Maria Gentile has been directing and teaching in the NY/NJ area in schools, cabaret venues, and theaters since 1992. She has directed solo shows for cabaret artists including: Adam Sank, Debra Barsha, Paul O'Halloran, Candice Harper, Darcy Blakesly, Russell Brown, Toby Blackwell, Lauren Glazer & Adam Chandler, and Jon Satrom. She has also directed staff shows and benefits at The Duplex Cabaret Theater since 2000.
From 1992 to 1997, she taught improvisational acting, vocals, and creative writing for Center for Family life in Brooklyn. During that time, Co wrote over 20 songs for their original productions. with songwriting partners Lynn Portas and Caren Cole One of those productions, "La Bodega," was presented at BAM in 1997. Maria currently hosts WHAT'S THE STORY WITH MARIA, Tuesdays @ 9PM EST. Tune in on ArmedDigitalMedia.Com or Watch and comment on YOUTUBE and FACEBOOK.
Maria was named one of TimeOut Magazine's
TOP 50 BARTENDERS IN NEW YORK 2015.
BAR
The Duplex Piano Bar
BEEN A BARTENDER FOR
30 years
SIGNATURE DRINK
Maria Sangria & Blackberry Manhattan
THE BEST THING ABOUT BEING A BARTENDER
My connection with my customers. I hug at least 20 people a night.
As a Songwriter Maria has been nominated for MAC Awards in the Songwriter and Piano Bar Entertainer categories since 2003, 4 songs from Her first Album "So Many Pieces of Me" can be heard in the Feature Film "In Passing" written and directed By Kate Fitzgerald. Her second album "That...Which is Real" won the 2007 FAMSPA award for "Best Lyrics and Compostion." Her Song "KIndness Makes Me Cry" co written with Caren Cole won a Mac Award in 2004 for "Song of the Year".
As a Comedienne Maria Spent 6 years in the Off Broadway show "Tony and Tina's Wedding". She co-wrote 3 comedy Shows With Susan Campanaro "The B Is Broke", "The B Don't Come Here Any More" & "The B Is Back On Line" which played to sold out audience at the Duplex Cabaret Theater
Maria Has been working @ The Duplex Piano Bar as a Singer/Bartender since July of 1998. She received the "MAC 2013 Piano Bar Entertainer of the Year". She also continues to work in the commercial and voiceover industry.
Piano Bar is live entertainment boot camp in this town as far as she is concerned and she loves every minute of it.