Friends of Niagara University Theatre
For those who love theatre at Niagara University
Winter 2004
Thinking Outside the Box:
Kevin Ford and the Business of Abracadabra
By Mary Furlong
“I’m kind of in a box right now,”
Kevin Ford said at the outset of our
conversation. I figured he meant the
sort of metaphorical box that we all
find ourselves in from time to time.
After all, this 1979 NU grad is a
pretty busy guy, who operates his
business, “Mirage Entertainment,” in
exhilarating, but exhausting, oneman-band style. Each year, he takes
his magic act to between 80 and 120
elementary schools in New York
state, Ohio, Pennsylvania, and
Michigan. In addition, he entertains
with a comedy-hypnosis act at
county fairs and on college campuses.
With such a daunting schedule, it’s
no wonder he finds himself “kind of
in a box” now and again. Perhaps I’d
called at the wrong time.
“No, really,” said Kevin, “I’m in a
box.”
Ah! A magic box! He was rigging
up a trick to add to his repertoire.
Exciting images came to mind —
false bottoms, sliding panels, crisscrossed swords, Houdini-like escapes.
Breathtaking Penn and Teller stuff,
only much more elegant and tasteful
if I know Kevin Ford.
Wrong again. He was in an actual
box, he told me — one formed by
the rafters of his house, where he’d
climbed up to fix an electrical
something-or-other. Everyday
homeowner’s business. No
legerdemain required.
Nevertheless, the whole idea of
boxes had a magical effect on me. It
took me back to Kevin’s undergraduate
days in the Niagara University
theater program, when, in one of my
favorite performances, he played the
role of Malvolio, hapless steward to
the beautiful Lady Olivia in “Twelfth
Night.” Near the end of the play,
Malvolio is cast into a boxlike prison
to pay for his crimes of pom-posity
and presumption. The other players
eventually let him out of his little
jail, of course; after all, it’s a comedy.
But when Kevin played the part,
Malvolio had the last laugh. Or the
last hurrah. Or “Oooo and Ahhh.”
Or “Wow.” Or something.
What happened was that, having
emerged from his box, Kevin produced
a magic trick as a spectacular windup to the company curtain call. With
a wave of his hand, he produced a
flash of fire. Shazam! Lightning at his
fingertips! Then, with a quick twist
of the wrist, he extinguished the
blaze, plunging the entire theater
into darkness. Shazam again! A
spectacular ending to an enchanting
evening.
Theater and magic — they’re
inextricably entwined. It’s become a
cliché to describe a drama as magical.
And even the most artful magic falls
flat without the magician’s theatrical
persona. All of which goes a long way
toward explaining why Kevin Ford is so
successful in his performing career; he’s
both a skilled magician and a versatile
actor, who, during his undergraduate
years at Niagara, performed principal
Kevin Ford
roles in more than a dozen major
theater productions.
But which came first, the making
of magic or the magic of theater? In
Kevin’s case, it was the former. He
fell in love with the art of illusion at
the age of six or so, when his father,
returning from a business trip, brought
home a pocket magic trick he’d
purchased in the airport gift shop. It
was a most successful coming-home
present. Kevin played with it for
hours on end. His interest in the toy
led to a dawning awareness of the
magicians who were such a staple of
television entertainment at the time.
Magicians who had wondrous tricks
at their command, not to mention
splashy sets and glittering costumes
to set off their skills in the most
flattering and mystifying of lights.
And then, wonder of wonders, he
learned that there were real live
magicians practicing their art right
near home, in Niagara Falls, N.Y. He
begged for the chance to go to their
See KEVIN, page 6
Alumni
News . . .
Gerard Miller III, ’01, finished a
successful run with his improv
group, The Royal We, in “Does This
War Make Me Look Fat?” He has also
been around the city in various
comedy clubs and open mic nights.
The Web page to his improv group is
www.theroyalwe.org.
Damian Vanore, ’02, was one of
35 selected to participate in Royal
Caribbean Cruise Line’s “Krooze
Komic Kareer Daze,” a seminar for
its top comedic performers to
workshop new ideas and future
events for the company.
Josh Fast, ’01, performed in
“Myself in Third Person” with the
TVI Actors’ Studio, New York City.
Matt Knight, ’02, recently signed
with Cunningham Escott and
Dipene in New York for voiceover
and on-camera commercial work.
NU acting professor Paul Todaro,
’87, recently finished a highly
successful run of “Out to Sea,” by
polish playwright Slawomir Mrozek
at La Mama Experimental Theatre
Club in New York City.
