Feel-Good Intervew Series: Actor Benjamin Ayres - Six Things to Know About Him

By Markos Papadatos, #Powerjournalist

Benjamin Ayres has been in many movies, including Hallmark. You may have seen this talented actor in some of your favorite movies including Long Lost Christmas, You Me and the Christmas Tree, The Bad Seed Returns, Color My World and others. 

 Ayres shared six exciting things about him. You may also recognize him from the many roles he has in series including Saving Hope, JPOD, Suits and Burden of Truth.

Ten+ Reasons to Watch the Film She Said - Special Review by New York Women in Film and Television's Cynthia Lopez

 

By Cynthia Lopez, Chief Executive Officer of New York Women in Film and Television (Special Guest Post) I am weeping uncontrollably. I just finished watching She Said, executive produced by Brad Pitt, Lila Yacoub, Sue Naegle, and Megan Ellison, directed by Maria Schrader, written by Rebecca Lenkiewicz, and distributed by Annapurna and Universal Pictures.  You should know that I resisted and waited to see this film as I felt my 46-inch TV was not big enough to transport me into The New York Times headquarters building that I have visited so many times. Especially to enter the private lives Jodi Kantor and Megan Twohey. In addition, I am always skeptical of excellent books turned into movies as they often contain the vital facts but lack the soul of the book. But this film delivers!

Vineyard Theater NYC and Second Stage Theater NYC Present Michael R. Jackson's White Girl In Danger - A "Mashup of Classic Daytime Drama and Red-Hot Melodrama" Starts March 13, 2023

Michael R. Jackson's White Girl in Danger is a new limited engagement play that begins March 14, 2023 and will officially open on April 10, 2023 at Second Stage’s Off-Broadway home, the Tony Kiser Theater (305 West 43rd Street). It is billed as "A laugh-out-loud fever dream mashup of classic daytime and primetime soap operas, Lifetime movies, and red-hot melodrama." 

For tickets: https://vineyardtheatre.org/showsevents/

Feel-Good Interview Series: Days of Our Lives Actor and Musician Carson Boatman - Six Things To Know About Him

By Markos Papadatos, #Powerjournalist

Carson Boatman is a member of the powerful DiMera family on the long-running Emmy-award winning daytime drama Days of Our Lives, which can now be seen on Peacock. Any fan of the show will be able to tell you that he's had a lot to do on this show especially because he's had to play being possessed by the devil (a rather common occurrence in Salem) and wreaking havoc on his fellow Salemites. He was also in A Very Salem Christmas on Peacock.

Feel-Good Interview Series: Actor Dan Jeannotte of Hallmark's Sweeter Than Chocolate and The Good Witch - Six Things To Know About Him

By Markos Papadatos #Powerjournalist

Canadian actor Dan Jeannotte starred recently in the new Hallmark movie “Sweeter Than Chocolate” opposite Eloise Mumford. 

He may be known to TV audiences for his portrayal of James Stuart, the Earl of Moray in The CW series "Reign," and Hallmark fans can recognize him as Brandon Russell in "The Good Witch" series.

The Marvelous Mrs. Maisel Final Season Drops April 14th on Amazon Prime - Trailer and Interview with the Marvelous Mom of the Show's Creator

by Suzee

It's time to rewatch the last season... or at least the last few to familiarize yourself with what's been happening to Midge Maisel, as the last and final season is set to premiere on April 14th on Amazon Prime. Three episodes will be dropped that day, with one weekly after that.

Feel-Good Interview: Rhiannon Fish of Great American Family's A Prince in Paradise - Six Things to Know About Her

By Markos Papadatos, Powerjournalist

Actress Rhiannon Fish stars in the new Great American Family film A Prince in Paradise opposite Australian actor Mitchell Bourke, which premiered in 2023.

Recently, she starred in The Christmas Retreat (opposite Clayton James), and the Hallmark mystery Nikki & Nora: Sister Sleuths alongside Hunter King and Madison Smith, and A Splash of Love (opposite Benjamin Hollingsworth). You any also know her from Home and Away.

