John Paul Karliak

Back in the Living Room

2011-09-19T22:06:00.001-07:00

My apartment is in shambles. Thankfully I had enough sense to vacuum and dust before I started my 3 month long production cycle of Donna/Madonna, so at least I know that underneath all these programs, postcards, receipts, posters and 80 days of laundry, there's at least a clean floor.

23 performances later, I've accumulated 5 awards (three alone from StageSceneLA.com), multiple glowing reviews, and many new friendships with some of the nicest and most talented people I could ever imagine (Lily Tomlin being one of them... I know, right?!). I'm incredibly thankful for all of it, especially for all the people that helped to make it happen and had the patience to support me along the way, and for all the wonderful little things that are happening as a result of this great production. Details of those will come soon.

In the meantime, here's one completely non-Donna/Madonna related item that I'm super excited about: I'm going to be on TV! On Sarah Michelle Gellar's new series "Ringer!"

Tune in Tuesday, September 20 at 9:00 PM to the CW, and somewhere in there, you'll see me as the flamboyant event planner (yes, I trained very hard to play that). If you miss it, you can always watch it online at www.cwtv.com (thank the Lord for the streaming TV).

Donna/Madonna Premieres! Or Returns!

2011-07-06T16:12:00.000-07:00

It really depends who you ask!

Last year, I was very fortunate to perform a near-fully realized workshop production of my one-man show Donna/Madonna at Celebration Theatre. It was incredible, and allowed me to trap my adopted mom and my birth mother in a theatre filled with people and talk about all their quirks for an hour. I wish every adopted child that joy.

Thanks to the wonderful audience response that workshop received (and the generous support of many who saw it), my now award-winning solo piece is making its official debut in LA tonight. And this production is running for SIX weeks! Adding to the wonder of that, this production is benefitting Kinship Center, an incredible California non-profit dedicated to the creation and preservation of foster, adoptive and relative families for children who need them. It is a wonderful organization, and you can visit http://www.kinshipcenter.org/ to find out all about their great work.

Anyway, I have a show to do, but I hope you can come see one of the eleven other performances! Check out all the details via the Donna/Madonna tab above, or just go directly to www.plays411.com/donnamadonna. Hope to see you at the theatre!

The Mistakes Madeline Made

2011-05-05T00:04:00.000-07:00

About to open in an awesome new play, The Mistakes Madeline Made playing May 11-June 4 at the Lounge Theatre (6201 Santa Monica Blvd). Here's the gist:

Edna searches for someone to blame for her mind-numbing job, her sex addiction and her brother’s untimely death. Wilson makes machine noises and wants Edna to start bathing again. Beth is terrorized by the theft of handiwipes in the office. THE MISTAKES MADELINE MADE is an edgy and surprisingly sweet comedy about hitting bottom but finding love on the way down.

Where do I fit in? That wonderful sex addiction! I play (count 'em) THREE hilariously disturbed stereotypical New York writers that Edna has her way with. It's an awesome part (parts?), and I'm thrilled to work with such an awesome cast. Not to mention, it's directed by Donna/Madonna director Tiger Reel! Always a pleasure.

Anyway, be sure to check it out. For tickets, showtimes and other details, click here to visit Plays411.com.

Add "Award-Winning" to the description

2010-12-30T11:22:00.000-08:00

Soooo, that happened.

I showed up in New York, did my show, and left with an award (technically... the award ceremony was a week after I left).

It's surreal, shocking and a perfect culmination to an incredible year with Donna/Madonna. I am so thankful to all those involved in the process from inception to production, especially the United Solo Theatre Festival for naming Donna/Madonna "Best One-Man Show." Out of the 40-some incredible solo performances (22 of which were men), it's really an honor to be recognized.

This puts a beautiful bow on 2010, but it hardly marks the end. Donna/Madonna will be returning in 2011 better and bigger than ever. For my show to travel elsewhere, it really needs press and (fingers crossed) critical acclaim, so within the next few weeks, I'll be launching a fundraising campaign for a lengthy, heavily publicized run in Los Angeles. Details are forthcoming, and I hope you'll want to be involved.

