Mr Monk and Melissa

Hello to you! Currently, it is unusually warm here in Los Angeles. We are having a case of The September Summer (at least that is what I am calling it!) Speaking of cases I have always been a fan of the television show Monk. When I did Jersey Boys in SF, I would wait out the rain watching Monk Marathon's on USA in my cozy studio on Geary Street. It doesn't get any better than Tony Shalhoub as the obsessive compulsive detective who uses unconventional means to solve mysteries, murders and baffling cases. Monk is scheduled to come back on the air January 2009 to complete it's seventh season. Wow, seven seasons!

Yesterday in 104 degree heat, I am delighted to inform you that I shot the holiday episode of Monk entitled "Mr. Monk and the Miracle." The episode was written by Peter Wolk and directed by Andrei Belgrader. I play a small role as a young clerk in a recycling center. My scene is with Mr Monk himself. The crew and and cast took over an entire mini strip mall and recycle redemption center. Dressed for winter and shooting in the crack of the valley- the heat made shooting on location a little rough- but after a while your mind gets warm and tells your body to remain steady (I call that mind over heat wave!) There was a huge crane holding a light scrim above us that diffused the bright sunlight and created some shade. The crew supplied everyone with gatorade, water and wet rags to keep cool. I had a great time acting with Tony and being on set! The script is really great and I am excited to tune in during the holiday season and watch the episode (official air date to be determined, but I am assuming near Christmas!) To learn more about Monk and watch clips please click the title of this blog to link to the official Monk website.

Thank you Corbin, Anya and Amy of CFB and of course Tony and Andrei and the entire cast and crew of Monk. It was a great day. So glad to be a part of the episode.

Switching gears now! I have had the opportunity to see a lot of theatre lately. I love to see shows especially if my friends are in them. I get so excited for them. I've seen Vanities, the Musical (Elizabeth was so great), Dreamgirls in San Diego (Charl was amazing), I've seen Memphis in La Jolla (MBW was outstanding) and with my good friend Darrin I saw This Beautiful City at the Kirk Douglas, CTG. Whew- it has been a busy month of doing what I enjoy- acting and watching acting and yes, I do declare, I am officially back! So thankful and so good to be back...

Melissa on VALENTINE

It was Valentine's Day early for me! I am excited to report I filmed an episode of the new TV show Valentine (airs on CW)! I play "Trudi" in the episode entitled "Summer Nights" written by Melissa Byer and Treena Hancock. Get this- the episode is scheduled to air the same night as my episode of Cold Case- Sunday November 2, 2008. That's just crazy! Things may change with football and the election, but for now November 2 baby on CBS and the CW! To learn more about Valentine click on the title of this blog to link to the shows website and to watch a coming attraction.


Get this -again. It just so happens throughout my Valentine day, I ended up reuniting with people I've had the pleasure of working with! Frank and Kara (friends), Dierdre (Falcon), Christine (Cindy and the Disco Ball with!), Robert (USC) - it was like a reunion and I wanted to burst out in "It's A Small World," but didn't want to scare the executive producers-hahaha. We filmed in Pasadena at Huntington Library Gardens- apparently some rich Mr. Huntington- who collected art, sculptures and gardened (a lot) opened his estate for the public. I'm sure glad he did because it's kinda like garden paradise in the middle of smog LA. It reminded me of the Dallas Arboretum. I don't know if it was the allergy medicine or what, but I felt like I was on cloud nine all day!

My scene partner was an adorable pup named "Trixie" aka Lastat. This little fluff ball sat on my arm all day. He french kissed me which is kinda gross, but I went with it and then kept my mouth closed the rest of the day. Great dog. Human wise I acted with the wonderful and talented Kris and Marie. I couldn't have asked for such great scene partners.


Here is a funny story when I accidently flubbed one of the takes. After a take, director Fred Gerber, came up to me and said something along the lines of "Remember he is a Greek god and has a special power over you- so show how you are drawn to him during the course of the scene." "Settle, Rolling, Speed, Background, and Action (in the theatre you just kinda go) was yelled and we start the scene. I walk to the bench, we exchange words, Kris gives my the dog and I start to "attract" to him. Marie joins us, pets the dog and then it's my line... Except I was so busy being "drawn" ummm I forgot to speak. So I just kept staring, getting closer and closer getting and thinking "this is like the longest take EVER!!!" I didn't even realize I had forgotten my line until after "cut." It was really funny and a little embarrassing. Taking directions to infinite bounds (apparently with out speaking.) I suppose that's what Greek Gods do to mortals. Anyways I hope you enjoy watching the episode and are happy and well!

Thanks to the cast and crew of Valentine for making my experience on the show great and to Brad Delima, Justine Hempe and Jeff Greenberg. Thank you Kevin, Courtney, Fred, Dierdre, Christine, Robert- hope the show is a great success!

And on a completely unrelated topic- I think pomegranate seeds are really gross, hard to eat and over rated. I am never buying them again. Blueberries are way better.

Melissa on Cold Case

Summer has ended, the weather is turning "cold" and the new Fall TV season is a coming! I am ecstatic to announce that I filmed an episode of my favorite TV show, COLD CASE. I play the character Paula in 1981 in the episode "The Dealer" directed by Chris Fisher. The episode is scheduled to air on CBS on Sunday November 2, 2008. 'Paula' is a bridge and tunnel, Good Will wearing, sassy Jersey accent talking, feathered hair kinda gal. Being in Jersey Boys was excellent character preparation- hahahaha.



