On Set for New Film ‘Paranoia’

I was called to work on the film Paranoia. I was brought as a union background actor and spent most of the day driving my car in a city street shot. This was the first day of shooting as the production crew transformed downtown Philadelphia into Midtown Manhattan bringing in numerous NYC taxis and relabeling […]

Funding for “ROEBLING: The Story of the Brooklyn Bridge”

As I have previously announced, my drama ROEBLING: The Story of the Brooklyn Bridge is in development with Theater To Go for a limited run New York City production. Through a partnership with Fractured Atlas, we are able to accept tax-deductible donations. And the time for funding is now! We’re seeking $36,000 or more in […]

New Facebook Page for ‘ROEBLING: The Story of the Brooklyn Bridge’

ROEBLING on Facebook

http://www.facebook.com/RoeblingPlay Announcing the new Facebook page for my ROEBLING play. Please LIKE the page and you’ll know what is going on with the NYC production too. A new drama by Mark Violi, ROEBLING: The Story of the Brooklyn Bridge is in development for a 2013 New York City professional production. Produced through special arrangement between […]

3-D Still Sucks

Renown film critic Roger Ebert regularly writes and Tweets about the film industry (@EbertChicago). Many of his articles are on his perceived failure of 3-D films. Here’s a recent quote: The notion that we are asked to pay a premium to witness an inferior and inherently brain-confusing image is outrageous. The case is closed. This […]

‘Riding the Comet’ Named to Top 5 of 2011 List

Respected theater reviewer for the Princeton Packet (NJ), Bob Brown, has picked my drama RIDING THE COMET as one of the Top Five Best Area Stage Productions of 2011. Appearing alongside his favorite major professional productions, RIDING THE COMET is listed in the Top Five of Student/Community/Small Professional Productions of 2011. Directed by Kyla M. […]

“ROEBLING” Project Gains Non-Profit Status

The effort to mount my play Roebling: The Story of the Brooklyn Bridge in New York City has achieved non-profit status. Partnered with Theater To Go, we will be receiving tax-deductible contributions to produce Roebling first as an Equity Showcase with our eye on a future Broadway or Off-Broadway run.

‘ROEBLING: The Story of The Brooklyn Bridge’ Prepares For A New York Run

ROEBLING by Mark Violi

The new drama Roebling: The Story of the Brooklyn Bridge is in development for a New York City professional production. Produced through special arrangement between the author Mark Violi and Theater To Go. Theater To Go is well known throughout the Mid Atlantic region for their unique interactive theater events and is helmed by Ruth […]

The Most Important Word in Theater

Known to the theater chiefly as an actor and playwright, you might think I would consider the most important word in theater to be “yes”. “Yes, Mark you have the part.” “Yes, we’re producing your new show.” “Yes, Mr. Violi, the girl up front has your check.” Before we can get to these all important […]

Measuring Audience Reaction

Along with the theater adage “Another opening, another show” comes the less celebrated “Another closing, another final curtain”. The premiere of my World War II stage drama Riding the Comet has come and gone. By all accounts it was a great success. Flattering reviews were printed which is always nice. But going in, I knew […]

Riding The Comet – Preview Trailer Video

My play, Riding The Comet, continues its world premiere run through October 2, 2011 at Actors’ NET of Bucks County, Morrisville PA. Directed by Kyla M. Donnelly. This is trailer-style preview of the production. Tickets & info: www.actorsnetbucks.org