Comments on: Favorite Musicals, Performances and Performer of the Year

By: Christopher Dykton

Christopher Dykton — Sat, 26 Sep 2009 12:28:33 +0000

Joel, Thank you for your kind consideration in recognizing Follies. It was a labor of love for all involved. Your support of area theater is impressive and deserves to be on everyone’s top ten list. It certainly is on mine.

By: Hayley A

Hayley A — Thu, 03 Sep 2009 21:49:42 +0000

Thanks, Joel! I appreciate the recognition for Beauty and the Beast. It was my first real performance, and to be in one of the season’s favorites is a HUGE honor. Thanks so much!
Hayley A (The Wardrobe)

By: Josh Simon

Josh Simon — Wed, 02 Sep 2009 23:07:20 +0000

Thanks so much, Joel! I really appreciate your recognition of a public school performance. I love Churchill’s theater program and can’t wait for this year’s shows! I hope to see you at our performances of Miss Saigon and Chicago!

More endless thanks,
Josh Simon

By: Kim DelPrete

Kim DelPrete — Sun, 30 Aug 2009 17:28:54 +0000

Joel,

Thank you for recognizing Children of Eden this year. As an “Eden” parent, I can attest to the hard work and dedication of these kids. For my daughter, a dancer in show, this experience has a been one that was truly memorable.I agree with your assesment of the lighting and stage design. It was truly ethereal. And, your scene stealing moments were mine as well. Lily G. always brought tears to my eyes with her rendition of the title song. Thanks again for attending!
(It was nice meeting you 2 weeks ago at “Annie”.)

By: Mimi Kress

Mimi Kress — Thu, 27 Aug 2009 23:37:08 +0000

Joel – We’re so proud of the cast members of “Children of Eden” for making your list of Favorite Musicals! We appreciate your diliegence in following the DC theater scene.

By: Karissa Swanigan

Karissa Swanigan — Tue, 25 Aug 2009 22:43:01 +0000

Joel, Thank you so very much! AHHHH! What an unbelievable week and year! Someone pinch me because this year has just been too good to be true!!! WOW! Thank you so much to Landless Theatre and especially Andy and Melissa Baughman. I have learned so much from them and am so grateful to them for giving me so many amazing opportunities this past year. I want to thank everyone at KAT as well because I learned so much working with Kensington for several years and I have absolutely carried that with me. Thank you DCTS for everything you do and for all the support. And a special thank you to my new fiance’ Nick…I love you so much!
Thank you Thank you….this is so exciting!!!!

By: Diane Hamilton

Diane Hamilton — Tue, 25 Aug 2009 22:01:46 +0000

Thank you for honoring “Beauty and the Beast” and Sophie and Zachary!

By: Michael Baron

Michael Baron — Tue, 25 Aug 2009 21:57:24 +0000

Hey Joel! Great article and many thanks for the kudos. I had a great time working on both shows.Your encouragement of DC theatre from the smallest to largest productions is greatly appreciated.

By: Cathy Oh

Cathy Oh — Tue, 25 Aug 2009 13:34:33 +0000

Joel –

Thanks for including Trailer Park as one of your favorites!!! It was an amazing production with an incredibly talented cast and crew. And as always, thanks for your unending enthusiasm! See you in the lobby of the next show.

By: Joan Cushing

Joan Cushing — Tue, 25 Aug 2009 03:44:21 +0000

Joel,
Thank you so much for mentioning Heidi. It was such a gorgeous production, as well as my first collaboration with Marty DeSilva, who wrote the script. We had a really exciting and fun collaboration.

Also, it was nice to see the kudos for Act Two’s production of Children of Eden. Did you know Keith Tittermary did the orchestration for Heidi which are gorgeous? He also did the orchestrations for another musical I wrote called The Christmas Doll, and will be orchestrating 3 upcoming musicals I have been commissioned to write.r musicals. Keith is awesome.

