Coyote REP, an emerging theater company, hosted their First Annual Rising Moon Gala and Fundraiser. The event included a cocktail reception following the Patron's Dinner. Entertainment was provided by Jenn Colella, the star of the recent Broadway show High Fidelity. A live auction took place along with the presentation of two Moon Awards, one to the Drama Desk Awards Executive Producer Robert R. Blume for Outstanding Contributions to Theater and one to playwright Rebecca Tourino for Excellence in Playwriting for The Naked Eye Planets.
Coyote REP is a NYC based not-for-profit theatre company dedicated to balancing process and production, and committed to developing, producing and inspiring original plays through innovative means. Coyote REP was founded by Artistic Director Jeanne LaSala and Producing Director Glenn Kalison, and is comprised largely of graduates from UC Irvine's Masters of Fine Arts in Theater Program.
Blume, in his 9th year as Presenter/Executive Producer of the annual Drama Desk Awards, is an experienced live entertainment and broadcast producer who has increased the public awareness of the stature and prestige of the Drama Desk Awards to where it is now regarded by many as the 'Golden Globes' of the theatre, as well as the televised precursor to the annual Tony Awards broadcast several weeks later. As President of his new production/consulting firm, Blume Media Group Ltd., he currently has projects in various stages of development including two TV shows and a touring stage musical, Earthlings, as well as serving as consultant for Australian musical Angels, scheduled for Broadway in 2008; the American debut of Swiss International Stage and Concert Star, Sue Mathys; and the family musical revue based on the Cotton Club, Shades Of Harlem.
Tourino, a founding member of Coyote REP, received top honors at the first annual Coyote Play Circle for The Naked Eye Planets. Her play Quickening was produced by the LA company Lucid By Proxy and her one-act play Goblin Market was produced at Stanford University. Short fiction includes What She Means and Vulgaris. The Naked Eye Planets will be given its World Premiere by Coyote REP at The American Theater of Actors from March 9-25, 2007.
Visit www.coyoterep.org for more information.
Photos courtesy of DARR Publicity
Coyote REP Producing Director Glenn Kalison, Robert R. Blume (Moon Award recipient for Outstanding Contributions to Theater), Rebecca Tourino (Moon Award recipient for Excellence in Playwriting for The Naked Eye Planets) and Coyote REP Artistic Director Jeanne LaSala
Tom Kitt (High Fidelity, Laugh Whore, Urban Cowboy), Coyote REP company member Jenn Colella (High Fidelity, Urban Cowboy) and Jen Foote (Dirty Rotten Scoundrels)
Jenn Colella works the crowd during her performance; background: Tom Kitt
Broadway Producer Herb Blodgett (Talk Radio) and Coyote REP Producing Director Glenn Kalison
Joyce Howard along with Broadway producers Irv Welzer (Tony-winner) and Herb Blodgett discussing their upcoming Broadway production of Talk Radio
Coyote REP Production Manager (The Naked Eye Planets) Jason Teague and Managing Director Donnetta Lavinia Grays (Well on Broadway)
Magdalena Zira (Director/The Naked Eye Planets) and Coyote REP Co-Communications Director Rebecca Tourino (Moon Award recipient for Excellence in Playwriting for The Naked Eye Planets)
Coyote REP Business Manager Heidi Tokheim laying down some jazz
Coyote REP Producing Director Glenn Kalison, Robert R. Blume (Moon Award recipient for Outstanding Contributions to Theater) and Coyote REP Artistic Director Jeanne LaSala
Coyote REP Co-Communications Director Brandon Collinsworth with patron, Peter Eliel (winner of one-night walk-on role in upcoming production of The Naked Eye Planets)