Greg Plageman wrote an amazing script- the mystery/story is really great. My character 'Paula' is played by two actresses- present day Paula and Paula in 1981 (me.) We shot part of the episode in an abandoned car dealership in Bellflower (greater LA area.) Everyone was amazing to work with in all the departments- hair, makeup, wardrobe, the crew and the actors were all talented and warm people on and off the camera. The attention to detail was brilliant especially how everyone worked together to recreate 1981. I didn't want the day to end. When did TV cameras get so big? They were like large child elephants rolling around on train tracks and there were two of them! It gives camera blocking new importance. I stopped by my agents office after I was back in my neighborhood so she could see my hairdo. To visit the official CBS website click on the title of this blog.

Thanks Paul, Sheila, Shaner Testa, Greg, Chris and everyone at Cold Case. I had a great time on set.

Audience Choice Award

Wonderful news! The War of Game won the Audience Choice Award at the Gangrene Film Festival, Utah this past weekend. Brandon Lawrence the films executive producer and director presented the film and accepted the top honors. Congratulations Tough Guppy productions and everyone who created and worked on The War of Game! Click on the title of this blog to visit the film's official website!



Having an imagination is key to living a complete life, but what if it begins to blur your line with reality? Jimmy is your average guy. He has a girlfriend, great friends, and a good job as a substitute teacher. The only problem is that he is obsessed with video games. Watch as Jimmy toes the line between reality and fantasy as he embarks on a mission to defeat the Masked Warrior in the War of Game- Episode #1"LOL-4-Evs."

Film Festivals

Great news! The film "The War of Game" is officially in the festival circuit. The little film that could will be screened at two different festivals this fall. The film will debut in the Gangreen Film Festival this weekend in Utah. This festival showcases comedy shorts from emerging film makers. So exciting for the projects creators Brandon Lawrence and Jacob Cooney. Visit the Gangrene Film Festival website at www.gangreneproductions.com/festivals

The War of Game has also been accepted in the 14th Annual Temecula Valley International Film and Music Festival September 17-21! This festival spotlights outstanding independent filmmakers and over 14,000 people are scheduled to attend in 2008. Please visit the link to learn more about the schedule and The War of Game screening times at the Temecula Valley Festival by clicking the title of this blog or clicking this link http://www.tviff.com/index.html . As always you can visit the official website for The War of Game at www.thewarofgame.com.

XBOX Ad

Hello and happy summer to you! I am magnificent this summer and hope you are as well. I was recently fortunate enough to shoot a print advertisement for XBOX. The new XBOX game "You're in the Movies" will hit stores this fall/winter 2008. The shoot took place on a mini sound stage set in Pasadena. We shot against a white background and were dressed in fun and bright colors. I realize what a gift it is to be greeted by a make up department. Lola, an adorable and talented make-up artist with a hip sense of style applied, powdered and blended glorious make-up on my face! She had some really cool tips, products and make up containers!

[Melissa and Lola]

Let me just say...still photography shoots are FUN! There's awesome food, cool music and hip energy. My first shot was a group shot with some other talent. We squeezed onto a sofa and it will appear that we are playing the new XBOX game. I laughed the ENTIRE time because we were all so into a game that we were 'pretending' to play! Smiling, reacting, talking, and XBOXing as the flash bulbs went pop, pop, pop as the photographer captured our image.



For the next shot I changed into leggings and a tank. I had to backbend off a table, lift a leg up into stag position and hold the pose. Hard! I was flipped upside down in silhouette hanging and praying! I even had a spotter which made me giggle because he was upside down which I found hilarious! There will be iconic poses from famous movies on the front cover. This image will serve as the "Flash Dance' pose. The next shot slated was quintessential Marilyn Monroe pose with her skirt blowing up. There was a large fan brought in- a fan people! The fan turned on and woosh- my skirt poofed up and I was almost blown away by the rush of air! The things we do to create an illusion! After that Weber, the photographer, said I could do anything so...we had fun for the last portion of the picture taking. I danced, cat walked, laughed, did an array of poses and NEVER stood still!

[The "Back Bend" Table!]

Buy the XBOX game "You're In the Movies" in stores soon (Markets: Europe Asia Africa.) I will post more XBOX info as it becomes available.

Thanks to Dina, Steff, Weber, Kelly and every one at China, Ayzenberg and Microsoft. I had a great time and look forward to seeing the finished product!

'My Time With Dali' Performance Reading

[Allan Rich & Melissa Strom-Hayworth Theatre]

I had the opportunity to play Monica in the My Time With Dali reading. The screenplay is written by the great Allan Rich. Allan is one of the greatest American character actors who has worked on Broadway, film and television. People recognize him from his roles in the films Amistad, Quiz Show and Serpico. During the McCarthy era Allan was blacklisted and became an expert in selling modern art and opened the Allan Rich Gallery on Madison Avenue. My Time With Dali is based on Allan's real life experiences with the surrealist painter Salvidor Dali in 1970.

[Allan Rich & Salvidor Dali- St. Regis 1970]

I was honored to be a part of this reading because Allan became my personal walking and talking acting and artist encyclopedia. Allan paints pictures by telling the most vivid stories about the Great Depression, the McCarthy Era, old Broadway, his experiences on film sets and his love for acting, teaching, modern art and Wall Street. I enjoyed listening to him recall his experiences about Salvidor Dali in the 1970's. He is generous, knowledgeable and experienced in many avenues- a true Renaissance man. Please click on the title of this blog to learn more about Allan Rich.

[Allan Rich & Melissa Strom- Hayworth Theatre]

In the reading I played the character "Monica" based on Allan's lovely wife Elaine. I really enjoyed rehearsing, reading and performing this story. The script is entertaining, witty and jumps off the page. The reading was held at the Hayworth Theatre in Los Angeles' Historic Wilshire District. The beautiful building used to be a movie theatre and dance studio and has that "old hollywood" vibe.

Thank you Bernie, Allan, David and Dal for giving me the opportunity to be a part of such a fun read. I had a blast. The best to all of you!