Damien Burke

A very kind review from RS Bailey on Curve Wire.

“‘Tiger Tiger Burning Bright’ is well-written and intelligent play with a genuine feel for the underside of life and the everyday people it affects. Sam Nickens has directed it with a natural fluidity and brought forth some monumental performances from his cast.”

“Damien Burke brings a dark internal lure to Clarence.”

Come see for yourself, Thursday, Friday, and Saturday at 8, Sundays at 3 at the Stella Adler Theatre in Hollywood. For tickets and information go to plays411.net/tiger or call 323-960-7740.

Timothy Clayton called it “Encapsulating and engaging, the performance flew by.”

“The confrontational scenes between Mama and Clarence were particularly engaging and riveting,”

“. . . a captivating performance, propelled by strong writing and an excellent cast.”

See the rest of his review.

Then come see for yourself at the “surprisingly intimate” Stella Adler Theatre. Performances are Thursday through Saturday at 8 pm and Sunday at 3 pm through May 22, 2011. Tickets available at plays411.net/tiger.

I’m really excited about this show. We open Thursday.

Here’s a photo of our amazing cast on set:

To make reservations, or for more information goto Plays 411.

Richard Reliford shot and edited this promo video introducing our cast.

I (obviously) didn’t know what to say at the time. I would have liked to say more about my character, Clarence Morris; also known as tiger cat, the man of the house, the most handsome man around New Orleans, Mama’s beautiful dream, Mr. Book Man, Mama’s most important pretend, shadow, hustler, thief, hustling thief, thieving hustler, lover boy of the world, storybook child, candyman, and twilight.

Last Tuesday I had the pleasure of shooting a hilarious new Stanley Steemer commercial called “Roll call.” Look for it on a TV near you starting in the the next few weeks.

In the meantime here’s a picture of me with the lovely and talented fellow BBR client Lesley Surdi.

From the press release:

“Tiger Tiger Burning Bright” (1962) is set in New Orleans at midcentury. It is the story of a troubled family. Although the family is Black, its conflicts are not race­ specific (as was noted by the New York Times review ofthe play’s original Broadway production). It is about what occurs when dreams become delusions, sometimes through deliberate design.

They’re not destitute. In fact, their home is nearly paid off. Clarence ostensibly works for the telegraph company, achieving a series of advancements in pay. In point of fact, his money comes from somewhat more sinister activities, not unrelated to his good looks.
Mama is the old-fashioned matriarch of the family. She is in perpetual mourning for son George, reported to have been killed during his military duty.

Clarence’s younger brother, Dan, wants to marry Adelaide, the lovely local girl who is regularly around their home. But Adelaide has an eye for the better looking Clarence.

His kid sister, Cille, has a gift for seeing right through things to the heart of what they really are. It comes with a price, as she is afflicted with horrible migraines.

Stirring up the stew are their two new neighbors: Celeste, who also notices Clarence; and Dewey, who takes an immediate shine to Cille. There’s also the corrupt local preacher, who has a terrible hold on Clarence.

It’s a family held together with a web of deceptions and lies. When truths become known, can the family survive? Clarence is a young man on the brink: Will his current course destroy him, or is there hope for a life beyond what’s he always known? Can Adelaide redeem him? (In a twist, if she can redeem him, it would be with the love of a bad woman, rather than the love of a good one.) What will they all do?

Peter S. Feibleman is the playwright. He wrote the play “Cakewalk,” about his romance with the much older Lillian Hellman. He also wrote the feature film “Ensign Pulver,” and contributed to the screenplay of “Reds.” He wrote episodes of the TV series “Columbo” and several novels, including “A Place Without Twilight,” “Daughters of Necessity,” and “Strangers and Graves.”

Sam Nickens directs. He has helmed a number of shows for Upward Bound Productions, including last season’s critically acclaimed “The Good Negro,” “No Place to Be Somebody,” and “The Awakening.”
His cast for “Tiger Tiger Burning Bright” includes (in alphabetical order) DeShawn Barnes, Damien Burke, Barika Croom, Carl Crudup, Janai Dionne, Gilbert Hancock, Regina Randolph, Richard Reliford and Collin St. Die.

Stage Manager: Cary Thompson. Sound design: Sam Nickens. Wardrobe: Naila Aladdin Sanders. Lighting: Mylika Davis.

“Tiger Tiger Burning Bright” explores what it means for a man and a family to live with the truth rather than what seems comfortable.

WHAT: “Tiger Tiger Burning Bright.” A play.
WHO: Written by Peter S. Feibleman. Directed by Sam Nickens. Presented by Upward Bound Productions.
WHERE: Stella Adler Theatre, on the main stage, 6773 Hollywood Blvd., Hollywood, CA 90028. Low-priced validated parking is available at the nearby Hollywood and Highland center.
WHEN: April 14- May 22,2011. Thurs.-Sat. at 8, Sun. at 3.
ADMISSION: $20. Seniors, students, members of performing arts unions (with LD.), groups of eight or more, $10 (Use promotional code “BEST”).
RESERVATIONS: (323) 960-7740.
ONLINE TICKETING: http://www.Plays411.com/tiger

Publicist: Philip Sokoloff
PO Box 94387
Pasadena CA 91109-4387
(626) 683-9205
fax (626) 683-9172
showbizphil@sbcglobal.net

PDF Press release

I’m happy to announce I have been cast as the lead in Peter Feibleman’s “Tiger Tiger Burning Bright.”

We will be at the Stella Adler Theatre (6773 Hollywood Blvd, Hollywood CA 90028) Thursday, Friday and Saturday at 8pm and Sundays at 3pm from April 14 through May 22.

Tickets and more information can be had at plays411.com/tiger or by calling 323-960-7740.

PDF flyer

I’m only in this Charter Cable commercial for a couple of seconds, it’s easy to miss. So here’s a still image of me with the thirty-six million stupid cat videos.

The world premiere of “Project: Life” will be at the opening night of Mockfest November 12th, 2010. The program starts at 6 pm at Raleigh Studios, 5300 Melrose Avenue Hollywood, CA 90038.

Take a look at the rest of the lineup or buy tickets. I’ll see you there!

In the meantime, check out the new trailer made specially for MockFest:

“Project: Life” will be screened during the fourth annual Mockfest, November 12-14 at the Raleigh Studios in Hollywood.

Finally, a chance to see this beautiful and hilarious film on the big screen. You won’t see me in the film, I’m the disembodied voice narrating, but I hope to be at the festival.

I’ll post more information about date, time, and ticket prices as I get it. For more information about Mockfest go to http://mockfilmfest.weebly.com/.