Bob Films Role in "The Lesson Plan"
Bob recently was cast in and filmed a supporting role in THE LESSON PLAN, a film produced and written by his good friend and fellow screenwriter, Jodi Levitan. He played an attorney hired to adjudicate a sexual abuse case in a middle school. "It was a great shoot," Bob said. "Professional all the way in crew and fellow actors. Not a warm and fuzzy kind of story, but one that resonates in today's society. I hope a lot of folks get to see Jodi's film. It has a lot to say."
Bob Films Role in "YESTER YEARS"
Bob recently filmed a role in the upcoming horror release, YESTER YEARS, written and directed by Jim Cannatelli, and filmed in Coatsville, PA. Cannatelli wrote the script for THE ORPHAN, the episodic streaming pilot Bob shot for Junitos Studios in February, aimed at Showbix. Cannatelli wrote the YESTER YEARS part specifically for Bob. He plays a powerful priest in 1692 Salem, Massachusetts, who believes he is saving his community from an evil witch by hanging a young woman who has suddenly just appeared in his parish. "Playing bad guys is always fun," Bob says, "and working with Jim again was terrific. He's a fine writer." Look for YESTER YEARS to be released later this year or early next.
Bob Revisits "Streetcar", but in a Different Role
Bob will be treading the boards again this March in a revival of Tennessee Wiliams' classic A STREETCAR NAMED DESIRE, a production of the Grand Theatre in Williamstown, NJ. Four years ago, he played the role of "Mitch" in a production mounted by his TheatreXP in Key West, FL, opposite his wife Melody Moore, who played "Blanche". This go-round, Bob and Melody will be playing "Steve" and "Eunice", the rowdy couple upstairs from Stanley and Stella. Bob says, "It's a fabulous venue, and Steve and Eunice are basically the comic relief in the otherwise heavy play. Mel and I are having a ball playing the disfunctional pair upstairs." The show will run March 16-26.
Bob Shoots TV Pilot, "The Orphan"
Bob has finished shooting his scenes in the upcoming TV pilot, THE ORPHAN, shot in January in the Philadelphia area. He played the role of Doctor Earnest Thelsenger, the stiff, by-the-book head of the Second Chance Orphanage, where a young boy has just turned up. Soon after the boy's arrival, however, unexpected and unnerving things begin to happen. The pilot is part of the annual "Pilot season" and will be shopped to streamers in 2023. If it's picked up, Bob will be shooting additional episodes through the summer.
Bob Stars in Steve Martin's "Picasso at the Lapin Agile" at Philadelphia's Fever Dream Rep
Bob will be appearing in the Steve Martin comedy "Picasso at the Lapin Agile" May 12-28 at Philadelphia's Fever Dream Repertory at Plays and Players. He'll be playing the role of "Freddie", the bartender at the eclectic Parisian bar, the Lapin Agile. To prepare for the role, Bob worked with voice and accent coach Peter Schmitz on nailing down a believable French accent. "Peter was great," Bob said. "He got me sounding French without making me Pepe LePew." The play is full of very funny characters as it depicts a fictionlized meeting of Pablo Picasso and Albert Einstein at the Lapin Agile in 1904, just before each of them staggered the new century with their respective genius.
Bob Cast in Sitcom"Off-Campus"
Bob has been cast in the supporting role of "Mr. Brown" in an episode of the long-running steaming sitcom "Off-Campus". He'll play the father of one of the leads in the series. Bob will be shooting through November and early December. The series is produced in the television studios on the Drexel University campus in Philadelphia and is Executive-Produced by Andrew Susskind, who produced and directed such hits as "Married with Children", "King of Queens", "Two Guys and and Girl", "The Hughleys", and "Unhappily Ever After". Susskind recently spent a stint as President of Television at Ron Howard and Brian Grazer's Imagine Entertainment.
Bob Shoots Role in "The Ritual Killer" with Cole Hauser, Morgan Freeman and Peter Stormare
Bob recently completed shooting a role in the major new film, THE RITUAL KILLER, which stars Morgan Freeman, Cole Hauser, and Peter Stormare. The film was shot in Jackson, MS, under the direction of George Gallo, best known for BAD BOYS. It was shot by Director of Photography Andrzej Sekula, who shot RESERVOIR DOGS and PULP FICTION for Quentin Tarantino. "I couldn't have had a better time, " Bob said. "Loved working with Cole and Peter...consummate pros and real down-to-earth guys." The film is set for release in March 2023, with a premiere at the Toronto Film Festival.
Bob Gets Role in "Muti"
Bob has been offered a supporting role in the upcoming major motion picture, "Muti" (now renamed, "The Ritual Killer"), starring Morgan Freeman, Cole Hauser, and Peter Stormare, shooting through the month of August in Jackson, Mississippi. He will play the part of "Bob", the Lead Forensics Tech, and will be seen in several pivotal scenes in the story. The film is a thriller built around the little-known horrific practice of Muti Medicine, and revolves around a detective who becomes entwined in the ritualistic murders that are part of Muti. Given that Bob wrote the script for the film, it's a double win for him -- screenwriter AND actor.
Morgan Freeman to Star in Bob Script
Morgan Freeman has been signed to star in the upcoming film, "Muti", written by Bob and optioned two years ago by Black Diamond Films. "It took a while to get off the ground," Bob said, "but it's finally coming together. It's particularly gratifying to me, because I actually wrote the film with Morgan Freeman in mind, and to have him star in it is exciting as hell for me as a writer." The film will be directed by George Gallo and produced by Joe Lemmon, of Black Diamond. Shooting is set for August.
Oberon Redux
Bob recently reprised a role he played very early in his career, when he was asked to play Oberon in a production of A Midsummer Night's Dream for Fringe Theater in Key West. "What was particularly fun," Bob said, "is my wife Melody played Robin Goodfellow (Puck). We had a great time with it."
Recording a "Bob" Play
A group of very talented actors recently gathered in a recording studio to record Person of Interest, one of Bob's stage plays. The performance will be available on Netthespia, a new website dedicated to professionally-performed readings of original new plays. Three additional plays written by Bob will be available there as well, once the site launches.
Streaming Bob
You now can see a number of Bob's recent performances online at theatrexp.org. The theater company is now streaming several plays Bob starred in, including Moment of Grace, The Poetry of Hearts, The Return, and Under the Hunter's Moon. There is no charge to watch the plays. Enjoy!