Green Room On Air with Ray Renati

Inside the Minds of the San Francisco Mime Troupe with Valina Brown

Hey folks, how you doing? Thanks for stopping by. You have reached Green Room On Air and I am your host, Ray Renati. It's a beautiful day today here in the South Bay. Sun shining, birds chirping, and I'm a happy camper. Hope you are too.
Guess what? We have a great guest today. Her name is Valina Brown and she is a company member of the San Francisco Mime Troupe. She's an actor there, a singer, and has been a collaborator since 1992. She's won all kinds of awards and has acted in several of the San Francisco Mime Troupe's plays over the years. She's also performed at ACT, Berkeley Rep, Cal Shakes, and all the big professional theaters here in San Francisco.
We're privileged to talk to her today about her life as an actor and the San Francisco Mime Troupe's upcoming show American Dreams, which will be playing this summer all over the Bay Area. 
We chat about everything from the true meaning behind the term "mime" as used by the San Francisco Mime Troupe, to Valina's personal journey in the theater world. We also dive into the exciting new production American Dreams and what it explores. You don't want to miss this delightful conversation!

Abigail Munn of Circus Bella and My Politcal Ramble

Abigail Munn – Circus Bella Artistic and Executive Director 
(Interview begins at the 5:53 mark)
Since its inception, Abigail Munn has been directing, creating, and producing new work for Circus Bella. Along with the more conventional duties she has also served as the company's truck driver, catering service and laundress. An accomplished dancer, choreographer, and aerialist, Munn holds a BFA in Modern Dance from UC Santa Barbara. As a child, born and raised in SF, she appeared with the Pickle Family Circus, and with Zoppe Italian Family Circus, Lone Star Circus, the Moisture Festival, the New Pickle Circus, Cabaret Verdelet, Circus Cabaret, Tease-O-Rama, Va Voom Room, and The Velvet Hammer Burlesque. Munn was commended in the NY Times for her performance in Alma Esperanza Cunningham’s Princess. Munn co-directed the nouveau-vaudeville troupe Kitty Bang, an internationally recognized three-time “Best of the Bay” winner that is influential in the modern Burlesque resurgence.
Over the past few years Abigail has become increasingly involved in advocacy work for the Circus Arts. When transitioning Circus Bella performers to Employees, she became aware that the current workers compensation rates and policy descriptions in California were way out of step with the current reality of the Circus Industry. Munn embarked on a one-woman quest to help change this and after initiating a study from the Workers Comp Insurance Rating Bureau (WCIRB), rates were significant lowered (by 80%) for ALL Circus Companies in CA. In addition, she is a founding member and on the board of the American Circus Alliance.
https://www.circusbella.org/

Daniel Thomas of 42nd Street Moon

FOREVER PLAID
Written by Stuart RossMusical Continuity, Supervision, and Arrangements by James Raitt
Director/Music Director Daniel ThomasAssoc. Music Director Tim FletcherChoreographer Brittney Monroe
April 18-May 5, 2024Gateway Theatre, San Francisco
FOREVER PLAID is a deliciously fun revue is chock-full of classic four-part harmonies and pitch-perfect melodies! Once upon a time, there were four guys (Sparky, Smudge, Jinx and Frankie) who discovered that they shared a love for music and then got together to become their idols – The Four Freshman, The Hi-Lo’s and The Crew Cuts. Rehearsing in the basement of Smudge’s family’s plumbing supply company, they became “FOREVER PLAID”. On the way to their first big gig, the “Plaids” are broadsided by a school bus and killed instantly. It is at the moment when their careers and lives end that the story of FOREVER PLAID begins…
Singing in close harmony, squabbling boyishly over the smallest intonations and executing their charmingly outlandish choreography with overzealous precision, the “Plaids” are a guaranteed smash, with a program of beloved songs and delightful patter that will keep you laughing when you’re not humming along to some of the greatest pop hits of the 1950s. The hit parade of songs includes “Three Coins in the Fountain,” “Love Is A Many-Splendored Thing,” “16 Tons,” “Rags to Riches” and many more favorites!

Peter Pan Turns 70!

FEB. 9 - MAR. 3, 2024Directed by Austin EdgingtonThe Pear Theatrewww.thepear.org
For Peter Pan on Her 70th Birthdayby Sarah Ruhl
When Ann thinks of her father, she immediately remembers playing Peter Pan in her hometown theater in Iowa, and the flowers he delivered after her performance. Her memory is jogged by the fact that she and her four siblings are in their father’s hospital room during his final moments. His death sparks a conversational wake that includes everything from arguments over politics to when each sibling realized that they grew up.
A loving look at a family’s view of death, life and the allure of never growing up.
“A work that is equal parts dark and light, recalling the ebullient excitement of youth, but also confronting the hard fact of mortality… Ruhl’s imagination is among the most adventurous at play today in the theater.” – The New York Times

Soft White Underbelly - Humanity at its Most Raw (rebroadcast)

