ViCasting.com

This entry serves as more than Scott's biography; it provides a convenient launchpad to access both Acts and all previous bios.

Desolate METROPOLIS: ACT I
Desolate METROPOLIS: ACT II

Scott A. Josephson (Playwright/Director/Producer) is a New York-based writer and designer. The former Artistic Director of a Manhattan theatre company, Scott has worked in nearly every aspect of the performing arts. His second play, Recreational Suicide, was performed at the legendary CBGB's Lounge. That production marked the first collaboration between Josephson and Jordan Pier, to whom Scott remains ever grateful.

He wishes to express his extreme gratitude to his dedicated voice artist cast -- Colleen, David, Drew, Rosemary, and Gregory -- five actors willing to deviate from traditional theatre and attend rehearsals over the phone; who boarded a train to his Long Island hometown on a drenched Saturday afternoon and marched a mile to share a pizza lunch and what has now become an auditory vision.

Scott has begun work on his next podplay, Mondays in Montauk, and plans to co-host a podcast of the OddPod genre debuting in early 2006.

Daniel A. Fisher, longtime supporter of the work of both Jordan Pier and Scott A. Josephson, asked these questions of Jordan.

Daniel A. Fisher: Your past work generally reflects the darker side of life. What inspired the more uplifting sound of "Remember Hope?" [the original score to Desolate METROPOLIS, which appears in its entirety at the production's end]

Jordan Pier: The play presents a funny dichotomy. When I read the script, it kept making me think of the ugliness that exists in an industry focused solely on what's "beautiful." The song was written for the actual characters themselves, to remind them of the emotion, hope. Beneath it all, if you maintain that, you maintain your humanity.

DF: What Farewell Redemption music struck a chord with the musical viscidities of the show?

JP: "Release Me" and "Naive" were in the forefront. The heaviness of "Release Me," and the moodiness of "Naive," struck parallels that exist in the play.

DF: Take us through your songwriting/recording process. Elaborate on those aspects/sub-processes in which you engage to help drive the music.

JP: First and foremost, every song is the result of a collaboration between Cris and I. Farewell Redemption has incredible chemistry. We like and respect each other's style and skills. The process generally begins with the main guitar line, after which I head to the studio. The engineer and I establish a drum line, on top of which I record acoustic/electric guitars, keys, and then program bass. Cristina will then write lyrics and a vocal melody, and record the lead/backing vocals. We then give each other input, feedback, finishing touches, etc.

DF: What types of future projects do you wish to pursue (solo or with Farewell Redemption)?

JP: I can see myself working with Farewell Redemption for a long, long time. This is the band I've always wanted to be in, and Cris is the person with whom I've always wanted to work. I would love to continue doing instrumentals and soundtrack pieces as well.

DF: How do you think your participation in this podplay contributes to the message of the show?
JP: On an artistic level, that we support and cherish independent artists and their respective artwork.

DF: Do you feel we are currently living in/approaching The Decade?
JP: We've been there for a while. . . it's just that more and more people are becoming aware of it.

Show your support for Farewell Redemption by visiting their website: FarewellRedemption.com

You've been ushered into The Decade. You have a pretty good idea about what Tre Fab means. But uncertainty lingers. . . what will come to pass in the seemingly dream-like landscape of Xavier-enhanced Manhattan?

If you've been gnashing your teeth and racking your brains over what will happen in the final Act of Desolate METROPOLIS, the wait is over!

For those of you just joining us, we encourage you to enjoy Act I before proceeding further.

In our last installment, we met a simple street vendor and his fashion obsessed friends, a pair of twirling poets, and a crude employee of the adult entertainment industry. Weaving tales of survival and struggle, surface and submission, these seven converged for an evening on the tiles at Redrick Xavier's penthouse apartment. Drink and drug were passed. Speeches resonated the cavernous residence. A single gunshot. And then silence.

Your questions will be answered.

If you have not had a chance to become acquainted with the voice artists responsible for breathing life into The Decade, bios are currently available for this immensely talented quintet. We will also feature an interview with Jordan Pier -- our production's eternally gifted composer -- who provides insight into his songwriting process and shares his role in our Desolate METROPOLIS.

Coming soon, we will offer a behind-the-scenes look at how we constructed this production -- from editing a script for radio and holding rehearsals via Voice over IP conference call, to our rainy recording afternoon in a suburban home studio.

Thank you for listening to Desolate METROPOLIS. Please tell your friends and family about this production. Spread the word about The Decade. . . before you forget.

David Dartley (Rubix Cube, Zachary Xavier) has appeared in numerous Regional and Off-Off-Broadway productions, as well as on Broadway in National Actors Theatre's "Night Must Fall." He is preparing to enter a wider career in voiceover and on-camera work, and so is excited about the recent launch of Desolate METROPOLIS. David is a proud member of Transportation Alternatives, New York's advocates for cycling, walking, and environmentally sensible transportation.

Gregory Mauro (Redrick Xavier, Ted) is a recent graduate of Fordham University at Lincoln Center in New York City. He has appeared Off-Broadway, Off-Off-Broadway, as well as on the screen. This is his first venture into voiceover acting. Thanks to Scott and the entire cast for this great experience!

Colleen Conroy (Maybe) trained at The Central School of Speech and Drama in London, England. Whilst in London, she worked with Howard Barker of The Wrestling School and Hideki Noda of Noda Map. She can be heard as the voice of Amelia Earhart in "World of Mysteries - In Search of Amelia Earhart" on the Discovery Channel.

Rosemary Howard (Blue Sky) is an East Coast based, theatrically trained actress. Her appreciation for diverse cultures and their languages has cultivated an interest in dialects and character observation, which she applies to her roles in theatre and film, as well as providing a contributing force to her success as a voiceover artist. Rosemary thanks Writer/Producer/Director, Scott Josephson, for his vision and drive to blaze a trail for storytelling in this new medium of podcasting.

Drew Hirsch (Ben) is a regular in the New York comedy scene, and has been featured in stand-up showcases at all of the major comedy clubs in Manhattan (including Comic Strip Live, NY Improv, Stand-Up NY, and the NY Comedy Club, among others). Originally from a small town just north of the Bronx, Drew currently resides in New York City, where he gets very upset when people refer to his hometown as "Upstate New York." While continuously working to gain credits as an actor and voiceover artist, Drew can be seen performing his stand up routine in Manhattan, New Jersey, and yes. . . Upstate New York.

Desolate METROPOLIS is a fresh and daring drama by Scott A. Josephson, which mocks the Fashion Industry. Set in Greenwich Village, an eclectic blend of stylish couture enthusiasts, cynics, poets, and miraculous minds exchange souls in a tale as darkly delicious as it is haunting and hilarious.

Originally composed for the stage in the Summer of 1999 and completed on New Year's Day 2000, Desolate METROPOLIS makes its debut in a medium inspired by the golden age of radio -- the podplay.

The script was revisited and revised over the Summer of 2005, modified to add narration in place of stage direction. Auditions, callbacks, and rehearsals were all held via phone. Recording took place on a rainy Saturday afternoon on Long Island, the cast coming together for the first time in person to lay down this entrancing work.

Desolate METROPOLIS also features a potent original score and music by Jordan Pier and Farewell Redemption.

Stay tuned to this site in the coming days for a chance to meet the talented individuals who made this production a reality.

And be sure to catch the gripping conclusion of Desolate METROPOLIS with the release of Act II, next Tuesday, December 6th -- available for download at midnight (Eastern Time).