Green Room On Air with Ray Renati

Ray Renati
  • 5.0 (16)
  • PERFORMING ARTS
  • UPDATED WEEKLY

Indulge in the enchanting realm of performing arts with our captivating weekly podcast! Hosted by the charismatic Ray Renati and rooted in the vibrant San Francisco Bay Area, our show delves into the thrilling landscapes of theatre, musical theatre, film, opera, and more. Join us on an exhilarating journey as we spotlight the local Bay Area stage productions and traverse the global stage from the iconic theatres of New York City to the grand stages of London and the cultural hubs of Paris. Tune in each week to experience the magic and excitement of the performing arts through our latest episode. Your front-row seat awaits!

  1. 6D AGO

    Sean Patrick Murtagh

    Sean Patrick Murtagh Returns to Feinstein’s at the Nikko with Holiday Test Drive XIII: Sparkle & Joy! Sunday, December 21 at 5:00 pm   ‘Tis the season to be singing and live at Feinstein’s at the Nikko the joy will be ringing!  Award-winning singer Sean Patrick Murtagh returns to kick-off the holiday cheer with an evening packed with songs, stories, and plenty of sparkle to life your spirits and fill your hearts with holiday magic.   Holiday Test Drive XIII: Sparkle & Joy, is Sean Patrick’s 13th instalment of his highly anticipated holiday concert series – a musical holiday newsletter that has become a San Francisco tradition. This one-night-only event will sell out! So take a break from the shopping, cooking, and wrapping and treat yourself to the gift of joy.   Eryn Allen joins the festivities as music director. Sunday, December 21 at 5:00 pm at Feinstein’s at the Nikko, 222 Mason St., San Francisco, CA. Get your tickets now: www.feinsteinssf.com Get your tickets now: www.feinsteinssf.com About the Artist: Sean Patrick Murtagh is a multi-award-winning cabaret singer, with two MAC Awards and three BroadwayWorld Cabaret Awards under his belt. Originally from the San Francisco Bay Area, Sean Patrick has been entertaining audiences from coast to coast on stage and screen and in intimate cabaret rooms. He is a multi-talented actor and singer with a passion for storytelling — from livestreamed “Pantsless Living Room Concerts” to Lincoln Center, Sean Patrick masterfully connects with audiences from all walks of life. Sean Patrick’s TV/film credits include Night Disclosure, Homicide City: Philly on ID Network, and The Bachelors of Broken Hill Farm. Stage credits: Bobby in Company, The Secret Garden, Into the Woods, Strike Up the Band!, Coco, and many more. His much-celebrated Holiday Test Drive concert series has become a sell-out San Francisco holiday tradition. Sean Patrick’s debut album, The Mario 101!, is now available for purchase and streaming on all major platforms. • “It’s an incredible voice!” – Scott Barbarino, NiteLife Exchanges •  “His resonant tenor and thoughtful phrasing takes us home, wherever that is.” Alix Cohen, Woman Around Town • “The splendor of Sean Patrick Murtagh cannot be denied. With his kind, open face and his rich open sound, I just wanna curl up in his lap and have him sing to me all day.” – Susie Mosher, The Line Up at Birdland Theater

    28 min

  2. NOV 26

    Abigail Munn - Circus Bella - Director & Ringmaster

    San Francisco’s Circus Bella presents STARLIGHT An All-New Winter Circus Spectacular Dec 12, 2025 - Jan 4, 2026 The Crossing at East Cut 211 Beale St @ Howard St, San Francisco https://www.circusbella.org/bigtop _________________________________ Abigail Munn - Director & Ringmaster Since its inception, Abigail has been directing, creating and producing new work for Circus Bella. Along with the more conventional duties she has also served as the company's truck driver, catering service and laundress. An accomplished dancer, choreographer, and aerialist, Munn holds a BFA in Modern Dance from UC Santa Barbara. As a child, who was born and raised in SF, she appeared with the Pickle Family Circus, and later with Zoppe Italian Family Circus, Lone Star Circus, the Moisture Festival, the New Pickle Circus, Cabaret Verdelet, Circus Cabaret, Tease-O-Rama, Va Voom Room, and The Velvet Hammer Burlesque. Munn was commended in the New York Times for her performance in Alma Esperanza Cunningham’s Princess. Munn co-directed the nouveau-vaudeville troupe Kitty Bang, an internationally recognized three-time “Best of the Bay” winner that is influential in the modern Burlesque resurgence. Over the past few years Abigail has become increasingly involved in advocacy work for the Circus Arts. When transitioning Circus Bella performers to Employees, she became aware that the current workers compensation rates and policy descriptions in California were way out of step with the current reality of the Circus Industry. Munn embarked on a one woman quest to help change this and after initiating a study from the Workers Comp Insurance Rating Bureau (WCIRB), rates were significantly lowered (by 80%) for ALL Circus Companies in California. In addition, she is a founding member and on the board of the American Circus Alliance. abigailmunn.com

