PIECES OF WORK

PIECES OF WORK Episode 9 features special guest, New York City-based musical theater writer/composer, music director and sought-after piano accompanist/arranger JAMES HARVEY.   In addition to creating, writing and developing the recent successful Off-Broadway run of his latest musical "Kafkaesque!," theater pro JAMES HARVEY also performed as the leading actor in the acclaimed production.   In this thoughtful and engaging piece, James talks about his upbringing as a musical theater obsessive, including influences like "The Wiz," Sondheim, and Alan Menken, among others.  He discusses the creation and evolution of "Kafkaesque!" and he shares insights about the creative process of writing and composing by himself as well as collaborating with others - and soldiering on as an artist when success seems elusive.  However, James has enjoyed many successes throughout his long career writing and staging musicals, performing musical comedy shows around NYC, and working as an accompanist and musical director for the city's finest cabaret performers, including Alan Cumming, Catherine Cohen, Larry Owens, Matt Rogers, and Bowen Yang.  Recognized as one of the leading young musical writers in the city, per the New York Times, James' "voice and...ideas are vital to the continual evolution of musical theater" (Alexander Gemignani).  He has performed his one-man musical comedy show, "The Bald Faced Truth," throughout the US and at the Edinburgh Fringe Festival, and it is available to stream in its entirety on YouTube.  For several years James hosted "The Second Cousins Show," a popular East Village variety show. Kafkaesque!, a world premiere featuring book, music and lyrics by James Harvey (Prime Day, The Bald Faced Truth, The Crack in the Ceiling), recently played at 154 Christopher (formerly the New Ohio Theatre). The production was directed by Ashley Brooke Monroe (Hamilton national tour, Life of Pi; The New Group: All of Me) and produced by Patrick Trettenero and Staro Industries (Here Lies Love). Keep up with updates on future productions of "KAFKAESQUE" at kafkashow.com and to find out more information about James Harvey go to WWW.JAMESHARVEY.COM and follow him on Instagram @JAMESGHARVEY PIECES OF WORK is a unique monologue/interview series of interesting subjects and unusual suspects talking about their chosen profession.  Check out previous episodes anytime and subscribe NOW on all podcast platforms or live & direct on jasoncharles.net Podcast Network TALK channelSee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

PIECES OF WORK Episode 8 features special guest CHRISTOPHER THOMAS ALLEN, an accomplished artist and filmmaker based in Hackney, East London. His work crosses a range of different media and formats, from award-winning documentary films and animations; immersive interactive installation projects to pioneering live cinema performances that have been experienced by audiences internationally. A thoughtful and fascinating personality, throughout this in-depth monologue, Chris reveals his creative inspirations, collaborating with multi-disciplinary artists and academics, how he established himself as one of the top innovative audio-visual producers in the international music, art, film and design world, creating his now 20+ year firm The Light Surgeons, and much more. Over the past 25 years, Chris and his studio has exhibited this work in major museums, art galleries, cultural institutes, festivals and biennials. Many of his projects involve collaboration with other artists and designers across the creative disciplines. This collaborative practice led him to establish a media arts studio under the name “The Light Surgeons” in the mid 1990’s.  Through this studio, Chris operates as a filmmaker, audiovisual artist, creative producer and director, collaborating with a network of different sound artists, musicians, animators, architects, designers and software developers to realize a wide range of different creative projects. Visit the Light Surgeons website at www.lightsurgeons.com to see photos and videos of the incredible and awe-inspiring art, design and installation environments created by Chris and his team! Check out The Light Surgeons' “Super Everything Project” at www.supereverything.net and for the “Super Everything” vinyl release on Utter Recordings, go to the Light Surgeons' bandcamp page, or listen on all major streaming platforms. More film and documentation of The Light Surgeons’ installations and performance work can be found on their YouTube and Vimeo channels - and follow them @thelightsurgeons on all social media. Original episode artwork photo courtesy dizqo PIECES OF WORK is a unique interview series of interesting subjects and unusual suspects talking about their chosen profession.  Check out previous episodes anytime and subscribe NOW on all podcast platforms or live & direct on jasoncharles.net Podcast Network TALK channelSee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

