Hello "Bobby Dogs" family,

Just wanted to say hello from San Antonio, where I recently finished the third week of the national tour of "12 Angry Men," part 2. We have 25 weeks to go, and have now moved on to Pittsburgh, with Detroit, Cleveland and Toronto coming up next. The show is great, and I even get time to slip away once and a while and do things like defend the Alamo, which I am taking quite seriously in this picture. Those three people behind me seem pretty safe. I will check them out though.

Be well,
Mike Boland
(Bobby)

Boston Film Festival

Cast and crew from Bobby Dogs travelled to Boston to participate in the Boston Film Festival. Tom Reilly, Mike Nastu, Mike Boland, Rosina Fernhoff, Josh Eaddy, Larry Greeley and Rob Lynch are shown in front of the AMC Loews right after Bobby Dogs screened on Monday, September 17th. The audience was extremely complimentary during the Q &A that followed. Go Bobby Dogs!

Boston Film Festival

"The Bobby Dogs" team will be going up to Boston to participate in the 23 annual Boston Film Festival. Bobby Dogs will be screened at 6pm on Monday, September 17th at 6 pm. For more details go to www.bostonfilmfestival.org

Bobby Dogs is honored to be one of only 14 feature films to be accepted from over 1000 submissions.

Bobby Dogs Selected by Boston Film Festival

John Michael Williams, the Creative Director of the Boston Film Festival, notified the 'Bobby Dogs' team that Bobby Dogs has been selected to be included in the Festival's 2007 festival. Bobby Dogs will be screened on Monday, September 17th at 8:30 pm in Boston. (See www.bostonfilmfestival.org for more details.) Bobby Dogs will be screened along side, "Good Luck Chuck" starring Jessica Alba and Dane Cook. Go Bobby!

Great Local Film-CT. POST, June 29, 2007

GREAT LOCAL FILM-


"I'm not a movie critic but I wanted to share a good movie I saw recently. Thanks to the Connecticut Post for making me aware of it. It's called "Bobby Dogs".

With all the talk about big cinematic productions coming to Connecticut, which is great, here is an independent film that held my attention and had local actors as well as local scenery and was directed by a local guy.

Connecticut is definitely a great place to make a movie with many great stories to tell. Bravo to everyone who worked on this film. It is a great job.

Markanthony Izzo
Derby

CT. POST-June 29, 2007, p. A7; Letters to the Editor

Audiences turn out for Bobby Dogs

Over 1000 people attended Bobby Dogs first screening in Fairfield. With only 2 local articles published about the screening, Bobby Dogs audiences were far larger than nationally advertised films. Bobby Dogs has been very warmly received. A milllion thanks to all who participated!

Bobby Dogs Actors celebrate opening

(L to R) Tom Reilly, Director, Joshua Eaddy (Fernandez), Dawn McGee (Jen Shea), Mike Boland (Bobby Tucker), Michael Nastu (Pepe), Rosina Fernhoff (Mrs. W)

Local Officials turn out in support of Bobby Dogs

(L to R) Fairfield's First Selectman Ken Flatto, Leo Redgate, President of Faifield Community Theatre, Bridgeport Mayor John Fabrizi, Tom Reilly, Bobby Dog's Director and Denise Douglielo, Fairfield Selectwoman.

Opening Night -Friday, June 1st- Article in CT Post

Check out today's article in the CT Post on Bobby Dogs!

http://www.connpost.com/fastsearchresults
ndependent film shows Fairfield talent
MEG BARONE, Correspondent
Article Last Updated: 06/01/2007 12:03:53 AM EDT