    20 min

  3. OCT 28

    Laurie Roldan Sings the Songs of Karen Carpenter

    Laurie Roldan makes her Feinstein’s at The Nikko debut with her signature cabaret concert, A Song for You: The Music of Karen Carpenter. Join Laurie for a milestone performance as she celebrates a milestone birthday on stage at one of the West Coast’s most iconic cabaret venues. With a live band and special guest vocalists, Laurie blends the timeless songs of Karen Carpenter with her own stories of resilience, inspiration, and following dreams at any age. Experience beloved hits like Close to You, Rainy Days and Mondays, and Superstar in an unforgettable evening filled with nostalgia, heart, and harmony. 🎟️ Get Tickets Now: https://www.ticketweb.com/event/laurie-roldan-a-song-for-feinsteins-at-the-nikko-tickets/14540993 USE CODE: LAURIE FOR 30% OFF

    22 min

  4. AUG 13

    Carly Ozard - Chain of Love - A New Broadway Album

    Carly Ozard presents CHAIN OF LOVE (A Broadway Album) CD RELEASE PARTY ​ with CARLY OZARD and FRIENDS is a One Night Only Show Concert and CD Release Party.  Mon. Aug. 18, 2025 - 7:30 pm (doors 7:00 pm) at GRNHS Gallery + Studio * 864 Folsom St., (4th & 5th Sts.) SF CA 94107.  * Venue Accessibility Info.: GRNHS Gallery + Studio is ADA-accessible.  Gen. Admission Tickets: $20 – suggested donation.  Bicoastal entertainer Carly Ozard, a lifelong musical theater enthusiast, is proud to be releasing her new CD Chain of Love (A Broadway Album) - Ozard’s newest that celebrates the singer’s deep love for showtunes - from classics, unknowns and fiascos. Featuring rarely-heard gems like "Chain of Love" from The Grass Harp (a 1971 musical that ran just 7 performances based on Truman Capote’s novel), the album showcases works by legendary composers including Kander and Ebb, Stephen Sondheim, Jerry Herman, Irving Berlin, and Charles Strouse. A number of songs are reimagined with new arrangements by Ozard herself. Each track is paired with personal stories from her life in NY and San Francisco, including encounters with Broadway stars and casting directors. The album also highlights vocal talents from the Bay Area’s Lamplighters Music Theater (now in its 78rd year performing Gilbert & Sullivan titles) in duets, trios, and including a full ensemble number. It's a heartfelt tribute to musical theater and an invitation to become a link in the "Chain of Love." The show runs 70 min., - no intermission. CD’s will be available for sale - physical and downloadable.  Musicians Baker Peeples- piano; Daniel Fabricant - bass; Jerry Herrera -cajon; Baker Peeples II- Violin.  CD release:  Pre-Order Date: Aug.8, 2025  Release Date: Aug.15, 2025  Leo Frappier- CD Producer  To arrange an interview with performer Carly Ozard, please email or call ​publicist Lawrence Helman heytheresells@gmail.com 415-336-8220

