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Otto Felix
June 2004 Showcase
JUNE 2004 - OTTO UPDATE
HI,
Just returned from Pittsburgh where my mother, Juanita, celebrated her 91st birthday. She's in good health... I can tell by the way she orders me around to do chores.
I flew to Pittsburgh on Tuesday night, June 15th, red eye after my Tuesday Film Session. Returned this past Tuesday, 22nd, in time to conduct the film session that night.
Now the revue of the Film Actors Shop & HAPPI
Handicapped Artists, Performers and Partners, Inc.
23rd Variety Showcase in June 2004
The show was hosted by country singer Larry Dean |

Larry Dean
Larry opened the show by performing one of his hits "There Stands The Glass."
HAPPI VP, exciting wheelchair bound, Lindsey Taylor was co-host with Larry. They were outstanding and the standing room only house of entertainment executives thoroughly enjoyed them.
Showcase
A Scene by Real Verla & Francesca Galeas (who won a "Little Otto Award") was wild and fiery woven in both Spanish and English - Missy Haas, (Bo Derek look alike who won an "Appreciation Award") and her scene partner, Kyle Cohen had a quiet, moving moment, scene. Comedian Fred Burns, with his multi-colored crutches once again, had them on the floor in laughing tears.
Scenes by Liz Lewis & Aaron Brownstarr did a double monologue, tear jerker, while Kip Pierce & Delaine Tarra turned in a hysterical bit.
A special attraction to this years show was the Ballet number by electric wheelchair artist, Bethany Bookin and her graceful partner Shoshana Ornstein. There wasn't a dry eye in the house as they both received "Little Otto" Awards.
Tyler Tuoine & Lee Donovan, who received a "Little Otto" Award - showed the bonding between a rough tough detective and a bad, blind man, turning good.
Keith Singleton and his rabbit James shook the walls of the studio/theater with a ventriloquist act that really cannot be beat... very funny stuff here.
The finale' scene by William Austyn & Flo Lawrence was terrific. It was so real to life at one point that the audience actually "gasped" out loud.
"OUT A SIGHT"
-- three blind, singers, Eli Del Rio, Otis Albert (1st blind Mr. Universe) and Robert Smith sang their hearts out with a medley of Doo-Whop hits, acappella style.
After their performance, Gold & Platinum recording artist David Somerville, lead singer/creator of "The Diamonds"
"Little Darlin'"
"The Stroll"
"Why Do Fools Fall In Love"
"Silhouettes"
"Church Bells May Ring"
too name a few,
presented the boys with "Little Otto Awards."
Then to rap it up...
Otto Felix presented David with his own "STAR" on the Hollywood Walk of Fame.
Then David played guitar and sang his Platinum hit "Little Darlin" with the entire audience participation. What a great ending to the show.
The after dinner "Rap Party" was delicious...
with food catered by "The Brooklyn Pasta and Pizza Restaurant"
on Pico (all kosher foods)...
pizza, pasta, salads and wines from around the world donated by Ereka Solis (Producer) who grabbed an Appreciation Award, and her fine man Carlos.
The cast and crew all pitched in physically and financially for everything it takes to produce this type of event. Everything from the drinks, snacks, hordourves, candy, programs, invitations, postage, props and set design was achieved by the Film Actors Shop and HAPPI members.
A special Thanks to
Ereka Solis,
Rose Grigoryants,
"V" as we call her, Real Verela,
Tyler Tuione,
Liz Lewis,
Lori Garner and
Missy Haas
for helping make this show happen.
Thanks also for the support from Producers, Directors, Casting Directors, Agents and Managers that donated funds and attended this show. With only two weeks gone by and so much activity for the Film Actors Shop Members and HAPPI Members I'm sure there will be even more 'gigs' coming their way.
The 23rd Variety Showcase,
as far as actors obtaining goals, was a huge success. Five actors landed new agents... three actors landed roles in feature films and one actor already filmed a guest role on "CSI" while yet an another actor was booked on "Closed Case" ...which, by the way, has one of my ex-students in the lead role. (I not suppose use names without the permission of the actors.)
The 24th Variety Showcase
is being planned for a Thanksgiving/Christmas date.
A holiday atmosphere with all new scenes, songs, comedy and a full band is in play. It will be sometime on a week end in early December, a definite date has not been set.
Once again, thanks to everyone that supported this event...
I'll keep you posted on the members progress and
dates of other Film Actors Shop or HAPPI events.
Check out these Web Sites.
OttoFelix.com |
HAPPI-TALENT.com |
FilmActorsShop.com |
Otto Fan Club: http://groups.msn.com/OfficialOttoFelixFanClub |
If you like these web sites
and need one of your own contact
Dorothy Hodgkins at dodih@sympatico.ca | or
JOHN LONGENECKER at WebSites@JL-Company.com |
These folks are the best...
simple, fast, efficient, and they know their web site stuff.
The Film Actors Shop
studio is available for rent for classes, casting, showcases, rehearsals, or productions. Contact number: 310-470-1939.
Have a day,
Otto
Hi All:
This is a review from Arthur Semone -- retired agent of the William Morris Talent Agency and legal council to Dwight Yoakam, Sylvester Stallone, Tony Danza, etc., etc., regarding Otto's Variety Showcase on June 12th, 2004.
I thought you all might find it interesting.
Sure wished I could have attended,
sounds like a great time was had by all.
Hugs,
Dodi
June 14, 2004
Dear Otto,
As you know I attended both the Variety Showcases on Friday and Saturday. What an event and show. Friday, I know, was your dress rehearsal for Saturday.
I mean, if you were to have put this thing on in a bigger venue and with some publicity you would have packed the place and you would become a major director and producer to be dealt with.
To see such talent working with disabled performers is incredible -- and to think that you took most of these people with no training and had them perform with such professionalism.
I completely forgot the handicapped were even disabled, their performances over ruled everything.
Then, to top it off, you had such major celebrities attend and even had country singer legend Larry Dean host the show with Lindsey Taylor, the cute little girl in the wheelchair who was unbelievable.
Then, for a finale', after the three blind singers Out A Sight were accompanied by David Somerville and he broke into his platinum hit "Little Darlin'" it was the icing on the cake.
At the closing "Rap Party" it was great to see mega star Dwight Yoakam standing with such ease next to directors, agents, casting directors and producers like they were all old buddies.
The after show parties were outstanding with the Brooklyn Pasta & Pizza Restaurant donating such great foods. Wine and beer from around the world, turkey rolls, salads, pizza -- at a small, intimate theater -- your theater -- was an evening I'll never forget.
Your Film Actors Shop members and HAPPI members must feel extremely proud of this event. What a nice group of warm friends you have around you.
Thank you for allowing me to take in such an evening and please keep me on your mailing list. If there is one thing I can do, is get my close friends in the business to attend the next one. Keep up the good work.
Sincerely,
Arthur Semone
Agent/Legal Council