The LIBBY SHOW: Christmas Episode 2022: Traditions, Movies we Love and Interviews with Christmas Movie Actors

On the Holiday Episode of Season 2 of The LIBBY Show: Lunch with the Ladies, the ladies talk about their family holiday traditions. They also give suggestions on some of the best movies to watch. Then, host Suzanne Ordas Curry goes on the road at Christmas Con and brings you some interviews with some of your favorite Christmas movie actors. Hear what Eric Mabius, Caroline Rhea, Jen Lilley, Ashley Williams and others think about the phenomenon of the success of happy holiday flicks and how they are happy to be a part of it. View the episode on Youtube now  HERE. Coming soon to IWOMANtv where you can view Season 1. 

Feel-Good Interview- Actor Jillian Murray of Great American Family's "A Brush With Christmas" Talks about What She Watches, How She Unwinds and the Defining Moments in Her Career and Life

By Markos Papadatos, PowerJournalist

 Actress Jillian Murray stars in the new holiday movie A Brush with Christmas opposite Joseph Cannata, which premiered this season on Great American Family.

She previously starred opposite Trevor Donovan in Prescription for Love, and she will star opposite Robert Palmer Watkins ("General Hospital") in the Netflix film "Uglies."

What Jillian Murray Watches

Little Steven's Sixth Annual Policeman's Ball To Be Held in NYC December 2022, Benefits Two Charities with Gary U.S. Bonds and Max Weinberg Orchestra Set to Perform

Hear some absolutely fantastic music, mingle with a whole lot of interesting people and raise money for a great cause at Little Steven's Policeman's' Ball. This is the sixth annual event which benefits the NYPD's "With Arms Wide Open" non-profit for children with special needs as well as The Detective Endowment Association (DEA) for widows and children. It is the first time back in person since the pandemic.

Feel-Good Interview Series: Meet George Krissa of Hallmark's The Holiday Sitter - Five Things to Know About Him

By Markos Papadatos, "PowerJournalist"

Actor George Krissa chatted about his new movie The Holiday Sitter, which premiered on Hallmark December 2022, as part of Countdown to Christmas. He stars opposite Jonathan Bennett. This marks the first time that a Hallmark holiday flick revolves around a same-sex couple.

In The Holiday Sitter, Sam (played by Jonathan Bennett) is a workaholic bachelor who babysits his niece and nephew before the holidays when his sister and her husband have to go out of town. Completely out of his element, he recruits help from their handsome neighbor Jason (George Krissa) and finds himself in an unexpected romance.

Author and Emmy-Award Winning Actor from The Sopranos and The White Lotus Michael Imperioli On a Book Tour for His Debut Fiction Novel: The Perfume Burned His Eyes - See Him in NJ on December 11

 You've watched  him on The Sopranos and most recently got to see him in a different role on the hit HBO Max limited series The White Lotus - all the rage at the water cooler! Now, meet him IN PERSON at Bookends Bookstore in Ridgewood NJ, a short train ride out of New York City. He'll be there to sign copies of his book, The Perfume Burned His Eyes, a fascinating coming of age novel set in NYC. Bet you didn't know that that in additional to being an Emmy-award winning actor he is also a published author.  And he also wrote 5 episodes of The Sopranos. He will be at Bookends to sign a copy of his debut novel which just came out in paperback. 

Interview: Actress Erica Hubbard of "My Perfect Wedding" - Who Inspires Her, What Her Big Break Was, How she Founded a Charity and What's Next for Her

Erica Hubbard is a talented, beautiful actress that is now seeing lead roles coming her way, and no wonder - she's been acting since a very young age and has quite the resume. Right now, you can see her as the lead in "My Perfect Wedding", now streaming. However, her IMDB lists over 50 credits, including a long stint on the TV Series "Lincoln Heights" and dozens more appearances on the big and small screen. We were lucky enough to catch up with Erica to find out more about her career, her life, what she enjoys and her amazing charity.

SBTS: When did you know you wanted to be an actor? Was there any female that inspired you? 

Feel-Good Interview Series: Six Things to Know About John Brotherton of Fuller House and Hallmark Channel's "Lights, Camera, Christmas!" - What He Watches and What He'd Be Doing if He Wasn't Acting

By Markos Papadatos, "Powerjournalist"

Hallmark actor and Fuller House star John Brotherton stars in the new Hallmark Christmas film "Lights, Camera, Christmas!" In this new original film, a holiday movie production comes to town in need of a costume designer, Kerry, a local shop owner, steps into the role and crosses paths with the film's charming star Brad.