    17 min

  5. JUN 19

    Daniel Savio of the San Francisco Mime Troupe Talks DISRUPTION

    Daniel Savio started his professional theater career playing keyboards for the Mime Troupe in 2006, and since 2020 he has been the Troupe's resident composer/lyricist. This year Daniel led the band, was co-arranger, and composed additional music for SFBATCO's original musical Sign My Name To Freedom: The Unheard Songs of Betty Reid Soskin. He was recently musical director for the Marin Mountain Play production of Kinky Boots. Daniel has been MD of numerous community and children's productions at theaters in the North and East Bay. He has a BA in music from the University of California at Santa Cruz. SF Mime Troupe Web Site DISRUPTION - A Musical Farce Written by Michael Gene Sullivan & Marie Cartier Music and Lyrics by Daniel Savio Directed by Michael Gene Sullivan Music Direction by Daniel Savio DISRUPTION - A Musical Farce features a four-person cast that includes veteran SF Mime Troupe collective members: Michael Gene Sullivan* (Hector Washington); Alicia M.P. Nelson* (Zubari Macintosh); and features Lizzie Calogero* (Elizabeth); Jed Parsario* (Augie Dimalanta). SFMT BAND: Guinevere Q (Bass); Daniel Savio (Keyboards); and Jason Young (Drums, Percussion). In a city where nothing is more important than “innovation,” son of immigrants Augie Dimalanta (Jed Parsario) works hard. His friend Elizabeth (Lizzie Calogero) may think patching over problems is counterrevolutionary, but after his shift at the “Fried Thangs Diner” Augie's life’s all about helping his neighbors navigate an increasingly underfunded and inhuman system. His efforts to make up for the cuts are making a real difference, but at what point does he need to stop plugging the holes in the system and try to change it instead? And while Augie is filling holes, tech genius Zubari Macintosh (Alicia Nelson) is busy digging more! As the head of MOPS (The Mayor’s Office of Public Safety) she's all about optimization and “efficiency,” making a city attractive to investors and the right kind of people - and who wouldn’t want that? Never mind that she has no experience beyond developing a social media app - how hard can government be? Maybe the only real barrier to giving the people what they really want all this time has been the inefficiency of democracy itself. And with proudly working-class, red-hatted police officers like Hector Washington (Michael Gene Sullivan) to clear the streets, San Francisco will soon be a beautiful and prosperous suburb of Silicon Valley - and hopefully in time for the president’s upcoming visit. But if the city is poised to be a calm, efficient paradise why is everything suddenly on… FIRE!

    15 min

  6. JUN 6

    Abigail Munn of Circus Bella and HOOPLA

    Abigail Munn (Artistic Director - Circus Bella) Since its inception, Abigail Munn has been directing, creating, and producing new work for Circus Bella. Along with the more conventional duties she has also served as the company's truck driver, catering service and laundress. An accomplished dancer, choreographer, and aerialist, Munn holds a BFA in Modern Dance from UC Santa Barbara. As a child, born and raised in SF, she appeared with the Pickle Family Circus, and with Zoppe Italian Family Circus, Lone Star Circus, the Moisture Festival, the New Pickle Circus, Cabaret Verdelet, Circus Cabaret, Tease-O-Rama, Va Voom Room, and The Velvet Hammer Burlesque. Munn was commended in the NY Times for her performance in Alma Esperanza Cunningham’s Princess. Munn co-directed the nouveau-vaudeville troupe Kitty Bang, an internationally recognized three-time “Best of the Bay” winner that is influential in the modern Burlesque resurgence. Over the past few years Abigail has become increasingly involved in advocacy work for the Circus Arts. When transitioning Circus Bella performers to Employees, she became aware that the current workers compensation rates and policy descriptions in California were way out of step with the current reality of the Circus Industry. Munn embarked on a one-woman quest to help change this and after initiating a study from the Workers Comp Insurance Rating Bureau (WCIRB), rates were significant lowered (by 80%) for ALL Circus Companies in CA. In addition, she is a founding member and on the board of the American Circus Alliance. TICKETS: ALL SHOWS FREE! WEB SITE: https://www.circusbella.org/circusintheparks TRAILER: https://youtu.be/03EWKXnnGIc AUDIO CLIPS: https://www.circusbella.org/press-audio-trailer-clips-cip FACEBOOK: https://www.facebook.com/circusbella/ INSTAGRAM https://www.instagram.com/circusbella/

