nychandra.com || chandra's latest

chandra's in rehearsals for her original solo show, a rhyme for the UNDERground

2010-04-26T09:35:00.004-04:00

a rhyme for the UNDERground, in a sentence, is not your mother’s solo show!

This new work follows chandra, a social researcher, as she interviews people from all over the world on the New York City subway. While she thinks her interviewees are there to help her with her book, she quickly discovers they are really there to save her from the precipice.

Actor/writer chandra thomas journeys through 17¼ characters in her humorous and moving play infused with poetry, songs, spoken word and dance.

The workshop performance of a rhyme for the UNDERground under the direction of Tia Dionne Hodge goes up May 2010.

* chandra's appearance on "The Good Wife"

2010-04-04T11:02:00.001-04:00

chandra
appears in a co-star role on the CBS hit primetime drama,
"The Good Wife"
airing Tuesday, April 6 at 10pm/E.

You can also catch the episode on IMDB::
http://www.imdb.com/video/cbs/vi1504904985/

chandra co-stars on the CBS hit drama, "The Good Wife"

2010-03-01T23:00:00.002-05:00

chandra
shoots a co-star role on an episode of
the CBS hit primetime drama, "The Good Wife".

The episode is expected to air Tuesday, April 6 at 10pm/E.

* chandra joins the cast of Christopher Roberts's Reflection of a Heart, directed by Israel Hicks.

2010-02-11T20:50:00.003-05:00

chandra
will be part of the staged reading of
Christopher Roberts's new play, Reflection of a Heart,
directed by directed by Israel Hicks.

Monday, February 15, 5pm
at Kirk Theatre, 410 West 42nd Street.

chandra makes an appearance at Jackson Rep's benefit performance, The Love Experiment

2010-02-05T08:57:00.002-05:00

chandra
performs as part of Jackson Rep's The Love Experiment,
a benefit in support of this special theatre company.

More info available at Jackson Repertory Theatre.

* chandra makes an appearance at the Delaware Theatre Company's Annual Stage Cru Benefit.

2010-02-01T08:51:00.002-05:00

chandra
rejoins with the Barrymore Award-winning NO CHILD... team
to share excerpts from their critically acclaimed production.

The performance is part of Delaware Theatre Company's Annual Stage Cru, a benefit in support of this special theatre company. More info available at Delaware Theatre Company.

Improv Reigns: chandra at the Upright Citizens Brigade!

2010-01-11T21:09:00.004-05:00

chandra

jumps back into her improvisational roots
as she performs

at the famed Upright Citizens Brigade Theatre
February 6 at 2:30pm.

* chandra returns to Law & Order: Criminal Intent

2009-12-01T00:01:00.000-05:00

chandra

returns to the long-running procedural drama,

Law & Order: Criminal Intent

shooting this December.

chandra explores LOVE*... OR... THE SINGULARITY OR GARY.

2009-11-16T21:17:00.000-05:00

chandra
is part of the special reading of

Patrica Estelle McCall's latest play,
Love*... Or... the Singularity of Gary

on Sunday, November 21 @ 8pm
at Paris Health Club

* It's more than sweet. . . it's chandra in SWEET LORRAINE

2009-11-01T14:30:00.001-05:00

chandra
joins the cast of SWEET LORRAINE!

chandra shoots the independent drama feature, SWEET LORRAINE. The film follows the double life of Methodist minister's wife catches up to her, as her husband campaigns for Mayor in a small New Jersey town.

The film also stars Tatum O'Neal, Peter Greene and Steven Bauer. The anticipated film is written and directed by Christopher Frieri and is executive produced by Frederick Zollo.

chandra is in Muddy the Water

2009-10-01T00:00:00.001-04:00

chandra joins the
Lab Presentation of

Muddy the Water

written by Darren Canady
directed by Martin Damien Wilkins

October 1-10, 2009 8 PM

Thursday through Saturday

The Red Room
85 East Fourth Street
between 2nd Ave & Bowery, 3rd Floor

with Starla Benford*, Carl Cofield*, Clifton Duncan*, Lynda Gravatt*,
Marjorie Johnson*, Trish McCall*, Sadrina Renee*, & chandra thomas*

Tickets ($15 , $10 students/seniors) are available by calling
Smarttix at 212-868-4444 or online at www.smarttix.com.

New Hope Baptist Church is a prominent parish steeped in tradition in the heart Kansas City. The Church community is scandalized when one of its rising stars, Minister Mark Patterson, is caught with his pants down in a local park notorious for cruising. Patterson ‘s arrest and subsequent disappearance throws the New Hope fellowship into turmoil. Forced to confront their secrets and prejudices, New Hope’s members begin an epic battle between the old and new orders. Muddy the Water is both a comic and poignant look at homosexuality, the church, and the agents of social change in Middle America.

More details at The Be Company.