Thomas Gates, ’95, was the production stage manager for the critically
acclaimed off-Broadway production
of “The Exonerated,” assistant stage
manager for the Broadway revival of
“Noises Off!” and first assistant for
the national tour of “Chicago.” His
next job is as production stage manager
for the off-Broadway revival of “The
Normal Heart.”
Amie Hendrix, ’03, is the director of
youth programs at the American Red
Cross in the Finger Lakes. Among her
projects is a Hollywood initiative
where students perform theater and
work with celebrities to promote
nonsmoking in movies. She is also
working with the students to create
their own statewide film festival.
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Former Buffalo arts commissioner
“The House of Nunzio,” the latest
David Granville, ’92, was recently
play by Patrick Riviere, ’88, had a
named executive director of
developmental production done in
Shakespeare in Delaware Park.
November at the TheatreSource
Sojourner C. Walker, ’01, has
Theatre in New York City. Starring in
written a children’s book, “The Gift:
the production was Chris Wisner, ’97.
The Mystery Behind the Apple Star,”
Dale Sandish, ’83, was seen last
a Native American etiological myth,
holiday season in “Plaid Tidings” at
now in bookstores.
Studio Arena Theatre.
Bac DeLorme, ’94, was assistant
After finishing a run of “Shear
director for “Spider Man 2,” “SpiderMadness” at Washington, D.C.’s presMan,” “Red Dragon” and “The Run
tigious Kennedy Center for Performing
Down.” He also had a small acting role
Arts, Neil Casey, ’91, returned to
in “Spider Man 2” and acted in the
Boston to star in the Lyric Theatre’s
independent film, “Dumping Jack.”
production of “When Pigs Fly.”
Left Field Productions, headed by
Susan Drozd, ’02, starred in
Michael Buttiglieri, ’02, produced
“Escaping the Box,” Pandora’s Box
the Los Angeles premiere of
Theatre Company’s fifth annual
“Pageant” in December. Dave Rogge,
showcase of short works written by
’03, designed the set for the
and featuring women, at the
production, which received rave
Alleyway Theatre in Buffalo.
reviews, and Melissa Seifert, ’01, was
Kim Schwenzer, ’98, is currently
the makeup designer.
on the National Tour of
Armand Schultz,
“Seussical the Musical.”
’81, starred in the
Kelly Murray, ’01, was
Tennessee Williams
featured in a commercial for
classic, “Night of the
Jim’s Steakout and in a promo
Iguana” at the
for the television show,
prestigious Guthrie
“Soundcheck.” She also
Theatre in
appeared on NBC’s “American
Minneapolis. Watch
Dreams.”
for Armand in his
Katie Sorice, ’03, was
most recent national
accepted into Second City
commercial for
New York and will be
Armand Schultz
Verizon.
attending school there for
Natalie Slipko, ’93,
writing and acting.
recently opened her one-woman cabaret
Brian Mysliwy, ’96, recently
show “Makeup Your Mind! Tales of a
designed the sound for “Dungeon
Beauty Consultant” at Don’t Tell Mama
Siege: Legends of Aranna,” an
cabaret theater in New York City.
adventure game for the PC being
Brendan Connor, ’94, has had a
released by Microsoft and Mad Doc
string of national commercials
Software. As sound designer, Brian also
including those for ToysRUs and
had the opportunity to hire some of his
New York Lotto. Television
fellow NU-ers: A.J. Sullivan, ’92;
appearances include “Sex & the
Jennifer (Swart) Mysliwy, ’95; and
City,” “Law and Order,” “NYPD
Christopher Wisner, ’97, can all be
Blue,” and “Third Watch.”
heard voicing characters in the game.
Justin Dimieri, ’03, was featured
And, Jackson Hale Mysliwy (Jen and
in a documentary on the life of
Brian’s son) made his acting debut in
Monsignor Nelson Baker, called
the game playing a wailing banshee.
“Legacy of Victory: Remembering
Born on March 22, 2003, Jack was
Father Baker.”
recorded crying at the tender age of
one month!
Friends of Niagara University Theatre
David Autovino, ’03, performed
in “I Love You, You’re Perfect, Now
Change” at the Downstairs Cabaret
in Rochester.
Dan McDonald, ’93, starred as
Dream Curly in “Oklahoma” with
Sandy Duncan, and as Rusty Charlie
in “Guys and Dolls” at the Cherry
City Playhouse in Muskegon, Mich.