    19 min

  7. FEB 25

    Thomas Robert Simpson of Afro Solo

    ABOUT AfroSolo Theatre Company https://afrosolo.org AfroSolo Theatre Company’s mission is to nurture, promote and present African American and African Diasporan art and culture through solo performances and the visual and literary arts. Since 1994, we have presented the annual AfroSolo Arts Festival, a forum for African Americans and the larger African Diaspora as a way to give voice to the unique experience of being Black. Through art, we bring people of all ethnicities together to explore and share the human spirit that binds us all. AfroSolo Arts Festival is made possible through the support of the CA Arts Council, Grants for the Arts, Dream Keeper Initiative, Kenneth Rainin Foundation, SF Arts Commission, and The Friends of AfroSolo, AfroSolo's collaborative partners include AATAIN, Cultural Odyssey, Intersection for the Arts, Play Ground Theatre, The African American Art and Culture Complex, The Flow Fund, The Dr. George W. Davis Senior Center and the Yerba Buena Gardens Festival. AFROSOLO’S HISTORY AND MISSION: https://afrosolo.org/march2025 AfroSolo Theatre Company presents… AfroSolo ARTS FESTIVAL 31 - LET FREEDOM RING! PART 2 WHEN: Fri. March 28, 2025 – 7:00 pm Sat. March 29, 2025 – 7:00 pm Sun. March 30, 2025 – 3:00 pm WHERE: Potrero Stage* 1695 18th St. (at Arkansas St.), San Francisco, CA 94107 WHO: Performers Include: Douglass Haynes - vocalist Augustene Phillips - writer Libah Sheppard - writer Thomas Robert Simpson - writer Hugh Leeman – filmmaker Dr. Carl Blake (piano for Douglass Haynes) TICKETS: https://tickets.playground-sf.org/The... General Admission Seating. $0 - $35, pay what you can. No one turned away due to lack of funds. In Person & Live Streaming options available. WEB SITE: https://afrosolo.org FACEBOOK: https://www.facebook.com/profile.php?... INSTAGRAM:   / afrosolotheatrecompany   FOR INFORMATION VISIT: https://afrosolo.org or call 415-771-2376 _____________________ Thomas Robert Simpson, actor, director, producer, and writer, is the founder and artistic director of AfroSolo Arts Festival. Since 1991 he has concentrated on presenting African American and African Diasporan art and culture through solo performances and the visual and literary arts. For the past 17 years Mr. Simpson has produced the award-winning and critically acclaimed AfroSolo Arts Festival in SF, presenting over seventy-five artists. He has also showcased celebrity artists such as award-winning actor Ruby Dee, comedian and political activist Dick Gregory, beloved teacher, poet and social activist June Jordan, sensational black gospel singer Emmit Powell, and many others. In 2006 Mr. Simpson won a coveted Bay Area Jefferson Award for Public Service. In 2009 he was awarded a prestigious Certificate of Honor from the SF Board of Supervisor, as well as award from SF AIDS Foundation’s Black Brothers Esteem Program, The Reggie Williams Achievement Award and the Oakland Supper Club for his contributions to our community.

    18 min

  8. 12/17/2024

    Behind the Big Top: Abigail Munn and the Magic of Circus Bella

    Hey there! Welcome back to Green Room On Air with your host, Ray Vernotti. It's been a crazy time, folks! I caught COVID again, got over it, but the insomnia was a kicker. Anyway, I'm here and thrilled to have the amazing Abigail Munn back on the show! 🎪 Today, we're diving into the world of Circus Bella with Abigail, the visionary director and ringmaster. This isn't just any circus, folks! "Kaleidoscope" is coming up and it's going to be a winter big-top spectacle. You're in for clowns, a mind-blowing slack rope act, breathtaking aerialists, and the heart-pounding beats of Circus Bella's live band. We take a backstage tour and meet some of the extraordinary performers crafting magic under the tent. Plus, I've got a little plug for the show I'm in called "Truce," at City Lights Theater in San Jose. It's a moving tale from World War I that's capturing hearts. So, join us for a fun-filled episode as we chat, laugh, and explore the amazing world of circus wonder! Oh, and don’t forget to snag your tickets to "Kaleidoscope" at circusbella.org. 🎟️

    24 min
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About

Indulge in the enchanting realm of performing arts with our captivating weekly podcast! Hosted by the charismatic Ray Renati and rooted in the vibrant San Francisco Bay Area, our show delves into the thrilling landscapes of theatre, musical theatre, film, opera, and more. Join us on an exhilarating journey as we spotlight the local Bay Area stage productions and traverse the global stage from the iconic theatres of New York City to the grand stages of London and the cultural hubs of Paris. Tune in each week to experience the magic and excitement of the performing arts through our latest episode. Your front-row seat awaits!

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