In the meantime, have a wonderful new year! Happy 2011!

The Big Mama in the Big Apple

2010-10-19T14:00:00.000-07:00

The days are ticking down to Donna/Madonna's Off-Broadway debut. Admittedly, I'm a tad nervous. I show up, throw my lights and sound together in an hour before I perform for a busload of my Scranton family, a vanload of my Jersey cousins and at least a small Jeep's worth of my birth family. I'm thrilled they all can come, but honestly, it's easier for me to perform for 500 strangers than 15 family members. At least my Mom (who will be in attendance) has seen it... I can rest easy with her.

If you happen to be in New York two weeks prior to Turkey Day, I hope you'll come see Donna/Madonna. It's the perfect time for it... a little after National LGBT History Month, a few days before National Adoption Day, and just before the slew of holidays spent being thankful for the wonderful family you have (and for how far away you live from them). :o)

WHAT: Donna/Madonna in the United Solo Theatre Festival
WHEN: November 14, 6:00 PM
WHERE: Theatre Row, 410 West 42nd St (between 9th & 10th), NYC
TIX?: Via Telecharge. I made this easy link just for you: http://bit.ly/DMinNY

We'll be going to John's Pizzeria afterwards, as I probably won't have eaten since noon. Hope to see you!

Madonna Mia...

2010-09-02T23:29:00.000-07:00

...what a strange and wonderful journey it's been.

At some point in life, we all start developing a bucket list. It may not be a definitive list, but there are always things on it that you MUST do before buying the farm. This month, I checked off a huge one: theatrically paying tribute to the two most important women in my life, my mothers. It is at once incredibly rewarding and draining, wonderful and scary, fulfilling and emptying. A strange dichotomy, which... all things considered... is so very fitting. I am incredibly grateful to everyone involved along the way... mentors, collaborators, supporters and friends who have been so patient and exceedingly generous. I could not have done this without you.

But let me be clear... this is not a eulogy for this play. This is merely the beginning. Every time I performed Donna/Madonna... in readings, workshops or this production... I was approached by someone who spoke about their experience with adoption. How they or their sister or brother or their parent or friend were adopted or how they adopted a child or how they once gave up a baby and now wonder "where are you now?" And even beyond adoption, I've talked to mothers who hope that their kids will one day understand that all the wacky things they do are just because they love their children so much. And many an audience member has attested to--at one time or another--wishing somebody would understand them. For some it was in their youth. For some... it's right now.

To all of you... Donna/Madonna is a love letter to you. What once began as my tribute to my mom and my birth mother, is now one for all the mothers and fathers and sons and daugthers who need to know how much they are loved. So, the show must go on. It will be in New York in November, and after that, any city with a theatre is up for grabs.

If you have a connection or would like to be involved or want to get your camera and document my little adopt-a-palooza... just let me know. It's a one-man show, but mine is not a one-man life. So please feel free to jump aboard.

Three Weeks Till Donna/Madonna!

2010-07-20T23:08:00.000-07:00

Music is being arranged, scenes are being blocked and publicity is out in full force as Donna/Madonna's world premiere fast approaches! If you haven't snagged your tickets yet, do so at http://bit.ly/DMplay (a lovely direct link to Celebration Theatre's ticket site).

If you HAVE purchased your tickets, then please feel free to steal the above flyer and pass it on to all you associate with! As we well know, in this town, no one gets anywhere without referrals... from actors to hair stylists... so please send the flyer in lieu of another Double Rainbow parody! Thanks!

Oh... and if you haven't seen this bit of gossip swirling around my show... I suggest you give it a read.

Donna/Madonna: The Trailer!

2010-07-12T10:43:00.000-07:00

As we gear up for the world premiere of "Donna/Madonna," I thought I'd share a little trailer to hold you over. Here are the full details, including the ticket site!

Tuesdays at 8:00 PM
August 10-31
The Celebration Theatre, 7051 Santa Monica Blvd, LA
Tickets - $15 (Industry comps available)
Call 323-957-1884 or visit http://bit.ly/DMplay for tickets.

