As the Summer comes to an end we wanted to give you a quick update of what’s been happening...
The Summer of 2013 has been both rewarding and exhausting for the KMG team. From corporate events to entertainment and the martial arts, we have been working hard to help keep the wheels rolling for our many clients. We wanted to share just a few of the many events we have been working on.
The summer began early as KMG’s David Kamatoy and producer/musician Tony Woodroffe collaborated on the musical direction for Kroc Junior Theater’s production of Andrew Lloyd Webber’s CATS. The show included young actors from elementary school through college age and was presented at the Joan Kroc Theater in East San Diego. With direction by Laura Hodge, this talented young cast brought the antics of T.S. Eliot’s frenzied felines to life for appreciative audiences. The KMG team also provided marketing and media assistance for the production.
Moving on into the summer, we had the opportunity to partner with AMB Publicity to cover the 2013 National Academy of Television Arts and Sciences Pacific Southwest Chapter Emmy® Awards at the Red Rock Hotel Casino Spa in Las Vegas, Nevada. David Kamatoy and Jason Carlage worked the red carpet, speaking with presenters, nominees and sponsors of the 39th annual event, including Master of Ceremonies Barry Shabaka Henley. Several video interviews have been posted from the event.
With summer comes travel season, and clean car is a happy car. We helped to organize and promote the grand opening of the Sorrento Valley Soapy Joe’s, the newest location for this San Diego-based family-owned line of car care centers. David Kamatoy was joined by actor/producer Mark Christopher Lawrence (NBC’s Chuck and Mark Christopher Lawrence Presents) and UFC fighter Joey “The Mexicutioner” Beltran. Also spending time at Soapy Joe’s were radio personalities Chio from KISS FM 95.7 and Nathan Frost from Channel 93.3, celebrity photographer Gabriela Stark and Dan “The Balloon Man” McClellan.
Summer also included the Fourteenth Annual Masters Hall of Fame Awards Banquet, held at the Costa Mesa Hilton on Saturday, June 22. This was the fourth year that KMG has worked with the Masters Hall of Fame to promote the event, which honors top martial artists every year such as Don “The Dragon” Wilson, Cynthia Rothrock and Kenpo legend Bob White. This year the event honored Women in the Martial Arts and featured Full-Contact Muay Thai Champion Lisa King, aka “The Black Widow,” as guest speaker.
Closer to home, David Kamatoy and Mark Christopher Lawrence took on the 2013 Comic Con at the San Diego Convention Center, covering the action in their own unique style. The pair interviewed participants, celebrities and fans at the annual celebration of all things geek. Former triple-jump Olympian-turned-Media creator Von Ware and friends joined them to document the action.
Right after the Con Mark Christopher Lawrence was asked to present at the First Annual Geekie Awards which oddly had a lot of our friends involved in the industry. It was a good way to end the events of the summer. (Pics coming soon)
We are still wrapping up various videos and media from all the projects and will continue to post.
For more information about how we can help you with your business or project, please contact Kamatoy Media Group at press@jugglemail.com or call 619-573-9456.
Respectfully,
David Kamatoy & Stephen Prendergast
For Immediate Release...
Vicki Barbolak Since beginning her stand-up career as a favorite at the Comedy Store, Vicki Barbolak has become a headliner and award winning comic. Named Nikelodeon’s “America’s Funniest Mom” and “California’s Funniest Female,” Vicki has worked with the likes of Pauley Shore, Rhonda Shear, and Roseanne Barr during her years on stage. Finding humor in such topics as divorce, alimony, therapy, and weight gain, Vicki has created a comic persona that is hard to forget.
Chris Clobber From writing to acting to producing, Chris Clobber has done just about everything possible in comedy. In addition to performing regularly around the country, Chris has written for major Las Vegas and Hollywood performers and has appeared on NBC, CBS, ABC, A&E, Showtime, and Comedy Central. Chris is also co-producer of Brew Ha-Ha, a local comedy show.
Mike Pace For 25 years and 100 pounds Mike Pace has been entertaining audiences across the country. Mike has worked with comedy greats like Robin Williams, Chris Rock, Dana Carvey, and Ellen Degeneres, as well as top musicians including Bob Dylan, B.B. King, Natalie Cole, and the late Lou Rawls. He has also performed for the Army, Navy, Air Force, and Marines, and for major companies such as Apple, Nintendo, IBM, and Coca Cola. On top of all this, Mike has been nominated for an Emmy for his work on HBO’s “Comic Relief.”
