Mark Sickman, takes us back to a time where public hangings were a much celebrated extravaganza. It is 1895, in the Old West, and we are in Summit City, where William Maledon, the prince of hangmen, is about to conduct his last hanging. William, a man who prides himself on delivering “justice with dignity” is on the verge of retirement and accompanied by Mildred, his beautiful and ostentatious wife with lofty political ambitions. However, Mildred is not ready to leave the throne of public infamy and goes to despicable heights to safeguard her notoriety. ROPE is a wildly entertaining musical about the unholy  history of justice . With mastery and flair, director Debra Whitfield keeps the hoots and the tensions brewing. Along with a magnificent ensemble, Scott Schafer is a hysterical scene stealer. In ROPE, Sickman has created a spectacle of the best kind, one that holds a mirror to the absurdity of human ego.

stagebuddy.com

4 NOMINATIONS FOR ROPE!

I am happy to announce that the new western musical I directed and choreographed, ROPE, has been selected as a finalist in the Venus Adonis Festival 2015! I am also nominated for Best Director,Teresa Kelsey for Best Actress and Dennis Holland for Best Actor.

Our slot in the finals is:
Thursday, March 5th at 6:00 p.m. at the Robert Moss Theater, 440 Lafayette St., 3rd Floor (opposite the Public Theatre).
Running Time: 85 minutes

Many thanks to those who have already seen the show! For those who couldn't make it the first time around (or for those who would like to come again) it would be great to see you there. Tickets are $18 and can be purchased at the door for cash only. For reservations: venustheaterfestival@gmail.com. Equity cards are accepted.

Cast
Sam Durant Hunter
Dennis Holland*
Teresa Kelsey*
Ben Loving*              
Marvin Riggins, Jr.*
Scott Schafer*
Ian Stearns

*Member AEA


Creative Team
Book/Lyrics:                     Mark Sickman
Music:                                Mark Sickman with the Mystery Mountain Boys
Director/Choreographer:  Debra Whitfield**
Musical Director:              Scott Stein
Costume Design:              A. Christina Giannini
Set Design:                        Larry Taylor
Sound Design:                  Hooman Mehran
Props Master:                    Debra Moolin
Scaffold Choreographer:  Ian Stearns                  
Stage Manager:                 Nicole Brickley

**Member SDC
ropethemusical.com