Donna/Madonna: The Full Schedule

2010-06-28T00:18:00.000-07:00

It's almost here! After months of rewrites, edits, and tweaks, my one-man tribute to my two wacky mothers, "Donna/Madonna," is about to open. Here is the most up-to-date info of the where and when up till the end of August. Hope to see you there!

PREVIEW - Monday, July 5, 8:00 PM
iO West, 6366 Hollywood Blvd, LA
Tickets - $10 (FREE for industry, iO students and alumni)
Visit west.ioimprov.com to buy tickets!

THE FULL SHOW - Tuesdays, Aug 10-31, 8:00 PM
The Celebration Theatre, 7051 Santa Monica Blvd, LA
Tickets - $15 (Industry comps available)
Call 323-957-1884 for tickets

So you're asking, "What's the difference between the preview and the full show?" Well, the preview is the last test run. It won't have a lot of the tech or staging, but the script will be near perfect. The full show will be lights, music, sound and so much more! So come for both! Or whenever you can. You might even get to meet my mom!

Adding Mafioso to My Resume

2010-05-17T09:37:00.000-07:00

This past Saturday, I spent a few hours expressing my strong opinions about certain films (in this case, Iron Man 2 and Babies). Which might seem like a typical Friday night, but this time, it was for Popcorn Mafia! Hosted by the glorious Grae Drake and her fantastic fill-in Emery Emery, this fiesty podcast tears apart movies without mercy (and without censors). Whether we liked it or not is almost secondary to the hilarity these discussions produce.

Care to have a listen (and hear some awful accents)? Check it out here. And while you're at it, listen to Mafia guest Diablo Cody express her thoughts on Wall Street.

I'm an actor, but for money, I...

2010-03-18T11:55:00.000-07:00

I'm an actor... this much we know. But in addition to pounding the pavement looking for paying theatrics, I also have a day job. Namely one at the USC Alumni Association. An awesome new website, The Working Actor, has profiled a number of actors who, like me, have a job to pay the bills. And I'm their latest feature! Click here to go directly to my page, but feel free to check out the others, especially my dear pal Drew Droege!

I am Newsie, I am Abe Lincoln

2010-02-24T21:58:00.000-08:00

Greetings, friends! A hilarious series that I did, "Premarital Six," has finally been released online, and it's AWESOME! It follows 6 guys who all end up in jail after a botched bachelor party. And I get to play a Newsie delivery boy and Abe Lincoln. Want to wipe that big "huh?" off your face? Watch the above! Or if you want to REALLY have fun, watch the whole series at premaritalsix.blip.tv.

My Trip to Hell!

2010-02-09T18:15:00.000-08:00

Well, it's been a while since I've blogged, but it has been a busy couple of months! First of all, Dante's Inferno: An Animated Epic was released on DVD & Blu-Ray today! An action-packed companion to EA's "Dante's Inferno" video game, it features all 9 gory circles of hell! And as for me? I play "The Avenger!" An escaped Turkish prisoner that eviscerates Dante's whole family in revenge!

As my first animated feature, I am humbled and honored to say that I drive a cross through Mark Hamill's eye socket! Whee!!

Tell Mom I joined the mob...

2009-10-20T17:29:00.000-07:00

Bob Trappins - watch more funny videos

As promised, here's Fiddling Nero's newest (and first) video. Enjoy! And in case you're wondering, I actually was ok with the trunk. It's not that scary and easy to get out of.

Oh, and if you'd be so kind. Vote for our video on "Funny or Die" (preferably in the "Funny" category). We'd like to meet Will Ferrell one of these days.

Nero Rises Again!

2009-10-13T11:02:00.000-07:00

Fiddling Nero, my "we used to do improv, but now we make films" group returns after a long absence with our first web short! It'll be going up online very soon, but as we like to do things the old-fashioned way, we'll be showing it on the BIG SCREEN first!!

