Charles Messina
Encyclopedia
Charles Messina is an American playwright
, screenwriter
and director.
Messina was born in Greenwich Village
, of Italian-American descent. He attended Xavier High School and then later, New York University
.
Known for his deconstructive take on biographical subjects, Messina's most notable stage work as director includes the critically acclaimed Off-Broadway
plays Cirque Jacqueline, about the life of Jackie Kennedy Onassis
, and Mercury: The Afterlife and Times of a Rock God, a monodrama written by Messina about Queen
's frontman Freddie Mercury
, which starred Khalid Gonçalves
{né Paul Gonçalves} and later, Amir Darvish
.
A film version of Mercury: The Afterlife and Times of a Rock God is currently in development.
In 1999, Actor Found Dead, a one-act play written and directed by Messina about actor James Hayden
(who Messina, as a child, had seen in American Buffalo
), debuted at the John Houseman Studio Theatre in New York City. The play starred Khalid Gonçalves (né Paul Gonçalves) as Hayden, with Andrew I. Mones and David B. Martin.
A screenplay based on Hayden's life was optioned in late 2007.
In August 2007 Messina directed Two-Mur Humor, which was an official entry in the 2007 Fringe Festival
in NYC.
In 2007 Messina also directed the big budget musical Be My Love: The Mario Lanza Story, written by Richard Vetere
, about the life of singer Mario Lanza
, which was produced by Sonny Grosso
and Phil Ramone
. It premiered at The Tilles Center for the Performing Arts in Greenvale, NY.
For the big screen, Messina has written They're Just My Friends, which was released in Fall 2006 and starred Lord Jamar
, Malik Yoba
, and Bruce Altman
. He has also written the film Spy starring Vincent Pastore
, Frank Vincent
, and Ben Curtis
.
Also in 2007, Messina's play Merging starring Jason Cerbone
, Gina Ferranti and Ernest Mingione
won BEST PLAY in The Players' Theater's Shortened Attention Span Theater Festival in Greenwich Village. Messina also directed the film version of Merging, which was released in 2009.
Messina has directed the off-Broadway shows Rockaway Boulevard by Richard Vetere
, The Accidental Pervert by Andrew Goffman, and Art Metrano
's Accidental Comedy. As well as a staged reading of his own script Younger, starring Joe Piscopo
.
Messina's play, Homeland, which premiered in 2008, starred Sopranos
actors Dan Grimaldi
, Jason Cerbone, Joe Lisi
, as well as Gina Ferranti and Amir Darvish.
Messina wrote the book My Father, My Don, about the life of Genovese Capo James "Jimmy Nap" Napoli
and his son Tony Napoli, in collaboration with Tony Napoli. It was released by Beckham Publications Group in Fall 2008 and is currently available in Barnes & Noble and other major retail bookstores.
In 2009, Messina's play A Room of My Own, about an Italian-American family living in Greenwich Village in the late 1970s, was optioned and is currently being developed for stage and screen by executive producer Ted Kurdyla
with actors Ralph Macchio
and Mario Cantone
attached in lead roles. On September 20, 2010, a staged reading of the script was performed at The Theatre at 45 Bleecker Street in Greenwich Village with Macchio, Cantone, Lynne Koplitz, Gina Ferranti, Johnny Tammaro, John Barbieri, and Kendra Jain.
In May 2010, Messina directed and co-wrote (along with Vincent Gogliormella) the script Twas The Night Before a Brooklyn Christmas, starring Mario Cantone, Michael Rispoli
and Robert Cuccioli
, also at 45 Bleecker Street.
Messina is currently collaborating with Dion DiMucci
on a musical about the singer's life called The Wanderer
, with Ted Kurdyla as Executive Producer. The first reading of the play was performed at the Triad Theater in New York City on October 13, 2011.
Representation:
Ron Gwiazda, Abrams Artists Agency (playwriting, screenwriting, directing)
.
Josselyne Herman & Associates (Management)
Playwright
A playwright, also called a dramatist, is a person who writes plays.The term is not a variant spelling of "playwrite", but something quite distinct: the word wright is an archaic English term for a craftsman or builder...