What Rhiannon Fish Watches

Hit Scripted Podcast Drama Forever And a Day Drops Fourth Season: Welcome New Daytime Actors for Exciting New Season Including Bart Blachnio, Kevin Caliber, Karin Knebl, Diana Collins Join Star-Studded Cast

 

The fourth season of the Indie Series Award winning audio soap opera, Forever and a Day: is now available wherever you stream your podcasts. And with a new season comes new faces, such as Bart Blachnio, who will now be playing Colin Harper, Kevin Caliber, who will now officially be playing Alex Bennett, and Karin Knebl, who will now be playing Melanie Walters. 

NY/NJ Area Event: CASA of Bergen County Celebrates Its 20th Anniversary with a Gala Casino Night March 2023: Learn about How CASA Helps Children in Foster Care

 CASA for Children of Bergen County is celebrating it's 20^th Anniversary this year with it's first in-person Casino Night Gala since the pandemic. Bergen CASA,  which is under the umbrella of National CASA/GAL. You may ask, what is a CASA? CASA stands for Court-appointed Special Advocates. They are volunteers who are trained to advocate for abused and neglected children in foster care. 

This year's Gala will commemorate the anniversary, honoring founding member Lorraine Joewono and veteran volunteer advocate Chip Giamo. It will be held at Season's, 644 Pascack Road in Washington Township on March 22, 2023 from 6:30pm - 10:30pm. The evening will be a Casino Night, with gaming tables, a silent auction and basket prizes. Included in the ticket price of $175 per person is a wide array of scrumptious hors d’oeuvres, food stations and desserts, open bar and $100 of casino play money.  

Feel-Good Interview Series - Six Things To Know Actor Brant Daugherty of Hallmark Movies, Pretty Little Liars and More

By Markos Papadatos, "Power Journalist"

Actor Brant Daugherty has quite a resume in television, film and series. He is a staple on the Hallmark Channel starring in such films as Royal Runaway Romance, #Xmas, Mingle All the Way and more. He's also very well-known for his role in Pretty Little Liars as Noel Kahn. You may also recognize him on the big screen in Fifty Shades Freed, or you might know him from daytime on Days of Our Lives  as well as many other shows. He also directs, writes and produces.

Here are some facts about this actor you are sure to see more of.

Favorite Flicks

"Now that I have a kid, I don't really have time for movies," he said. "My son is almost two years old now. I don't remember the last movie we saw, but we did see Jordan Peele's new movie 'Nope' and it was fantastic. That's the first movie we saw in years, and here is hoping that we will get a chance to see more movies in theaters."

A Very Special Feel-Good Interview - The Amazing, Multi-Talented Icon Rita Moreno who Stars in 80 for Brad - Ten Things To Know About Her

By Markos Papadatos, "PowerJournalist"

The amazing Rita Moreno is one of the leading ladies of the new Paramount Pictures film 80 For Brady alongside Sally Field, Lily Tomlin, and Jane Fonda.

First: some stats on the wonderful Rita Moreno:

In April of 1962, she won the Academy Award for "Best Supporting Actress" for playing Anita in West Side Story, and she made history becoming the first Latin American actress to win an Oscar in any category. 

Fast forward to 1977, she became the third person and first Hispanic American to win an EGOT, which includes winning all four awards in entertainment, an Emmy, Grammy, Oscar, and Tony. She is also a recipient of the Presidential Medal of Freedom.

There's so much to write and know about this incredible woman 

but here are some facts you might be happy to learn.

Axial Theater Presents In-Person One Night Only Reading of John Patrick Shanley's Danny and the Deep Blue Sea, February 11, 2023 in Pleasantville, NY

Looking for a fun night out? The Axial Theater is doing a one-night only reading of a John Patrick Stanley play Danny and the Deep Blue Sea with two of his most iconic characters, Roberta and Danny. It will be read by Eve Cuccaro and Anthony Barresi, Jr. both members of the Axial Theater Group. Artistic Director Cady McClain will direct.

