Mike Rady (and others) Are Ready for a Treaty to Reduce Global Warming Emissions

The United Nations Climate Change Conference is being held in Copenhagen this upcoming week (Dec. 7-18th). President Obama is going to the conference to support the case for an international treaty to reduce global warming emissions. My good friend, and Melrose Place star, Mike Rady (SJP '99) joined several other celebrities in this PSA from Environment America encouraging people to support this initiative. "We're ready" for this global treaty and we only need to look at what some states like California and New Jersey are already doing to be a catalyst for something on a larger scale.

Others in the video: Cedric the Entertainer, Simon Baker, Alanis Morrisette, Chevy Chase, Amy Smart, Jason Mraz, Jake Mclaughlin, Frances Fisher, Ollivia Wilde, Kevin McHale, Emily Van Camp, Dana Delany, Ed Begley Jr. and Diana Agron

So This Must Be What It Feels Like....

To be George Clooney's friend. At least, that's what I thought when I saw this just now. Make sure you watch "Melrose's Place" every Tuesday at 9pm on the CW. Support Mike Rady!

Nick Fondulis on 30 Rock

Nick Fondulis was one of my fraternity brothers in Syracuse -- um, yeah, I was in a frat -- what are gonna do about? So what if I wasn't a huge meathead -- but I digress.

Nick, like me, is an actor. Unlike me he is actually making some big steps in his career and on his way to being "The-Next-Mike-Rady" in my life. Nick's been popping up all over TV the past year, in particular on NBC. He had a stint on the short-lived "Kings," was on the opening episode of "Mercy," and most recently played the role of Jayden Michael Tyler on last night's "30 Rock" (one of my favorite shows on the boob tube). After what I thought has been just an "OK" start for the 3-time emmy winning show last night's episode, "Audition Day," was the best episode this season. Nick was extremely solid. Keep an eye out for this guy -- and if you look closely, you'll probably see me hanging on his coats tails too. :)

Last night's episode can be seen on Hulu.com by clicking here.

And here's some photos courtesy of Nick's Facebook page. He's the headshot in each. His character was a new actor the show was thinking about hiring.

Another Cape and Sword Alum Breaks Into the Big Time!!!

For those who don't know, Cape and Sword is the drama society at my beloved alma mater, St. Joseph's Prep. Under the director of the multi-talented Tony Braithwaite, the organization has many alums making a big splash in all aspects of the entertainment world. For the 3 people that read this blog, you know that I brag about my boy Mike Rady all the time being on Melrose Place.

Anywho, another Cape and Sword Alum, Alyse Wojciechowksi, hit the big time this week when she took over the role as the daughter in "Mamma Mia!" on Broadway! The picture above has Alyse (BTW her stage name is Alyse Alan Louis) with Tony Award Winner Beth Leavel. Leavel is taking over as the mother a.k.a. the Meryl Streep part.

A few cool connections here:

1) Beth Leavel won her Tony Award in The Drowsy Chaperone as the title character -- one of my favorite shows of all time that I was lucky enough to see her in. The Prep is going to be one of the first high schools in America to produce the Drowsy Chaperone this Spring. Hmmm, I wonder if AXB will try to get BL to join us for a workshop? :)

2) I have to brag a bit about the my only 2 encounters with Alyse on the Prep stage. First, her and Dan Schwartz (Fiddler on the Roof) beat out myself and Kate Brennan (1776) as best couple at the 1st Annual Tony Awards -- kinda cool to lose out to someone who went on to star on the Broadway stage.

Second, I was in a reading of The Mystery of Edwin Drood with Alyse and many other alums in August 2007. Alyse played the title role and I was Neville Landless. Anywho, this reading was the moment when the seed was planted to return to the world of acting. Three months later I was cast in my first professional show, The Fantasticks (Kimmel Center), and a year later I moved home to pursue things on a full-time basis. She's on the Great White Way and I live at home....cue the Charlie Brown music....

Big Week for the Class of '99

It's a week of openings for myself and two of my best friends in the world this week:

1) Mike Rady, who is taking Hollywood by storm, continues this trend this Tues, Sept 8th at 9pm on the CW's "Melrose Place." I was lucky enough to be on set with Mike about a month ago and could not be happier for a better guy. Watch the show!!! You know you want another guilty pleasure in your life, right?

2) Locally, Joe Mallon stars in "Little Shop of Horrors" at the Devon Theater in a great role as The Dentist which begins previews on Wed, Sept 9th. Check out the production to see Joe as a variety of characters who make brief appearances throughout the show -- you'll be blown away by Joe's voice and comedic abilities. I'll be there for the 2pm matinee this Saturday.

3) Any finally, a plug for myself -- I'll be sporting a full cowboy outfit as Bo Decker in Montgomery Theater's "Bus Stop." We preview on Thurs, Sept 10th and open officially on the 11th. Word on the street is that Hova himself changed the release date of the much anticipated "Blueprint 3" so that we wouldn't have to go head-to-head on the 11th.

Come See Urinetown!!!!

As many of you know, I'm an Assistant Director at my alma mater, St. Joe's Prep.  Our latest production of "Urinetown" opens this week.  It's the 30th production director by Barrymore Award Winning Actor, Tony Braithwaite.  The Prep's drama program is very strong and this promises to be one of the best productions in school history.

As legendary LaSalle Univ. and current SJP basketball coach "Speedy" Morris once said, "The theater program at the Prep is the best coached team at the school."  Come see what Coach Morris and thousands of Cape and Sword followers already know -- there are high school students in your backyard putting on professional level entertainment.  Come support local arts, and who knows, you may see the next Mike Rady (SJP Drama '96-'99).

Get your tickets here.

Things I Like This Week

1) @aplusk on Twitter.  I started following the whole Ashton K. vs CNN twitter race with @billfelty yesterday at work.  I thought it was going to be corny at first but I got hooked on the race and came out of it loving Ashton K.  He brought awareness to a great social networking tool (twitter) and also made lots of other celebs step up and donate Nets to Stop Malaria Now.  Plus, you gotta love Ashton since he was in "The Guardian" with my boy Mike Rady (Great Pic from the set).  Ashton was streaming live video from his house last night as the count was happening.  Go here to watch -- skip to about the 17:45 minute mark.

2) Twitter.  While I'm on the topic, twitter is great.  Read this article from the NYTimes Business section this week on it's potential impact.

3) Worthyfashion.com. This is a site developed by a classmate of mine from the Prep, Sean McCloskey.  He started this company in 2005 and it's really starting to take off.  I heard about it through facebook posts, etc. but didn't know much about it.  I finally read up on it today and was REALLY impressed.  A portion of all their retail sales goes to select non-profits that the buyer gets to choose from, including Teach For America.  See why I love this?  A Prep guy supporting TFA.  Go to his site and show some love.

4) No Bitch Ass Ness.  According to Urban Dictionary, this is "A disease plaguing America's youth that is characterized by excessive whining, laziness, and/or undeserved arrogance."  Diddy uses the phrase on Making the Band and has a shirt promoting it now.  I thought it was funny and love the patriotic colors.  It's kind of a cut-to-the-chase way of saying this great Maya Angelou quote: "If you don't like something, change it. If you can't change it, change your attitude. Don't complain."

5) French Fries.  The Best and Worst Fries in Philly -- according to the Philadelphia Weekly.

6) Money for Your Old Books.  Sell you old books at Cash 4 Books and they even pay for the Shipping!