Industry Showroom is a brand incubator for design, fashion, health, beauty services & creative arts in downtown San Diego. The retail floor and art gallery are populated with local artists and designers. Once a month (at the Bohemian Market) the doors to other vendors for a mega creative sale day and performance art event unlike anything seen in San Diego. In a collaboration with Thumbprint Gallery, Industry Showroom also hosts a Sudden Art Gallery night to showcase local emerging artists.
Comedy Fiasco takes place in the new Culy Theater in Downtown San Diego’s Gaslamp/East Village area. The theater boasts intimate cabaret-style seating in a former trucking company warehouse at 338 7th Avenue San Diego, CA 92101. For more information or tickets call 619-338-0526. For media queries contact Kamatoy Media Group 619-573-9456 end_of_the_skype_highlighting.
Promotional Videos
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=QhsBFvBfSGo
Websites & Blogs
http://ComedyFiascoSanDiego.com
http://MarkChristopherLawrence.com
Social Media
Outstanding Lead Performance in a Play, Male as Boy Willie in "The Piano Lesson"
San Diego,CA - Mark Christopher Lawrence, well known for his role as “Big Mike” on the hit NBC show “Chuck,” has been nominated for a prestigious Craig Noel Award by the San Diego Theater Critics Circle. The nominationas Outstanding Lead Performance in a Play, Male, for Lawrence’s role as Boy Willie in Cygnet Theatre’s production of August Wilson’s “The Piano Lesson,” was one of three garnered by the play, along with Outstanding Sound Design and Outstanding Ensemble.
"It's very exciting to be nominated for a Craig Noel Award. I know that there are a lot of talented actors out there and to be counted amongst them is truly an honor."-Mark Christopher Lawrence
TheCraig Noel Award recognizes excellence in San Diego regional theater, and this year includes over 100 nominations from 12 local theater companies. This year’s ceremony is dedicated to the memory of award namesake Craig Noel, the long-time Old Globe Theater director who passed away in April of this year. The ceremony is also dedicated to Donald Shiley who with his wife Darlene, was a major sponsor of the Craig Noel Awards, He passed away on July 31 at age 90.
Mark Christopher Lawrence is no stranger to the stage, having performed in the 2008 Cygnet Theatre production of Wilson’s play “Fences.” That play, along with “The Piano Lesson,” makes up a portion of the acclaimed playwright's 10-play “Pittsburgh Cycle” exploring the African American experience. When first told about his nomination, Lawrence’s response was "I am truly honored and completely surprised by this nomination. Once I get over the shock of it, I'll get excited." His nomination comesas no surprise to many local theatergoers and critics, including James Hebert of the San Diego Union-Tribune and Anne Marie Welsh of the North County Times who both remarked on Lawrence’s passion and emotion in the role. Mark Christopher Lawrence is truly a force to be reckoned with in all facets of acting.
The nomination of the cast for Outstanding Ensemble was, for Mark Christopher Lawrence, a natural choice. The entire team became an extended family during the preparation and production of the show. Four of the cast had previously worked together in “Fences,” and took the newer members to heart. "If not for the efforts of the amazing team of cast and crew on ‘The Piano Lesson,’ this nomination would not have happened,” said Lawrence.
The winners of the Craig Noel Awards will be announced during a ceremony at the Museum of Contemporary Art in La Jolla on January 10, 2011. At that time the San Diego Theater Critics Circle will also award its first a Sandra Ellis-Troy Memorial Scholarship for promising young actors. The scholarship honors the work of Ellis-Troy who passed away on December 4 of this year. Visit http://sdcriticscircle.org/ for information regarding the San Diego Critics Circle.
Mark Christopher Lawrence is well known for his role as “Big Mike” on the hit NBC show “Chuck,” now in it’s fourth season. Mark is a San Diego resident while commuting regularly to Los Angles for film and TV. Mark is also producing and performing in stand-up comedy shows, serves as vice-president of the board of Moxie Theatre, and is involved with notable charities such as Toys for Tots, ACT Today, and Operation Smile.
For media inquiries please contact Kamatoy Media Group 619-940-5648.Visit http://MarkChristopherLawrence.com or http://twitter.com/markchrlawrence
press@jugglemail.com
For Immediate Release
San Diego, CA - Mark Christopher Lawrence, Big Mike on NBC’s Chuck, hosts a night of comedy on Tuesday, September 21, at the Cygnet Theatre in Old Town. Headlining the event will be ventriloquist Kevin Johnson, who has appeared with his “friends” on America’s Got Talent and The Late Show with David Letterman. Also in the lineup are Frances Dilorinzo from Last Comic Standing and comic juggler David Kamatoy.