For Episode 7, PIECES OF WORK is thrilled to welcome Award-Winning ORGANIZED CRIME HISTORIAN and author CHRISTIAN CIPOLLINI, also an investigative journalist, comic book writer, and collector of rare crime-related photographs & artifacts.  On this episode, go inside the world of organized crime and organized crime history as our special guest takes you along for an adventure into the ins and outs of being a professional historian and author in this exclusive and fascinating field of research. In addition to his catalog of nonfiction books, Christian's work can be found in numerous publications and digital realms including the Mob Museum Blog, Real Crime Magazine & Writersofwrongs.com.  As a consultant, he is often quoted in print and online publications, has lectured at colleges and appears on episodes of Reelz Channel Series "The Real Story of...." & "Gangsters: America's Most Evil," Travel Channel Series "Mission Declassified," History Channel Series "United Stuff of America," AHC's hit series "America: Facts vs. Fiction" & served as a Location Producer on National Geographic Channel's critically-acclaimed series DRUGS, INC. His book "Murder Inc.: Mysteries of the Mob's Most Deadly Hit Squad" won the 2015 Hollywood Book Festival "Non-Fiction" category and "Lucky Luciano: Mysterious Tales of a Gangland Legend" was a finalist in both the 2014 USA Best Book Awards and the 2015 International Book Awards.  He collaborated with UK rapper Yellow Balaclava for the independent hip-hop album 'Salvatore Lucania,’ and as a graphic novelist, Christian has also written the true crime comic book series "LUCKY," based on the rise of America's most infamous gangster - Charles "Lucky” Luciano.  The final part of this four-part comic series, “One Last Kiss,” is coming in 2023 as an exclusive Amazon Kindle digital comic! Collect them all and pre-order the upcoming final installment NOW! His latest book, "Diary of a Motor City Hit Man: The Chester Wheeler Campbell Story," is available NOW on Amazon and Kindle. Go to the Episode 7 page of PIECES OF WORK on jasoncharles.net Talk Channel to hear an exclusive site-only outtake from this interview, where Christian chooses his number one mob film recommendation, and answers the questions he's asked the most: "does the mafia still exist?" For more information about Christian and his work, follow him on Twitter @GanglandLegend and on Instagram @ganglandlegend PIECES OF WORK is a unique interview series of interesting subjects and unusual suspects talking about their chosen profession.  Check out previous episodes anytime and subscribe NOW on all podcast platforms or live & direct on jasoncharles.net Podcast Network TALK channelSee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

On the latest episode of PIECES OF WORK, LA-based two-time Academy Award-winning sound designer/sound editor ETHAN VAN DER RYN talks about his history in sound, cutting his teeth in the Bay Area film scene of Coppola and Lucas, and how a sound mixer/editor/designer works, collaborating with directors, composers, musicians, composers, actors and much more on this exclusive interview. Ethan Van Der Ryn is the co-founder, with Erik Aadahl, of E² , a sound design team dedicated to the art of sound…they are responsible for the sound design and sound editing of the TRANSFORMERS and KUNG FU PANDA films.  Other credits include THE LORD OF THE RINGS series, ARGO, A QUIET PLACE, THE TREE OF LIFE, SAVING PRIVATE RYAN and many more influential and global blockbuster films. Together they have garnered 7 Academy Award nominations and 2 wins. For more information on Ethan Van der Ryn and E2 Sound go to www.e2sound.com PIECES OF WORK is a unique interview series of interesting subjects and unusual suspects talking about their chosen profession.  Check out previous episodes anytime on all podcast platforms and live and direct on jasoncharles.net Podcast Network TALK channelSee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Episode 4 of PIECES OF WORK, a special edition, features a sit-down with two professional stylists/colorists from New York City salon extraordinaire Suite 303.  Originally located in the Chelsea Hotel for nearly twenty years, Suite 303 owner April Barton and her team have gained a worldwide reputation and loyal following as the go-to hair people for downtown artists, rockers and celebrities.  Producer and host Jason Charles interviews guests Heather Ritchie and Katie Murphy who have been cutting and coloring all types of hair at Suite 303 for many years,.  They chat about life at a busy salon, their inspirations, hair trends, the professional hazards of standing one one's feet for hours at a time and more on the life of a pro stylist.  For more information on Katie and Heather, owner April Barton and Suite 303 go to www.suite303.comSee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Episode 3 of PIECES OF WORK features professional scripted television writer Heather Stewart.  She talks about her lucky break getting into the business, working on many episodic television series and the day-to-day grind of being part of a writer's room.  Heather also discusses the nuts and bolts of a screenplay, what makes a great script, and how her childhood television obsession became an inspiration for her work as a professional writer.  For more information about Heather Stewart check out her Instagram @girlassassinSee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

On Episode 2 of PIECES OF WORK, professional choreographer/director Alessandro Pellicani talks about the dancer's life and working in the dance world in New York and abroad.  The Bologna-born choreographer discusses his journey from a professional dancer on European television shows to NYC-based director of his own modern dance productions.  He also talks about inspiration, Bob Fosse, managing a dance company and more insights into the life and work of a choreographer. For more information about Alessandro and his current productions go to www.alessandropellicani.comSee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Costume Designer SOMIE PAK reveals what it's like to be a professional costume designer for Broadway, Off-Broadway and Off-Off Broadway, television and more.  Somie talks about how she got into the business and what makes it her passion. For more information about Somie Pak go to www.somiepak.comSee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Guest CABIRIA ROSADO reveals her workday as a pro makeup artist and hair stylist for fashion, television and film.  The New York native discusses how she got into makeup and hair and how she has maintained her passion for her work.  For more information about Cabiria Rosado go to www.cabiriarosado.comSee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.