Erika Amato Online

NEWS

Signs Of Life - Erika will be reprising her role as "Berta" in this exceptional piece, both in an upcoming backers' reading in NYC and in a theatrical run to be produced in the Midwest this spring.

Stonewall Inn Concert/Cabaret - Erika will be the special guest star in an eclectic evening of performances at the historic Stonewall on Sunday, January 15th, 2012. Other acts include actor/singer John Raymond Barker, comedian John Barker, and the live debut of coquette Mary Fordeaux.

MABC Christmas Spectacular - Erika brought down the house with her rendition of "Have Yourself A Merry Little Christmas" at this concert to benefit New York's beautiful Madison Avenue Baptist Church (Dec. 16th, 2011). MABC has invited Erika to sing with their wonderful choir as a guest soloist, as well.

Definitely Dickens Holiday Carolers - Erika spent the holidays singing alto (and sometimes soprano or tenor) with this wonderful a cappella caroling group. Featuring intricate arrangements and tight harmonies, the group performs throughout the NY metropolitan area. Check out www.definitelydickens.com for clips, pics, and booking info.

Cole Porter's Paris - Erika recently played "Harriet" in this farcical little gem from 1928 to delighted audiences at the Medicine Show Theatre Ensemble in NYC. (9/16 - 10/3, 2011) Visit the theatre website for more information.

The Sphinx Winx - Erika played "Cleopatra" in this new musical comedy, which played Off-Broadway at the Beckett Theatre on Theatre Row from
5/3 - 6/19, 2011. Check the official website for info and updates!

APAC's 10th Anniversary Gala - Erika joined Broadway's Tituss Burgess (Jersey Boys, The Little Mermaid), in a wonderful concert of songs from the past 10 seasons at Astoria Performing Arts Center. The Gala was held at the beautiful restaurant/lounge, Cienna, on March 24th, 2011. http://www.apacny.org/shows-and-events/apac-benefit/

Friends and Strangers - Erika played "Marie" in this short film, directed by Edward Caban, which shot in NYC in February of 2011. Festival/screening info to follow.

Waiting For Lefty - Erika was honored to have played "Edna" in the 75th Anniversary production of Clifford Odets' seminal 1935 masterpiece, which ran Nov. 12 - 18, 2010 at the Producers Club in NYC.

Villains' Victory Party - Erika had a blast flying out to sunny CA to play "Cruella DeVil" in this Disneyland Special Event which performed
one night only: Oct. 28, 2010

Danny Leary Variety Extravaganza - Erika was thrilled to be a featured solo performer in this thoroughly entertaining ongoing variety show at Comix in NYC. The Sept. 30th, 2010 edition was a huge success, and Erika will definitely be performing with Danny again in the near future. Click here for more info.

Mary the Magdalene - Erika played "Rivka" - blind midwife and good friend to Mary - in the recent backers' audition/reading of the new musical, Mary the Magdalene. The show is slated for an Off-Broadway run in the summer of 2011.

Cinderella - Erika recently returned to the Fireside Theatre in Wisconsin to play the "Fairy Godmother" in Rodgers & Hammerstein's Cinderella. The show ran May 6 - June 27, 2010. Please visit www.firesidetheatre.com for more info.

The Adventures Of Trixie Tickles at Upright Citizens Brigade - Erika played Announcer/Teacher/Snickers (the dog) in this sketch comedy musical by Shawn Northrip. The show was performed at the world-renowned Upright Citizens Brigade theater in NYC on 4/15/10. Click here for tickets.

