| Lorinda Lisitza Returns As A Triumphant Baby |
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Triumphant Baby! The Songs of Iconis and Maddockdirected by Brad Oscarstarring Lorinda Lisitza, Liz Lark Brown and Tanya Holt The York Theatre The Theater at St. Peter's Church at 54th Street (just East of Lexington Avenue) 212-935-5820 for tickets Aug. 13, Aug. 20, Aug. 27, Sep. 10, 2007 at 8 pm YorkTheatre.org  Lorinda Lisitza   From left, Melanie Hopkins, Lorinda Lisitza, Seth Duerr, Taylor Wilcox, Angus Hepburn and Albert Aeed in "The Miser"  Timothy Quinlan, Shevaun Cavanaugh Kastle, and Lorinda Lisitza in "On The Town" Lisitza has performed in shows at Cocteau Rep, concerts at Town Hall, was in "Mother Courage" and at several other venues, but she won her Nightlife Award for her original version of "Triumphant Baby" that was held at the Metropolitan Room last year--her cabaret debut. Featuring the songs of Joe Iconis and Robert Maddock, graduates of New York University's Tisch School of the Arts Musical Theatre program, she earned her award and helped establish the duo as a song-writing team to reckon with. Lisitza is a star in the making. I adore "Triumphant Baby," "One Step Closer to Crazy," and "Yolanda," but the entire show is fantastic and I advise you see it. If you love cabaret this is the evening for you. It's a worthy show and great theater as well. Q: How does it feel to play an Off-Broadway house? Lorinda Lisitza: It’s great! I love the York Theatre! In the past I’ve done readings, workshops and Mufti’s there, so this marks the first time I’ve ever done a show “off-book” there. When Robert Maddock, Joe Iconis, Brad Oscar and I worked on the show, we always hoped it would be a theatrical piece, a song-cycle, destined for an Off-Broadway house, but due to production costs, we did it at the Metropolitan room as a cabaret show, you know, for affordability reasons. I work there when I’m not doing shows, and they were great to me. Then Jim Morgan [The York's artistic director] saw it and gave us the opportunity to realize our vision. We’ve taken out my patter with the audience; the “cabaret show” elements, and it seems to be working as a theatrical piece. And now we have a show that we can adapt to whatever environment we’re put in, club or theatre. Q: What is your favorite number in the show? LL: I think my favorite is "Camden County Penitentiary." I think it is also Joe and Robert’s favorite too. It’s about a woman whose boyfriend gets sent to prison for 100 years. I don’t know if it’s the majority audience fave though, the audience likes to laugh so they like "Yolanda" and "Matilda McDort" a lot. We have a new song we’re getting ready to add called "Eddie Got a Color TV" that I think will make the people giggle. Q: What things should people know about you? LL: I’m from Porcupine Plain, Saskatchewan (That’s in Canada) where I used to be a farmer and can drive heavy farm equipment. My town is the home of the Worlds Largest Porcupine “Quilly Willy.” I used to have teeth like a vampire, but had them fixed. There are no pictures of me smiling in existence before the age of 30. I’ve been married for 13 years and I’m an aunt seven times; number eight is due in October! My cat, Maxie, is 19 and a half years old and still going strong. Perogies are my favorite food, and I am still the reigning Junior Perogie eating champion of Porcupine Plain, by eating 27 in 10 minutes. (I was nine). I am a huge "Star Trek" fan and am hopelessly and embarrassingly in love with Brent Spiner. I am blessed with amazing and talented friends who I can always count on for support. Q: What is your dream role on Broadway? LL: Well, I’d have to say I’d love to originate a role in one of Robert and Joe’s musicals, so I guess my dream would be to play Judith Plisco in the musical "Plastic!" Actually, at this point any role on Broadway would be a dream! Q: It will happen! What is your favorite Broadway show currently running on Broadway? LL: Hmmmm, that’s hard, because I mostly go to see Off and Off Off Broadway shows, usually ones that friends have put their hearts and savings into… I’m a big fan of indie-theater. If I had to pick on Broadway, I guess it would be "Drowsy Chaperone" (go Canada!)--the writers are very nice. I met them at Bound for Broadway. Or "Curtains." I really like those “homage to the traditional style” shows that give a character actor, or several of them, great jobs! [for other Corine Cohen stories see: Corinescorner.com]
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