Doggie Boogie

Cast

Principal and Suppporting Roles

It’s never too early or too late to go for your dreams.

Cassie Barbizon – played by Jesse Draper, www.jessedraper.com- female protagonist, bouncy and likeable, Cassie has become accustomed to having all the materials things she needs. However, this comes at a price because her mother believes she can also control her future. With her dog’s help, Cassie learns how to become more independent and follow her dreams. Even more importantly, she recognizes that it is just as important to help others achieve their goals.

Motivation: To become more independent and follow her dreams.

Jesse is an American actress, entrepreneur, producer, writer and Twitterer. A graduate of UCLA’s School of Theater Film and Television, she is most well known for her supporting role as Jesse, the nanny, on Nickelodeon’s hit show The Naked Brother’s Band for the last three seasons. Her upcoming films include Our Lady of Victory and Ticket Out. Her most recent endeavor has been playing the Valley Girl, host of “The Valley Girl Show” (http://www.thevalleygirl.tv ), a goofy talk show she created hoping to encourage the entrepreneur inside of everyone. On the show, she interviews the crème de la crème of the business world including CEO/Founders of Google, Craigslist and Tesla Motors among others. She loves chocolate, is afraid of sharks and it has been said that she has superhuman powers.

Karen Barbizon – played by Barbara Tintori - Cassie’s domineering mother and a personal injury lawyer. The death of her husband Jasper shut down her creativity, sending her into “survival mode.” She wants what is best for Cassie and believes that following in her family’s legacy of becoming a lawyer will give her a good life. Karen reveals her real self as she searches for Pijo and realizes that happiness comes from doing what you love, not a title or position.

Motivation: To be a good mother and do what’s best for Cassie.

Peter Wolfe – played by Scott Cox, www.scottcox.biz - quirky and handsome, is Cassie’s Uncle and a dog dancer who owns Doggie Boogie, a dog dancing school. He has won Krunk and Swing competitions but has never captured a national title. Peter’s dog fell when he was trying to execute at double flip during a national competition; hurting his neck and bruising Peter’s ego. Peter is behind in payments to Doggie Boogie and is about to lose it. Cassie helps him regain his rebellious attitude and go for what he loves.

Motivation: To lead a neutral existence for fear of risk-taking.

Kia Tuel – played by Judith Sims - a free spirit, is the founder of Shangrrrla the holistic doggie healing center. She respects the energy people and animals possess. She created Shangrrrla because she had a frightening experience with dogs and saw it as a way for her to overcome her fears while helping others. She communicates with Pijo as he guides Cassie and Peter on their healing path.

Motivation: To help people achieve their dreams.

Rachelle Bee-Tsar – played by Erica Gerard, www.ericagerard.com - cute and quirky, is Kia’s protégé at Shangrrrla. She brought her dog to Shangrrrla and loved it so much she decided to stay and teach. She talks to dogs with ‘baby talk’ and becomes Cassie’s best friend and supporter.

Dottie – played by Jane Wiedlin, www.janewiedlin.com/ - a hipster with dog tattoos is Shangrrrla’s receptionist and gatekeeper. She straightforwardly deciphers what Kia says. She becomes bumbling and ulta-feminine when it comes to dog dancing.

While in design college in the mid 1970’s, Wiedlin stumbled upon the burgeoning LA punk rock scene. She and Belinda Carlisle were inspired to form The Go-Go’s. The band quickly became local favorites and were signed by the indie label IRS Records. With most of their songs written or co-written by Jane (including the classic “Our Lips Are Sealed”) The Go-Go’s went on to enormous success, selling out Madison Square Garden, the Hollywood Bowl and appearing twice on the cover of Rolling Stone. The band became the first ever all-girl group to write their own songs, play their own instruments, and become immensely popular doing it.

After seven years, The Go-Go’s split up and went their separate ways. Jane moved on to a solo career, releasing six albums of her own which included the hits “Rush Hour“, “Blue Kiss” and “Tangled” (a song featured in the movie “Pretty Woman”). Rolling Stone magazine called her last solo album “Kissproof World“, a “solo tour de force by an entrepreneur, an actress and rock goddess“.

