
Bearing a striking resemblance to Playwright / Director Roberto Williams' vision for The Batman's young protege, Mark Anthony was approached by actress Jennifer Paniagua with the opportunity of auditioning for the role... an offer which the unimpressed boy initially flatly turned down!
Accompanied by his father, the young man then proceeded to mingle among the tens of thousands of visitors and exhibitors, taking up various levels at the Jacob Javits Convention Center. He had completely disappeared from sight, before Mr. Williams could have a chance to speak with him directly. It was a crushing disappointment, but the Playwright and his team of performers nevertheless pushed forward with the business of promoting the upcoming stage play and enjoying all that New York Comic Con had to offer.
But in a tremendous stroke of luck, fate, or perhaps both, Mark Anthony Montalvo and his father happened to randomly cross paths once again with Mr. Williams and his cast on the convention floor... even among a virtual sea of people, and even more than four hours later! The Playwright / Director excitedly explained the concept of the stage play to the young performer and appealed to him once again to submit to an audition. After a moment of consideration, Mark Anthony flashed his trademarked charming smirk and said simply, "Alright. I'll give it a try."
After two weeks of coordination with the Montalvo family, the FATHERS OF THE DARK KNIGHT team hosted Mark Anthony, his proud parents, and his older brother at Director Williams' Brooklyn residence on Saturday, November 2nd. The energetic young boy participated in a round of interviews, and audition script readings in order for Mr. Williams to assess his nascent acting abilities and ability to take direction. As with most young boys in his situation, Mark Anthony found himself nervous and tense during the casting process. Despite this, the young man won himself a call-back to read for Mr. Williams again.
He spent the following two weeks rehearsing dialogue and engaging in a makeshift acting "workshop" of sorts right out of his own home! The confident boy adopted the self-proclaimed moniker of "Boy Wonder" among his school friends and family as he recruited their help in preparing for his upcoming call-back. He worked diligently to polish his dramatic delivery so as to ensure his optimal chances of winning the coveted Boy Wonder role.
Then, on the afternoon of Saturday November 16th, Mark Anthony Montalvo returned with his mother to meet with Director Roberto Williams. With Production Manager Alaja Desilva video recording the session, the hopeful young actor participated in a scene table read with Williams and Andrew Davis Feliz (THE BATMAN).
After several minutes of thoroughly impressing the Playwright with his VASTLY improved dramatic skills, Williams finally declared, "Alright. Stop. I've heard enough. I've seen enough! This young man IS Robin The Boy Wonder!! There is no doubt!!"
The entire cast and crew of FATHERS OF THE DARK KNIGHT, wish to thank the Montalvo family for their generous help and cooperation is assisting with Mark Anthony's audition process, and we warmly welcome him to the production!