He was also the assistant choreographer for “Guys and Dolls.”
Lori Granchelli, ’97, teaches acting
classes at Studio Arena and Theatre for
Youth. She also runs a drama club with
her middle-school students at South
Buffalo Charter School.
NU Theatre interim director
Brendan Powers, ’96, and professor
Paul Todaro, ’87, will be performing
in “Translations” at Buffalo’s Irish
Classical Theatre in March.
The recently engaged Denise
Payne, ’99, is singing and tap
dancing in the first national tour of
“42nd Street.”
Julie Burdick, ’03, is currently on
the national tour of “Fame.”
Michelle Ninacs, ’83, will be
directing a production of “A Night in
November” at Buffalo’s Alleyway
Theatre.
Williams to Serve
as Guest Designer
NU theater students and faculty
will have the opportunity this spring
to learn from one of the most
celebrated scenic and light designers
in the country. Robert “R.T.”
Williams will serve as guest lighting
designer for “Orpheus Descending”
as well as guest set designer for
“California Suite.” During his visit to
NU, he will also conduct a variety of
design workshops for students.
Williams has designed for Broadway,
off-Broadway, and regional theater,
and was also the resident designer at
Artpark for many seasons.
Friends of Niagara University Theatre
NU Theatre and Castellani Art Museum
Join Forces for Exhibit
Anyone who visited the Castellani Art Museum’s delightful exhibit on
children’s storybook illustrator Leo Lionni last fall may have heard some
familiar voices and seen some familiar faces. CAM curator Laurene Buckley
welcomed Brother Augustine Towey, C.M., NU Theatre interim director
Brendan Powers, speech professor Amanda Sharpe and chairwoman Dr. Sharon
Watkinson as participants in the museum’s Saturday Storytime series. They
read a variety of Lionni’s stories to children, and their narrations were also
recorded and made a permanent part of the exhibit. In addition, NU
Repertory Theatre fully staged one of the Lionni stories on exhibit and
performed it in the central gallery before an audience of all ages.
“It was a terrific collaboration!” said Powers. “The response was wonderful
and we look forward to doing more together.” Plans are under way for another
storytelling series in late spring, this time inspired by works in the museum’s
permanent collection.
NU Production Makes Powerful Impact
The September production of the post-World War II drama, “A Shayna
Maidel,” made a strong impression on Sylvia Schwartz, executive director of
the Holocaust Resource Center of Buffalo. She arranged for more than a dozen
local Holocaust survivors to attend the final performance and join the actors for
a unique and profound talkback session with the audience. In a letter to NU
Theatre interim director Brendan Powers, Schwartz wrote, “HRC’s mission is
to help provide the education necessary to eliminate hate and prejudice so that
history does not repeat itself. [NU Theatre] has joined us in providing this
education, and you have done so in a way that we, and everyone who saw the
performance, will always remember.” In November, Powers was invited by
Schwartz to accompany a group to the Holocaust Museum in Washington
D.C. It was also recently announced that a scene from “A Shayna Maidel,”
featuring the cast from the NU production, will be part of the Yom Hashoah
Observance Ceremony in Buffalo this April. This annual day of recognition of
the Holocaust will be held at the Jewish Community Center, and brings
together more than 600 people.
Dancer/Choreographer Slipko Visits NU
NU theater students will get a workout from alumna Natalie Slipko when
she visits NU in March to conduct two master classes in dance. “I’m excited to
return to Niagara!” says the 1993 grad, who now lives in New York City. “I
want to assist the Niagara theater students in every way possible, from giving
them advice on dance to offering tips on pursuing a career in musical theater.”
Slipko estimates that she has been to at least 100 dance auditions for
Broadway, off-Broadway or regional productions. “Natalie is in the thick of it
right now,” says Brendan Powers, NU Theatre interim director. “This type of
student/alumni experience is invaluable, and we are grateful to Natalie for this
opportunity.”
3
Broadway Gypsy
By Ann Rooney Heuer
Carmen proudly wears the colorful Actors’
Equity gypsy robe while posing with
“Christmas Eve,” a special opening-night
puppet. Photo courtesy of Walter McBride of
Retna Ltd., New York, N.Y.
“Enormously talented.” That’s
how Brother Augustine Towey, C.M.,
director of Niagara University
Theatre, describes theater alumna
Carmen Ruby Floyd, ’00, who is
currently starring on Broadway. She
covers the character “Gary Coleman”
of the 1970’s television sitcom,
“Different Strokes,” in the musical
production of “Avenue Q.” The
production is on stage at the John
Golden Theatre on West 45th Street,
New York, N.Y.
