A Cast of Thousands » News and Updates

MERRY CHRISTMAS and HAPPY HOLIDAY WISHES!!!

admin — Thu, 25 Dec 2008 01:28:27 +0000

2008 was, admittedly, a quiet year on the audio front. We did release our “best of” compilation, It Seemed Like a Good Idea Then, back in the spring. But even we admit it’s been a long, long time since our last full album release (actually, it’s been five years this month since we put out All Things Contorted – yikes!)

It has, however, been quite busy for us with another form of production – babies! On August 26, Michael Mroziak and his wife welcomed their second child, a beautiful daughter, Kari. She, with big sister Sarah and their mommy, are making it more difficult for Michael to hang on to whatever “man space” he can get in the house. Sure, there’s the garage, but it’s detached. That’s not terribly advantageous in the long, cold winter months in Buffalo, New York.

Keith Bielmeier, meanwhile, has been lucky to avoid all this and still gets a full night’s sleep as a result. But he’s been busy with his other “baby,” music. He’s performing with local bands, but more importantly lending his voice to a legitimate local cultural asset, the Buffalo Philharmonic Orchestra Chorus. Of all the current and former ACOT members, Keith is in the best position to salvage his resume through this affiliation.

Mark Allen Holt will remember 2008 for the rave reviews he earned playing the lead role in Hamlet in Syracuse, New York. Since then, has been lending his voice to several audio book projects with Full Cast Audio Productions. Check them out at www.fullcastaudio.com.

So, you ask, when the hell are ACOT going to do something new? After all, if Guns ‘N Roses can finally put a new album out…

We have our eyes fixed firmly on something in 2009. Really. We promise. Mark’s admittedly feeling good with a change in presidents coming, while Michael has admitted penning some new material. Keith, in spite of his best efforts, is held close by some incriminating photographs the other two promise to release unless he re-ups for the next project. Besides, he owes community service and has successfully whittled away many of those hours convincing a judge that Michael is his “rehabilitation projects.”

Until the next time, Happy Holidays and good luck to you all in the new year!

The guys from A CAST OF THOUSANDS

Any day now…

admin — Fri, 16 May 2008 19:48:31 +0000

We’ve completed uploading our collection to the Mad Music Archive, including the new “best of” album! It should be posted any day now.

Follow the link to our audio catalog… and thanks!

Keep laughing! It makes your enemies wonder what you’re up to…

The guys in ACOT.

‘BEST OF’ COLLECTION UPDATE

admin — Thu, 01 May 2008 15:40:51 +0000

Hi Folks, Michael here from A Cast Of Thousands.

Hang in there, the album is nearly complete and uploaded. But while sitting at my studio desk making sure all was in order, I actually found some MORE material that should definitely be included in the collection, but needs a little time to edit.

In other words, give me a few more days, and it’ll be done. Really. I swear! By adding this new material, I’ll prove this isn’t just some project that says “let’s just put something out so they know we still exist.” Rather, this will be an album that says “let’s put something out so they not only know we still exist, but rather sucked so early on!’

Hang in there. I swear, I’ll have this finished by the time the White House says or does something else foolish (see? I TOLD you it won’t be long!)

Cheers,
Michael

ACOT’s KEITH BEILMEIER TO SING ALL SERIOUS AND STUFF

admin — Tue, 22 Apr 2008 23:28:21 +0000

And you thought he was only good for producing naughty movie soundtracks… Keith also has a truly artsy, fartsy side in his talent.

A Cast Of Thousands comedy troupe member Keith Bielmeier will perform, along with the rest of the Buffalo Philharmonic Chorus, on May 4th here in the Buffalo area as they sing Verdi’s “Defiant Requiem”. For details, including ticket information, visit the BPOC’s official website at http://www.bpchorus.org/schedule.asp

Wine, cheese and sniffling not included.

We swear, we’re not making this up! Mark CAN act!

admin — Tue, 22 Jan 2008 00:04:43 +0000

A Cast Of Thousands co-founder and frontman Mark Allen Holt took a step closer to selling out for a legitimate acting career by performing the title role in Hamlet this month, produced by the Syracuse Shakespeare Festival.

Don’t take our word for it…

Joan Vadeboncouer of the Syracuse Post-Standard writes: “First and foremost is Mark Allen Holt, who rises to the occasion in the title role. He has the huge passion, the easy mastery of the poetry and acting chops required to project the melancholy Dane.”