Come to the Maggy Keegan Variety Hour this Friday to be one of the first to see Fiddling Nero's newest opus! (And by opus, I mean around 3-minutes). In addition to all that, Maggy will be serving up a Halloween spectacular of variety, including music, comedy and something scary to be sure!

WHERE: I.O. West, 6366 Hollywood Blvd
(b/w Vine & Cahuenga)
WHEN: Friday, October 16, 8:00 PM
COST: $10. And worth every ducat.

Stork vs. Elephant

2009-10-07T20:44:00.000-07:00

This is a fun little radio spot I did for the Columbus Zoo a few months back. Enjoy!

Donna / Madonna Special Preview

2009-09-14T10:47:00.001-07:00

It's finally here! It's been months of writing and editing and bothering my poor friends for feedback, but I'm happy to announce the sneak preview of my solo performance piece, "Donna / Madonna." Join me for a free peek at the first half of my show. Comments are welcome (so come in droves, nitpickers!).

Saturday, September 19 & October 3
6:30 PM
Improv Olympic (IO) West Upstairs Blackbox
6366 Hollywood Blvd
(entrance to blackbox is around the corner on Cosmo and up the stairs)

J-Peezy Goes Pimpin'

2009-09-03T12:28:00.001-07:00

So, I got a call from dear friend Darrin that they need an extra guy for "Husbands & Pimps," an improv show at IO this Saturday. Normally, it's five girls that all play guys. This time, it's all guys playing... I guess whatever we damn well feel like. It's a half hour show paired up with another tasteful group called "Freedom Snatch." Your guest is as good as mine.

WHERE: I.O. West, 6366 Hollywood Blvd

(b/w Vine & Cahuenga)

WHEN: Saturday, September 5, 10:00 PM

COST: $10. Bring all ones and make it rain on the cashier.

(Oh, and for all those wondering, no, this photo is not of my Dad... much as he'd like it to be)

Second City BINGO Night!

2009-08-13T12:51:00.000-07:00

Lucky me, I just had the good fortune of being picked for Second City's Bingo Night this Saturday! Essentially, they randomly draw students from their training program, toss in a few seasoned alumni for good measure, and WHAM! You have an improv show! I've been before, and it's always hilarious, since the alumni are super supportive and just downright funny. And I know some of the students playing with me, and they're pretty damn funny, too.

So come if you can! It's only $5 for an hour of madcap humorousness.

WHERE: Second City, 6560 Hollywood Blvd (near Geisha House)
WHEN: Saturday, August 15, 7:00 PM

Donna / Madonna: The Early Drafts

2009-07-28T11:58:00.001-07:00

This coming Monday, I'll be debuting a few pages of my forthcoming one-man show, "Donna Madonna." Raised by a doting housewife, birthed by a funky fashion designer, two sides of a personality develop... the trick is keeping them both in check.

Come to the Celebration Theatre's "Salon" for the early versions! Feedback appreciated!

WHERE: The Celebration Theatre, 7051 Santa Monica Blvd, West Hollywood
WHEN: Monday, August 3. Doors at 7:30, Show at 8:00
DETAILS: Featuring acoustic music, beat poetry, solo performance, stand-up comedy and bottomless wine glasses for $5!

L.T.D. (Living the Dream)

2009-07-23T10:40:00.000-07:00

This is a mockumentary project I did for "Far-Out Productions." Basic premise is Caleb & Courtney are looking for actors for their next film project. So they called in people from Craigslist. Silly novices.

It's hilarious stuff, but if you only have time for me, I come in at around 5:08. But in case you're wondering, yes, I was in on the joke... some of the other auditioners? Nope, not so much.

Mickey Mouse!

2009-07-15T10:55:00.001-07:00

So, a little known fact about me is about a year ago, I auditioned to be the next Mickey Mouse. I'm sure I'm one of many. But I also got a callback. A two-hour long callback, with about 15 pages of copy, some as the classic Walt Disney Mickey and some as the very recent Wayne Allwine Mickey. It was a blast. But for whatever reasons, the search was frozen and nothing more happened.

