A 19th Century Musical Gangster Comes to the Stage in MACAIRE

Thomas G. Waites TGW ACTING STUDIO is pleased to announce the world premiere production of Thomas Waites' musical MACAIRE. Directed by Waites and musically directed by Steffani Bennett, the show will play a limited engagement at Teatro Latea (107 Suffolk St., NYC). Performances begin Tuesday, August 1 and continue through Sunday, August 13th. Opening Night is Friday, August 4 (8 p.m.). $25 tickets are available now at brownpapertickets.com.

In 1820s France, two young finances Charles and Ernestine are finally ready to say "til death do us part" until it is revealed that Charles' father is not in fact his father! By French law, they can no longer marry; How will they get around this obstacle? What is an obstacle? The devil. And this obstacle seems grave; but to Macaire as a man and a brother (and a wanted criminal), what is it but a word? No challenge for this notorious 19th century gangster! Casting will be announced at a later date.

The production features scenic and lighting design by Mitchell Ost, costume design by Nilton Emilio, and Alaska Caleo is the stage manager. Casting is currently still underway.

MACAIRE plays the following regular schedule through Sunday, August 13th: Tuesdays at 8 p.m. Wednesdays at 8 p.m. Thursdays at 8 p.m. Fridays at 8 p.m. Saturdays at 8p.m. Sundays at 3 p.m and 7 p.m.. Tickets are $25 and are now available online at http://www.brownpapertickets.com/event/2966872. Running Time: 90

After one year at Bucks County Community College, playwright and director Thomas G. Waites received a full scholarship for acting at the Juilliard School in New York City where he studied as a member of the Drama Division's Group 7 (1974-1978). Some of his classmates included Robin Williams, Christopher Reeve, and Frances Conroy. He received a B.A. degree in Writing from The New School and a Master of Fine Arts in Playwriting from the University of Iowa. Tom originated the role of Oliver Treefe in Simon Gray's world premiere of Molly, at the First Annual Spoleto Festival in Charleston, SC. After his highly acclaimed performance, he returned to NYC to be cast as the lead in On the Yard (1978) co-starring with John Heard. After very strong critical notices, Tom played Fox in Walter Hill's The Warriors (1979). Tom auditioned with Al Pacino and was cast as Jeff McCullough in the Norman Jewison film, ...And Justice for All (1979), striking up a long relationship with Pacino.

The two worked together again in Shakespeare's Richard III in which Tom was cast as Richmond. Tom then originated the role of Mitchell in Alan Bowne's Forty-Deuce Off-Broadway at the Perry Street Theatre. In 1982, Tom competed with actors such as Matt Dillon and Kevin Bacon to land the role of Bobby in David Mamet's Pulitzer Prize-winning play, American Buffalo. Kurt Russell and John Carpenter saw Tom's performance and and subsequently cast him as Windows in the film The Thing (1982). Tom was also cast in the Broadway premier of Trafford Tanzi, then as Steve in Pastorale, the Obie Award-winning play by Debra Eisenberg starring Judith Ivey and Christine Estabrook. Tom began writing music and formed a band, Thomas G. Waites Project and plays gigs around NYC in clubs such as CBGB's, Limelight, Traxs, The Bitter End, and has opened for The Smithereens.

STEFFANI BENNETT (Musical Director) Born to two musicians, Steffani has had a love of music since birth. She began studying piano and dance at age 5 and went on to study classical voice and jazz technique until graduating from New England Conservatory in Boston. She moved to New York to develop her sound in the early 90's. Since then she has been writing and performing in NYC and up the East Coast, and has performed on countless recordings, demos and albums, developing a reputation as a great session singer, musician, composer, and songwriter.

She recently was the vocal coach on a recording session for TRANSPARENT, the Amazon series, with Gaby Hoffmann and Jay Duplass.

Steffani was a Grand Prize Winner of the USA Songwriting Competition (with her song "I Got A Feeling"), a finalist in the Unisong Contest, and a runner-up in the 2007 Song of The Year contest with "Worth The Wait". Her debut CD, "I'm The Girl" was chosen as a "TOP 12 DIY" (self-release) in Performing Songwriter Magazine.

She has been in Broadway Workshops (with Raul Esparza, Sandy Duncan), and has sung backing vocals with Kate Pierson of the B52's, Lesley Gore, Mary Wilson, Keith Diamond, Al B Sure! and Wayne Brady, to name a few. She was also part of the backing vocals for the PBS special "Hey La, the Girl Groups are Back", featuring the great Motown/Phil Spector acts of the 60's.

For 5 years she co-ran a music company, Raw Sugar Music, and composed tracks for NBC, FOX, the 2000 World Series, the 2000 Olympics, and the 2002 MTV Music Awards.

And as a singer/songwriter, Steffani has released 2 records, including her EP "Worth The Wait", which was produced by world renowned drummer Nir Z (John Mayer's "Room For Squares", Genesis, Jason Mraz, Chris Cornell), guitarist Nunzio Signore (guitarist, Brian McKnight, Angie Stone, Destiny's Child), bassist Byron Isaacs (Ollabelle, Levon Helm, Donald Fagan), and bassist Lee Nadel (Jewel, Rita Wilson). She has played in venues with the likes of Jesse Harris, Greta Gaines, Rebecca Martin, Mike Errico, and Jen Chapin. She is also a staff writer for the non-profit organization "Songs of Love", which writes and records personalized songs for terminal and chronically ill children.

She co-wrote and sang a jingle for "LA Carpet and Flooring" with Jeff Bova (Grammy Winning keyboardist: Mick Jagger, Michael Jackson, etc etc!), and co-wrote a song for Will Makar (American Idol finalist).

She now resides in NYC, where she performs locally and is a professional voice coach and piano teacher.

ALASKA CALEO (Stage Manager) Hailing from the frozen north, Alaska Caleo moved to NYC in 2015 and has been acting, shooting short films, and writing since her feet hit the city ground. Stage performances include Prospera in Shakespeare's The Tempest, various sketch comedy shows such as A Sketch of New York, and Nadia Asencio's Cheesecake! of the 2017 Strawberry One-Act Festival. Alaska is also currently stage managing Asencio's play, Homage of NY Summerfest's Theatre Festival. She's the cool kid your mother told you to hire and yes, she is actually from Alaska.

TGW ACTING STUDIO trains working professionals who receive some of the best training in the industry by outstanding Actor Thomas G. Waites, a Broadway veteran and star of the stage and big screen. Not only do we guide you on your path to conquering your fears, but we also unveil essential skills which are imperative for advancing in your acting career. Tom's experienced counsel has helped hundreds of actors overcome their fears and find it within themselves to pursue their dreams with determination!