Neil Novelli, also of the Post-Standard, writes: “Mark Allen Holt is a great Hamlet, and I don’t use that word loosely. He avoids stereotypes like the angelic Hamlet (Olivier), or the neurotic (Jacobi). And he’s not wearing a label that says ‘Melancholy.’ Instead, Holt is an Everyman, one we can identify with.”

Archie Stratton of the Pretentious Quarterly chimed in with something too mealy mouthed to translate.

Longtime PBS local affiliate station manager Barb Smarmy said of Archie’s review: “Huh?”

As part of her court ordered community service, actress Lindsay Lohan wrote: “The play was good, but the cast party was lame.”

While Jessica Simpson added: “Hamlet? Isn’t that about a baby pig?”

And finally, Mark Allen Holt’s newly hired publicist wrote: “With Mark’s success as Hamlet, he now categorically denies ever working with A Cast Of Thousands.”

A best-of compilation release update…

admin — Sun, 23 Dec 2007 22:28:43 +0000

Hi Folks,There’s nothing that gives your comedy troupe’s credibility a severe beating like announcing a best-of compliation you STILL haven’t released in time for the holiday shopping season. That’s our bad… but not all our fault.

We suffered a serious computer problem while preparing the final tracks for uploading, and we’re still waiting on the replacement parts.

We’re sorry about this… forgive us?

Still loving you, the guys in ACOT

A Cast Of Thousands “best of” package update

admin — Mon, 08 Oct 2007 16:34:38 +0000

Hi Folks,

Unfortunately, we’ve got a problem… my hard drive has suffered a serious crash.

While I sort out that mess, it means A Cast Of Thousands will regretfully have to delay the release of our planned “Best Of” package for a few more weeks. I now think I can have everything ready to upload for sale on Mad Music Archive in mid to late November.

Sorry about this setback… I really am. I should have learned my lesson from the big crash that delayed our release of All Things Contorted back in 2003, but here we go again…

Cheers,

Michael from ACOT

Some Catching Up To Do…

admin — Mon, 24 Sep 2007 22:56:43 +0000

Hi Folks!

Pardon our lack of entries for a few weeks. But be assured, we’ve been busy in the weeks leading up to the scheduled release next month of our compilation package.

Right now, the three of us have been working on our homework assignments. That is, we’re carefully deliberating and putting together individual lists of “must have” tracks for the collection. Then, we’ll compare notes and select the tracks.

There’s one development we think you’ll enjoy, especially if you’re among the fans of dementia music. After some discussion, we WILL be releasing a Beatles parody we recorded a few years back but never released.

Stay tuned! We’re getting excited as we approach the release date

NEW ALBUM COMING IN OCTOBER!

admin — Wed, 15 Aug 2007 13:26:50 +0000

A CAST OF THOUSANDS is pleased to announce the Fall 2007 release of a compilation package, tentatively titled “1997-2004: It Seemed Like A Good Idea Then”. The compilation will be available for download on the troupe’s official distributor, The Mad Music Archive.

“It Seemed…” will feature the greatest hits and most popular skits from ACOT, as well as previously released material not featured on any of the CD’s. And, they’re throwing in some raw demos from the early 1990’s that pre-date the “official” launch of the troupe.

Look for “1997-2004: It Seemed Like A Good Idea Then” in October!

ACOT STATEMENT REGARDING OUR FUTURE PLANS

admin — Wed, 15 Aug 2007 13:26:20 +0000

Hi folks! It’s been a while since any of us within the group have posted a message, even just to say hello. It goes without saying, we’ve been quite busy in our individual pursuits. And that’s why I want to share with you a “state of the troupe” right now.

Having not actively worked together since we wrapped up the “All Thing Contorted” radio promotional tour in 2004, and with no projects planned in our immediate future, we’re clearly “inactive” at this time.

But I want to be clear – WE HAVE NOT BROKEN UP.

While we have no plans for new releases in the near future beyond the compilation coming out this fall, we have expressed an interest in new work. In fact, Keith & I chatted about this very subject on the phone this week, as he was just getting home from touring Europe with the BPO Chorus, and enjoying a holiday in Colorado to recover. We do desire releasing something new. We can only ask you to be patient.

We promise, we’re not going away just yet

Thank you all for your patience, and for your support over the years.

But until then, in the spirit of Monty Python, piss off!
(But do check out and enjoy our new site, you hear?)

All the best,
Michael