Making it to Broadway this
summer was a dream come true for
Carmen. And so was July 31, 2003,
the musical’s opening night.
Just before the show began,
Carmen was presented with the
Actors’ Equity “gypsy robe,” a
colorful icon that is presented on the
first night of a new Broadway
musical to the actor in the
production who has the most
Broadway and off-Broadway credits.
Carmen donned the regal robe
and, according to theatrical ritual,
she circled the stage three times to
“bring blessings” to the new musical.
The tradition of the gypsy robe
originated more than 50 years ago
with the play “Call Me Madam,”
starring Ethel Merman. Gina Ferrall,
4
the previous robe winner from “Big
River,” was on hand that evening to
describe the robe’s historic
background to the audience.
“It was great to be chosen,”
Carmen exclaimed. “I love to wear
long, flowing, multicolored robes.
Who doesn’t? There are already seven
or eight completed gypsy robes, and
the cast of ‘Avenue Q’ has a brand
new robe to complete. Every show
adds something to the robe until it is
finished.”
Set in New York City, “Avenue Q”
is described as “the place you live
when you can’t afford to live anyplace
else.” Populated by people and
singing puppets, the characters deal
with life’s ups and downs, from
romance and sexual identity to
careers and money. While puppets
star in the production, “Avenue Q” is
an irreverent musical for mature
audiences only.
Carmen’s journey to the bright
lights of Broadway is a testament to
her God-given gifts, her passion for
her craft, and something more.
“I’m a very blessed person,” she
said. “I am forever grateful to God,
my mother, my family and friends,
Niagara University, and the city. No
one does it on their own. We all get a
little help somewhere.”
Carmen said that when she first
moved to New York City no one
knew who she was. Today, it’s a
different story. “I have so much
support now in the city,” she said.
As a child, this Queen City native
used to sing her heart out with the
Buffalo-area Gale Family gospel
singers. After performing in
“Carousel” during high school, she
headed to Niagara University to
pursue her dream of becoming “the
first African American to win the
Academy Award for best actress.”
While at NU, Carmen performed
in the university’s productions of
“Pippin” and “A Chorus Line” and in
“Ain’t Misbehavin’” at Artpark.
During her senior year at Niagara
University she tried out and landed
the role of “Shenzi,” a “sassy and fun”
hyena in the Toronto production of
Disney’s “The Lion King.” The
production opened in April of 2000.
Following “The Lion King,” Carmen
landed roles in two off-Broadway hits,
“Little Ham” and “Crowns.” In 2001,
in between auditions and rehearsals,
she paid a return visit to Niagara
University to participate in several
television commercials promoting the
NU theater department.
When asked about her advice to
NU’s theater students, Carmen
noted, “Pay attention in class and
don’t waste your parents’ money,
your instructor’s patience, or your
time. I seem to see all the ups and
downs of the business, and if you
don’t love it, get out. You’ve heard it
before. This is a tough business. Yet,
if you can’t live without it, keep
working for it. And try your best to
learn every skill possible. Sewing,
carpentry, electrical work, it all
helps.”
Carmen believes that friendliness
and kindness can also help aspiring
actors get ahead. She added, “Be nice
to people without compromising
yourself. You never know when they
may be a casting director or the writer’s
son. And try to surround yourself with
those who support your craft.”
What’s next for Carmen Ruby
Floyd? She says she’s happy to
continue working. “Right now,” she
noted, “my main focus is on the ‘Q.’ A
month or so ago, I finished recording a
demo, so maybe that will take my
singing to the next level as a recording
artist. I’m also starting some
commercial work in TV and film.”
Friends of Niagara University Theatre
BACK BY POPULAR DEMAND!
The Friends of Niagara University Theatre
in association with the Niagara University Theatre
present
I Love You, You’re Perfect, Now Change
The delightful musical revue about love and marriage
Directed by Paul Todaro
•
Musical Direction by Donald Shrimpton
with
Cristina Sass
•
Heather Adair
•
Zak Ward
•
Brendan Powers*
July 8-31, 2004
ks
e
e
W
Four ly! Thursday, Friday, Saturday evenings at 8 p.m.
On
Sunday matinees at 2 p.m.
All tickets $15
Niagara University Theatre atThe Church, Lewiston, New York
(Air Conditioned!)