Favorite series to binge 

His favorite series to binge-watch is Dahmer -- Monster: The Jeffrey Dahmer Story, The Terminal List, Succession, and Yellowstone. "We just finished that. Dahmer was incredible and disturbing all at the same time," he said. "I can't wait for 'Yellowstone" to come back out, I love that show."  

John Edwards Holds Live Zoom Event Called "As The Spirit Turns" with As The World Turns' Martha Bynre and Gulding Light's Kim Zimmer Dec 8: Conversations and Readings

John Edward will be your Guiding Light for a 2.5 hour virtual event that is being called  “As The Spirit Turns.”

Psychic Medium John Edward will be sitting in conversation with daytime icons Martha Byrne (Lily from As The World Turns) and Kim Zimmer (Reva from Guiding Light) For the first hour.  John will moderate the conversation and facilitate audience questions and more for these two daytime tv icons. This is a one of a kind event that has never been done before and it’s John’s first time getting to sit down with Martha and Kim to chat and interview them; John states that he is very excited for this.

Feel-Good Interview Series: Five Things to Know about Actor Shannon Kook from Hallmark's A Big Fat Family Christmas, The 100 and Degrassi - Including How He Feels about Asian Voices on Screen

By Markos Papadatos

South - African born Actor Shannon Kook stars in one of the Hallmark Channel's new Christmas movies A Big Fat Family Christmas. However, you may recognize this classically-trained actor (Canada) from some of his many other roles on the big and small screens. You may know him from The Conjuring, Degrassi - The Next Generation,  The 100, The Mysterious Benedict Society, Nancy Drew, and many more. 

What He is Doing Now

ChristmasCon22 by That's4Entertainment Comes to NJ December 2022 - Meet Your Favorite Actors from Holiday TV Movies, Engage in Activities and Get that Holiday Feeling

Christmas Con 22, a production of That's4Entertainment is coming! This year's in-person con is  December 8, 10, 11, 2022 to the New Jersey Expo Center in Edison, NJ (about an hour out of NYC).  If you are a fan of all the  wonderful heartwarming and always happy ending Christmas movies on TV - and a fan of all things Christmas you will love Christmas Con! More Info: https://www.thats4entertainment.com/christmasconnj. 

I've been to the two cons in New Jersey I will tell you you will leave singing Christmas carols and with a happy merry feeling. 

Feel Good Interview: Get to Know Cameron Mathison of A Merry Christmas Wish, General Hospital and So Much More

By Markos Papadatos

Photo Credit Left: ABC, Craig Sjodin

Acclaimed actor, presenter, and host Cameron Mathison chatted with #Powerjournalist Markos Papadatos. He is the star of "A  Merry Christmas Wish," which premiered on Great American Family, where he stars opposite Jill Wagner. You can also see him on General Hospital as Drew Cain as well as in many of your favorite TV movies. 

What Cameron Watches

While he is not a big scary movie guy, he enjoyed watching "The Black Phone" with Ethan Hawke. "It wasn't too scary, so I liked that," he admitted. "The new 'Top Gun: Maverick' gave me chills. The whole family went with me to se e it, and we watched the first one to remind us a little bit."

NJPAC for the Holidays and Year Round - A Very Electric Christmas, Boys II Men, Hip Hop Nutcracker, Alton Brown, Paw Patrol and More

Looking to do something fun for the holidays? New Jersey Performing Arts Center in Newark NJ, less than an hour from New York City offers a great deal of entertainment for the family. Following is information on some of NJPAC's upcoming shows, but always check the website as more shows are continuously added. Visit NJPAC.org.

Photos: Katonah Classic Stage's 2022 Production of Noel Coward's Private Lives Starring Trent Dawson

Katonah Classic Stage presented PRIVATE LIVES, this fall at Bedford Hills Community Center in October 2022. 

Founder Trent Dawson, Lea Dimarchi, Dawn Vanessa Brown, Jonathan Fielding and Brenda Withers starred in this funny, riveting, edge-of-your seat drama about two couples that well, couldn't live or live without each other. To learn about future plays visit Katonah Classic Stage. 