Flash forward to about a month ago. Wayne Allwine, who has been Mickey's voice for over 25 years, passed away. My first exposure to Mickey was in Mickey's Christmas Carol, one of Wayne's first films as the mouse. And to this day, it is my favorite portrayal... loving, energetic, eternally optimistic, but not invincible. Mickey at the grave of his son, Tiny Tim, is the most beautiful, vulnerable images of him, and my most beloved. He becomes more than a cartoon character; he is a dear friend. Wayne was an intricate part of all my Disney memories, and whoever takes up the ears next will have big shoes to fill.

Now, I'm not saying that I'm filling them. Far from. But a few weeks ago, a production group was putting together a pitch proposal for Disney and were in need of a Mickey. I can't go into to many details (at least I don't think I can), but I had the chance to be the mouse, improvise as the mouse and just enjoy being Mickey for a couple hours. All for the actual Disney company. Even if nothing else comes from it, it was an incredible experience I'll never forget. And I met some great people--longtime Disney folk--in the process. So, yeah. Hurray!

An Improv Double Header!

2009-06-07T22:20:00.001-07:00

Well, as luck should have it, my improv troupe, Fiddling Nero, is performing TWICE this week! And the first is at a new location, along with improv greats Ruben Sandwich and Kick Drum Decade. Should be an awesome time, and I'm looking forward to Nero getting out into a new venue! But we'll be back to our old tricks at IO's Upstairs Blackbox on Friday. ::sigh:: It'll be nice to be back with the team again. :o)

Wednesday, June 10, 8:00 PM
Fanatic Salon Theater
3815 Sawtelle (@ Venice Blvd)
$5 gets you in and gets you FREE BEER AND WINE!!

Friday, June 12, 8:00 PM
Improv Olympic (IO) West Upstairs Blackbox
6366 Hollywood Blvd
(entrance to blackbox is around the corner on Cosmo and up the stairs)
FREE

I'm Stewie!!

2009-05-28T00:17:00.000-07:00

...at least for one night! I'll be playing him in a staged reading of a "Family Guy" spec script written by Helen Shang on July 14th at 9:00 PM. Part of the Comedy Lab Live series at IO (Improv Olympic for all ya'll old-schoolers) West, it's a hilarious script spoofing "Twilight." I'll also be voicing Herbert, the filthy molester, so don't miss it!

Additionally, don't miss my next solo performance, again at the Salon at Celebration Theatre on 6/1 at 8:00 PM. And I FINALLY return to my improv troupe, Fiddling Nero, on 6/12 at IO West at 8:00 PM as part of "Black Hot Fridays" in the Upstairs Blackbox. Lots going on! So much for a post-show slump!

Schoolin' at Second City

2009-05-28T00:09:00.000-07:00

In an effort to dive deeper into the improv sea and learn the art of sketch comedy (not to mention further my plot to get on 30 Rock), I've been accepted to the Second City Conservatory. Classes have been great so far, and I'm looking forward to the sketch shows we'll put on in later levels. So, that's it for now, but stay tuned for updates in the near future!

Solo Performance - Tonight!

2009-05-04T10:12:00.001-07:00

Rather last minute, but I've been invited to do a solo performance piece at the Celebration Theatre's monthly new-works evening, "the Salon." Like those of the Age of Enlightenment, this salon features poetry, spoken word, music, drama, and all sorts of entertainment, many works in their early stages of development. It's a great event that I've done many times, and each time, it's even better than the last.

Tonight, I'll be reading a very new piece of my own: "Calluses." If you can make it, email thePROGRAM@celebrationtheatre.com and make a reservation. Tickets are only $5 if you do. Details below!

WHERE: The Celebration Theatre, 7051 Santa Monica Blvd, West Hollywood
WHEN: Monday, May 4. Doors at 7:30, Show at 8:00
DETAILS: Featuring acoustic music, beat poetry, solo performance, stand-up comedy and bottomless wine glasses for $5!

The Reviews are In!