Starving Artist Monday's Featuring Erika Amato - Come join us at Sweet Caroline's Rock & Roll Piano Bar, in the heart of the Theatre District, every Monday night for an evening of fun and entertainment. Your host, Steve Watts, will be playing and singing a mix of pop, rock, and singer-songwriter favorites, as well as inviting YOU to join him on stage! Got a new pop/rock song you've been eager to try out? Well, this is your chance... bring in your audition book and perform for your friends!
On Monday, April 12th, the special guest is Erika Amato. Come on out and hear her sing an array of classic pop/rock hits from Elton John to Madonna.
322 W. 45th St., New York, NY

Signs Of Life - Erika recently completed a hugely successful run in her first Off-Broadway role as "Berta" in the World-Premiere musical Signs Of Life. The musical tells the true story of Terezin - Hitler's "City For The Jews" - and ran February 16 - March 21, 2010 at the Marjorie S. Deane Little Theatre. Please visit www.amasmusical.org for more info.

Toy Story - Erika had so much fun reprising her role as "Bo Peep" in the Disney workshop of the new musical version of Toy Story. The workshop was held in Anaheim, CA from Jan 3 - Jan 13, 2010.

The Sound Of Music - Erika recently returned from the renowned Fireside Theatre in Fort Atkinson, WI where she played Elsa Schraeder (AKA "The Baroness") in one of her favorite musicals, The Sound Of Music! The show enjoyed a hugely successful run from August 27th - November 1st. Check out www.firesidetheatre.com for tickets and info.

We Don't Sing On Subways...Yet - Erika's been involved with this concert-fundraiser series at the Stonewall Inn since its inception on May 5th. Produced by Jamie Price, the evening brings together talented NY-based musical theatre performers to belt out some tunes and raise money for various charities/causes. The last show was on December 1st, 2009 and was a fantastic success! Stay tuned for more info!

Erika was a huge hit at Leap Back - the 20th Anniversary Quantum Leap Convention in Los Angeles. Erika performed various selections from her jazz album and her work with Velvet Chain at the Friday Night Theme Party on March 27th, 2009, and also spoke with the fans as part of a "celebrity panel" the following day. A good time was had by all. Check http://www.leapback2009.com for more info.

Erika originated the role of "Karen" - the leading lady - in a staged reading of the new musical (In)Fidelity, which performed to enthusiastic houses at the WOW Cafe Theatre in Manhattan's East Village in February, 2009.

Erika returned to her position as a full-time alto with prestigious Christmas caroling group, Definitely Dickens Holiday Carolers in November, 2008. This was Erika's 6th season with the company, but her first in New York...it was great spending the holidays in the Big Apple! Please visit www.definitelydickens.com for more info or to book the group for an event.

Erika makes her Midwestern theatrical debut! She was thrilled to play "Miss Jones" in the classic musical, How To Succeed In Business Without Really Trying at the Fireside Dinner Theatre in Fort Atkinson, WI. The show ran from August 21 through October 19, 2008. Please visit www.firesidetheatre.com for more info.

Erika made her NY theatrical debut in the musical, Triumph Of Love, at the Astoria Performing Arts Center. She played the "stern philosopher" Hesione to rave reviews from April 25th through May 11th, 2008. (For info on the theatre, please visit www.apacny.org).

Erika's most recent independent feature film, A Couple of Days and Nights, by Los Angeles-based writer/director Vaughn Verdi, is now available on Netflix! Erika plays one of the four leads - a wannabe rock diva named Jula. The film has been screened at several festivals around the country and has been released on DVD nationwide. You can order the DVD on amazon.com by clicking here.

Erika was nominated for the prestigious 2007 L.A. Ovation Award in the category of Best Featured Actress in a Musical for her role in Sleeping Beauty Wakes at the Kirk Douglas Theatre. The production was nominated for 10 awards, total.

The categories in which SBW was nominated were:

World Premiere Musical WINNER

Musical Large Theatre

Direction of a Musical (Jeff Calhoun)

Musical Direction (Brendan Millburn) WINNER

Lighting Design Large Theatre (Michael Gilliam)

Sound Design Large Theatre (Eric Snodgrass)

Lead Actress in a Musical (Valerie Vigoda)

Lead Actress in a Musical (Alexandria Wailes)

Supporting Actor in a Musical (Kevin Earley)

Supporting Actress in a Musical (Erika Amato)

Congratulations to everyone in the SBW family!
(For a full list of nominees and winners, go here:
http://www.theatrela.org/ovationaward.asp)

Past News...

