Jay Michaels News

After a two-year absence due to pandemic, performance artist and Broadway staffer, Mary Elizabeth Micari revives her acclaimed VOICES series of concerts spotlighting emerging artists in the musical field.

Plated Rose Musical Productions, LLC present a new musical written and composed by Christina Hemphill, a Player's Theatre Residency playwright and 2020 Rave Theatre Festival Finalist. A SYMPHONY FOR PORTLAND, with arrangements by Cameron Jones, is loosely based on an experience which happened to Ms. Hemphill.

RELAPSE, Book & Lyrics by Justin Giachetti; Music by Louis A. Josephson, a pop/rock original musical examining how we all try to find normality within our neuro-divergencies, will have a special presentation directed by Joey McKneely with musical direction by Mark Galinovsky, produced by Jay Michaels, and featuring Audree Hedequist, Ryan Hurley, Steven Makropoulos, Jacob Ryan Smith, Ava Diane Tysonn, and We' McDonald, who achieved stardom on television's The Voice.

Jay Michaels, executive director of Channel I - a network of promotional media platforms for independent theater and film - is now in partnership with The TheaterMakers Studio and Prodigy Talent Agency.

Playwright and screenwriter, Joe Moe, premieres a new work about an often obscured section of the LGBTQ community in DENY WE WERE, premiering as part of the Fresh Fruit 'Return to Live Theatre' Festival.

A new horror anthology: 'Out of the Shadows,' published by Red Cape Publishing, Danni Winn, and Donovan 'Monster' Smith, coming to Amazon: December 17. Proceeds benefit Mulligan's Manor, an independent, non-profit home embracing young, at-risk, LGBTQ+ residents who have been abused, neglected, or displaced.

Conceived and directed by Marc Eardley, the critically acclaimed musical comedy features a book and lyrics by Jay Falzone, music by Trent Jeffords, Derrick Byars, Matt Gumley and Jeff Thomson with arrangements and orchestrations by Gumley and Jeffords. CAMP MORNING WOOD tells the story of Randy, who – at a crossroads in his life after a hellish 30th birthday – finds himself at the front gate of a humble nudist camp.

The Downtown Urban Arts Festival will enter The Twilight Zone with the premiere of genre play- and screenwriter, Rollin Jewett's latest play, THE BIG DREAM, JUNE 23 @ 7:00 p.m. at the Abrons Arts Center, 466 Grand St, NYC.

The First Annual 'Blue Roses' Film & Theatre Festival has been announced. The 'Blue Roses' Film & Theatre Festival was created to showcase works about women promoting themes of inclusivity, diversity, and community through responsible storytelling.

Anthony Laura and the company of Face to Face Films, enjoying great success with their virtual reading series, Theatre Interrupted, now expand their reach with a new film festival.

A regional favorite for some time, the play has been turned into a screenplay and is currently in development as a motion picture. In the meantime, playwright/screenwriter Doug DeVita has reworked the piece into a joyous radio-style play

Doug DeVita's witty exploration of homophobia and ageism in the ad world becomes a radio play. Premiering in March. Doug DeVita's fast-paced comedy, The Fierce Urgency of Now, has multiple lives across the country. A regional favorite for some time, the play has been turned into a screenplay and is currently in development as a motion picture.

Today on Friday, October 16th at 7pm, a special virtual reading of 'One Empire, Under God' - Anthony J. Piccione's new full-length drama exploring religious extremism & right-wing populism - will be broadcast via Zoom to monthly patrons on Patreon, as well as selected invited guests. Immediately after the reading, there will be a talkback - moderated by co-producer Jay Michaels - featuring the playwright, director & cast.

On October 16th at 7pm, One Empire, Under God - the new full-length play by Anthony J. Piccione - will be presented as a dramatic reading to an intimate audience online via Zoom, in advance of a full production being planned for when theaters reopen. Following the performance, attendees are invited to stay for a talkback - moderated by co-producer Jay Michaels - featuring the playwright, director & cast of the reading.

Former Artistic Director for Westside Repertory Theater, Doug DeVita has had work produced in New York, Los Angeles, Seattle, New Jersey, Connecticut, and London.

Doug DeVita's one-person film, 'Nigel, Guys, and Dolls' will be presented as part of the Fresh Fruit Festival's filmed monologue series (showing dates TBA). Atmospheric and compelling, DeVita's NIGEL... is the story of a young boy whose life was manipulated by his mother who decided exactly how she would like her son to be.

TerrorTV.com - a premier channel for independent horror films - is accepting submissions until September 22 for BRIEF ENCOUNTERS: The Terror TV Short Film Festival.

Phoenix FearCON, a staple for horror fans in the Southwest for years, bringing horror fans an eclectic variety of celebrity guests, panels and an independent film festival touting cutting-edge cinematic works of all varieties from around the globe, will now go online with a program of events and movies.

IM Filmworks will premiere a new film, written and co-directed by Lenny Schwartz and edited and co-directed by Nathan Suher, filmed during and focusing on event during the pandemic.

July 4 marked the formal launch of an ongoing fundraising effort to bring One Empire, Under God, the new full-length drama by writer/producer Anthony J. Piccione - to the stage in 2021, with an announcement forthcoming for a staged reading this Fall, in advance of a full production.