FAIRFIELD — A truly talented actor does not impersonate a character so much as inhabit that being.
Mike Boland is a talented actor. The Fairfield native, who has already won praise for his professional and community theater stage work, is getting rave reviews for his portrayal of Bobby Tucker in the independent, full-length feature film "Bobby Dogs," shot entirely in Fairfield and Bridgeport last summer.
Audiences will recognize lots of local landmarks — Seaside Park in Bridgeport, Bravo restaurant, First Presbyterian Church, the old Driftwood lounge, which since has closed and the Super Duper Weenie truck, which figures prominently in the plot. The famed hotdog stand's owner, Gary Zemola, makes a cameo appearance in the Brooklawn Productions' movie.
The world premiere screening of "Bobby Dogs" is set for 7:30 p.m. today at the Fairfield Community Theatre, 1424 Post Road, where audiences will be able to meet Boland, Glory Gallo of Stratford, and the rest of the cast, as well as Tom Reilly, the screenwriter and director, and Rob Lynch, who composed the film's score. Both men are also Fairfield residents.
The film follows the story of Bobby, a recovering alcoholic who struggles with his own personal demons and those imposed on him by society through unscrupulous creditors and others who feed his self doubts. Ultimately, Bobby triumphs but the plot is not as predictable as one might suspect.
"Hopefully it's an aspiring message that people, even withserious struggles, can overcome them. But we packaged a serious topic in an entertaining format," Reilly said. Anyone who has been through a struggle will be able to relate to the character of Bobby and to Boland, he said.
"Mike is the poster boy for someone who has turned his life around," said Reilly, who first recognized Boland's talent when the actor played a bit part in Reilly's indie short "The Barbershop League."
"I've been sober for over five years now. I celebrated five years in Los Angeles on April 1st," said Boland, who was touring with a national production of the play "Twelve Angry Men" at the time. Boland had stopped performing as he dealt with his own substance abuse. "It killed my confidence and left me [as] the guy on the bar stool just dreaming about what might have been until I finally got a handle on it," Boland said.
Boland's personal experience brings an honesty and credibility to Bobby Tucker, which resonates with audiences. Television, film and Broadway star Richard Thomas, widely known for his Emmy-winning role as John Boy on "The Waltons," called the performances of Boland and his co-star Dawn McGee "honest" and said they give the film its heart and conscience. Thomas was the star of "Twelve Angry Men" during its nine-month national tour, which concluded two weeks ago.
Reilly did not want to divulge the film's budget but did say it cost "a lot more than we wanted it to but a lot less than any other film that the general public watches."
The world premiere of "Bobby Dogs" is sold out but subsequent showings are scheduled at the Fairfield Community Theatre for Saturday, 1, 4, 7 and 9:30 p.m.; Sunday, 1, 4 and 7 p.m. and Monday through Thursday, 7:30 p.m.