, screenwriter
Screenwriter
Screenwriters or scriptwriters or scenario writers are people who write/create the short or feature-length screenplays from which mass media such as films, television programs, Comics or video games are based.-Profession:...
and director.
Messina was born in Greenwich Village
Greenwich Village
Greenwich Village, , , , .in New York often simply called "the Village", is a largely residential neighborhood on the west side of Lower Manhattan in New York City. A large majority of the district is home to upper middle class families...
, of Italian-American descent. He attended Xavier High School and then later, New York University
New York University
New York University is a private, nonsectarian research university based in New York City. NYU's main campus is situated in the Greenwich Village section of Manhattan...
.
Known for his deconstructive take on biographical subjects, Messina's most notable stage work as director includes the critically acclaimed Off-Broadway
Off-Broadway
Off-Broadway theater is a term for a professional venue in New York City with a seating capacity between 100 and 499, and for a specific production of a play, musical or revue that appears in such a venue, and which adheres to related trade union and other contracts...
plays Cirque Jacqueline, about the life of Jackie Kennedy Onassis
Jacqueline Kennedy Onassis
Jacqueline Lee Bouvier "Jackie" Kennedy Onassis was the wife of the 35th President of the United States, John F. Kennedy, and served as First Lady of the United States during his presidency from 1961 until his assassination in 1963. Five years later she married Greek shipping magnate Aristotle...
, and Mercury: The Afterlife and Times of a Rock God, a monodrama written by Messina about Queen
Queen (band)
Queen are a British rock band formed in London in 1971, originally consisting of Freddie Mercury , Brian May , John Deacon , and Roger Taylor...
's frontman Freddie Mercury
Freddie Mercury
Freddie Mercury was a British musician, singer and songwriter, best known as the lead vocalist of the rock band Queen. As a performer, he was known for his flamboyant stage persona and powerful vocals over a four-octave range...
, which starred Khalid Gonçalves
Khalid Gonçalves
Khalid Gonçalves , is an American actor and musician who is best known for his portrayal of rock icon Freddie Mercury in the Off Broadway play Mercury: The Afterlife and Times of a Rock God.The play, written and directed by Charles Messina, debuted at the Sanford...
{né Paul Gonçalves} and later, Amir Darvish
Amir Darvish
Amir Darvish is an American actor who is best known for his portrayal of rock icon Freddie Mercury in the Off Broadway play Mercury: The Afterlife and Times of a Rock God....
.
A film version of Mercury: The Afterlife and Times of a Rock God is currently in development.
In 1999, Actor Found Dead, a one-act play written and directed by Messina about actor James Hayden
James Hayden
James Hayden was a young, handsome American actor from Bay Ridge, Brooklyn, with a very promising career ahead of him. Apart from starring on Broadway, he is perhaps best known for playing Patrick 'Patsy' Goldberg in the 1984 film Once Upon a Time in America...
(who Messina, as a child, had seen in American Buffalo
American Buffalo (play)
American Buffalo is a 1975 play by American playwright David Mamet which had its premiere in a showcase production at the Goodman Theatre, Chicago. After two more showcase productions, it opened on Broadway on February 16, 1977...
), debuted at the John Houseman Studio Theatre in New York City. The play starred Khalid Gonçalves (né Paul Gonçalves) as Hayden, with Andrew I. Mones and David B. Martin.
A screenplay based on Hayden's life was optioned in late 2007.
In August 2007 Messina directed Two-Mur Humor, which was an official entry in the 2007 Fringe Festival
New York International Fringe Festival
The New York International Fringe Festival, or FringeNYC, is a Fringe theater festival and one of the largest multi-arts events in North America. It takes place over the course of two weeks every August, spread across several neighborhoods in downtown Manhattan, notably the Lower East Side, the...
in NYC.
In 2007 Messina also directed the big budget musical Be My Love: The Mario Lanza Story, written by Richard Vetere
Richard Vetere
Richard Vetere is an American playwright, screenwriter, television writer, poet and an actor.Vetere's plays have been produced Off Broadway, regionally and internationally, such as The Engagement, Coupla Bimbos Sittin' Around Talkin, Gangster Apperal,Caravaiggo, Machiavelli, and One Shot, One Kill...