“We’re gonna bring the Funny. Bring yourself.”
Mark Christopher Lawrence
Kevin Johnson is a self-taught ventriloquist who has been entertaining family, friends, and fans since he was 9 years old. After honing his skills at the San Diego Zoo and Legoland, Kevin hit it big on America’s Got Talent in 2006, and achieved a life-long goal when he appeared on The Late Show with David Letterman. As Simon Cowell told him, “America loves you.”
CLICK ON THIS IMAGE AND PRINT FOR 2 FOR 1 DEAL
David Kamatoy is the #1 Filipino-American comic juggler, quite possibly the only one, and has been entertaining crowds for years in front of the reflecting pond in Balboa Park. He will bring his mix of humor and juggling as the opener for the evening.
Featured comic Frances Dilorinzo’s career began, interestingly enough, in a required college speech class where she was encouraged to include humor in her presentations. She moved from there to the speech team and eventually to the comedy clubs of Los Angeles. She has appeared on Last Comic Standing, the Comics Unleashed, and Comedy Central, among other venues. She is currently working on the reality show Real Housewives of Orange County where she plays “the one with the real personality, sarcastic mouth, and smallest boobs.”
Be sure to come out for what Mark Christopher Lawrence guarantees will be “a rib rock roaring show.” Cygnet Theatre is located in San Diego’s Old Town, at 4040 Twiggs Street. For more information, contact the theater at 619-337-1525.
Entrepreneur/Entertainer Explores New Possibilities
San Diego, CA - Entrepreneur, Marketing Master, and Entertainer David Kamatoy kicks off his new online program, "Blog This," with a look at the Internet, technology, and theater. This first in a new series of video programs sets a tone for an irreverent look at information, technology, and "whatever we feel like covering." In the inaugural webisode, David Kamatoy discusses blogging and tweeting, reviews some of the new smart phones, and looks back at opening night of a local production of August Wilson's "The Piano Lesson."
"Blog This" is targeted at entrepreneurs, entertainers, and e-marketers...
"Blog This" is targeted at entrepreneurs, entertainers, and e-marketers, but provides enough information and entertainment to keep any Internet video watcher coming back for more. David Kamatoy begins his first episode with an explanation of blogging and how it relates to video blogging, podcasting, and traditional media. One of the goals of "Blog This" is helping people better understand the role of blogging in promoting businesses and projects. The program itself is very much in a blog format. "What's unique about the content of this show is that it's literally going to be on random formats," says creator and host David Kamatoy. The focus of the show will be on content, but presented in a variety of ways to reflect the ecclectic format of blogs.
One of the goals of "Blog This" is helping people better understand the role of blogging in promoting businesses and projects. The program itself is very much in a blog format.
In his technology section, David Kamatoy looks at and compares the Palm Pre, the Nexus One, the Blackberry 8330, and the iPhone. More than just comparing, he delves into some of the plusses and minuses of both the various phones and their carriers. David Kamatoy provides his own particular take on the good, the bad, and the just plain strange of these smart phones and their technology, and gives some advice on when to get into smart phones. There are also short discussions of the new Google "Buzz" and the new Facebook format.
David Kamatoy finishes up this episode of "Blog This" with his video interviews of Mark Christopher Lawrence (NBC's "Chuck") and other members of the cast of the Cygnet Theatre production of August Wilson's Pulitzer Prize-winning play, "The Piano Lesson." Much of the footage was filmed during the opening night celebration, held at Cafe Coyote in San Diego's Old Town area, with clips from the play interspersed among the interviews.
"Blog This" can be seen at DavidKamatoy.com, Viddler and YouTube. Interested parties please send press releases, and contact Kamatoy Media Group at 619-573-9456.
Blog This With David Kamatoy Episode 1
David Kamatoy- Host
Steve Dahl- Voice Over
Shawn Rover-Production Manager
DP- Bruce Ando Jr. (The Piano Lesson)
Stephen Prendergast-Writer, Photography
Piano Lesson Cast Members:Mark Christopher Lawrence, Laurence Brown, Monique Gaffney,
Antonio "T.J." Johnson, Maritha Hornbuckle,
San Diego, CA- Mark Christopher Lawrence leads a talented cast at Cygent Theatre in historic OLD TOWN. Mark is playing Boy Willy.
This is the last weekend to catch the show. Due to scheduling conflicts with CHUCK they had to cancel several performances so I predict good houses for the closing weekend.
Please comment, re-post, embed, twitter, etc. to lend a hand to some great theatre in San Diego.
