Welcome!

What I did for my Summer Vacation

Wed, 28 Jul 2010 18:26:57 -0700

It was a quiet gloomy summer in Los Angeles. As every summer is in Los Angeles. June brings the gloom and everyone leaves town. Everyone, but me, that is. July brings hints of sun, but mostly more grey. So, I buckled down and have been writing, writing writing.

It’s actually been a great summer. I’ve been auditioning for some great projects as a performer. (I love auditioning.)

But mainly, hammering out a creative baby has been taking all I’ve got. I’m grateful for my understanding friends who don’t complain too much as I retreat into solitude. That’s what it takes! At least for me. And a great writing coach.

I recommend Dorie Barton to anyone developing a script!

www.developmentgirl.com

She’s an old friend of mine and has been invaluable to my current process.

Arianna

Peeking up from my study books...

Tue, 13 Apr 2010 21:09:39 -0700

I have immersed myself in study since my last update. Got back into some training and am prepping hard for my coming projects.

Decided to post more often about the creative process since sometimes it can take a while to produce results. Right now, my writing partner and I are very focused on finishing our scripts for the first season of our show (details coming soon). Meantime, I’m building websites, polishing my editing skills and turning into quite a technical geek. Oh...and on the air everyday!

I also jumped into Kimberly Lewis’ class on character for actors (particularly great for comedians). I cannot recommend her workshop enough. I’m still polishing my Penelope Cruz impersonation. (This is what I have been up to!!) When she has a website I can link to, I will post it here.

Above is a picture of the Pigeon Point Lighthouse. Just passed it on a gorgeous drive down the California Coast.

Last bit of random news: I cut off my hair!

More soon!

Arianna

Best Day job ever...

Mon, 1 Feb 2010 22:06:14 -0800

In a nod to my gig in radio, I was asked to contribute to the online version of Los Angeles Magazine this month.

The feature story is about a tragic case of road rage.

I’ve been pretty blessed to be working professionally in broadcasting for many years (and thank my theater training for this, as it gave me the poise and performance flexibility that led me to getting the job all those years ago).

But I’m also a proud L.A. resident and I’ve certainly faced my fair share of nasty drivers. It was my pleasure to contribute some thoughts on an important topic.

When I’m not on stage or on set, I can be heard regularly on K-EARTH 101.1 FM with the awesomely talented “Shot Gun” Tom Kelly. This man is PURE joy to work with everyday. Warm and wonderful and fantastically entertaining. As I wrote above...best day job ever.

Arianna

The end of a great run, as well as the year!

Mon, 21 Dec 2009 22:01:44 -0800

Well, I’ve been so slammed with busy that I’ve hardly had a moment to post an update!

Above is a candid shot of me taking my final curtain call in Women Behind Bars at the Celebration Theatre. (Thanks, George!)

We had an amazing and challenging run. But we overcame last minute cast changes, set issues and swine flu (!) to score unanimous RAVE REVIEWS for our work!

Here are some of the highlights:

“...all the performers are well worthy of mention – and well worthy of seeing.” F. Kathleen Foley, The Los Angeles Times

“...a raucous crowd pleaser” GO!
Neal Weaver L.A. Weekly

“Koehler gets his actresses to go just enough over the top...Best of all among the inmates is Ortiz, the Latin spitfire who’s so darned cute and funny that you just want to take her home with you. “
Steven Stanley, StageSceneLA

“Koehler brings an inspired freshness to the show’s staging...”
“...standouts include Arianna Ortiz as Guadalupe, the requisite Latina bombshell whose lip-synching meringue number is a highlight...”
Christopher Cappiello, Frontiers LA

“Arianna Ortiz wins our hearts and sympathies as Guadalupe...”
Don Grigware, BroadwayWorld.com

“...delicious over-the-top performances and director Kurt Koehler's electric staging generate plenty of zany fun...”

“...There's also high-flying hilarity in the portrayals of Arianna Ortiz as the fiery Puerto Rican spitfire...”

Les Spindle, Backstage West CRITIC’S PICK

Needless to say, it was a very satisfying experience. And what a wonderful way to end the year! More comic plans for the new year! (it’s my not-so-secret passion)
Hope to see you!
Have a wonderful holiday season,
Ariannna

Women Behind Bars is CRITIC’S PICK!

Wed, 25 Nov 2009 17:41:11 -0800

photo credit Michael Calas

Here’s the full review from Backstage West!

Women Behind Bars
At the Celebration Theatre

Reviewed by Les Spindle
NOVEMBER 25, 2009

Anyone recalling those B-movie potboilers about hardened women raising hell in prison—drive-in staples during the 1950s—will get a kick out of this wildly campy send-up. Yet delicious over-the-top performances and director Kurt Koehler's electric staging generate plenty of zany fun for other viewers, as well. This play, by Tom Eyen (librettist for "Dreamgirls"), was a long-running hit in New York (starring drag diva Divine) and in L.A. (starring Lu Leonard) during the 1980s. Oozing with lesbian sensibility, yet filled with enough melodramatic clichés to provide a wide range of satirical barbs, it seems a perfect fit for the gay-focused Celebration Theatre.

Following the renewed success of "Chicago" on stage and screen, this spoof evokes added resonance. Into the harrowing environment of the Women's House of Detention in Greenwich Village, USA, presided over by the sadistic diesel-dyke Matron (played with glorious deadpan gusto by male-drag performer Momma), comes demure and terrified Mary-Eleanor (the pricelessly funny Jessica Goldapple), framed for a crime she didn't commit. How can a pure and vulnerable maiden survive in this hellish den of lechery and vice?