Reading will be performed at The Abbey at St. John's Episcopal Church in Pleasantville NY. For info see below or visit 

https://www.axialtheatre.org/

Feel-Good Interview Series: Actor Carlo Marks of The Wedding Veil Inspiration, Chesapeake Shores, Christmas With The Darlings & More: He Talks about The Wedding Veil Inspiration and We Learn 6 Things About Him

By Markos Papadatos, "PowerJournalist"

Hallmark actor Carlo Marks chatted about his new film The Wedding Veil Inspiration, which premiered January 2023 on the Hallmark Channel and is now playing. (Editor's note - If you haven't seen any of these Wedding Veil movies.. check them out!)

Carlo is no stranger to TV movies. You will recognize him from his roles in so many popular movies such as Christmas With the Darlings, A Kismet Christmas, Sweet as Maple Syrup, Making Spirits Bright, Angel Falls: A Novel Holiday, Love at Sunset Terrace and many more. You may also recognize him from Hallmark's Chesapeake Shores, and Smallville.

Feel - Good Interview Series: Actor Andrew Biernat of TV Movies Christmas in Pine Valley and Upcoming Love Marks the Spot: Six Things To Know About Him:

By Markos Papadatos, "Power Journalist"

Actor and model Andrew Biernat is making movies! He has two movies upcoming, Love Marks the Spot and Wait With Me. In 2022 he starred in the new Great American Family holiday movie Christmas in Pine Valley.

He also played the role of Mitch in the thriller Aileen Wuornos: American Boogeywoman. An interesting fact, this multi-talented actor did the voice of Peter Parker in a short film about Spider-man.

What Andrew Biernat Watches

His favorite movies include Beverly Hills Ninja, Tommy Boy and Black Sheep. "I grew up watching Chris Farley movies on repeat, honestly these three are my all-time favorites," he said.

Feel - Good Interview Series: Actor James Tupper of the New Great American Family Film Fall Into Winter, Big Little Lies, Revenge, Mercy and More: Six Things to Know About Him

by Markos Papadatos, Power Journalist

Canadian actor James Tupper chatted about his new film Fall Into Winter for Great American Family, which premiered January 2023 and is now showing on GAC. James is no stranger to TV and TV movies. He has a long history of roles of dozens of hit TV shows such as Big Little Lies, A Million Little Things, Revenge, Mercy, Men in Trees and many more. 

About Fall Into Winter

In Fall Into Winter, life changes fast for Kerry as she has to work alongside to her high school nemesis, Brooks (played by Lori Loughlin), an old friend of her brother’s who unexpectedly buys into her family-owned candy store. "I think it's a sweet movie, and I hope that people that watch it believe in love again. It's a movie about opening up and believing again," he said.

Feel-Good Interview: Actor, Musician Eric Martsolf of Days of Our Lives - Now on Peacock, Passions and More Tells us Six Things To Know About Him

By Markos Papadatos, "Powerjournalist"

Daytime-Emmy Winner Eric Martsolf is known for playing Brady Black on Days of Our Lives, and for playing Ethan Winthrop on the 2000s daytime drama Passions. You may have also seen him in The Bay, Venice The Series, Smallville, Extant and other shows. He's also in and a producer of a yet-to-be released short film called Insane. (Editor's note- it's really good, so compelling,)

Eric has also done numerous stage productions but his talent doesn't stop with acting. He has been touring with the Day Players Band, which is also comprised of Wally Kurth, Brandon Barash, and Carson Boatman.

Feel-Good Interview Series - Actor and Model Zane Holtz of Hallmark, Katy Keene and More - Six Things to Know About Him

By Markos Papadatos, "Powerjournalist"

You may know the talented actor and model Zane Holtz from his role as KO Kelly on the CW's Katy Keene and Riverdale. But he has numerous roles on other series and films such as NCIS, All Rise, From Dusk to Dawn - The Series where he played Richie Gecko.

This native of Vancouver, Canada starred in his first original Hallmark film Twas the Night Before Christmas opposite Torrey DeVitto in 2022. (Editor's note - this is a must-see movie... bringing together history and literature with a Christmas theme.)

What Zane Holtz Watches

Holtz's favorite series to binge-watch is Mayor of Kingstown. "I actually watched that while I was in production for Twas the Night Before Christmas. That was the last one I watched and I really enjoyed it," he said.

