What do selfies, stageplays and books have in common? They each freeze a moment in time and give us a glimpse into the lives of other human beings. Regardless of direction or motive, each of them, in their own way, can provide hope, growth, motivation or perhaps just entertainment. In her work as a Positive Psychologist, Dr. Barbara Becker Holstein employs all of them as teaching tools. She helps teens and tweens develop a positive self image through her books, produces professional videos on subjects (such as selfies) that are important to this age group and, if all that is not enough, has a play in production.
The play reading, titled 'The Locket', will be presented May 20, 2015 in Manhattan. The reading will be directed by Bob Angelini. Some of Bob's directing credits include: NYC: Murrow, (Dramatists Guild, Phoenix Theatre Ensemble), Fourth State of Matter (Theater/New City), The Diary of Anne Frank (Alexrod PAC and Murrow (Theatre Project). Bob is a member of the Actor's Equity Association, The Stage Directors and Choreographers Society, SAG/AFTRA and the NY Shakespeare Society. He is currently the interim Artistic Director of ReVision Theatre in Asbury Park, N. J.
The cast includes:
* Ashley Griffin as the Woman - ( Most well known as the creator of the pop culture phenomenon "Forever Deadward," Ashley has performed on and off Broadway as well as in L.A., Chicago, and the UK. She is currently playing Rosalind in A.N.O.N Productions "As You Like It" in NYC, and will be performing in concert at 54 Below June 13th.
* Cassidy Terracciano as the Girl - (Cassidy has played Elle Woods in 'Legally Blonde', Sally Smith in 'Me and My Girl'. and Anne Frank in 'The Diary of Anne Frank').
* Shereen Hickman as the Fairy Godmother - (Shereen is known for her work with Cirque du Soleil as the female clown in three of Cirques productions).
* Chris Kateff as the Husband and Narrator - (Chris recently played in 'Every Christmas Story Ever Told - And Then Some').
'The Locket' is the story of a woman, caught in a marital struggle and a loss of her sense of self. She is awakened by a unexpected connection to her girlhood self after finding her diary and her a special locket with a secret, all enhanced by meeting up with a Fairy Godmother. Magic, romance, wisdom, hope and the realization that it is always best to be true to your self become clear messages in 'The Locket'.
"From Shakespeare to 'The Locket', the best plays are very much like selfies," Dr Holstein stated. "A good Shakespearean play has within it the kernels of personality and dilemma that exist for almost everyone. Likewise, 'The Locket' has within it so many of the dilemmas and issues that girls and then girls as women face. Selfies are popular because we all like to record and share our lives. We need to feel unique and special and yet at the same time share our human condition. The selfie is the easiest way that has come along. A good selfie restores our sense of self and well-being as we laugh, share and/or cry over the pictures we are sending and/or collecting. Selfies are the stories of our lives: our travels, babies, college days, marriages, friendship, retirement, bereavement, renewal. And so is a good play. It uplifts us, brings us to tears, fills us with enthusiasm and hope, gives us courage to go on and reminds us again and again that we are unique and yet our we are at the same time, in some way, one with everyone else. I hope 'The Locket' takes the audience to all of those places. And it is comforting to come home to the truth that kids really do have a lot of wisdom and understanding about the world. In 'The Locket', the magical drama of the theatre brings us closer to the old magic of childhood that we all once understood and were part of, while drawing us into the real dramas that adults face and have to still resolve, one day at a time."
This is the third stage reading of The Truth, the first two took place in Asbury Park, New Jersey to rave reviews. Comments included:
" Wonderful depiction of a young girl's journey through adolescence."
"This play helps adults understand how children feel. For example, how much they are hurt by parents fighting."
"The Locket identifies with tweens and teens and the issues they face."
"A very entertaining journey a woman takes from perceived crisis to self-awareness to empowerment through re-living her past."
"An unusual yet needed attempt at describing the development of young girls to adulthood that is rarely considered."
"The Locket is a compelling snapshot of the story of an everyday woman's life."
"The Locket is a warm reminder to girls and women to honor the truths in their hearts."
"The play is a great reminder of who we are and why we think and behave the way we do."
'The Locket', will be presented May 20, 2015 at 6:30 PM, in Manhattan. If you would like an invitation contact us at: 732-925-2269 or barbara.holstein@gmail.com. Dr. Holstein is available for media interviews and can be reached using the information below or by email at drbarbara@enchantedself.com. All of her works are available at Amazon, Barnes and Noble and all other online retailers. More information is available at her website at http://www.drbholstein.com.
Profile:
Dr. Barbara Becker Holstein, internationally known Positive Psychologist is the creator of The Enchanted Self ®, a positive psychology method for happiness. She is in private practice in Long Branch, New Jersey with her husband, Dr. Russell M. Holstein.
Dr. Barbara can be found on the web, interviewed, writing articles and posting video 'TED' style talks on Happiness, Positive Psychology, Relationships and Parenting.
She has been a contributor to Heart and Soul, Cosmopolitan Magazine, Redbook, Real Simple, The Wall Street Journal, Time on line, the Today Show and Family Circle Magazine.
Contact:
Dr. Barbara Becker Holstein
170 Morris Ave.,
Long Branch, New Jersey 07740
732-571-1200
http://www.drbholstein.com
Posts