And congrats to Felicia Curry. She played Petite Rouge in our Cajun version of Red Riding Hood at the NY Musical Theatre Festival, and she was sensational. I have seen her in so many productions. Her physicality and her craft are amazing to watch. Joan

By: Joan Cushing

Joan Cushing — Tue, 25 Aug 2009 03:22:21 +0000

Joel,
Thank you for including “HEIDI” in your favorite musicals. I thought it was a beautiful production and you are so kind to mention it. I also enjoyed reading about all the other shows you selected. It’s been a sensational year for theatre. Joan

By: Laurie

Laurie — Mon, 24 Aug 2009 19:43:01 +0000

Thanks for including HEIDI in your terrific list. Everyone involved in the show was honored and delighted to hear that the show lives on in your memory several months after its run!

By: Malinda E.

Malinda E. — Mon, 24 Aug 2009 16:28:04 +0000

Joel, thanks again for your enthusiastic support of theatre in the DC area! Your tireless efforts are greatly appreciated by so many people. It is always so much fun to read your articles! Thanks again, and I am sure I will see you soon.

By: Kat Brais

Kat Brais — Mon, 24 Aug 2009 14:37:47 +0000

Thanks Joel! Those youngsters really kept me on my game, that’s for sure! I am so proud of the work we did in Trailer Park and so happy to have been part of something so ridiculous and special. I doubt being trashy will ever be that fun again!

By: Joel Markowitz

Joel Markowitz — Mon, 24 Aug 2009 14:04:05 +0000

My apologies to KAT BRAIS, who played Betty, for leaving her off the cast list in ‘THE GREAT AMERICAN TRAILER PARK MUSICAL”. Kat was hysterical in the show, and her contribution to the show was so important. Her incredible voice made those harmonies so beautiful, and what would “Road Kill” had been without her?

By: Katie McManus

Katie McManus — Mon, 24 Aug 2009 13:30:35 +0000

Oh, Joel….thank you for always being such a huge supporter of community theater in the DC area. It is always a pleasure to see you in the audience (especially if you liked the show)! I’m very proud of my experiences with 110 in the Shade, Trailer Park and The Music Man, and thrilled that you enjoyed yourself, too!

With much appreciation,
Katie

By: Lily

Lily — Mon, 24 Aug 2009 04:52:56 +0000

Joel,
Thank you so much for coming to support the youth theatre. It means a lot.
And thank you for mentioning me and my fellow actors in the shows!
It’s always great to see you at things.

By: Evelyn Trester

Evelyn Trester — Mon, 24 Aug 2009 04:27:27 +0000

Joel and Rosalind,

Thank you both so much. It has been really amazing to get so much attention for this show! I did it for the sheer, unadulterated love of it — and never had hoped that it would be as well-received as it has been. Your enthusiasm and kindness will definitely NOT be forgotten, and will help keep me looking for another chance to be onstage again!

By: Rosalind Lacy MacLennan

Rosalind Lacy MacLennan — Mon, 24 Aug 2009 02:24:11 +0000

When Evelyn Trester first walked out on stage and spoke in that resonant voice of hers as Fosca in The Elden Street Players’ Passion, I edged forward in my seat. I thought: “This actress is playing a character who is strange; someone who has suffered, is weighted with pain, is obsessive, compulsive, passionate, conflicted and needy. And this performer knows exactly what she is doing.” I sat on the edge of my seat for the rest of the evening, filled with anticipation.
When Trester sang “Loving You” among other arias, my expectations were even more fulfilled. Then I knew that this singer with a rich, gorgeous voice was indeed different. This was an inspired performance, empassioned with purpose and backed by professional training and technique. Now I read in this column what Evelyn herself has said in response to Joel’s accolades, which Evelyn deserves, and I want to join in with Joel in encouraging her.
Sometimes something just clicks during an ensemble performance. Sometimes one performer inspired ignites a fire storm. That’s the way I felt during and afterwards. Before that August 15th Saturday performance I saw with The Ushers, Passion was a Sondheim chamber opera I’d only read about but never seen. To Joel: Thanks so much for bringing so many of us together to experience this memorable Passion. There was a reason the audience was sold out and the house manager was turning people away. Kudos to all the cast that included Heather Whitney as Clara, Patrick McMahan as Giorgio, and a wonderfully supportive cast and orchestral ensemble under the musical direction of Elisa Rosman. The entire Elden Street Players deserve a standing ovation for delivering an outstanding performance that was by far equal to or beyond any other professional company in the Washington D.C. area. Yes, I was there and can testify that afterwards we all gathered around Joel to say: “This performance is the best we’ve attended all season.”