, about the life of singer Mario Lanza
Mario Lanza
right|thumb|[[MGM]] still, circa 1949Mario Lanza was an American tenor and Hollywood movie star of the late 1940s and the 1950s. The son of Italian emigrants, he began studying to be a professional singer at the age of 16....
, which was produced by Sonny Grosso
Sonny Grosso
Salvatore "Sonny" Grosso is a movie and television producer and former New York City Police Department detective, noted for his role in the case immortalized in the book and movie versions of the French Connection...
and Phil Ramone
Phil Ramone
Phil Ramone is a South-African violinist, composer, recording engineer, and record producer.-Biography:As a young child in South Africa, Ramone was a musical prodigy, beginning to play the violin at age three and performing for Queen Elizabeth II at age ten...
. It premiered at The Tilles Center for the Performing Arts in Greenvale, NY.
For the big screen, Messina has written They're Just My Friends, which was released in Fall 2006 and starred Lord Jamar
Lord Jamar
Lord Jamar is an American emcee and actor. He is a member of the hip-hop group Brand Nubian, which formed in 1989. As an actor, he is best known for his role of Supreme Allah on the TV series Oz. He has appeared on Law & Order: Special Victims Unit, Third Watch, and The Sopranos...
, Malik Yoba
Malik Yoba
Abdul-Malik Kashie Yoba , better known by his stage name Malik Yoba, is an American actor and occasional singer. He is perhaps best known for his starring role as NYPD Detective J.C. Williams on the FOX police drama series New York Undercover or as Yul Brenner in Cool Runnings...
, and Bruce Altman
Bruce Altman
Bruce Altman is an American film and television actor. He is a graduate of the Yale School of Drama.-Film:*Regarding Henry - Bruce*My New Gun - Irwin Bloom*Glengarry Glen Ross - Larry Spannel...
. He has also written the film Spy starring Vincent Pastore
Vincent Pastore
Vincent Pastore is an Italian-American actor, often cast as a mobster and best known for the role of Salvatore "Big Pussy" Bonpensiero on The Sopranos.-Early life:...
, Frank Vincent
Frank Vincent
Frank Vincent is an American actor, musician, author and entrepreneur. He is a favorite performer of director Martin Scorsese, having played important roles in three of Scorsese's most acclaimed films: Raging Bull , Goodfellas and Casino . He often plays a gangster and works both in features and...
, and Ben Curtis
Ben Curtis (actor)
Benjamin Bowmar Curtis , also known as the Dell Dude or Slacker Steve, is an American actor and former spokesman for Dell Computers. Curtis was prominently featured in the popular "Dell Dude" ads from 2000 to 2003.-Early life and education:Curtis is the second of two children, and has an older...
.
Also in 2007, Messina's play Merging starring Jason Cerbone
Jason Cerbone
Jason Cerbone is an actor from Yonkers, New York.He got his start acting at age 4, appearing on a commercial for Sesame Street. He signed with the Ford Modeling Agency in New York City at age 7. Jason later appeared in Bon Jovi's "Silent Night" music video, as well as the title character in...
, Gina Ferranti and Ernest Mingione
Ernest Mingione
Ernest Mingione is an American actor mainly known for portraying police officers. He has made many appearances in Third Watch between 1999 to 2000. He has appeared in shows such as Law & Order, Law & Order: Special Victims Unit and Law & Order: Criminal Intent...
won BEST PLAY in The Players' Theater's Shortened Attention Span Theater Festival in Greenwich Village. Messina also directed the film version of Merging, which was released in 2009.
Messina has directed the off-Broadway shows Rockaway Boulevard by Richard Vetere
Richard Vetere
Richard Vetere is an American playwright, screenwriter, television writer, poet and an actor.Vetere's plays have been produced Off Broadway, regionally and internationally, such as The Engagement, Coupla Bimbos Sittin' Around Talkin, Gangster Apperal,Caravaiggo, Machiavelli, and One Shot, One Kill...
, The Accidental Pervert by Andrew Goffman, and Art Metrano
Art Metrano
Arthur "Art" Metrano is an American actor and comedian, born in Brooklyn, New York City. Metrano may be best known for his role as Lt./Capt./Cmdt. Mauser in Police Academy 2 and Police Academy 3....
