Dean Linnard

 

The Future is Now, Internet!

 

 

I am taking part in two readings in the coming weeks. First I’ll be reading the role of Whitey in Argia Coppola’s “Love is Blonde”. I had the good fortune to participate in a developmental workshop of the play two years ago and look forward to exploring this new version.

 

 

Then I will be returning to Luna Stage in New Jersey, where I did “Thrill Me” last year, to play none other than Edgard Allan Poe in Allyssa Hynes “The Locked Room Mystery”. This will be part of Luna Stage’s Short Play Festival. More information about the event can be found here.

 

 

A Thousand Blessings Upon Thee, Internet!

 

 

I recently played the part of Towson in a reading of a new musical by Dana Boll at LaMama. I was in Dana’s play “Bella’s Dream” in 2013 and it was a joy to reconnect.

 

 

 

 

What’s the Buzz, Tell Me What’s Happening, Internet!

 

 

I recently took part in another reading of the musical “The Chain” by Alison Luterman and Loren Linnard. I participated in a developmental reading of the piece a few years ago and it was wonderful to revisit the piece and the role of Nick.

 

 

 

Read All About It, Internet!

 

 

 

The reviews are in for my latest project, “Thrill Me”. I played Richard Loeb opposite Joe Bigelow’s Nathan Leopold in Stephen Dolginoff’s two-man musical at Luna Stage in West Orange, NJ. Here’s what the press had to say:

 

 

 

“Both Linnard and Bigelow are expertly subtle, betraying just enough to make their characters’ emotions clear without losing their composure.”

 

Patrick Maley, The Star Ledger

 

 

 

“Linnard has a burning intensity, with the thrum of high tension wires lurking just below human hearing … When Leopold sings his love songs, and he and Loeb harmonize, it’s sheer delight … Bigelow and Linnard provide a very real-feeling potential history.”

 

Sherri Rase, Q Onstage

 

 

 

“Director Cheryl Katz guides the two talented young actors, Joe Bigelow as Leopold and Dean Linnard as Loeb, through moment-to-moment truthful performances.”

 

NorthJersey.com

 

 

 

“Joe Bigelow … and Dean Linnard … take us on a rollercoaster ride of wild emotion, unrelieved yearning and mind boggling thrill-seeking over the course of 90 intermissionless minutes … Both sing beautifully; their close harmonizing reminds us of their relationship (obsession) and reinforces the play’s idea that evil sometimes lurks in beauty … Linnard’s Loeb has a maniacal glint in his eye; his calculated charm, smirks and overt narcissism are malevolent, but Dolginoff’s lyrics give him some room for dark humor, which he delivers with understatement.”

 

Ruth Ross, NJ Arts Maven

 

 

 

“[T]he most exciting, gripping and intensely entertaining production of the season.”

 

The Bergan County Record Newspaper

 

 

 

Our production of “Thrill Me” was also named as one of The 7 Best New Jersey Theater Productions in 2015 by the Star Ledger, and one of The Best Shows of the 2015 NJ Theater Season by New Jersey Footlights.

 

 

 

 

 

10, 9, 8, 7, 6, 5, 4, 3, 2, 1, Internet!

 

 

One year is ending and another is about to begin! My 2015 was dominated by three large theatrical projects: In the Spring I played a cavalcade of male authority figures (and a few female ones) in Theatreworks USA’s musical “The Lightning Thief”. The six month tour took me to 25 states, from Minnesota to Louisiana, from New Hampshire to Florida.

 

 

Then over the Summer I returned to Vermont Shakespeare Company to play Mercutio in “Romeo and Juliet”. It was a great honor to return to the company for my fourth consecutive year, and to play such a wonderful part in such a glorious setting.

 

 

And finally I played Richard Loeb in the two-person musical “Thrill Me” at Luna Stage in New Jersey, which the Star Ledger recently named as one of the Top 7 Theater Productions of the Year. Additionally I performed in several events related to “Thrill Me”: I sang at the New Jersey Theatre Alliance’s Annual Gala as well as New York Theater Barn’s Annual Holiday Concert.

 

 

Through it all I have continued to be a teaching artist for Broadway.com’s Broadway Classroom, leading workshops with visiting school groups on a variety of theater topics.

 

 

It has been a wild whirlwind of a year. I have so many things to be thankful for, especially all the exceptional artists I have had the privilege to collaborate with in 2015. Their work inspires and motivates me. Special thanks to Theatreworks USA, Vermont Shakespeare Company, Luna Stage, Broadway.com, and the Barrow Street Theatre for being my artistic homes this year.

 

 

Wishing everyone a joyous and fulfilling 2016!

 

 

 

 

This Just In, Internet!

 

 

The entire remainder of the run of “Thrill Me” is sold out, so an additional matinee has been added for Saturday, December 19th. Last chance to catch me in this killer musical! More information can be found here.

 

 

Brrrrrrrrrr, Internet!

 

 

I am currently playing Richard Loeb in the musical “Thrill Me” at Luna Stage. We run through December 20th and tickets can be found here. Also, on Monday December 14th I will be performing a song from “Thrill Me” as part of New York’s Theatre Barn’s New Works Series Holiday Concert! More information on that event can be found here.

 

 

Happy Hanukkah!

 

 

 

It’s Turkey Lurkey Time, Internet!

 

 

Happy Thanksgiving, everyone! Today I have a great many things to be thankful for. I am currently in rehearsals for the two-person musical “Thrill Me” at Luna Stage. I am playing Richard Loeb opposite the brilliant Joe Bigelow as Nathan Leopold. The show is directed by Luna Stage’s artistic director Cheryl Katz with musical direction by Andy Peterson. We open next week and run through December 20th. I am extremely proud of this show and hope y’all can come see it!

 

 

Tickets and more info can be found here.

 

 

 

Boo, Internet!

 

 

I am very excited to announce that I have been cast in “Thrill Me” at Luna Stage. “Thrill Me” is a two-person musical based on the infamous Leopold and Loeb murder in Chicago. Performances begin December 3rd and tickets are on sale now! For more information, please click here.

 

 

Guten Tag, Internet!

I recently completed my fourth season with Vermont Shakespeare Company. It was a complete joy to play Mercutio in their summer production of “Romeo and Juliet”.