The Groove Factory (2012)
It's 1999. New York City. New Year's Eve. See you there....
Music & Lyrics by David James Boyd
Thursday, Jul 26th, 2012 at 5:00 pm
Thursday, Jul 26th, 2012 at 9:00 pm
Friday, Jul 27th, 2012 at 9:00 pm
Saturday, Jul 28th, 2012 at 1:00 pm
Sunday, Jul 29th, 2012 at 3:00 pm
It's New Years Eve, 1999. With the entire country caught up in "Y2K Paranoia", Chazz Goodhart decides it's the perfect opportunity to escape his rural hometown of Redfield, Virginia. He leaves behind his Meth-dealing mother, and hops a Greyhound bus in hopes of getting into the Party Of The Century: "The Y2K Bootyquake Bash" at The Groove Factory. Despite the assault on New York City's Clubland and the politically charged "War on Designer Drugs", D.J. Willy D. Vinyl has managed to keep his club pumping nightly, and the countdown to the Millennium promises to be a life-changing event. Set to an original score of pulsating electronic pop music, The Groove Factory is an exciting new musical theater experience.
Approximate Running Time: 95; with intermission
After appearing on Broadway in Miss Saigon and Kiss Of The Spider Woman (with Chita Rivera), David became co-producer (along with producing partner DJ Randy Bettis, of BETBOYZ) of multiple top 50 Billboard Dance Chart-toppers and has worked with artists Taylor Dane, Judy Torres, Kim Sozzi, Ari Gold, Jenn Cunetta, Brian Kent, Jason Dottley, Levi Kreis, Inaya Day and many more. David has served as composer/music director for music/songs for the Off-Broadway theatrical productions: Zanna Don't (John Houseman Theatre), Carnival Round The Central Figure (IRT), Matthew Passion (The Actor's Theatre), Rainy Days and Mondays (Fringe NYC), and the popular touring children's show, Roots Of Rap Poetry. Audiences enjoyed David's original music and lyrics in the recent Off-Broadway hit, My Big Gay Italian Wedding (St. Luke's Theatre). "Pride Is The Word", his own dance single, will be featured in the upcoming documentary, Raid On The Rainbow Lounge, narrated by Meredith Baxter, and his song "When It Comes to Love" will be featured in the upcoming film, Bear City 2. Training-UCLA/School of Theater, Film & Television.
One of the leading ladies of the Billboard Dance charts, Kim has enjoyed 10 Top #5 Billboard hits since bursting on the scene in 2001 with "Feelin Me," which featured popular remixes by Hex Hector, Rosabel and Jonathan Peters. She has the distinct honor of having 3 consecutive #1 songs on the Billboard Dance Charts (“Feel Your Love”, “Kiss Me Back”, and “Secret Love”) and in 2009, her single “Feel Your Love” was the #1 most played Dance song of the year, beating out “Poker Face” by Lady Gaga. Her collaboration with MYNT, "How Did You Know” peaked at #1 on KTU 103.5, received nation wide radio airplay and rose to #2 on the Billboard Chart. Kim has performed with acts such as– Justin Beiber, Lady Gaga, Pitbull, Pussycat Dolls, Flo-Rida, Coldy O’Donis, George Lamond,John Mayer, Fantasia, Backstreet Boys, Kevin Rudolf, and Cascada. In 2003 she recorded “Show Me The Way” with Jose Carrerras and toured with him throughout Europe. The duet went on to achieve enormous acclaim in the European market and was chosen as the theme song for Ski Jumping Olympics in Austria. Signed personally by Tommy Motolla of Columbia Records, Kim’s ballads were featured on the wildly popular soundtracks of Dawson's Creek and Teaching Mrs Tingle. Kim made her NY stage debut last spring in My Big Gay Italian Wedding, playing Toniann Naso.
Tommaso is tickled pink to explore the role of Chazz. Off-Bway: Altarboyz, My Big...Wedding, The Donkey Show. Tours: Hairspray, Cabaret, Altarboyz. Film: Enchanted, Revolutionary Road. Thanks to Chad and David. Love to Nonna
Emily McNamara was recently recognized by Time Out New York as one of the “top ten local women every gay man should know—and be obsessed with.” New York credits include: The Awesome 80’s Prom (also co-wrote), My Big Gay Italian Wedding, My First Time, Minimum Wage, The Karaoke Show, and Slut. Regional favorites include: Little Shop Of Horrors, Fiddler On The Roof, Dreamgirls, Godspell, Smokey Joe's Cafe, and Chicago. She performs regularly at NY Nightlife staples such Splash, BarTini UltraLounge, Joe’s Pub, The Laurie Beechman Theater, and at her MAC award nominated show Mostly Sondheim at The Duplex. More at EmilyMcNamara.com
Badia Farha is elated to be a part of The Groove Factory. She is a native of NJ, and received her M.A. from NYU in Music Performance. Some credits: Little Shop (1st National Broadway Tour), Rent (National & International Tour) and Dreamgirls (LaComedia). www.BadiaFarha.com
Broadway/National Tour: Hair, NYC: Children of Eden: Eve/Mama Noah (APAC). BA, Marymount Manhattan College. Endless thanks to Nicolosi & Co., the creative team and her wonderful family and friends. - maintenant.