2009-04-24T12:16:00.001-07:00

Lots of excellent reviews for "The Girl, the Grouch, and the Goat." All told, I'm being called "pizzazzy," "cute," "goofy yet hip," "endearing," and (the most appropriate to the character) "swishy." For all the reviews (including Backstage West and the LA Times) click here.

Dante's Inferno: The Animated Movie!

2009-04-18T16:20:00.000-07:00

An exciting week! I recorded a few voices for EA's upcoming direct-to-DVD movie, Dante's Inferno. It will be released around the same time as their video game of the same name, and if you check out the footage, I think you'll agree it's going to be a hot gory mess (and I mean that in the most awesome of ways).

The best part about this was I got to work with a legend of voice-over, Charlie Adler. One of the original voices from "Transformers," as well as the original Buster Bunny from Tiny Toons, he's had a career that makes me giddy. Not to mention one of the friendliest and bawdiest personalities out there (and for me to say "bawdiest" is something... have you met my acting coaches?).

The film doesn't come out till 2011 at this point, but it's an exciting first for me! Here's to many more!

The Girl, The Grouch and the Goat

2009-04-10T16:29:00.001-07:00

After countless weeks of learning all the tricky lyrics in several patter songs and figuring out how to do a pullback/ball chance (which is still a bit of a mystery), next week marks the opening of "The Girl, The Grouch and the Goat!" It's been a draining but enjoyable rehearsal process, and I'm really looking forward to getting it on its hooves (little goat humor, there).

So, come if you can! If you have any love for "Urinetown" (or any Mel Brooks-ish musical) you'll have a LOT of fun with this one! Visit www.chancetheatre.com to get some tickets. Or for those of us who aren't recession-proof (Lord knows I ain't!), visit www.goldstar.com and get 'em for cheap!

NB: I'm not performing May 2 or 3, so steer clear of those dates (unless you're dying to see my understudy, who's very good, too!).

The Musical Streak Continues!

2009-03-08T10:56:00.000-07:00

So, after "Into the Woods" I caught the musical bug again, wondering where I'd find the next one. Voila! Here it is! "The Girl, the Grouch and the Goat," a new musical by Mark Hollmann, the same guy who did music and lyrics for the irreverent Broadway smash "Urinetown." This one isn't nearly as dark as that show, but is still lots of fun, packed with snappy, catchy tunes and lots of comic tomfoolery. I play one of two narrators who are all over this show, playing an Abbott & Costello-esque duo.

It's at the Chance Theatre, which I've had the privilege to see several incredible shows at. We just started rehearsing and it's already a riot, so I hope you can see it! Visit here for all the details: www.chancetheatre.org

A Night of Opera...ish...ness

2009-02-02T23:59:00.000-08:00

So, my friend, the lovely and charming Maggy Keegan, runs this little old-fashioned variety show... think The Muppet Show sans the clucking chickens (although Maggy has surprised me before). There's singing, dancing, wacky vaudeville, comedy and all sorts of wildness. It's a fun time, and THIS Sunday (February 8th at 10:00 PM), they're inviting me to join them! I'll be doing a very serious rendition of three classic opera arias (read as: I'll be doing a wildly comedic interpretation of three songs pretending they're opera). This is a big first for me, but I think it'll be hilarious. So come on out! Click here for all the gory details!

...and Into the Woods!

2008-12-02T13:50:00.000-08:00

After an awesome opening weekend, I'm spending my next two weekends performing in "Into the Woods" at the Lyric Theatre! I've been wanting to play Cinderella's Prince/The Wolf for... well, about a decade... so this is a dream come true. If you'd like to attend (and you should! it's a great production!), check out the main website at www.lyrictheatrela.com for tickets. Or, if you're lucky, you can find discounted tickets on www.goldstar.com, but they are selling out fast!

Into the Blogosphere

2008-12-02T12:15:00.000-08:00

Hello, friends! In the interest of mass self-promotion and ease of sharing news, I've decided to launch a blog! Check back here for all my career updates, as well as the occasional blurb of twentysomething angst or a musing on random world occurences. Basically all things me. :o)