Mark Christopher Lawrence leads a talented cast at
Cygnet Theatre's production of "The Piano Lesson" by August Wilson.Cast includes Antonio "T.J." Johnson, Laurence Brown, Madeline Hornbuckle, Monique Gaffney,Keith Jefferson, Tonya Johnson-Herron, Grandison Phelps III. DP- Bruce Ando Jr., Still Photographer-Stephen Prendergast, AD- Shawn Rover visithttp://cygnettheatre.com
Cast List
Laurence Brown...Lymon
Monique Gaffney*...Berniece
Madeline Hornbuckle...Maretha
Keith Jefferson*...Avery
Antonio TJ Johnson...Doaker
Tanya Johnson-Herron...Grace
Mark Christopher Lawrence*...Boy Willie
Grandison Phelps III...Wining Boy
Designers and Crew
Director...Delicia Turner Sonnenberg
Stage Manager...Heather Brose*
Properties Designer...Bonnie L. Durbenº
Wig & Makeup Designer...Peter Hermanº
Lighting Designer...Eric Lotzeº
Costume Designer...Megan Schmidt
Scenic Designer...Jerry Sonnenberg
Sound Designer...George Yeº
º Resident Artist
* Member of Actors Equity
Sent to me by Howard Tucker in reference to the Christian Hoff Event...
By Howard Tucker and Stubbleyou
In the Las Vegas production of “Jersey Boys,” verbiage was appropriately changed from “So the next time you’re in Vegas…” to “So while you’re in Vegas…”
Similarly, on September 12, 2009 - now officially known as “Christian Hoff Day” in sunny San Diego, California (yes, that Christian Hoff - who knew?) - the home-grown Tony-award winning actor/singer/dancer changed the last line of the Drifters’ (and George Benson) classic On Broadway from “and I won’t quit ’til I’m a star…” to “and I didn’t quit; now I’m a star…on Broadway.”
San Diego,CA- Christian Hoff, Tony Award Winner for the show, "Jersey Boys" performs a Benefit Concert at San Diego Junior Theatre. Alumni, current students, faculty, parents and staff packed the house as Christian Hoff performed 2 sets.
The first set were various standards with just his pianist. In his second set he was joined by his band and did a few notable covers. Christian is about to open Parade at the Mark Taper Forum in LA in the interim he is working on a solo recording project.
Visit ChristianHoff.com for more information.
The show was co-hosted by television journalist Kimberly King who now can be seen on the CBS affiliate in San Diego News 8. Along with Darien Webster. Darien is an entrepreneur, sits on the board of SDJT andwas instrumental in putting this benefit concert together.
Darien YOU ROCK!
Todd Gloria, District Councilman District 3 attended to declare
Christian humbly accepted the award and in his acceptance speech said, "This should be called San Diego Theatre Day." Bringing light to the fact that San Diego is a theatre town.
I was able to catch up with other Alumni on camera including Dwight Webster, Mara Cooper, Julie Clemmons, Joy Yandell and Skypp Cabanas.
My own SDJT story is that before I juggled I danced, sang, acted and took video classes. So much of the core background that I have is based here at San Diego Junior Theatre. So as I thank my parents for getting me involved. I am amazed at the amount of talent that still surrounds me at this place.
If you have a kid that's interested in performing in San Diego, CA get them involved with this program. If your in town visiting come see a show. When that curtain goes up the show your seeing is completely run by kids at that point, crew and cast.
Visit JuniorTheatre.com
David Kamatoy is an Alumni of San Diego Junior Theatre. David was part of the theatre and video program. After graduating the program David went on to play in the orchestra pit for several shows and write and compose an original score for "Ramona Quimby" directed by Doran Elias. David continues to work with SDJT and SCPA Alumni on a regular basis including Kevin Six and Carl Overstreet in film, video and music production.
The Complete Works of William Shakespeare [Abridged]
Swedenborg Hall
1531 Tyler Avenue
San Diego, CA 92103
By Jeff Smith
Hey, this one's fun. I've seen several versions of speed-read Shakespeare, including the original, by the Reduced Shakespeare Company (who'd performed it so many times the trio just tried to entertain each other). The Lotus Theatre/Talent to aMuse version stands up to any and all. They blast through the plays, often with updated references (Chernobyl Kinsmen, Titus Androgynous - as a cooking show). Director Sophie Anderson Ziebell stresses the sheer impossibility of the task, and the cast (Kevin Six, Tyler Richard Hewes, and Tom Hall) performs with an urgency that stays funny: i.e. when asked to do an insane task, go loopy (the only questionable choice: four-letter language narrows the potential audience). The Swedenborg Hall has never been lit better (Marie Miller), and the sound design/background music (Blair Robert Nelson) is a real plus as well.