Check out the amazing YouTube Channel called Soft White Underbelly where Mark Laita, a renowned photographer, has found a new calling in interviewing the hidden people of society. Be careful, though, because once you start watching you may not be able to stop.
In 2021visited the surreal Immersive Van Gogh Experience in San Francisco. This is not to be missed. If you have any interest in art and music, this display will give you a free LSD trip and leave you healthy enough to drive home. It's not to be missed!
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Music by Carly Ozard: carlyozard.com
Closing Song - Angel from Montgomery sung by Ray Renati
Green Room on Air Web Site: raysgreenroom.com
Please take a little time and rate my podcast on Itunes - http://bit.ly/GreenRoomOnAir
Contact Ray: GreenRoomOnAir@gmail.com

Saturday Christmas Silliness with Toasters and Moose

Let's take an extraordinary journey together discovering the hit senastion of the Toasters and Moose Christmas video!
Contact Ray at Green Room on Air: greenroomonair@gmail.com
Leave a review on Apple Podcasts (iTunes)Visit Green Room On Air website: http://greenroomonair.comConnect with us on Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/raysgreenroom/
 

The Genius of Stephen Sondheim

From the New York Times: "Sondheim was a titan of musical theater. But four recent shows onstage in New York argue for his place among classical music luminaries, too." Today we take a look at the genius of Stephen Sondheim and how he fits into the world of classical American music. But first I give you two huge thumbs up for a TV show I recently discovered.
Contact Ray at Green Room on Air: greenroomonair@gmail.com
Leave a review on Apple Podcasts (iTunes)Visit Green Room On Air website: http://greenroomonair.comConnect with us on Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/raysgreenroom/

Unveiling the Untold Stories with Radio Maverick Alex Bennett (encore presentation)

Step into the captivating world of radio as we sit down with the legendary radio personality, Alex Bennett. From his early days on the airwaves to becoming a trailblazer in the industry, Alex has a wealth of stories and insights to share. Join us in this exclusive podcast interview as we delve into the highs, the lows, and the untold tales of a radio icon. Get ready for a journey through the waves of entertainment with the one and only, Alex Bennett!
Contact Ray at Green Room on Air: greenroomonair@gmail.com
Leave a review on Apple Podcasts (iTunes)Visit Green Room On Air website: http://greenroomonair.comConnect with us on Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/raysgreenroom/
Closing Music by Carly Ozard

Behind the Viral Sensation - ’Taste the Biscuit’

🎤 Get ready to jam to the beat of the viral sensation! 🎶 Join us on Green Room on Air for an exclusive interview with the real talents behind the hilarious mockumentary 'Chickens in the Shadows'—Estelle Piper and Tom Shaw, aka Toasters and Moose! 🍞🦌 🌟 The spotlight is on the dynamic duo as they spill the beans on the unexpected success of their on-screen hit, "Taste the Biscuit." From the quirky scenes in 'Chickens in the Shadows' to the moment the song took the internet by storm, this episode is your backstage pass to the making of a viral sensation. 🎬 Director Vincent Gargiulo brought the magic to life, and now Estelle and Tom share the behind-the-scenes stories, the laughter, and the unexpected journey from the shadows to the limelight. Discover the secrets behind the infectious lyrics, the catchy tune, and the dance moves that have fans across the globe chanting, "Taste the Biscuit!" 🕵️‍♂️ Did you know the real names behind the characters Toasters and Moose? Learn more about Estelle Piper and Tom Shaw as they reflect on the whirlwind of fame, the joys of creating music for the screen, and the moments that defined the 'Chickens in the Shadows' experience. 👉 Don't miss this exclusive opportunity to dive into the world of viral sensations with the stars of the show. Subscribe, hit the like button, and join us on Green Room on Air for a behind-the-scenes journey into the making and aftermath of "Taste the Biscuit." #GreenRoomOnAir #ChickensInTheShadows #TasteTheBiscuit #ViralHit #EstellePiper #TomShaw #BehindTheScenesInterview
Contact Ray at Green Room on Air: greenroomonair@gmail.com
Leave a review on Apple Podcasts (iTunes)Visit Green Room On Air website: http://greenroomonair.comConnect with us on Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/raysgreenroom/

Sara Moore - Actor and Clown (first aired 2-18-2020)

Today's guest is Sara Moore
Sara Moore is an award-winning American clown. 
Her new show is called "The Supers"
Moore has created, directed, and performed material for Ringling Bros. and Barnum & Bailey Circus, The Krofft Puppets, Royal Caribbean International, Tropicana Hotels and Resorts, The New Pickle Circus, Six Flags Show Productions, and Merv Griffin’s Resorts Casino and Hotels, among others. She also wrote, directed, and co-produced the independent feature film “Homo Heights” starring Quentin Crisp, which is widely considered a cult classic today. Her recent solo show, Show Ho, has earned critical and popular acclaim through several sold-out runs.
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Music by Carly Ozard: carlyozard.com
Green Room on Air Web Site: raysgreenroom.com
Please take a little time and rate my podcast on Itunes - http://bit.ly/GreenRoomOnAir