Glamorous host of HGTV's "Dina's Party" and former star of BRAVO'S "Real Housewives of New Jersey," Dina Manzo will film her first scenes August 8 as a member of the cast of NYC Brand Production's first, scripted dramedy, "Tainted Dreams," which promises to realistically explore the drama behind the drama. "Tainted Dreams" chronicles the behind-the-scenes experiences of the closely intertwined cast and crew involved in the production of 5-day a week televised soap opera.
No stranger to the real-life drama occurring behind-the-scenes of a TV show, Manzo plays "Alessandra DiGiacomo," a smart, successful NYC corporate CEO whose younger gay brother, a production assistant on a daily New York-based drama, faces prejudice and peril because of his sexuality. The character of "Alessandra" hails from a large Italian family whom she loves, but with whose constant over-involvement in her life, she struggles. Famed, award-winning actor Colleen Zenk, who just completed a successful run in the role of "Tallulah Bankhead" in "Looped" at the prestigious Stageworks/Hudson Theatre in Hudson, NY and best known as "Barbara Ryan" from the iconic daytime drama "As the World Turns," plays Manzo's mother, "Sofia." Manzo's real-life friend, Staten Island playwright and three-time Emmy winner, Anthony Wilkinson plays her brother in the new series.
According to co-star Anthony Wilkinson, "I met Dina when I was a production assistant at ABC's 'One Life to Live,' and we became fast-friends. She has been one of my strongest supporters over the years. Dina is a strong advocate for gay rights, and she served as a producer of my long-running Off-Broadway play, 'My Big Gay Italian Wedding' years before anyone ever dreamed marriage equality was possible. Dina is a beautiful, loyal person inside and out." Wilkinson also reveals, "Dina is a long-time soap fan, and I believe Dina's always secretly dreamed of being a 'soap star.' I think this role in 'Tainted Dreams' has come at a perfect, transitional time for Dina, and I can't wait to see her tackle scripted drama. I know Dina will be fantastic."
Manzo joins the all-star cast of "Tainted Dreams" boasting some of the most popular, well-known actors in daytime history, combined with a unique mash-up of high profile reality stars, singers and theater actors including: Alicia Minshew ("All My Children"), Grant Aleksander ("Guiding Light"), Walt Willey ("All My Children"), Colleen Zenk ("As the World Turns"), Bobbie Eakes ("All My Children" and "The Bold and the Beautiful"), Natalia Livingston ("General Hospital"), Marnie Schulenburg ("As the World Turns"), Michael Lowry ("All My Children"), Austin Peck ("Days of our Lives"), Larkin Malloy ("Edge of Night" and "All My Children"), Ilene Kristen ("Ryan's Hope" and "One Life to Live"), Tonja Walker ("General Hospital" and "One Life to Live"), James DePaiva ("One Life to Live"), Nathan Purdee ("The Young and the Restless" and "One Life to Live"), Anthony Wilkinson ("My Big Gay Italian Wedding" and the new "My Big Gay Italian Funeral"), Lisa Marie Varon ("IMPACT WRESTLING") and "Mr. PEC-Tacular" Jessie Godderz ("IMPACT WRESTLING" and "Big Brother").
Manzo's scenes will be taped at the Sushi Lounge in Totowa, New Jersey August 8. "Tainted Dreams" began its two-week shoot July 29 and has filmed in studio and on location throughout New York City and Northern New Jersey.
Distribution details and a premiere date for "Tainted Dreams" are not yet finalized, but post-production work on the first season of the series should be completed by late Fall.
About NYC Brand Productions:
NYC Brand Productions is a New York-based full-service company dedicated to producing high quality, original television, Internet, video and live theatrical shows.
Photo courtesy of @dinamanzo
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