YARN

Cassavetes' blessing

Story by:  Alexis Iacono
Recorded: August 2009, New York, NY
Music: Exploding Star Orchestra
Music Coordination: Jeff Golick

After that initial spark of inspiration, how do performers know that the profession they've chosen is the right one?  For one young girl, growing up on Long Island in the early eighties, that confirmation comes in the form of a chance encounter with an unlikely source of confidence and self-esteem.

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(12:11)

Alexis Iacono is a professional film and theater actress (film credits here), cellist and tap dancer whose fancy footwork can be heard underneath her voice in this piece.

Homewrecker

Story by: Louise Rozett
Recorded: March 2009, New York, NY
Music: Do Make Say Think
Music Coordination: Jeff Golick

Having fallen under the spell of a dashing young adventurer, an American college student in Australia endures a series of near-death situations, and in the process learns an unexpected lesson about the nature of marriage, friendship, and commitment.

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(14:47)

Louise Rozett is an actor ("Hope" in the 1999 NY Fringe Festival production of Urinetown), a singer, and an editor of romance novels who lives in Brooklyn, NY, with her boyfriend.

Seating Mr. Pacino

Story by: John Morogiello
Recorded: February 2009, New York, NY
Music: Marc Ribot
Music Coordination: Jeff Golick

It's only his second week on the job as house manager at a major American regional theater, and an icon of the modern cinema is paying a visit.  That's when the embarrassing incident occurs, one which the house manager must clean up -- quickly, quietly, and literally -- putting every one of his newfound skills to the test.

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(7:21)

John Morogiello is a Playwright in Residence with the Maryland State Arts Council.  For more on his work, click here.  Producer's note:  John first told me this story seventeen years ago when we were working on a play together in DC.  I've never forgotten it, and sought him out specifically so we could record it for Yarn.  I hope you enjoy it as much as I do.

The Bakers of Butter Lane

Featuring the voices of:  Maria Baugh, Linda Lea, and Pamela Nelson
Recorded: February 2009, New York, NY
Music: Django Reinhardt; Pink Martini

Is there such thing as a recession-proof product in a downward-sliding economy?  Three vets of the corporate world are banking on the cupcake as today's luxury item of choice, and that the secret to building a better confection lies somewhere between traditional Southern baking and the stylish sophistication all New Yorkers secretly crave.

Featured by PRX as a News Station Pick for April 2009.  Broadcast April 4, 2009 on WILL-AM's "Sidetrack" (Urbana, IL) and March 19, 2009 on WAMC-FM's "Midday Magazine" (Great Barrington, MA).

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(8:20)

Butter Lane is located at 123 East 7th Street in New York City.  You can read more about the bakery here.  Photo by Lisa Zullig.

Meal ticket

Story by:  Wayne Peter Liebman

Produced by:  Eric Winick & Wayne Peter Liebman

Recorded: November-December 2008, Los Angeles, CA

Music:  Santo & Johnny

When a young doctor questioning his choice of profession has a chance encounter with cinema icon Marlon Brando, the ensuing conversation proves surprisingly profound -- not just for the doctor, but for Brando himself.

Featured by PRX as a News Station Pick for January 2009.  Broadcast January 22, 2009 on WBHM-FM's "Tapestry" (Birmingham, AL) and February 7, 2009 on WILL-AM's "Sidetrack" (Urbana, IL).

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(10:00)

Wayne Liebman is a physician, poet and playwright.  To read more about his work, click here.  I met Wayne at the Third Coast International Audio Festival in Evanston, IL, which is where he first told me this story.  Since Wayne lives in L.A., he recorded his story there, and we compiled this story via e-mail, the first Yarn piece to be created in this fashion.  Thanks to Jay Allison, Caitlin Fitzwater, Bradford Louryk, and Rob Ribar.

Achilles

Story by: Isser Gallogly
Recorded: November 2008, Brooklyn, NY
Music: Pernice Brothers

A touch football enthusiast ventures into the Manhattan singles scene, with only three apparent drawbacks:  his crutches, the overly-inquisitive, and the presence of numerous open flames.

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(12:19)

Isser Gallogly is a native New Yorker living in Park Slope, Brooklyn.  When not injured, he works for NYU and performs improv comedy.  Music used by permission.

The granduncle fables

Text:  Jeff Lewonczyk

Performance:  Richard Harrington

Direction:  Hope Cartelli

Recorded: November 2008, New York, NY

Music:  Eyvind Kang

Three original off-the-wall fables conjuring an imaginary icebound world:  "The Walrus and the School of Fish," "The Dog Who Liked People Too Much," and "The Flight of the Mammoths," recorded as precursors to the Piper McKenzie production of The Granduncle Quadrilogy:  Tales From the Land of Ice, which ran December 4-20, 2008 at the Brick Theater in Williamsburg, Brooklyn.

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(9:32)

You can read more about Piper McKenzie and their production of The Granduncle Quadrilogy here.