* chandra joins for the cast of HOME

2009-09-04T11:07:00.002-04:00

chandra
is thrilled to join the cast of HOME,
the feature-length film written and directed by Larry Span.

More details to come!!

SIX Barrymore Award NOMINATIONS including Outstanding Leading Actress in a Play

2009-08-15T22:35:00.001-04:00

chandra

is THRILLED to announce that
No Child...
has received SIX 2009 Barrymore Award nominations,
including Outstanding Leading Actress!

Nominated for::

* Outstanding Overall Production of a Play

* The Charlotte Cushman Award for Outstanding Leading Actress in a Play (chandra thomas as Woman)

* Ark Media Award for Outstanding Leading Actor in a Play (Kevin Ramsey as Man)

* Harmelin Media Award for Outstanding Direction of a Play (Anne Marie Cammarato)

* Outstanding Ensemble in a Play

* The Ted and Stevie Wolf Award for New Approaches to Collaborations (Delaware Theatre Company & The Ferris School for Boys)

"The Barrymore Awards for Excellence in Theatre are the Greater Philadelphia region's only comprehensive theatre awards program, recognizing artists for excellence and innovation while serving to increase awareness of the richness of the local theatre community. Each year, over 100 productions produced by the region's professional theatres are reviewed by the Barrymore nominating committee. At the annual awards presentation each Fall, the Barrymore Awards are presented to honor excellence in acting, design, choreography, music, education, community service and lifetime achievement."

More details @ Playbill, Broadway World and the Theatre Alliance !

* CRITIC'S PICK:: Reviews are in for Coney Island Avenue

2009-08-07T00:45:00.004-04:00

The audiences and critics agree-- "The theatricality and spontaneity of Vashi's production tell all the story "Coney Island Avenue" needs: Stuff happens, and you keep on moving."

With a completely sold-out run, CONEY ISLAND AVENUE is enjoying a successful run with glowing reviews on TheaterMania.com & Backstage.com.

World Premiere of Charles Mee's Coney Island Avenue

2009-07-27T09:18:00.005-04:00

chandra is next in. . .

Described as:: "Coney Island Avenue is an explosion of spoken word performance, film, dance as well as live and recorded music. It is a piece that takes an acute look into the varied lives and everyday struggles of the dynamic and diverse population of Brooklyn, NY in 2009.

As in many of Charles Mee's pieces, this production represents the rich multitude of nationalities, elasticities, languages, social and economic identities that exist along this treasured avenue. As only Charles Mee can do, with its jagged edges and deeply honest imagery, Coney Island Avenue daringly reflects what has become the microcosm of our shifting world.

It is a juxtaposition of ilm and live performance, where the vicious fight to live the "American Dream" takes flight into grace and dance. With an international cast of performers, raning from hip-hop and Indian Bhangra dancers to opera singers to classically trained musicians to spoken word artists, this production is a feast for the senses."

Performances:: August 5-16, 2009

* Tuesdays through Saturdays at 8pm *
* Saturday Matinees at 2pm * Sundays at 5pm *

Special talkbacks with Charles Mee & artist Laurel Nakadate
following the August 11 & August 13 performances.

at New York Theatre Workshop (4th Street Theatre), 83 E. 4th Street, First Floor

Tickets:: $18. Available at www.smarttix.com.

Read more at BroadwayWorld , Playbill and TheaterMania !

* chandra joins the cast of Charles Mee's Coney Island Avenue

2009-06-25T15:41:00.002-04:00

Capturing life on Coney Island Avenue, Brooklyn,
chandra joins the team of
Coney Island Avenue
by award-winning playwright, Charles Mee.

This world premiere production comes to New York Theatre Workshop, August 5-16.

Special Peek of RIPFEST #10 on NBC's New York Non Stop

2009-05-27T19:59:00.002-04:00

After our AMAZING premiere screening, catch "Shotgun Marriage: Behind the Scenes at Ripfest #10" on NBC's New York Non Stop.

May 27 at 5:30am, 7:30am, 3:30pm and 5:30pm
May 28 at 9:30am and 12:30pm
May 29 at 5am, 7am, 3pm and 5pm

All on Time Warner Cable Ch. 161.

* Love. Dancing. Reuniting. The Army. All part of the new film, RETREAT.

2009-05-21T15:24:00.011-04:00

It seems like it was just last week when we were shooting the film RETREAT. . .

that's because it WAS last week!!

Love. Dancing. Reuniting. The Army! The premiere of the amazing film, RETREAT at

Screenings: Tuesday, May 26, 2009
7:00pm, 8:15pm & 9:30pm

Anthology Film Archives
32 Second Avenue @ 2nd Street, NYC

www.smarttix or 212.868.4444

Party with filmmakers to follow.