Ridgewood Guild International Film Festival To be Held April 26th & 27th, 2023 - Submissions Now Open and "Evening with Oscar" Party Set for March 10th

The successful and growing Ridgewood Guild International Film Festival is entering its 12th year with a live, in - person festival for 2023.  This year the festival will again be presented in-person with film screenings in downtown Ridgewood at the Ridgewood Bow Tie Cinema Warner Quad, 190  East Ridgewood Ave, Ridgewood NJ (and other venues TBD) April 26th and April 27th 2023. Opening Night Red Carpet on the 26th, Red Carpet on the 27th and Closing Night Party on the 27th.

Feel-Good Interview Series: Five Things to Know about General Hospital's Tajh Bellow

By Markos Papadatos, "Power Journalist"

Emmy nominee Tajh Bellow stars as Dr. TJ Ashford in the hit ABC daytime drama "General Hospital." You may also know him from his other roles on TV, such as in NCIS, Bosch, The Middle, 9-11 Lone Star, Girl Meets World and many more.

Last year, Bellow made Emmy history by becoming the first-ever male actor to be nominated in the newly-formed gender-neutral Emmy category for "Outstanding Younger Performer in a Drama Series."

Brad Forenza's Around the Sun Scripted Podcast Series Complete Season 2 Now Available: Piper Laurie Stars in Season Finale Joining Cast of Richard Kind, Caroline Aaron, Mindy Cohn, Jennie Kwan, Taylor Purdee and Bruce Vilanch

 

Around the Sun—the hit, scripted podcast series starring iconic talent from stage and screen—wrapped its second season of radio plays with a special episode January 2023 that starred Three-time Oscar nominee Piper Laurie (The Hustler, Carrie, Children of a Lesser God) and series creator Brad Forenza. Also starring in Season 2, with the completed season available now wherever you listen to podcasts are:  Richard Kind (The Watcher), Caroline Aaron (The Marvelous Mrs. Maisel,  Adassa ( Encanto), Mindy Cohn (The Facts of Life),Richard Kline (Three’s Company) Jennie Kwan (California Dreams, Avatar, The Last Airbender), Taylor Purdee (Killian and the Comeback Kids) and Bruce Vilanch (Get Bruce). Listen to all episodes here or wherever you listen to podcasts.

Feel-Good Interview Series: Meet Actor and Model Joseph Cannata - Seven Things to Know About Him and What You Can See Him In

 

By Markos Papadatos

Actor and model is a fixture on TV. He's been in several series, and anyone who watches holidays movies is sure to know him from his many roles. Joseph Cannata starred in the holiday film A Brush with Christmas opposite Jillian Murray, which premiered on Great American Family in 2022. You may have also seen him in A Perfect Match, Snowbound for Christmas, Christmas Wedding Runaway Holiday, Hometown Holiday or The Good Witch among others.

What Joseph Watches

His favorite films include The Count of Monte Cristo, Catch Me If You Can, and Gladiator. "Gladiator is what ignited my passion to become an actor," he admitted.

Feel-Good Interview Series: Meet Actor Marc Blucas: Seven Things to Know about him and Who He Did the "Maverick High-Five" With

By Markos Papadatos, Power Journalist

Marc Blucas is a busy actor. He's got three projects in the works, Quiet in the Works and One Heart, which are both movies. He's also starring in a new series called Walter and the Boys. You may have seen him in many other movies and series including Buffy The Vampire Slayer and in the 2022 Great American Family film A Christmas... Present" opposite Candance Cameron Bure.

What Marc Watches

His favorite series to binge-watch is Homeland, and he also liked such limited series as Mare of Easttown (starring Kate Winslet) and Dahmer starring Evan Peters.

15th Annual Origin 1st Irish Theater Festival is Full of Activities, Films, Readings and More by Irish Creatives - Mostly In-Person January 2023 in NYC and Beyond

The 15^th annual Origin 1^st Irish Theatre Festival returns to a mostly in-person format, running three weeks from Monday January 9 to Tuesday January 31.Participating theatres and cultural organizations in New York include 59E59 Theaters, the Irish Repertory Theatre, the Irish Arts Center, the cell, Ryan’s Daughter and Symphony Space in Manhattan; the NY Irish Center in Queens, and An Beal Bocht in The Bronx.