Feel Good Interview: Actress Joey Marie Urbina Talks about Her Big Break on FX's Snowfall, Her Inspiration, What She Watches and More

Houston-born actress Joey Marie Urbina is making headway into her career. Viewers can see her as "Xiamara" on the last three seasons of FX's Snowfall. But she's done so much more -  including several films - and there's much more ahead for this talented actress. Suzee Behind the Scenes sat down for an interview with Joey Marie. Read on to find out how she got where she is, and what woman from a very popular sitcom inspired her at the beginning of her journey. 

SBTS: What was your big break?

Joey Marie Urbina: Snowfall gave me my big break. I remember leaving my audition thinking, “Wow, I’m definitely not getting this job!” This was right before the pandemic hit and auditions were still in person. I remember my manager calling me and saying I got it, my knees hit the ground. My role started off as a one day co-star but I have now been recurring on the show for three seasons. Grateful.

Photos: Axial Theater of New York's Production of John Logan's Never The Sinner

The Axial Theater Production of John Logan's Play Never the Sinner premiered mid-November at the Bethanny Arts Community Center outside of New York City in Ossining NY. 

The play, which follows the true story of a child named Bobby Franks, who was killed in Chicago early last century, was sold-out many nights.

Audience members called the play "Brutal,", "Powerful.", "Beautifully executed" and "Tightly-directed. The relevance to what is going on today cannot be missed.

Interview: Five Questions for Actress Mindy Cohn - She Talks about her New Role in Brad Forenza's Around the Sun Podcast, The Facts of Life and a New Venture

Exclusive to SuzeeBehindtheScenes

The incredibly talented and fan favorite Mindy Cohn appears in this season of Around the Sun, a podcast series of fun, interesting and thought-provoking dramas (all averaging 10 minutes) created by Brad Forenza. It is now available wherever you listen to podcasts with new episodes dropping every Wednesday throughout fall. Visit Around theSun . Mindy Cohn is in Episodes 5 and 7.

Feel-Good Interview Series: Meet British Actor Will Kemp from Jolly Good Christmas - Five Things to Know About Him

Interview by Markos Papadatos

You may have seen Will Kemp in Hallmark's new original movie for 2023 Jolly Good Christmas, Love, Romance and Chocolate, The Christmas Waltz or even the Princess Switch 3. But his prolific British actor has had several other roles, including on the series Girlfriends' Guide to Divorce or Spinning Out. Expect to see more of him soon in your favorite TV movies. Read on to find out more about this talented actor.

What Will Kemp Watches - He is a Star Wars Fan

Regarding his favorite movies, Kemp said, "I have been in preparation for a job that I am in at the moment, so to be honest, I haven't gone to the cinema as much as I would like so my research is character-driven. 

Feel-Good Interview Series: Get to Know Actor Brennan Elliott

By Markos Papadatos 

Brennan Elliot is a fixture in TV movies, during the year and especially during the holidays. You may have seen him in countless movies and shows, often on the Hallmark Channel. To name but a few, he's had roles in The Gift of Peace, Marry Go Round, The Perfect Pairing, Open By Christmas, the Crossword Mysteries, Christmas in Vienna, Flower Shop Mysteries, Cedar Cove and Lifetime's UnReal.

Feel Good Interview Series - Get to Know Actress Brittany Bristow from Holiday Date, Home for a Royal Heart and More

By Markos Papadatos

#Powerjournalist

Brittany Bristow has been in countless TV movies. You might have seen her in Home for a Royal Heart, A Tale of Love, Wrapped Up in Love, Holiday Date, Love, Romance and Chocolate, Christmas at the Palace and so many more of your favorite feel-good movies. But what does she watch?

The Ultimate Guide to Broadway, Off-Broadway and Off-Off Broadway Theaters in New York City

By Messalina Morley Alton

Many people wonder, what is Broadway, what is Off-Broadway? Or even, Off-Off Broadway? Many will assume it is determined by how far the lost tourist may wander from the street known as Broadway, but if you ask a true New Yorker, they’ll tell you it’s all about the numbers. What isn’t?

A Broadway house has to have at least 500 seats. Anything less is Off Broadway, with Off-Off Broadway specifically having 99 seats or less. They are all professional theaters, meaning that the cast and crew are paid, and all aim to give their audiences theatrical experiences to remember!  Below I have curated lists of not only all the Broadway Theaters currently open, but also all of the Off and Off-Off Broadway Theaters.