's Accidental Comedy. As well as a staged reading of his own script Younger, starring Joe Piscopo
Joe Piscopo
Joseph Charles John "Joe" Piscopo is an American comedian and actor best known for his work on Saturday Night Live.-Early life:...
.
Messina's play, Homeland, which premiered in 2008, starred Sopranos
The Sopranos
The Sopranos is an American television drama series created by David Chase that revolves around the New Jersey-based Italian-American mobster Tony Soprano and the difficulties he faces as he tries to balance the often conflicting requirements of his home life and the criminal organization he heads...
actors Dan Grimaldi
Dan Grimaldi
Daniel "Dan" Grimaldi is an American actor who is known for his roles as twins Philly and Patsy Parisi on the HBO TV series, The Sopranos.-Career:...
, Jason Cerbone, Joe Lisi
Joe Lisi
Joe Lisi , also credited as Joe Lissi, is an American television actor. He appeared in the NBC television show Third Watch as NYPD Lieutenant Swersky from 2000 to 2005...
, as well as Gina Ferranti and Amir Darvish.
Messina wrote the book My Father, My Don, about the life of Genovese Capo James "Jimmy Nap" Napoli
James Napoli
James "Jimmy Nap" Napoli was a New York mobster who was a Caporegime in the Genovese crime family. From the 1950s to the 1980s, he controlled one of the largest illegal gambling operations in the United States....
and his son Tony Napoli, in collaboration with Tony Napoli. It was released by Beckham Publications Group in Fall 2008 and is currently available in Barnes & Noble and other major retail bookstores.
In 2009, Messina's play A Room of My Own, about an Italian-American family living in Greenwich Village in the late 1970s, was optioned and is currently being developed for stage and screen by executive producer Ted Kurdyla
Ted Kurdyla
- The 1980's :Ted Kurdyla began his film career as the location manager for the Brian DePalma film Blow Out, starring John Travolta. The following year, he served as assistant unit production manager on Fighting Back, which starred Tom Skerritt....
with actors Ralph Macchio
Ralph Macchio
Ralph George Macchio is an American actor, best known for his roles as Daniel LaRusso in the Karate Kid series, Bill Gambini in My Cousin Vinny, and Johnny Cade in The Outsiders. He is also known to American television audiences for his season five recurring role as Jeremy Andretti on the...
and Mario Cantone
Mario Cantone
Mario Cantone is an American stand-up comedian, writer and actor, with numerous appearances on Comedy Central including Chappelle's Show. He also played Anthony Marentino on Sex and the City...
attached in lead roles. On September 20, 2010, a staged reading of the script was performed at The Theatre at 45 Bleecker Street in Greenwich Village with Macchio, Cantone, Lynne Koplitz, Gina Ferranti, Johnny Tammaro, John Barbieri, and Kendra Jain.
In May 2010, Messina directed and co-wrote (along with Vincent Gogliormella) the script Twas The Night Before a Brooklyn Christmas, starring Mario Cantone, Michael Rispoli
Michael Rispoli
Michael Rispoli is an American character actor. He was formerly part of the HBO television series The Sopranos as Jackie Aprile, Sr...
and Robert Cuccioli
Robert Cuccioli
Robert Cuccioli is an American actor and singer born in Hempstead, New York. He is best known for originating the lead dual title roles in the musical Jekyll and Hyde, for which he received a Tony Award nomination and won the Joseph Jefferson Award, the Outer Critics Circle Award, the Drama Desk...
, also at 45 Bleecker Street.
Messina is currently collaborating with Dion DiMucci
Dion DiMucci
Dion Francis DiMucci , better known as Dion, is an American singer-songwriter whose work has incorporated elements of doo-wop, pop oldies music, rock and R&B styles....
on a musical about the singer's life called The Wanderer
The Wanderer (Dion song)
"The Wanderer" is a song written by Ernie Maresca and originally recorded by Dion. The song, with a 12-bar blues-base verse and an eight-bar bridge, tells the story of a travelling man and his many loves...
, with Ted Kurdyla as Executive Producer. The first reading of the play was performed at the Triad Theater in New York City on October 13, 2011.
Representation:
Ron Gwiazda, Abrams Artists Agency (playwriting, screenwriting, directing)
.
Josselyne Herman & Associates (Management)