ENCHANTED
Although her little solo was cut (*sigh*), Erika is thrilled to have provided one of the singing voices in the hit Disney movie, Enchanted, starring Susan Sarandon, Amy Adams and Patrick Dempsey. The film was directed by Kevin Lima and features music and lyrics by Alan Menken and Stephen Schwartz.

WHITE CHRISTMAS
Erika enjoyed a highly successful run of Irving Berlin's White Christmas, at the Welk Resort Theatre in Escondido, CA. Erika played Betty Haynes - the Rosemary Clooney role in the film - from Nov 8th through Dec 30th, 2007. Please visit www.welktheatre.com for more info.

CHANGED FOR GOOD
A TRIBUTE TO STEPHEN SCHWARTZ
88's Cabaret (with whom Erika has performed since its inception) produced Changed For Good - a wonderful concert/tribute to the work of composer/lyricist Stephen Schwartz, of which Erika was proud to be a part, singing "Trun Back O Man" from Godspell, and vamping for the great man himself. The event was a huge success, featuring stars of both stage and screen, including Deborah Gibson, Bruce Vilanch, Jai Rodriguez, William Katt, Megan Hilty, Eden Espinosa, and others. Please visit www.myspace.com/eightyeightscabaret for more info.

DISNEY PRINCESS FANTASY FAIRE
For 2 years (2006 - 2008), Erika thoroughly enjoyed playing "Lady Lillian" in the Disney Princess Fantasy Faire at the Disneyland Resort, teaching all the little ones how to be proper lords and ladies along with her gallant knight, "Sir Elias." The show opened at the Fantasyland Theater on Oct 6th, 2006 and Erika performed in the show until her move to NY in the summer of 2008.

THE THIEF
The Thief, a world-premiere musical based on the award-winning Russian film of the same name, was presented in workshop form from July 12 - 15, 2007 at the El Portal Theatre in North Hollywood. Erika played Rosa, the doctor's wife, who - quite frankly - was a bit of a tart. The piece was directed by James Mellon and musically directed by Joseph Church, and will likely be given a full production sometime in '08.

LE BUREAU DU PETIT MORT
Erika shot a new short film called Le Bureau Du Petit Mort, playing the female lead, Chloe. (And yes, as those of you who speak French can tell, the piece is a little bit racy.) The film was written and directed by Damon Runninghorse-Buckley and is being submitted to Sundance as well as numerous foreign film festivals.

TOY STORY
In June 2007, Erika had a blast playing Bo Peep in the workshop of the new musical stage production of Toy Story for Walt Disney Entertainment. The piece - which featues wonderful new songs by Brendan Millburn and Valerie Vigoda of GrooveLily/Sleeping Beauty Wakes fame - was directed by Stefan Novinski and musically directed by David O.

SLEEPING BEAUTY WAKES
Erika was thrilled to be a part of the new Deaf West/Center Theatre Group production, Sleeping Beauty Wakes, directed by Broadway director/choreographer Jeff Calhoun (Brooklyn, Big River, Grease). Erika provided the voices of the Clinic Director/Bad Fairy (also performed by ASL actress, Deanne Bray) in addition to performing the roles of the Night Terror Patient/Royal Servant.

Featuring the indie pop/rock sensation GrooveLily on stage with both deaf and hearing actors, Sleeping Beauty Wakes is a fun and free adaptation of the Grimm’s fairy tale. After her 100-year snooze, Beauty awakes in a new time and place where everything is strange -- the palace is gone, all the princes have given up, and now she has insomnia! Or is she still asleep and dreaming?As they did with Big River, Deaf West Theater delightfully twists another classic into a unique musical where spoken English and American Sign Language are interwoven with music, dance and song to create an exceptional theatrical event.

A co-production of Center Theatre Group and Deaf West Theatre Company.