Five years after breaking up, The Go-Go’s reformed and have remained a band ever since. The band continue to make their mark on popular culture, touring each year, and releasing the critically acclaimed God Bless The Go-Go’s in 2001.

Gertrude Spinner – played by Bettina Devin, www.bettinadevin.com/ - curiously pale with streaked hair is a dog dance super star. A cross between Cruella de Ville and The Wicked Witch of the West, she has won 10 straight national championships by using “controversial training techniques” and implementing the dance secrets handed down to her in the Spinner Dog Dance Bible. Her clothes are detailed with dog hair and she believes that owning your dog’s soul is the only way to train them. She sabotaged Peter Wolf’s routine where his dog was harmed and secretly owns Doggie Boogie’s mortgage – she is intent on shutting it down.

Motivation: To destroy Peter’s Doggie Boogie.

Bettina has been a working actress/singer for over 38 years. Her work can be seen and heard on projects for Disney/Pixar, MGM, Leapfrog, major network sit-coms, and feature films. She is best known for her highly visible role as Idina Menzel's clueless Mom in Chris Columbus' film version of the Pulitzer Prize-winning musical, "Rent", as well as starring and principal roles in 6 feature films she has shot in the past 3 years. For the animated film "Film Noir" (Cannes Film Festival '07), she voiced 7 different characters in addition to the female lead. Her jazz CD, "Dangerous Type" is continually played on radio stations across the U.S. Bettina is a busy entertainer for corporate events in the Bay Area as well. Her own success has made her a natural in the area of coaching people of all ages on going after their dreams. After battling and triumphing over a host of severe health challenges in the past 7 years that threatened to shut down her career, she is proud to proclaim herself the Queen of the Late Bloomers. And her newest role as a Cruella Deville type character in the family-friendly feature film, "Doggie Boogie", is the perfect testament to her belief that it is NEVER too late to go after your dreams.

Roman Spinner – played by Patrick Alan, www.patalan.com - quiet and cute, is Gertrude’s nephew. Roman wants more than anything to inherit the dog dance bible so he can prove his worth to his Aunt Gertrude. Ultimately, he wants to be recognized and loved. When Gertrude sets him to spy on Peter Wolfe he begins to understand that there is another way to train dogs to dance. He decides to side with Cassie and trains her to compete in the Dog Dance World Invitational.

Motivation: To be acknowledged and loved.

Born and raised in Seattle, Washington, Patrick has spent the last four years pursuing a degree in Product Design at Stanford University. During his time in college Patrick's interest in acting quickly exploded into a full blown passion. He performs improv and sketch comedy, and has acted in over 20 theatre and film productions. On stage he played the lead role of King Ferdinand in a production of Love's Labours Lost directed by nationally acclaimed Shakespeare authority Karin Coonrod. He also played Orestes and Pylades in productions of Electra as a member of Stanford's professional summer theatre company. A principal role in an independent feature film last February, Political Animals, sparked Patrick's interest in film acting. Since then he has played lead and principal roles in 12 films, including multiple professional productions, 2 locally screened shorts from Scary Cow Productions, and a number of student films. In May You Not Rest he played young ambitious fashion designer Jake. In El Centro Basco he played injured Basketball star Bernard Polk. In his most recent project, family feature film Doggie Boogie, Patrick plays Roman Spinner, the nerdy nephew of the evil reigning dog-dance champion! Patrick also recently played a principal role in a GMC car commercial.

Pinkie – played by Constance Hasapopoulos, www.adelphiafilms.com/pro2.html - a craggy Ex-Vega Showgirl, is a dog dance bebop champion. Pinkie is practicing at Doggie Boogie with a stuffed toy pink poodle because her dog died and she has yet to adopt another one. Pinkie helps Cassie and Roman

train and convinces Peter to let Cassie compete.