For tickets call 286-8483
* appears through the courtesy of the Actors Equity Association
Friends of Niagara University Theatre
5
KEVIN, cont. from page 1
performances, and, predictably, he
insisted on going backstage afterward
to pepper (he’d say “pester”) his
heroes with questions.
One magician in particular stands
out in Kevin’s memory — Joe La
Monica, who was a popular Western
New York performer back in the
’50s, ’60s, and ’70s. La Monica took
Kevin under his wing, encouraging
him to experiment with magic and
teaching him some of the tricks of
the trade. But not, of course, all of
them. Revealing the how-to-do-it of
specific illusions is strictly forbidden
in professional magic circles.
Anyway, in short order, Kevin had
put together an act of his own that
he performed for the amazement of
his relatives and friends. Honed and
polished over the years, this modest
little magic show eventually
developed into a sophisticated
performance, theatrical enough to
serve, in Kevin’s senior year at
Niagara, as his contribution to the
cycle of one-act plays that are a part
of each NU Theatre season.
In spite of the success of that
performance and of his many theatrical
roles, Kevin didn’t, at first, entertain
the idea of pursuing a stage career after
graduation. It wasn’t until he’d
sampled a smorgasbord of more
conventional jobs that he realized he
had to either take a chance on theater
or be forever regretful.
Once he’d made up his mind,
things quickly fell into place — like
magic, you might say. In his customary
thinking-outside-of-the-box approach,
Kevin combined his art with the
practicalities of education. It all started
with the elementary school offerings,
which have evolved as two programs
entitled “Explore the Magic of
Reading” and “Math-Add+Magic.”
These shows support parent and school
initiatives by focusing on the just-forfun aspects of basic school subjects.
A few years ago, “Hypnotism and
Beyond” was added to the list of
offerings. Kevin prepared for the
lighthearted show for college-age kids
by studying in Las Vegas with
Ormond McGill, the widely admired
“dean of American stage hypnotists.”
This new addition to his bag of tricks
has proved remarkably popular with
its target audience. (For just a hint of
the show’s excitement, log on to
Kevin’s spectacular Web site,
www.miragebiz.com, in itself a
magical experience.)
Kevin has plans for yet another
brand new show — one in which
Another Success!
The central gallery of the
Castellani Art Museum was filled
once again as theatergoers attended
the 19th annual Friends of Niagara
of Niagara
University Theatre Gala on October
University
18. After enjoying a wonderful
Theater
dinner and a silent auction featuring
a wide variety of prizes, guests made their way to the
Leary Theatre, where NU theater students performed
Stephen Sondheim’s musical “Into the Woods.”
“It was a delightful evening, from beginning to end,”
said Art Traver, president of the Friends. The gala was cochaired by John and Karen Sanderson and James and
Sharon Burdick. The silent auction was chaired by Mike
and Maria Arena.
6
hypnotism and magic are combined.
This time, by means of hypnotism,
he’ll transform volunteers from the
audience into magicians. At any rate,
they’ll think they’re magicians as they
shatter light bulbs with the merest
wave of their hands or glibly read the
minds of their fellow audience
members. Their impressive feats will
be double illusions, of course, for
you-know-who will perform the
magic they believe they’re
responsible for (to me, it sounds a
little like nonverbal ventriloquism).
For this show, as with all his
productions, Kevin will be writer,
director, producer, performer, and
business manager, handling
everything from abra to cadabra with
characteristic aplomb — a pretty
neat trick in itself.
There’s little doubt that the new
show will be another hit —
especially with those who get the
chance to see themselves as
magicians. Oh, the tricks they
perform might be pretty small
potatoes in the broad mystical
magical scheme of things. But that’s
hardly the point. What matters is
that, for one shining moment, they’ll
find themselves sharing the spotlight
with a guy who has lightning at his
fingertips. Shazam!
Ballard Wins Contest
Luxam, Inc. recently selected NU scene/lighting
designer Michael Ballard as the winner of its product
naming contest. At the United States Institute for Theatre
Technology Conference in Minneapolis, the company
unveiled for public viewing its equipment for rendering
light in miniature using high-quality fiber optic fixtures
and hardware. Luxam agreed to have attendees at USITT
submit suggestions to name the system that utilized
specialized museum-display-lighting fiber optics. More
than 50 entries were received and Ballard’s suggestion,
“Luxam’s Mini LuxLab,” was selected. Ballard received his
custom LuxLab kit with the thanks of Luxam for finding a
name expressive of the kit’s composition.
Friends of Niagara University Theatre