Momma's performance is a wondrous force of nature. Towering over the inmates like a Sherman tank, barking out orders in an intimidating baritone, and fitted into a outrageous wig that looks like a rocket-launching pad, this actor gives new meaning to the expression "if looks could kill." Joan Crawford and Bette Davis, eat your hearts out. There's also high-flying hilarity in the portrayals of Arianna Ortiz as the fiery Puerto Rican spitfire; Kimberly Lewis as the Gestapoesque henchwoman, particularly in an uproarious curtain speech; Tara Karsian as a super-butch lifer; Mary K. DeVault as a pea-brained floozy; Randi Pareira as a murderous octogenarian; Pip Lilly, in cross-dress, as a tough African-American broad; Dudley Beene, in cross-dress, as delusional Southern belle Blanche; and Dawnmarie Ferrara as a lunatic arsonist. Ted Monte scores in several funny male roles.

Design elements are sublimely evocative, highlighted by a sensational pre-show collage of vintage B-movie trailers. This delightfully deranged show seems certain to please SRO crowds for months to come.

Presented by and at the Celebration Theatre, 7051-B Santa Monica Blvd., Hollywood. Nov. 20–Dec. 20. Thu.–Sat., 8 p.m.; Sun., 3 p.m. (323) 957-1884. www.celebrationtheatre.com.

Women Behind Bars now opens November 19th!

Sun, 8 Nov 2009 16:40:31 -0800

Some last minute changes to the show, so the producers are pushing our opening date to Thursday November 19th!

It’s all good and the whole cast is thrilled and can’t wait for our audiences to join us.

If you already purchased tickets, you should be contacted directly so they can switch your dates.

The picture to the left is our banner outside the theater on Santa Monica Blvd. View from the street!

We hope you come and enjoy our holiday extravaganza!

Arianna

Women Behind Bars Opens Friday the 13th!

Sun, 25 Oct 2009 23:11:20 -0700

Just a quick little post to share with you the wonderful art work that has just come out for Women Behind Bars.

Tickets are already on sale at:

http://www.celebrationtheatre.com/tickets.html

We will run Thursday through Saturday at 8pm, with Sunday matinees at 3pm.

Having a wonderful time rehearsing with a stellar and hilarious cast (I’m the one with the shoe).

Hope to see you there!

Ariannna

Save the Date! November 11th, 2009!

Tue, 22 Sep 2009 15:27:37 -0700

Crikey! It’s the first day of fall!?!

It’s been a busy summer hiatus. But I’m heading back to the boards!!

I’m thrilled to have just been added to the cast of “Women Behind Bars” for the Celebration Theatre.

Previews begin November 11, 2009 at the theater in Hollywood. The show opens November 13th.

Don’t miss this notorious black comedy that is sexy, sassy and WAY off the wall. (note: adult content, fyi)

Catch me on the FOX network!

Fri, 8 May 2009 09:25:09 -0700

I just had quite a thrill when I booked a principle role on an episode of America’s Most Wanted. I play the wife of a man who is kidnapped in Phoenix. How long has this show been on the air?!

Anyway, it was tons of fun. Lots of screaming and crying and running for my life and the lives of my children.

Honestly, I really did get ridiculously excited about booking it. Such an iconic program for American T.V.

Catch me in all my dramatic glory on May 16th on FOX at 8pm Central and 9pm Eastern/Pacific.

And of course...call in if you see the bad guy!!!

Ariannna

Still Life with Couch picked up by Ouat Media!

Tue, 24 Mar 2009 21:45:14 -0700

Thrilled to announce that my short film has been acquired by a wonderful company in Canada called Ouat Media! (The exclamation point is part of their name. I love saying their name. It’s pronounced like “wot” or “what”).

There aren’t that many avenues for a short film to be distributed, so needless to say, all involved in the project are beside themselves with joy about the film being picked up.

(We will let you know where you can pick it up on DVD or see it! As soon as know ourselves.

Meanwhile, watch a preview here on this site or on
imdb!)

Really? February?

Tue, 10 Feb 2009 19:27:07 -0800

What on earth happened to January? Oh, yes. So much. New President, shot a film, started my taxes.

You can come see me live as part of the cast of the Pulitzer Prize Winning Anna in The Tropics on February 23rd at the Pico Playhouse in West L.A. This is an invited dress rehearsal and it’s free! Curtain is at 7:30. If you’d like to be on the invite list just send me note and I will make it so!

The reading is part of a series of concert
readings of Classic and Contemporary
American Plays (CCAP), an organization
run by the actress Bonnie Franklin (One Day
at a Time, t.v.). The group stages these
wonderful plays for students from around
Southern California. (They come to see us
at the theater.)

I’m very excited to be a part of it and playing the role of Conchita. We have an amazing cast. Next week, I start a very short and packed rehearsal process. Afterwards, I hope to move into preproduction on my next project. (See films page)

Quick shout out to my dear friends, Kate Luhr and Eric Frost-Barnes. This husband and wife writing team have just been announced as part of the top three finalists in the L.A. Comedy Shorts Festival’s Screenwriting Competition for their HI-larious feline romp, entitled The Karate Kat. CONGRATS MY LOVES!! (I really hope they win.)

:-)
Arianna