Constance has acted, directed, produced and written for theatre and film for over thirty years. Her screenplay, “Ghosts At Heaven’s Gates,” was a finalist at the Final Draft Int’l and Reel Women’s Film Festivals. “Eyes Of A Child,” which she wrote and had a supporting role in, was the recipient of the 2005 National Eastman Kodak Grand Jury Prize. “An Internal Affair,” a film also written by her, was in the semi-finals at the 2005 Boston Motion Picture Awards. She has appeared as a principal in “One-Twenty-Five,” winner of the Houston Film Festival’s Gold Medal for best dramatic short film. Hasapopoulos also co-produced a documentary with Mark Medoff as well as having served as casting director and production manager on several films and commercials. As founder of A Children’s Theatre of the Mesilla Valley she served as its Artistic Director for over 16 years. Hasapopoulos received her education at the University of Minnesota where she was awarded the Swifka Theatre Scholarship and also trained at the Minneapolis Children’s Theatre and McPhale School of Music.

Candler – played by Chris Marsol, http://resumes.actorsaccess.com/chrismarsol

A kind soul whose dog Yuman has been down the path of Barkananda. He realizes Cassie and Pijo’s needs and introduces them to Shangrrrrla.

Chris Marsol is a San Francisco Bay Area native and fell in love with acting from the moment he hit the stage as the lead in his 6th grade play "Steamboat'n". From there he continued acting at James Logan High School where he enjoyed a very successful stint as one of the highest ranking actors in the country in the Dramatic Interpretation category. Since then, Chris has continued to study acting at various institutions including Cal State University East Bay where he graduated with a degree in Communications. Last year, Marsol received critical praise for his portrayal of real life gang leader Anthony Levelle in the play “Lucasville”, based on the true story of the prison riots that gripped an Ohio city in 1993. Most recently, Chris took on the role of Detective Carlson in the indie-short “A Cup of Toast” which was nominated for a WAVE award.

Chris Marsol is also a signed recording artist and his music and music videos have been heard and seen on over 50 radio stations and video shows across the country. In his spare time, Chris enjoys playing his guitar, hiking, playing with his 5 year old Boxer “Tyson” and watching Discovery Channel and Cartoon Network excessively.

Dr. Loren – played by Daniel Will-Harris, http://www.will-harris.com

The owner of Canine Conundrums who owes Karen for saving him from multiple law suits surrounding a suspicious car crash. He continually comes out to inspect Pijo’s strange fainting spells.

Daniel has performed all over the world, appearing with such stars as Red Skelton, Milton Berle, Jack Benny, Dinah Shore, Regis Philbin, the Incomparable Hildegarde, and a host of others no one under 30 has ever heard of. Ask your parents, they'll be impressed. He created and hosted an early cable comedy show called "Tar Pit Theater" that became an late night LA cult classic, has worked with famous B-movie producer Roger Corman and in recent years has had leading roles in indie features including "Reality TV Movie" which he also co-wrote. He performs live improv onstage, and sings in a barbershop called the MartinTones. Will-Harris is also a graphic designer and his watch designs are sold by MoMA, as well as the inventor of Walletology and so not surprisingly the world's foremost Walletologist. He enjoys dark chocolate and communicating with dogs telepathically.

Dog Dancing Students, played by Vince Weigel/Cassie and Marie Macaspac/Frankie, www.switchblade-studios.com – Are they up and coming dog dance stars, spies, secret admirers or athletes? Up to you to discover their intentions.

Vince is an ex-athlete and model who owns and operates a Personal Fitness Training business in Marin County. Recently, he got the urge to get back into the modeling industry as a "mature" model. He feels blessed and fortunate to be cast.

Marie joined the Doggie Boogie family to provide marketing and designs services via her company Switchblade Creative Studios, including this official Doggie Boogie website, as well assist in casting well-behaved dogs rescued by Muttville, a senior dog rescue. Romanus thought she might be great on-camera too! Along with her Muttville success story, Frankie. Marie is very passionate about being an entrepreneur, fostering senior dogs though Muttville, and enjoying all the wonderful opportunities that have come her way.

ALSO:

Paulo O'Rourke, magical drummer: www.paulaorourke.com

Linden King, Announcer: www.fanbase.com/linden-king

Gregangelo Velocity Circus: www.gregangelo.com/

Vau de Vire Society: www.vaudeviresociety.com/

Their Dog Companions:

Pijo – Cassie’s dog with an uncanny sense of connection and outstanding dancing abilities

Kompis – Peter’s dog who was hurt while attempting a daring dance move

Chaos – Gertrude’s winning dog dancer

Razz – Roman’s loving mutt

Yama – Rachelle’s saved dog

Gallery