Strawberry One Act Fest Provides Opps for A Bwy Hopeful

Details

Parent Category: Other Festivals

Category: Theater

Published on Wednesday, 18 August 2010 17:55

Written by Jennifer N. Alvarez

While Mitchell Robert Glazer serves (so to speak) as food services director at the U.S. Merchant Marine Academy on Long Island's north shore at Kings Point, he serves up another type of fare as well.

Though he provides three squares to over 1000 hungry midshipmen, the 58 year-old has not allowed his hectic schedule to interfere with writing and performing his plays. His latest, Simply Me, was one of only 36 entries (out of 204) accepted in the 2010 Strawberry One Act Festival – Summer 2010 edition, running from August 12 – 22, 2010. The first performance was held at the Riant Theatre at St. Clement’s in Manhattan, on August 15th, 2010.

Celebrating its 18th season, the festival, brainchild of Artistic Director Van Dirk Fisher, is a play competition in which the audience and the theatre's judges cast their votes to select the best play of the season. Twice a year, hundreds of plays from across the country are submitted for the competition. Plays move from the 1st Round to the Semi-Finals and then the Finals. The playwright of the winning play receives $1,500.00 and the opportunity to have a full-length play developed by the Riant. The awards to be presented are Best Play, Best Director, Best Actor and Best Actress.

Glazer's play advanced to the semi-finals to be held at St. Clement's on Wednesday, August 18th.

Growing up in 1950s Brooklyn had a tremendous impact on Mitch and his passion for theatre. Mitch points to such icons as the late Dean Martin, Sammy Davis Jr. and Frank Sinatra and one of comedy's living legends, Jackie Mason, as profound influences.

 Said Glazer, “I remember watching Jackie and thinking that I can write something for him. He is a world famous comedic genius and yet a regular guy who is always himself, not a Hollywood phony at all.”

After watching one of his shows, Mitch visited Mason backstage and offered him a few original jokes. Mason, impressed with Glazer's genuine heartfelt intentions, eventually became Mitch’s mentor and life-long friend.

Although a first timer at the Strawberry One Act Festival, Mitch is no stranger to the stage and bright lights. He has been writing, singing, and performing for over 25 years in a variety of venues, including the New York Comedy Club, where his 2001 show, It’s Definitely Going to Happen-Maybe, was staged.

While he always loved performing, Glazer was realistic about making a living in show business. "You’re either rich because you made it big, or poor and still struggling for recognition." In light of this, Mitch nurtured his gift and desire to perform while working as the controller for 30 Macy’s restaurants and later at the USMMA.

 “If I didn’t think I had good material, I wouldn’t do it," asserted Mitch. “I do it because I don’t want the classics that I grew up with to disappear.”

As testament to his dedicated yet light spirit, Mitch states, “As I approach the milestone of 60 years old, I realize that if I obtain notoriety a little later in life, this can be a plus since no one can say, ‘Look how old he got!’”

Known professionally as Mitchell Robert, his two-hour script of Simply Me contains 13 original songs composed with the assist of musician Albee Barr. Mitch hopes that his 30 minute mini-performance at the Strawberry One Act Festival will gain recognition with agents and others in the business so that he might take another step closer to his dream of performing regularly on Broadway, or at least somewhere in the general vicinity.

Tickets may be purchased online the Strawberry One-Act Festival or at the Box Office for the Strawberry One-Act Festival from Aug. 12, 2010 at The Theatre at St. Clement's.

Tickets may be purchased online and picked up 30 minutes before show time.

Box Office Hours:
Monday - Friday:  6pm - 10pm
Saturdays:  2pm - 10pm
Sundays:  1pm - 9pm

The Award Ceremony  and performance will be held on August 22nd at 2 pm.  In addition, some of the plays in the festival will be selected for publication in the anthology: The Best Plays From The Strawberry One-Act Festival: Volume 7.

For more info on the fest go to: http://www.therianttheatre.com/

2010 Strawberry One Act Festival
August 12 – 22, 2010
The Riant Theatre
at St. Clement’s
423 West 46th Street
Between 9th & 10th Ave.
NY, NY
646-623-3488

• < Prev
• Next >