Bobby Dogs Press Release

>
> Bobby Dogs Press Release (May 1, 2007)
>
> Every once in a while, something very special
> happens out of a moment of inspiration. The product
> of that inspiration will be unveiled on Friday, June
> 1 at 7:30 p.m.
>
> You are cordially invited to attend a world premiere
> screening of “Bobby Dogs” at the Fairfield Community
> Theatre at 1424 Post Road in Fairfield, CT. “Bobby
> Dogs” will be shown at 12 consecutive screenings at
> the Community Theater beginning Friday, June 1 and
> running through Thursday, June 7. (Kindly see
> attached poster with screening times.)
>
> The cast and crew of “Bobby Dogs” will be gathering
> at Bravo Restaurant in Fairfield at 5 p.m. on June 1
> for cocktails and appetizers. Photo opportunities
> will be available, as well as one-on-one interviews
> before the screening with the film’s director and
> stars. Bio information, screening times and the film
> trailer can be found at www.bobbydogs.com.
>
> “Bobby Dogs,” produced by Brooklawn Productions, is
> an authentic feature-length independent film (1 hour
> 57 minutes) shot entirely in Fairfield and
> Bridgeport in the summer of 2006. The film follows
> the adventures of Bobby Tucker, a recovering
> alcoholic who struggles to overcome his demons and
> open his own business. With unscrupulous creditors,
> close-minded naysayers and his own doubts and
> tortured history at his back, Bobby tries to build a
> new life and find love.
>
> “Bobby Dogs” features the work of many local
> artists, including Fairfield screenwriter and
> director Tom Reilly. Mr. Reilly also wrote and
> directed “The Barbershop League,” the first film to
> emerge from Brooklawn Productions.
>
> “Brooklawn Productions is like a softball league for
> film enthusiasts,” Reilly said. “It’s an
> ever-growing group of talented people whose labor of
> love is making movies.”
>
> Mike Boland, a Fairfield native, plays the starring
> role of Bobby Tucker. Dawn McGee of New York City
> plays Jen Shea, the woman who teaches Bobby to love
> again.
>
> Broadway, television and film star Richard Thomas,
> star of the critically acclaimed national touring
> production of “12 Angry Men,” and known around the
> world as “John Boy” from the classic television
> series “The Waltons,” recently previewed Bobby Dogs
> in Los Angeles. Mr. Thomas admired the on-screen
> work of the film’s two leads.
>
> “The performances of Mike Boland and Dawn McGee are
> so honest and ring so true, that they give the film
> its heart and its conscience,” Thomas said.
>
> Mr. Boland is an award-winning actor currently
> performing with the tour of “12 Angry Men,” produced
> by the Roundabout Theatre Company in New York City.
> The tour, which began in September in New Haven,
> closes May 20 in Miami after a 19-city, eight-month
> run.
>
> The idea for “Bobby Dogs” was conceived by Mr.
> Reilly shortly after he completed “The Barbershop
> League,” in the fall of 2004. Mr. Boland had played
> a supporting role in “The Barbershop League,” and
> Mr. Reilly wanted to create a vehicle for Mr.
> Boland’s diverse talents.
>
> “When we shot the Barbershop League (a 35-minute
> short), it was obvious that Mike was one of the most
> talented and creative actors around,” Reilly said.
> “Indie films are created around available resources
> so we developed a script around Mike.
>
> “When we needed a fictional business for Bobby to
> start, we didn’t have to look any further than Super
> Duper Weenie (of Fairfield), the best hot dog shop
> in the U.S.,” Reilly said “Gary Zemola and the
> Pelligrinos (proprietors of Super Duper Weenie) are
> all great guys who could not have been more
> accommodating. Screening the film at the Community
> Theatre is a real privilege and Leo Redgate and Paul
> Farina with the Community Theatre could not be more
> supportive of indie films.”
> [www.communitytheatrefoundation.org]
>
> After many months of story discussions between Mr.
> Reilly and Mr. Boland, a script for “Bobby Dogs” was
> drafted in the winter of 2005. After months of
> revisions, location scouting and casting, “Bobby
> Dogs” was filmed over 23 days on weekends, holidays
> and evenings in the summer of 2006. Every frame of
> the film was shot in Fairfield and Bridgeport.
>
> “Bobby Dogs” features a stellar supporting cast.
> Joshua Eaddy of Bridgeport plays Fernandez, Bobby’s
> right-hand man. Rosina Fernhoff, an Obie
> Award-winning actress from New York City, plays the
> feisty Mrs. W, who inspires Bobby to follow his
> dream. Glory Gallo of Stratford is Bobby’s loyal
> sister Sue. Michael Nastu of Bridgeport is Pepe, who
> teaches Bobby tolerance and patience. Chris Mancini
> of Fairfield plays Bobby’s mean-spirited boss.
> Damien Langan plays Bobby’s intolerant and
> condescending brother-in-law. Caroline Winterson
> from Fairfield is Jen Shea’s busybody studio
> assistant.
>
> The entire cast, together with bios, is listed on
> the “Cast” page at www.bobbydogs.com.
>
> Bobby Dogs also has benefited from extraordinary
> original music composed by Rob Lynch, a Fairfield
> resident. Mr. Lynch composed “Searching,” the
> movie’s opening song. Mr. Lynch also wrote the
> majority of the background music. Additionally, Mr.
> Reilly and Mr. Lynch wrote “Christmastime Without
> You,” which was performed by Denise Lynch, Rob’s
> talented wife. Another signature song is “Can I
> Change,” written by Mr. Reilly and Carl Herrgesell,
> a professional musician from Phoenix. “Can I Change”
> was inspired by the well-known Serenity Prayer.
>
> Director of Photography for the film is Danielo
> Garcia of New York City. Executive Producer is the
> multi-talented Jon Van Gorder, who runs Van Gorder
> Studios in Fairfield. In addition to his role as
> Executive Producer, Mr. Van Gorder designed Bobby
> Dogs’ impressive art work, including the movie
> poster, which can be viewed on the “News” section of
> www.bobbydogs.com. Bobby Dogs was edited by Derek
> Van Gorder, also of Fairfield.
>
> You are invited to attend the reception, interview
> session and the screening. Since the premiere
> screening will be sold out, please let us know if
> you will be attending at your earliest convenience.
>
> Please confirm your attendance to this special
> screening and press day as soon as possible by
> emailing reillyel@aol.com. For advance press
> opportunities, please contact Caroline Winterson
> 917-453-7507. Additionally, kindly address all email
> inquiries to both carolinewinterson@yahoo.com and
> gtbfilm@yahoo.com for speedy responses.
>
>
> Screening Times:
>
> Friday, June 1: 7:30 pm
> Saturday, June 2: 1, 4, 7 & 9:30
> Sunday, June 3: 1*, 4 & 7 pm
> Monday, June 4 thru Thursday, June 7: 7:30 pm
> *Benefit for Ray Greenberg’s Education Fund
>
>
>