Worth a try.
August 6 Through August 29
When:
* Thursdays at 8 p.m.
* Fridays at 8 p.m.
* Saturdays at 8 p.m.
Satire the sincerest accolade for The Compleat Works of William Shakespeare (Abridged)
It will be difficult to see Kevin Six, Tom Hall, or Tyler Richards Hewes in a serious play without remembering that they crucified the works of The Bard in The Compleat Works of William Shakespeare (Abridged)*, which can be seen Thursday thru Saturday at Swedenborg Hall thru August 29th. The show is produced by Lotus Theatre Collective and Talent to aMuse.
Writers Adam Long, Daniel Singer and Jess Winfield have reduced the body of The Bard’s work to about 80 minutes. The result is often just a mention of a play’s name. However, Romeo and Juliet, Titus Andronicus, Othello, and Hamlet receive much more than a mere mention.
The three actors, all marvels of fast costume changes, easily take on Shakespeare’s various characters. This includes some hilarious cross-gender situations. Their scripted ad libs were convincing. The script does call for personalizing the performance to the local venue. In Othello the intrepid trio rapped their abridged version. This pretty much rapped up Act One. Well, except for the football game carried on by the cast in the audience area.
Act II is devoted primarily to their abbreviated Hamlet. The script calls for the mention of Sir Laurence Olivier; however, they opted to mention a well known local actor with a strong Scottish brogue.
Warning to Shakespeare purist: You will hate “compleat.” To the rest of, have a blast, laugh and cry at this brutalization. It is one of the best spoofs on the honored one. I was fortunate, a few years ago, to see the three playwrights do the show. While a slightly different take on the script, Lotus Theatre Collective’s production is just as funny. In fact, I liked their less than elegant costumes even more the rather elegant costumes of the former production.
I do hope you have room on your calendar to take in The Compleat Works of William Shakespeare (Abridged). Swedenborg Hall is located at 1531 Tyler in Hillcrest. All shows are at 8 p.m. I truly hope that Shakespeare is laughing heartily in his grave. Oh, there is one point of contention: The playwrights spelled it “compleat” not as in the program ‘complete.’
Review by Hitch
[Note: The spelling of “Complete” (or Hitch’s “Compleat”) in the title of the play, as found on the authors’ website (www.reducedshakespeare.com/shakespeare.php), is indeed “Complete”]
The Complete Works of William Shakespeare (Abridged)
is a rollicking and irreverent spoof of well, yes, the complete works. Produced by the Lotus Theatre Company and ably acted by a cast of only three people, this high energy and quick paced tongue in cheek homage is clever and funny.
The play was written by Adam Long, Daniel Singer, and Jess Winfield and opened at the Edinburgh Festival Fringe in 1987. It has been a popular show ever since, performed in various languages around the globe.
Directed by Sophie Anderson-Ziebell, the founder of Lotus Theatre Collective, the San Diego production stars Kevin Six, Tom Hall, and Tyler Richard Hewes. They overact, sing, dance, and cavort to perfection, but do get chances to demonstrate their Shakespearean chops a time or two, and to their credit. Each of them plays many roles and the action is constant as they grab prop swords and don wigs, running on and off stage and physically working hard to successfully keep up a frenetic pace throughout.
They have to move fast to work in all 38 works included, however briefly, in this satire.
There is a little bit of every piece written by Will in here, and the ways the various bits are woven into the play are imaginative, with a lot of verbal interaction between the players and the audience, and some physical audience participation as well. Pay attention closely or you could miss some of the rapid fire dialogue.
Although the costuming, by Abigail Hughes (wife of actor Tyler) is traditional, the music is contemporary and provides the perfect backdrop when the company lapses into a couple of very funny musical numbers.
If you check your reverence for the bard at the door, and let yourself go in this over the top theatrical experience, you will enjoy yourself.
The play is stage[managed]d by Lizzie Silverman, assisted by Kirsten Turkle. The Sound design is provided by Blair Nelson and Lighting Design is by Marie Miller. It runs 1 hour and 38 minutes, including an intermission.
Complete Works of William Shakespeare (Abridged), produced by the Lotus Theatre Collective (www.lotustheatrecollective.com), is running August 6 – 29 at Swedenborg Hall in San Diego. The Hall is at 1531 Tyler Avenue, San Diego, Ca.
Review by Kathleen Downs