By: John Loughney

John Loughney — Mon, 24 Aug 2009 01:08:55 +0000

Joel,

Many, many, many thanks for choosing me for this (and also for giving Trailer Park a shout out!). Both Falsettos and Trailer Park hold special places in my heart. As always, your support is GREATLY appreciated.

John

By: Katy Parker

Katy Parker — Sun, 23 Aug 2009 20:55:34 +0000

Way to go Jase…we are so very proud of your accomplishments!
Love, Aunt Katy

By: Jase Parker

Jase Parker — Sun, 23 Aug 2009 19:38:47 +0000

Thank you so much, Joel, for the constant support!! This is truly an honor to be on this list of great local talents!

By: Evan

Evan — Sun, 23 Aug 2009 17:11:30 +0000

Hey Joel!

Thanks for the TP mention! That is quite an extraordinary list of shows to be a part of!

Many thanks and keep up the good work!

By: Darnell Morris

Darnell Morris — Sun, 23 Aug 2009 16:21:00 +0000

Joel,

What an honor it is to have two shows that I worked on this year recognized! I have had the privilege as you can see to work with some of the most talented performers in DC on and off stage, young and old alike.

Beauty and the Beast was one of the most rewarding experiences of my life. Working with these young performers will be something I will always cherish. Trailer Park was a hoot and I am had a great time performing along side Malinda, John, Katie and the rest of the phenomenal cast!

Congrats to Zach, Sophie! You guys are out of this world

By: Kevin Kuchar

Kevin Kuchar — Sun, 23 Aug 2009 13:27:13 +0000

Joel,

As always its an honor for our young cast members to recieve such high praise from you and the folks at DC theatre scene. “Children of Eden” was one of our all time favorite projects and we appreciate your continued support! Thanks again- as always, break a leg!

By: Andrew

Andrew — Sun, 23 Aug 2009 13:22:00 +0000

Thanks for including Walmartopia, Joel, and for recognizing Karissa. She’s making a bunch of new fans up here at NYC Fringe, and you’ll see a lot of her next season at Landless!

By: David Bosley-Reynolds

David Bosley-Reynolds — Sun, 23 Aug 2009 03:54:46 +0000

Ok, I must have leaned on the wrong button ! To continue, I want to thank you for including us on your list. I look back on that time in my life with fondness, and wonder . The story itself has always pulled on my heartstrings. Whenever I feel like I need to cry, I pick up a copy of the book and read the Tiny Tim death scene ! OK, so call me maudlin, but it gets me every time. I think we pulled off a monumental task, and yes the seams showed every now and then, but wow, what an emotional journey we had every night. And I have to add Rebecca Fallie Chuie ( sp ? ) dancing Xmas Future made me be in the moment every performance. She was frighteningly beautiful and a force of nature in that role ! I feel very proud right now ! Thanks again !

By: David Bosley-Reynolds

David Bosley-Reynolds — Sun, 23 Aug 2009 03:47:07 +0000

Joel you dear sweet man,

By: Miguel Music

Miguel Music — Sat, 22 Aug 2009 18:41:56 +0000

What would a dance performance be without the right dance recital costume It would be pretty boring, and the final performance would look incomplete. Miguel Music

By: Renee Rabben

Renee Rabben — Sat, 22 Aug 2009 17:22:29 +0000

Hey Joel.

I can’t think of a more deserving choice for performer of the year than Karissa! I saw almost all the shows that she performed in and choreographed. She is just a stand out performer and can take on any character. She is also a friend that I treasure. Congrats Karissa!

I have also seen most of the shows and performers on your list and agree with you 100 %!

By: Tom Hyndman

Tom Hyndman — Sat, 22 Aug 2009 17:15:26 +0000

Joel,

Great choice! Although ,I only had the opprotunity to work with Kirrissa for the first time in “Fictitious”, she showed her talents as a wonderful performer and choreographer.

Tom