Brad Forenza's Around The Sun Podcast Season Features the Voices of Richard Kind, Caroline Aaron, Richard Kline, Adassa, Mindy Cohn, Jennie Kwan, Piper Laurie, Taylor Purdee and Bruce Vilanch

Around the Sun, the popular podcast series starring iconic and well-known actors from stage and screen will drop its second season starting on October 26, 2022 with new episodes dropping until early 2023. Hear the voices of some of your favorite actor from past and present bring to life a series of short stories that will engage you, make you think and make you want to hear more. This season features 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, Piper Laurie (The Hustler), Taylor Purdee (Killian and the Comeback Kids) and Bruce Vilanch (Get Bruce).

Countdown to Hallmark - Movie Schedule and More about the Merriment on the Hallmark Channels in 2022

For fans of Hallmark Holiday movies, October 21st is not too early. Rather, it's that "Finally, they have started!" So on October 22nd sit down with your Hallmark blanket and a cup of hot cocoa with marshmallows as they start premiering new movies on Friday, Saturday and Sunday nights at 8pm. Keep in mind there are several Hallmark channels, Hallmark, Hallmark Movies and Mysteries, Hallmark Drama and Hallmark Now, which is online. They usually offer a free month to get started on Hallmark Now. 

Stories to Inspire: Actors Alysia Reiner and David Alan Basche Encourage Fire Safety with New Series of Videos - And They Became Firefighters

Actors Alysia Reiner (Ms. Marvel, Orange is the New Black, Shining Vale) and David Basche (The Exes, Egg) announced today that they are releasing a series of 3 comedic public service announcements to celebrate the 100th anniversary of Fire Prevention Week. The Hollywood power couple, who became volunteer firefighters in 2022, collaborated  with comedian and fire fighter Willie Zabar, to create the PSAs to encourage people to make their own home fire escape plans. 

Feel-Good Interview Series: Get to Know Actor Brandon Barash of Days of Our Lives, Read about His Favorite Shows, Movies and His Band

 

By Markos Papadatos

Actor Brandon Barash has been a resident of Salem for quite some time. He originated Stefan DiMera - who died -  played the role of cousin Jake DiMera, and now he's back again as the powerful Stefan DiMera on Days of Our Lives, streaming on Peacock. Brandon has also been on General Hospital, many TV shows and several short films.

What Brandon Watches

He listed Succession and Only Murders in the Building as one of his favorite series to binge-watch. "I haven't really been binging much TV lately," he said. "I love Succession, it's a hell of a show. Each episode each week is a movie. Also, Steve Martin is one of my favorites ever, that's why I love Only Murders in the Building. I also like Steve Martin as a musician."

Event: I Put A Spell On You: ALIVE at Sony Hall and on Broadway on Demand October 23, 2022 Filled with Broadway Stars to Benefit Broadway Cares/Equity Fights Aids

Now you can dress up and get spooky for Broadway’s biggest Halloween event of the year both live at Sony Hall and in the comfort of your own home! Jay Armstrong Johnson’s annual Halloween concert-meets-party I Put a Spell on You will stream on Broadway On Demand beginning at 7 pm Eastern on Sunday, October 30, 2022 and be available for the following four days. The event will be recorded LIVE at New York City’s Sony Hall (235 W 46th St, New York, NY 10036) on Sunday, October 23, 2022. 

Spotlight: Meet The Up and Coming Actors of New York's Axial Theater - Daniel Walworth, Marissa Lowe, Torian Brackett, Sandy Oppedisano and Youlim Nam

By Ashton Samson

Meet some of the ensemble cast members of New York's prestigious Axial Theater. Get to know Daniel Walworth, Marissa Lowe, Torian Brackett, Sandy Oppedisano and Youlim Nam.

The Axial Theater, lead by Artistic Director Cady McClain is a twenty-three year old ensemble based not-for-profit institution dedicated to supporting the professional development of the independent theatrical voice through audience involvement and to presenting challenging, intelligent, and culturally relevant theatrical experiences. Visit their website to see what in-person plays they are featuring as well as their virtual events, like Cactus Flowers Play Readings, that can be accessed for free online. Visit:  https://www.axialtheatre.org/