The show received glowing reviews (read excerpts here) and ran
March 31st through May 20th, 2007

INLAND THEATRE LEAGUE NOMINATION
Erika was nominated for an Inland Theatre League Award for her performance as Reno Sweeney in Anything Goes at the Candlelight Pavilion in Claremont, CA. The awards ceremony were held on April 11th, 2007 at the Landis Performing Arts Center in Riverside, CA.

DEFINITELY DICKENS HOLIDAY CAROLERS
In 2006, Erika was pleased to return as a full-time alto for her 5th year with the well-known a cappella caroling group, Definitely Dickens.

ANYTHING GOES
Erika completed an extremely successful run of the rollicking Cole Porter musical, Anything Goes! at the Candlelight Pavilion in Claremont, CA, playing the "world's most sensuous semonizer, her high-stepping holiness, Reno Sweeney!" Featuring the classic gems, "You're The Top," "Friendship," "DeLovely," "I Get A Kick Out Of You," "Let's Misbehave," "Blow, Gabriel, Blow," and the title tune, the show was directed and musical directed by Douglas Austin and choreographed by John Vaughan.
The show ran Sept 29th through Nov. 12th, 2006

SUNSET BOULEVARD
Erika was thrilled to be part of the ensemble in the all-star staged reading of
Sunset Boulevard at the Hollywood Bowl on August 6th, 2006, directed by Peter Hunt.
The legendary cast included Betty Buckley, Len Cariou, Douglas Sills,
James Cromwell, and Charles Durning, among others.
The Billy Wilder film noir classic, in an adaptation by David Rambo,
was performed complete with Franz Waxman's Academy Award winning score. Maestro John Mauceri conducted the Hollywood Bowl Orchestra.

ENCHANTED
Erika had the great good fortune to record vocals for the new Disney feature,
Enchanted, slated for a Fall, 2007 release. The film stars Susan Sarandon, Patrick Dempsey, Amy Adams, and Idina Menzel, and features songs by Alan Menken and Stephen Schwartz.

SNOW WHITE - AN ENCHANTING MUSICAL
Erika came back to the Fantasyland Theater at Disneyland, Anaheim, CA to play both the Evil Queen and the Hag in the big-budget spectacularSnow White -An Enchanting Musical. (Erika also played these roles from May 2004 through Sept 2005.)
The show re-opened June 9th and ran through Sept. 4th, 2006

SISTER ACT: THE MUSICAL
Erika had the pleasure of being a part of the first workshop of the new Alan Menken - penned musical adaptation of Sister Act. The workshop was presented at the Pasadena Playhouse on April 27th and 28th, 2006.

MISSION: ROMANCE
Spring, 2006: Erika had a blast playing her first uniformed role -
Paramedic #2 - in the dramatic short, Mission: Romance.
The film was directed by Frank Turrisi, and produced by Nineball/Devcar Productions.
Check back for info on future festival screenings.

THE SNOW QUEEN
Jan, 2006: Erika was thrilled to be cast as the Snow Queen in the first workshop of the new Disney musical, The Snow Queen. The workshop boasted an incredible production team, including Alan Menken (music), Glen Slater (lyrics), John Weidman (book), Amon Miyamoto (director), Michael Kosarin (Musical Director), and Brent-Alan Huffman (Asst. MD).

A COUPLE OF DAYS AND NIGHTS
This independent feature film - directed by Vaughn Verdi and starring David Lago
(The Young and the Restless), Shonda Farr (Buffy the Vampire Slayer), Allison Munn (What I Like About You), Joseph Peracchio (Smack), and Erika Amato (Smack) -
was a Finalist at the Hollywood Film Festival, where it had its
world-premiere screening on October 22, 2005, and is now coming out on DVD (available nationwide) this October, 2007.

The film also screened at the
Temecula Valley International Film Festival on
Sept. 14, & Sept, 16, 2006 Temecula Film Festival Site

You can view the trailer here: Days TrailerMore info available at http://www.acoupleofdaysandnights.com