Tony Perry has been seen on the New York stage in the US premiere of Murray Schisgal’s “74 Georgia Ave.,” which was performed in English and Yiddish, Martin: A New Musical; A Shelter In Our Car; Repo: The Genetic Opera; The Elf, The Bunny and the Big Xmas Blowup. Among his favorite roles are Big Moe in Five Guys Named Moe, Ken in Ain’t Misbehavin, Riff Raff in The Rocky Horror Show, Parchester in Me and My Girl, and Jim inBig River. He had a featured role in the film “Mickey.” He has three CDs available atwww.tonyperry.com, and iTunes. He resides in New York City with his wife, Beth, and is a proud member of Actors Equity Association.
Brett Douglas most recently appeared in Accidentally Like A Martyr." Off Bway: My Big Gay Italian Wedding. TV: "Blackjack," starring Ving Rhames, "One Life To Live," "As the World Turns." Resident actor with Emerging Artists Theatre Company.
Erik Ransom is an actor/singer/playwright and composer. Two musicals he authored, Coming and SAGA have been produced to date. To find out about Erik and his myriad projects, please visit him on Twitter, Facebook, YouTube or ErikRansom.com.
Nationally touring rocker/songwriter. NYC: Lovesick (59E59), Moon In the Sea, Jurassic Park- the Musical (UCB), F***ing Hipsters (NYMF), Tony N' Tina's... REGIONAL: The 12, Breaking Up..., Bat Boy, Last 5 Years, and more.www.jefftuohy.com
Travis Morin is originally from Lewiston, Maine and earned his BFA in musical theater from The Boston Conservatory. Travis recently was a part of the concert reading of Pump Up The Volume at Joe's Pub. Other credits include Altar Boyz (Luke), Rocky Horror (Rocky), The Who's Tommy (Captain Walker). Recordings: Pump Up The Volume, A New Rock Musical. Travis is a member of The Broadway Boys, Broadway Inspirational Voices, and is the lead singer of the band Takeover Tomorrow. Thank you friends, family, Avalon Artists & Prestige Management. www.Travis-Morin.com
National Tour: In the Heights, NY: It Ain't Nothing but the Blues (NHAT), Ain't Misbehavin' (HRT), and Crazy Head Space (Choice Theatricals). BA Theatre: The City College of New York. youtube.com/nathalysings. Thanks to Chad and David. Love to The Groove Factory team.
Jonny is thrilled to be making his NYMF debut with The Groove Factory! Theatre: Spring Awakening (Georg, ReVision Theatre), Pinkalicious! (Peter Pinkerton, Vital Theatre Co.), The Last Days of Judas Iscariot (Saint Monica, Wide-Eyed Productions), and Dreamgirls (Cadillac Soloist, Harlem Rep.) Film: How To Make It In America (HBO). Earned his BA from Marymount Manhattan College. Thanks to a wonderful cast and crew, and Miss Holly Buczek.
Credits include: Kiss me, Kate (National Tour), Hairspray (Northshore Music Theatre), The Full Monty (Northshore Music Theatre), Dreamgirls (Cain Park), Caroline, or Change (Karamu & Dobama Theatres), The Piano Lesson (The Cleveland Playhouse), Once On This Island, (Porthouse Theatre), Avenue X, (Cain Park), Godspell (Porthouse Theatre), Aida, (The Beck Center), The Buddy Holly Story (Carousel Dinner Theater).
As a librettist, full musicals include Vicarious (NY Fringe) and current musical workshops Fancy Lady (IRT Theater) and Stepchild (Rochester Institute of Technology & IRT Theater). He is currently working on a solo show, Shiva Makes You Fat, mentored by actress/comedian Judy Gold. On camera, Chad has appeared as a featured regular on NBC’s Open House NY, and is creator, producer and host of The United Plates of America and Woofmeister Inc, both currently in final stages of development. As an actor, he recently created the role of Father Rosalia in the long running Off-Broadway hit My Big Gay Italian Wedding (St. Luke’s Theater). Other NY acting work has been seen at Ensemble Studio Theater, Chashama, Actors Playhouse, West End Theater, and numerous other theaters. He is also a regularly featured voice on Nickelodeon and The Cartoon Network. Chad holds a BFA in Theater Arts from NYU/Tisch.
