Director and actor Natalija Nogulich has been named as director for the Chicago premiere of songwriter Spider Saloff’s one-woman musical, THE ROAR OF THE BUTTERFLY, to be presented by KMP Artists at Victory Gardens’ Richard Christiansen Theater May 2 – 20, 2012. In the tradition of Lilly Tomlin and Tracey Ullman, Saloff portrays eight different characters in this new musical comedy.
Nogulich’s roots in Chicago theater begin with her early studies with David Mamet at Chicago’s St. Nicholas Theatre Company. She is the winner of multiple Drama-Logue Awards.
The Roar of the Butterfly features a book, music, and lyrics by Saloff. Contributing writers are Jim Sellers (who is also musical director and arranger) and Steve Ramsdell. The pianist is Jeremy Kahn. “The Roar of the Butterfly,” was initially performed in Melbourne and Tasmania followed by a run this past summer in Los Angeles. With this engagement, Saloff brings the production to her hometown before off-Broadway and Edinburgh Festival Fringe engagements.
The setting for “The Roar of the Butterfly” is the memorial service for Butterfly, an Asian drag queen who has been a colorful and inspirational character in the lives of the attendees - an unlikely and diverse group all portrayed by Saloff - including a sharp-tonguEd Scottish waitress, a faded stage star, a hair dresser from South Philly and a bearded poet.
Chicagoan Spider Saloff has performed in nationally recognized venues including New York's Jazz at Lincoln Center and Birdland; Chicago’s Green Mill, Fairmont Hotel and Gold Star Sardine Bar; and San Francisco's Yoshi’s, The Castro Theatre and the Jazz Heritage Center. As a guest artist Saloff has performed at The Smithsonian Institution, Denver Symphony Orchestra, Chicago Jazz Orchestra, the Willingford Symphony and the Wilmington Grand Opera.
Saloff’s discography includes “1938,” “Sextet,” “The Memory of All That,” “A New Set of Standards” and “Like Glass.” Her Christmas CD entitled “Cool Yule” was a finalist for the Indie Awards. Her latest recording, “Cole Porter Live at Maxim's,” was released in 2008.
Saloff’s honors and awards include a special citation for her musical contributions from from NARAS, the presenter of the Grammy Awards. She is also is a five-time MAC (Manhattan Association of Cabaret & Clubs) Award Winner, including one for Best Female Jazz Vocalist.
Natalija Nogulich grew up in Chicago’s north suburbs, graduating Phi Beta Kappa B.A. from Lake Forest College. Following graduation she studied and worked with David Mamet at Chicago’s St. Nicholas Theatre Company, as well as Stella Adler, Michael Moriarty and Kenneth McMillan, the latter who inaugurated her teaching and directing career in Los Angeles.
As Founder and Artistic Director of the Grace Players Theatre Company, Nogulich produced and directed the West Coast premiere of David Mamet’s adaptation of Chekhov’s “The Three Sisters,” which garnered four Drama-Logue Awards. Additional production credits include six one-act festivals and more than 20 other projects featuring Joe Mantegna, W.H. Macy, George Segal, Frank Langella, Charles Durning, Carol Kane and others.
Additional directing credits include David Selby’s “Lincoln and James” at Washington, D.C.’s Lincoln Theatre; her own adaptation of “Romeo and Juliet in the American Civil War” at Chicago’s Davis Theatre; and “Supreme Therapy,” a world premiere play by Michael Davidson starring Ray Abruzzo at L.A.’s Egyptian Arena Theatre.
