Marissa Perry News

NYC Brand Production's first scripted series, Tainted Dreams garners two Independent Series Award nominations for: 'Best Ensemble Cast' and 'Outstanding Lead Actress in a Drama' for Alicia Minshew best known for her role as 'Erica Kane's' daughter, 'Kendall Hart' on All My Children. Tainted Dreams' ensemble cast boasts eight of Off-Broadway's funniest folks. Stars of the Off-Broadway comedy hits, 'My Big Gay Italian Wedding,' now celebrating its 10thAnniversary Off-Broadway, and its sequel 'My Big Gay Italian Funeral' including Anthony Wilkinson (creator and executive producer of 'Wedding' and 'Funeral', Debra Toscano, Paul Moon, Brian Patrick Murphy, Brett Douglas, Erik Ransom, Meagan Robar and Marissa Perry, all moonlight as part of the Independent Series Award-nominated 'Best Ensemble Cast' from Tainted Dreams.

Today, March 22nd, My Big Gay Italian Wedding will welcome another disco icon to officiate the wedding of 'Anthony' and 'Andrew.' Cory who has been performing for four decades in concert halls across the world, is super excited and nervous to be gracing the stage for the first time in her career. Her performance that night will be followed up with a live performance where she will be singing two of her biggest hits, 'Cherchez La Femme ' and 'Pow Wow.'

Known as the 'Granddaddy of Interactive Theater,' Tony n' Tina's Wedding set the gold standard for the genre with an all-inclusive two-part event where audience members take on the roles of family and friends of the bride and groom. Now beginning this spring, the celebration is coming back to the heart of Times Square.

My Big Gay Italian Wedding will host a very special performance today, March 8th, 2014 when Angela Scotto Carannante takes to the stage to officiate the wedding of 'Anthony Pinnunziato' and 'Andrew Polinski.'

Saturday, March 22nd, My Big Gay Italian Wedding will welcome another disco icon to officiate the wedding of 'Anthony' and 'Andrew.' Cory who has been performing for four decades in concert halls across the world, is super excited and nervous to be gracing the stage for the first time in her career. Her performance that night will be followed up with a live performance where she will be singing two of her biggest hits, 'Cherchez La Femme ' and 'Pow Wow.'

Known as the 'Granddaddy of Interactive Theater,' Tony n' Tina's Wedding set the gold standard for the genre with an all-inclusive two-part event where audience members take on the roles of family and friends of the bride and groom. Now beginning this spring, the celebration is coming back to the heart of Times Square.

This Saturday, My Big Gay Italian Wedding will welcome another disco icon to officiate the wedding of 'Anthony' and 'Andrew.' Carol who has been performing for four decades in concert halls across the world, is super excited and nervous to be gracing the stage for the first time in her career. Her performance Saturday Night will be followed up with a live performance where she will be singing two of her biggest hits, 'Doctors Orders' and 'Midnight Love Affair.'

Johnny Pool most commonly known today as a live radio personality in the morning working wth Elvis Duran and the Z Morning Zoo, is joining the cast of 'My Big Gay Italian Funeral' for one night only on March 16, 2014. Johnny is certainly no stranger to the gay community as he has been a bartender at the historic Cherry Grove, Fire Island for over 52 years! At the ripe age of seventy-two years old, Johnny now has decided to take on his next challenge by making his theatre debut in My Big Gay Italian Funeral. When asked for a quote he simply said in his very funny way, 'Hello Lady, I'm so excited to make an appearance Off-Broadway! You would be bananas to miss it!'

Joe Murena, a singer songwriter from Long Island, is honored to be making his first off-Broadway debut as 'Ezio', beginning today, February 2, 2014 in MY BIG GAY ITALIAN FUNERAL.

What began as a limited season revival of My Big Gay Italian Wedding in 2012, has now become the Wedding and the Funeral running in rep till the end of June of 2014. My Big Gay Italian Wedding will play every Saturday at 8pm, and My Big Gay Italian Funeral will continue to play every Sunday at 7pm till June 29th, 2014. The funeral celebrates its one year anniversary with a special performance on Sunday June 1st, 2014.

Janine Detore most commonly known for her role as the baby but in control sister to reality star 'Big Ang' on the hit series Mob Wives on VH1, is joining the cast of 'My Big Gay Italian Funeral' for one night only on February 9th, 2014.

Kim Pirrella returns in the supporting lead role of "LUCIA" in "MY BIG GAY ITALIAN WEDDING" and "MY BIG GAY ITALIAN FUNERAL" at St. Luke's Theatre January 25th & 26th, February 15th & 16th

Joe Murena, a singer songwriter from Long Island is honored to be making his first off broadway debut as 'Ezio.' Joe is most commonly known as a finalist from American Idol (Season 4 with Carrie Underwood). He is also known for his performances on Star Search, Good Morning America and Showtime at the Apollo. Joe's theatrical credits include Long Island community theater productions of West Side Story (Arab) and Breaking Up Is Hard To Do (Del Delmonico). He has lent his voice to some chart topping singles like 'Always Have Tomorrow' (Serge Devant) and 'You are the Only One' (MYNT Project .) His passion is writing music and his songs are available on iTunes (e.g. Reconcile, Transparent, Truth Is…)

One of the worst things that can happen to a theatre group is to lose its venue, and that's precisely what happened to The Black Rep. But, it's the season to give thanks, and in that spirit, we celebrate the fact that Harris-Stowe State University has graciously offered up the Emerson Performance Theatre as a place for the Black Rep to stage their current season. The first production in their new digs is the wonderful BLACK NATIVITY: A HOLIDAY CELEBRATION.

My Big Gay Italian Wedding will host a very special performance on Saturday, March 8th, 2014 when Angela Scotto Carannante takes to the stage to officiate the wedding of 'Anthony Pinnunziato' and 'Andrew Polinski.'

The Wayne YMCA is offering a Musical Theatre Workshop called 'Pop/Rock Audition Technique' today, December 7 from 10:00am - 2:00pm for all ages and all skill levels.

My Big Gay Italian Wedding will host a very special performance on Saturday, January 11th, 2014 when Michael Musto and "Frankie C" take to the stage to officiate the wedding of "Anthony Pinnunziato" and "Andrew Polinski"

The Wayne YMCA is offering a Musical Theatre Workshop called "Pop/Rock Audition Technique" on Saturday, December 7 from 10:00am - 2:00pm for all ages and all skill levels.

My Big Gay Italian Wedding and My Big Gay Italian Funeral, by Anthony J. Wilkinson, will extend its recently posted limited run to March 30th, 2014

On Oct 29, award-winning composer/lyricist Bobby Cronin made his concert debut at 54 Below. The songs performed were selected from his musicals: W2ML (under a Broadway option), Sunset City (Running Deer Theatre Lab 2013), The Concrete Jungle (workshop March 2014), Daybreak (London's Tristan Bates Theatre 2012), and 'Til Death Do Us Part (2012 Alec Baldwin Fellowship Winner).