Tom is the artistic director of the Astoria Performing Arts Center (APAC), where he directed The Secret Garden, The Human Comedy, Children of Eden (NY IT Award, Outstanding Musical), The Pillowman, Ragtime and Proof. Other NY credits: It Is Done (22Q Entertainment/Mean Fiddler), The Play About the Naked Guy, Edenville (NY IT Award Nomination for Best Director, Emerging Artists Theatre); Grease 3: Threase (UCB/The Pit), The Miss Education of Jenna Bush (FringeNYC, Best Solo Show & Audience Favorite); Bright Lights, Big City (Marymount Manhattan College); The Who’s Tommy, Man of La Mancha, Six Degrees of Separation, Urinetown (NY IT Award, Outstanding Musical), Take Me Out (Gallery Players); I'm In Love With Your Wife (Midtown International Theatre Festival); The Good Thief and Rum and Vodka (Prospect St). Tom was a Resident Director for the Ensemble Studio Theatre, where directed workshops of Bella Via and David’s Play. Tom is a member of EAT and the LCT Directors’ Lab. BFA: Marymount Manhattan College. SDC Member.
Buddy is a choreographer/director with over 25 years of working experience in Show Biz…His career started in the 80's, becoming a back-up dancer & choreographer for teen pop sensation Debbie Gibson after he beat her in his High School talent show. He played hundreds of clubs with Ms. Gibson to get her 1st single on the charts, which eventually led to sold out-arenas world-wide. He toured with her for 7 years, choreographing many videos & stage shows along the way. After his 3rd world tour as back-up for Debbie, he turned his focus back to his dream of dancing on Broadway. Some of his favorite show credits include: Miss Saigon (Broadway), Starlight Express (Vegas) Hercules LIVE on Broadway, Red Hot Broadway, Miss Saigon (1st National Tour) That's Christmas Chicago, & most recently POP goes BROADWAY in Atlantic City. He has also danced for some of the BEST choreographers, & directors, including, George Schlatter, Twyla Tharp, Jerry Mitchell, James L. Brooks, Arlene Phillips, Michael Peters, Otis Salid, Jodi Moccia, & Paula Abdul. Recent choreographic work includes:on-board director for Norwegian Cruise Lines. Director/ Choreographer of numerous corporate industrials including YourSingapore.com, A.A.P., Nikon, Novartis, & Freescale Technology. His industrial work has seen him directing and choreographing some of Broadway's most venerable performers such as:Ben Vereen, Karen Ziemba,Jennnifer Holliday, Brent Barrett, Eugene Fleming, Andrea McArdle, Anthony Rapp, Norm Lewis & Lea Salonga. And, just last summer he was back with his old friend as the co-choreographer of the Debbie Gibson/Tiffany USA tour. Buddy is thrilled to be on the "Guest List" of The Groove Factory…
Now, LET's DANCE!
Having had a successful career as a Broadway gypsy (CATS, Guy & Dolls -1992 revival & Miss Saigon) and in various commercial and TV specials, Randy transitioned into a club/event DJ and eventually a music producer/remix artist - pairing up in 2000 with David James Boyd, who he met while on the 1st national tour of Miss Saigon. From mega-events of thousands to intimate house parties, Randy Bettis is among the most sought-after mix masters in the dance-music industry. Since launching his career in 1997, Randy has established an impressive track record with 10+ residencies, 11 commercially released compilations, scores of remixes and DJing dozens of major dance. Randy has played in some of NYC’s most legendary clubs (Limelight, Sound Factory, Stereo, Splashbar, XL) with guest residencies at clubs around the US (Town Danceboutique in Washington DC, Voyeur in Philadelphia PA, the world-famous Pavilion on Fire Island NY and aboard many of the RSVP Vacations LTBT cruises). Other career highlights include: Heritage of Pride Dance On the Pier 19; Saint-at-Large events (3); Miami White Party and Winter Party; Fire Island's Pines Party & Dancing on the Bay; GayDays® Pool Parties (2005-2010); and One Magical Weekend’s Riptide @ Disney’s Typhoon Lagoon 2011 & 2012. Commercially, Randy has celebrated the release of 9 volumes of his Party Groove as well as the official CD for the 25th Miami White Party's Party Groove: White Party 10 as well as the Party Groove: Cherry 4, the official CD for the 2010 Cherry Fund Weekend. All Randy’s compilations and BetBoyz remixes are available on iTunes. Randy Bettis: randy@djandybettis.com Fan Site: Fans of DJ/Producer Randy Bettis
Broadway Company Manager: Looped (with Valerie Harper); Irena's Vow (with Tovah Feldshuh); The Story of My Life; The Real Thing (Tony Award winning revival); Minnelli on Minnelli, Bring in 'da Noise, Bring on 'da Funk; My Thing of Love; Grease. Tours and Pre-Bway: Wishful Drinking (with Carrie Fisher); Miss Saigon (First National); Brooklyn. Off Bway: Betty Rules, Surviving Grace, The Syringa Tree; Forever Plaid; Shear Madness.