Starring Penelope Darcel, Marc Garber, chandra thomas & Nabil Vinas. Producer~ Jannett Roberts; Director~ Dakkan Abbe; Writer~ Lori Fischer; Director of Photography~ Hermes Marco; Editor~ Erin Greenwell; Composer~ Blaire Reinhard.

More info at RipFest.com.

Workshop Reading of controversial Liberty Deferred

2009-05-21T15:08:00.004-04:00

chandra
joins the cast of Liberty Deferred.

Based on a play from the 1930s, "this incendiary play, two couples, one white, one black, reflect on the history of black people in America. Featuring Jim Crow, blackface, North/South sectionalism and the magical land of Lynchotopia."

Workshop Reading of LIBERTY DEFERRED

A Living Newspaper from The Federal Theater Project

by Abram Hill & John Silvera

presented by William Burke & Jose Zayas

ONE NIGHT ONLY!

May 31st at 7pm

@ Chocolate Factory

5-49 49th Avenue Long Island City, Queens

More information at the Target Margin website.

* chandra joins the RIPFEST Collaborative Film Project team!

2009-05-01T08:55:00.003-04:00

Think 24-Hour Play Marathon meets Storytelling Film and you'll have
RIPFEST #10 !

chandra
is thrilled to join the RIPFEST Collaborative Film Project
where nearly 100 extremely talented film, television and theatre professionals will come together to create three original short films and three original movie musicals.

The teams of actors, writers, directors, producers, directors of photography, editors, composers, lyricists and choreographers will have just 16 days to write, shoot and edit a 5-7 minute film which will debut at three screenings on Tuesday, May 26 at Anthology Film Archives.

Are you excited yet?

Special Note:: Vote MARIO for the next face of Sean John

2009-04-25T08:54:00.000-04:00

chandra's cousin, MARIO, is in the running for the next face of Sean John. As you'll quickly see good looks and warm hearts run in the family.

Would appreciate your vote for MARIO at seanjohn.com/contest/!

* Workshop production of BEOWULF as part of WET INK Festival

2009-03-01T11:20:00.001-05:00

chandra
performs in this ensemble-based, workshop production of
Beowulf, a new play
by Colin D. Young of Reverie Productions.

Directed by Tania Inessa Kirkman.

This workshop production is part of Reverie Productions'

at 59E59 Theaters.

Friday, March 6 & Saturday, March 7 at 7:30pm.
FREE! (Donate what you will)

In this new translation of the 1,000-year-old epic Saxon poem, mourners at Beowulf's funeral eulogize his glorious life by telling and reenacting their favorite stories of the great hero's adventures: of monsters and dragons, kingdoms and battles, and the passing of an age of valour, pride and revenge. Both highly theatrical and true to the storytelling of the age, Beowulf features original music for the lyre, harp and other period instruments.

More info at www.ReverieProductions.org.

Performing to Benefit Jackson Repertory Theatre

2009-02-03T19:56:00.004-05:00

chandra
performs in a new play by Barbara Blumenthal-Ehrlich
as part of FALL IN LOVE...with Jackson Rep,

a benefit for Jackson Repertory Theatre.

Sunday, February 9 at 7pm

This Valentine's-inspired evening of script-in-hand short plays and songs of love gone right, wrong, and somewhere in between features new works by Christen Clifford, Les Hunter, Justin Warner, Jenny Lyn Bader, Barbara Blumenthal-Ehrlich, Carl Kissin and Melanie Wehrmacher, Ben Morss, Simon Gray and more….

More info at JacksonRep.org.

* Daytime Drama debut on "As the World Turns"

2009-02-01T19:50:00.003-05:00

chandra’s in her first daytime drama playing Stage Manager in an episode of the long-running series As the World Turns.

She play the “Stage Manager” in a “television-show-within-a-television-show” episode of the long-running daytime drama. This marks chandra’s first performance on a daytime drama.

The episode air February 3, 2009 on CBS. The full episode is also available online at CBS.com.

Reviews are IN:: No Child... is a hit!

2009-01-26T22:00:00.000-05:00

The audiences and critics agree-- No Child... is an evening that leaves you "pumped. . . (hey, there's a reason 'Rocky' works)."

"[chandra] thomas becomes the vivacious and passionate teacher, called Miss Sun, as well as many of the students. She is brilliant in creating the teacher, using a warm, naturalistic style. Her ability to bounce among three or four different characters and to carry on lucid conversations among them is equally impressive. Lithe and athletic, thomas introduces a vital physicality to the performance that blends dance and mime into the presentation."
~ Tom Butler, Courier Post

"And it's a wild ride, with chandra thomas (yes, she has dispensed with capital letters) and Kevin Ramsey playing all 15 roles listed in the program - at times, changing characters line by line, in fully developed, never-confusing portrayals. The two work like crazy to bring this off, in performances often involving movement that approaches choreography. Watching them is worth the evening."
~ Howard Shapiro, The Philadelphia Inquirer