All posts by Justin Rielly

Before becoming the founder of Aspie Works, JUSTIN RIELLY is an Artist-in-Residence at the Multi-Use Community Cultural Center (MuCCC). He has written, produced and directed the 9/11 oral history drama "American Enigma," the one-man show "When We Were Young, We Wanted to Live" (which he also starred), the all-female ensemble show "She Will Have Her Way" and the two-character drama "Come Talk to Me." Mr. Rielly also produced and starred in the acclaimed 2013 Fringe Festival production of Spalding Gray’s "Interviewing the Audience." He also participated in the John W. Borek Presents productions "Unrehearsed," "Jesus in India," "PhotoPlay" & "Swimming To…" He also completed his first novel, "The Lovely Nature of Yum-Yum," during the National Novel Writing Month event in 2012.

Kind Souls Chasing

kindsouls1

Actors Carl Girard and Marcy Savastano perform during Thursday night’s dress rehearsal for Justin Rielly’s original play Kind Souls Chasing.

The play follows the journey of a playwright (Girard) and his relationship with a determined actress (Savastano) from high school to their reunion in a theater group as young adults.

The show will be presented as a staged reading tonight at 7:30 at the MuCCC (142 Atlantic Avenue), and is a “pay-what-you-can” presentation.  A talkback session with Rielly will follow afterwards.

 

 

‘Sex and Death’ is a Choice Event!

Aspie Works’ upcoming performance of Spalding Gray’s Sex and Death to the Age 14 has been named a “Choice Event” by the Rochester City Newspaper.

The show written by the legendary monologist will be performed on Sunday night, on the 10th anniversary of his death, at 7pm at the MuCCC (142 Atlantic Avenue, Rochester).  Aspie Works founder Justin Rielly will perform the staged reading.

Sex and Death features Gray reminiscing about his growing up in a Christian Scientist family throughout the 1950s – with topics ranging from discovering love to treating the family animals.

Tickets for the show are $5, and can be purchased at the door or at muccc.org.

Here is a link on the Choice Event story:

http://www.rochestercitynewspaper.com/rochester/theater-spalding-grays-sex-and-death-to-the-age-14/Content?oid=2318531

Hello world!

Welcome to the official website of Aspie Works!

This site will showcase this fledgling company’s efforts in the Rochester theater community.  Throughout the next few weeks and months, Aspie Works and its site will provide a unique opportunity to display theater taking on the human condition and its impact on 21st century life.

While you’re here, take a look around and we love to hear your feedback on this site as well!

Thank you,

Justin Rielly

Founder, Aspie Works

FACEBOOK = www.facebook.com/aspieworks

TWITTER = twitter.com/AspieWorks

TUMBLR = aspieworks30.tumblr.com

Two Shows, Two Nights, Plenty of Theater

Next weekend, Aspie Works will present two full-length readings – one featuring a brand-new play from AW’s founder, and another marking the tenth anniversary of the passing of an iconic monologist.

Friday, January 10 will feature the world premiere of KIND SOULS CHASING, a two-character dramedy written by Justin Rielly.  On the eve of his full-length debut, playwright Matt Bennett reflects on the inspiration of his work: determined actress Ophelia Jacobs.  The play follows their journey of friendship from high school to a local theater group later in life.  The show will be performed at 7:30pm at the MuCCC (142 Atlantic Avenue, Rochester), with a talkback session scheduled to follow.

Sunday, January 12 will feature Rielly performing the monologue SEX AND DEATH TO THE AGE 14, created by Spalding Gray.  This was the first solo work from the acclaimed actor and monologist, performed in 1979, and would later pave the way for influential works such as Swimming to Cambodia and Gray’s Anatomy.  Rielly will present the reading on the 10th anniversary of Gray’s passing, with the script adaptation prepared by Gray’s widow, Kathleen Russo.  This show will be performed at 7:00pm at the MuCCC, with tickets available for $5.

For more information on these shows and other Aspie Works projects, follow us on Facebook, Twitter (@AspieWorks) and this Tumblr page!

Behind the Scenes of a Sonnet

This is an exclusive behind-the-scenes pic for an upcoming Aspie Works project!

Actor-musician Emily Cirincione rehearses a sonnet being filmed for the Shakespeare-themed show Love in the Style of Will, to be performed on Valentine’s Day (February 14, 2014) at the MuCCC.

Miss Cirincione is a SUNY Geneseo alumna who participated in the college’s theater club Cothurnus, and starred as Tybalt in last fall’s production of Romeo and Juliet presented by Cothurnus and VegSOUP.  She also plays viola and sings on the multi-style band The Whale and the Warbler.

The sonnet transitions are being helmed by Aspie Works founder Justin Rielly, who is also developing and co-producing this project with Melyssa Hall and Katherine Royal.

For more information on Aspie Works, continue to check out this page or visit us on Facebook and Twitter (@AspieWorks)!

Aspie Works Delivers 2 in One Month…This January!

Aspie Works will kick off the 2014 theatrical year with two exciting shows: the staged reading of a brand-new play and the debut monologue from a legendary storyteller!

January 10 presents Kind Souls Chasing, a new two-character dramedy from Aspie Works founder Justin Rielly.  On the eve of his full-length debut, playwright Matt Bennett is reflecting on the woman who inspired it, his friend Ophelia Jacobs.  The play follows Matt and Ophelia’s friendship, from their high school days to their reunion in a local theater group. 

Rielly directs this staged reading of his work, starring acclaimed actors Carl Girard and Marcy Savastano as Matt and Ophelia.  The show begins at 7:30pm at the MuCCC (142 Atlantic Avenue, Rochester), and is a “pay-what-you-can” presentation. 

On January 12, Rielly marks the tenth anniversary of the death of acclaimed actor-monologist Spalding Gray with a staged reading of Gray’s debut work Sex and Death to the Age 14.  This monologue, first presented in 1979, had Gray recounting tales of his growing up in a Christian Scientist family in Rhode Island during the 1940s and 1950s. 

This monologue elevated Gray to becoming one of theater’s most dynamic storytellers, leading to other hallmark works as Swimming to Cambodia and Gray’s Anatomy.  He also created the talking piece Interviewing the Audience, performed by Rielly at the Rochester Fringe Festival this past September.  Rielly stars and directs this one-man production, to be presented at 7:00pm on January 12 at the MuCCC.  Tickets are $5 for this event. 

Both shows contain mature language and/or content, and are not suitable for all audiences. 

For more information on these shows and on Aspie Works, follow this page on Tumblr or visit the company on Facebook and Twitter – and stay tuned for the soon-to-be-launched AspieWorks.com!

Welcome

Welcome to the Tumblr blog of Aspie Works!

This banner is meant to displays theatrical works centered on the human condition, and this blog is only one way of presenting this mission.  This blog will present previews and behind-the-scenes looks at the company’s various projects. 

For those who follow Aspie Works on Facebook and Twitter, this blog is only part of what is coming up.  There is a bigger plan coming up as well before the end of the year. 

For now, this is merely the beginning of bigger things to come, so enjoy!

JUSTIN RIELLY

Founder, Aspie Works