Matt is very excited to be a part of The Groove Factory. Past shows include The Bad Date Project, Freedom Train, RIP! A Musical Odyssey, The Little Dog Laughed, Oliver!, Tony n’ Tina’s Wedding, Naked Boys Singing, LUMA: Theatre of Light among many others. Matt has also had the privilege of working in various theatres around the world as well as the US.
As the resident casting director for Vital Theatre, Holly has cast Pinkalicious! The Musical, Uncle Pirate, Angelina Ballerina! The Musical, StinkyKids (2012 Off-Broadway Alliance Winner for Best Family show) and others. Additional projects include Caroline or Change for Cyrano’s Theatre in Alaska, The Independents for Fringe 2012, Perfect Wedding for Vital SummerStage, The Brain That Wouldn’t Die – In 3D for NYMF, R U Nobody 2? (a staged reading at the Dramatists' Guild) and for Bard SummerScape festival, The Ballad of Rom and Julz and Bitter Sweet. Holly also handles the casting for Musicals Tonight! And Millbrook Playhouse Summer Theatre. Holly is an honor graduate of Tisch School of the Arts at NYU. For more information visit www.hdbcasting.com.
Michael Minahan (set design), recent credits: TARTUFFE and HENRY IV pt 1 (Theater at Monmouth), TRUE WEST (York Shakespeare), BIG GREEN THEATER FESTIVAL (Super Hero Clubhouse and the Bushwick Starr), THREE SISTERS (Seeing Place), THE GIRL WITH THE RED BALLOON (The Tank), THE SNOW QUEEN (The Drama Studio), Pajama Game (Greensfarms Academy @ Westport Playhouse), and more. For the University of Washington School of Drama: THE TEMPEST, TRANSLATIONS, CAUCASIAN CHALK CIRCLE, STATUS (an original devised work). He has assisted Neil Patel, Walt Spangler, and Thomas Lynch on projects ranging from Broadway and regional theater to the upcoming Bartered Bride for the Metropolitan Opera (Lynch). He often works with Zane Pihlstrom and Co. XIV in Brooklyn, twice his designs traveled to the Edinburgh Fringe with HungerWarrior Theater: BETWEEN THE WATER AND THE AIR (2005) and ANNA THE SLUT, AND THE ALMOST CHOSEN ONE (2008). Designs for TEMPEST, MEMORY GAME, and THE LIGHTS were included in the 2011 EMERGE exhibit at the Prague Quadrennial. He worked for three seasons as a scenic artist for the Oregon Shakespeare Festival, and currently paints for Westport Country Playhouse. MFA, University of Washington. www.minahandesign.com
David Corsello is a sound designer for theatre, dance, and film, creating aural environments with sound and music to support the stories of performance. New York design credits include Mariela in the Desert (Repertorio Español), Stag by Jerome Parker, Fourteen Flights (NYC Fringe Festival & Encore Series), Particular Premiere of a First (Baryshnikov Arts Center), and Betty's Summer Vacation (Marymount Manhattan College). Regional: The Baltimore Waltz (Cape Rep Theatre), Altar Boyz (Finger Lakes Musical Theatre Festival), Reel Music (Florida Studio Theatre). UC San Diego credits: The Threepenny Opera, The Seagull, Topdog/Underdog, Stereoblind (film), and Bodies in the Park by Sharif Abu-Hamdeh. Assistant credits: February House (Long Wharf Theatre, The Public Theater), The Crucible (Hartford Stage), Sleeping Beauty Wakes (La Jolla Playhouse), and A Midsummer Night's Dream (La Jolla Playhouse). David holds a M. Eng in Electrical Engineering and a M.F.A. in Theatre Sound Design, both from University of California, San Diego.