Winding down

Hello Bobby Dogs family. Just a few weeks left in the national tour of "12 Angry Men." I am very excited to come back to CT to join you all for the "Bobby Dogs" premiere. Here are a couple of the guys I am working with right now. This is Richard Thomas (left), George Wendt (right) and me in Louisville in January, right after I got to perform for the first time as Juror 10 in the show. It has been a fun ride.

All my best,
Mike (Bobby)

Bobby Dogs Original Music

Carl Herrgesell, an extraordinary musician, co-wrote with TK Reilly and performed "Can I Change", which was inspired by the Serenity Prayer. "Can I Change", written specifically for Bobby Dogs, plays prominently in our movie and provides the movie with one of its many poignant original sounds.
Carl hails from Arizona but has traveled the world touring with many bands including Kenny Loggins. Carl has produced two albums, "Can I Change" and "A Savior is Born". His albums can be found on itunes and www.cdbaby.com. At this hour, Carl is scheduled to fly in to the premiere screening of Bobby Dogs on Friday, June 1st. Go Carl!

Behind the scenes

David Tetley (left) and Associate Producer Dan Martens confer on set. "If it goes on much longer, I'm going slip out the back." David and Kathleen Tetley graciously permitted us to shoot the barbecue scene in their backyard. Everyone agreed that Kathleen is much nicer....In addition to his Associate Producer duties, Dan played a Pastor in Bobby Dogs. For Brooklawn Production maniacs, if David looks familiar, he was a barber in "The Barbershop League." Come on David, smile.

Bobby Dog's Poster is ready!

Bobby Dogs' Executive Producer, Jon Van Gorder, has finished our movie poster. Great job, Jon!

Behind the scenes

Director of Operations, Annette Versage (right) speaks with Production Assistant, Connie Jagodinski. "No, you can't go home!" "But it says right here, PA's only have to put in 18 hour days."

Behind the scenes

Here's a behind the scene shot of Bobby Tucker (Mike Boland) pleading with his brother in law, Stanely (Damien Langan) to partner with him in the hot dog business. Director of Photography, Danielo Garcia, works next to Claire Houghtalen (Boom) and Dan Martens (Associate Producer--not Dan's greatest shot!)

Actors get along!

Mike Boland (Bobby Tucker) receives kisses after a long day's shoot from friends and fellow stars Dawn McGee (Jen Shea) and Rosina Fernhoff (Mrs.W). Who says indie actors don't have perks?

Screening Dates and Times Set

We hope everyone can make the screenings. Bobby Dogs will run on 10 consecutive shows at the Fairfield Community Theatre. (June 1st-June 7th) Here's a picture of our screeing of the "Barbershop League". It's a world class place to see indie films.

The Real Super Duper Weenie Man (Gary Zemola) and Bobby Tucker (Mike Boland)

Don't miss Gary Zemola's cameo in Bobby Dogs. He can act and make the best hot dog! Gary and his partners, the Pelligrinos, were great throughout the entire shooting.

Two Bridgeport Natives in Bobby Dogs

Can anyone identify these Bridgeport hot dogs? Ans: Michael Nastu (Pepe) and Joshua Eaddy (Fernandez Holmes). These great costumes were designed and produced by Deb Lanese (Fairfield), costume designer extraodinaire.

Mike on the East Coast-Doesn't he dress differently when he travels?

Mike makes a fashion statement wherever he goes.

Hello from L.A.

Hello to everyone connected with "Bobby Dogs." Just checking in from Los Angeles, where the "12 Angry Men" national tour is in its third week here, and our 28th week overall. I am very excited to see you all at the screening of our film on June 1. I am sure we will all be very happy with the results. Be well everyone, and get to the theater on time, because we are going to have a lot of fun.

All my best,

Mike Boland (Bobby)

News to Come Soon!