Carla has been working in the beauty industry for over 22 years. Working both Nationally as well as Internationally, Carla has worked on a wide range of clients for theater, film, tv. Most recently, she designed hair for the off broadway smash, My Big Gay Italian Wedding.
Preesa is originally from Seattle Washington where she graduated from The University of Washington School of Drama. Most recently she has worked with The York Shakespeare Co,Superhero Clubhouse/Bushwick Starr, The Seeing Place Theater, The Pearl Theatre, The Heights Players and The Hangar Theatre. She is usually a Costume Designer, a sometimes Stage Manager and an occasionally properties master. Favorite Costume Design credits include, Click Clack Moo…Cows The Type, Is Very Good Story..., The Dispute- Hangar Theatre, The Fantastic Mr. Fox-Youth Theatre Northwest, The Misanthrope-Eclectic Theatre Co, STATUS, Hair, Stone Cold Dead Serious, Machinal, True West -The University of Washington
has been head of corporate communications for the William Morris Agency and ran the pr and marketing for Cannon Films, New Line and was the Vice President of Grammercy Pictures. She was nominated for an Emmy as the producer of Later With Bob Costas on NBC. She has worked with over 100 directors including the Coen Brothers, Jean Luc Godard, Fellini just to name a few. She has also handled publicity for actors such as Jane Krakowski, Daniel Day Lewis, Lauren Bacall, Geoffrey Rush, Cate Blanchett, Jeff Bridges, Carrie Fisher and Julianne Moore. She was the head of the board for the off broadway theater company called the Drama Dept. with Douglas Carter Beane. She was the special projects editor at In Style for 7 years and then went to the daily News as the features editor. She organized events for Town & Country, Veranda and House Beautiful including overseeing Elton John's Oscar Party, The Warner Bros. Golden Globe parties and events in Cannes at the Hotel Du Cap as well as all the major film festivals. She specializes in doing campaigns for the Tonys, Oscars, Golden Globes and Grammys. She recently worked with talent on the following tv shows, Weeds, Mad Men and 30 Rock.
projection design credits include I Love Bob (Joyce Soho, NYC) Time Step (New Victory Theater, NYC), The Who’s Tommy (Gallery Players, NY), Philip Glass and Robert Moran’s The Juniper Tree (Lincoln Center, NY), Edinburgh Fringe Festival’s Alice In Wonderland and Snow White, and The Tempest (46th St. Theater’s, NY). Ron was a chosen designer for Lincoln Center’s Theater Directors Lab in 2010. He has been on the projection-design teams Broadway’s Grey Gardens and Richard Maltby’s The 60s Project at the Goodspeed at Chester Norma Terris Theatre. Ron has an MFA in New Media Art and Performance from LIU. He is currently the chairperson of Photography and the Digital Image at FIT in NYC.
Fritz is thrilled to make his PM debut with the awesomeGF family. As Director: the stage revue Foxy Ladies Love/Boogie 70’s Explosion; “All My Children;” the feature film What Would Bear Do? and the websoap, Empire, www.empiretheseries.com.
New York credits include: Amahl andthe Night Visitors w/Suzanne Ishee (Harbor Lights Theater Co), Twelfth Night (Sonnet Repertory Theatre), St. Nicholas (Theatre of the Expendable; nominated for 3 NYITawards), Show Choir! The Musical (Sound Street Productions) and China: The WholeEnchilada (FringeNYC; winner Outstanding Musical). Off Broadway: Howard Barker’s Victory w/Jan Maxwell (Potomac Theatre Project). Regional credits include: The MoundBuilders (Kaliyuga Arts), Lost in Yonkers and Sylvia (Atlantic Stage), Wicked City(Depot Theatre), Bonnie & Clyde w/Jeremy Jordan and Laura Osnes (Asolo RepertoryTheatre), Beauty & the Beast (Northern Stage), Measure For Measure, Twelfth Night andThe Imanaginary Invalid (Orlando Shakespeare Theatre). Proud member of Actors Equity and co-secretary of the Stage Managers’ Association.
Neal Kowalsky (Assistant Director) - SDC Associate Member, NY Credits: Thieves (The Public Theater), Empress of Sex (Assistant Director - Planet Connections), Subtlety (Outstanding Play), kids. (Producers’ Choice). Regional: Next to Normal (Utah - SDCF Observer), Papermill Theatre, Mac-Haydn (Assistant Director). Thanks to Tom and The Groove Factory family for this opportunity. www.nealkowalsky.com
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