I’m happy to say that Rebel Belle Publishing of Texas has published my historical farce “Philosophus” in their catalogue of plays!

“Philosophus” is a screwball comedy about the egregiously self-righteous philosopher Voltaire and the bizarre escapades surrounding his flight from the court of Frederick II, King of Prussia, from whom he stole a sensitive, personal manuscript of poems. Determined to embarrass the monarch in revenge for an unfortunate falling-out, Voltaire finds his journey to France rudely halted in the city of Frankfurt by the intriguingly Hitlerian Baron von Freytag, representative of the Prussian King. Before too long, the Baron’s over-eagerness to obey his master’s wishes and the enormity of Voltaire’s ego combine to create a purely comedic kind of chaos, which becomes all the more ludicrous by the addition of a money-hungry German shrew, two slightly dim-witted, look-a-like servants, and Voltaire’s buxom, sex-obsessed niece…

Mr. Crowley’s script is chock-a-block with witty dialogue, broad comedy, and is very, very funny! – Ann Marie Cusella, Buffalo Vibe

Philosophus is hilarious fun..well scripted, directed, acted romp.
– Peter Hall, Buffalo Rising

Click here for the complete catalogue entry!

• For $5, viewers can access a digital perusal of the play
• For $9, viewers can access an actor’s edition
• $75 per performance royalties

Many thanks to Rebel Belle for this honor!

Here are some sneak peek pictures of my play “Philosophus” in rehearsal at Best Medicine Repertory Theater!

The cast includes Terence Aselford (Actors Equity), John Morogiello, Rebecca A. Herron, Terence Heffernan, and Khaleshia Thorpe-Price and is being directed by the wonderful Stan Levin.

“Philosophus” is playing from February 1st through February 24th (Friday at 7pm, Saturday at 2:30pm and 7:00pm, and Sunday at 2:30pm) at Best Medicine’s storefront theater at Lakeforest Mall in Gaithersburg, MD.

Looking forward to going down to Maryland to see the show!

Tickets for my show “Philosophus” at the Plaza Theatre of Wharton, TX are now on sale!

The show runs from February 22-February 24 as a special event at the theater… check it out!

I’m very happy to say that, as a result of my play “Philosophus” being one of three winners in the TNT POPS! 2018 New Play Contest, it will be published by Rebel Belle Publishing.

Rebel Belle Publishing is a Texas-based theatrical publishing company “specializing in plays and musicals that are great for community theaters.” Its goal is to “provide theaters with entertaining, marketable plays and musicals” with “catchy titles” and “affordable royalties” and that are also “easy to cast.”

I am thrilled to have “Philosophus” included in Rebel Belle’s catalogue of plays and hope that it finds its ways into more community theaters in the US! It’s great to find a publishing firm that concentrates so exclusively and enthusiastically on bringing new works and local theaters together… what a great combination!

I have detailed in a prior post that my historical farce “Philosophus” was one of three finalists in the 2018 TNT POPS! New Play Competition, where it was slated to be produced by a member theatre of Texas Nonprofit Theatres.

Today, I am happy to report that “Philosophus” will be produced by Plaza Theatre, a wonderful theater in the city of Wharton, TX, which serves as the county seat of Wharton County.

The Plaza Theatre is the community theatre of Wharton. Their “central location and excellent accessibility help (them) attract audience and performers from throughout the region, including the nearby counties of Victoria, Fort Bend, Matagorda, Colorado, Brazoria, and Jackson.” The theatre building previously served as a hotel and then was converted into a movie theater in 1942, also named the “Plaza Theatre.” The movie theater itself lasted for over three decades before closing down in the 1970’s and then reopening as a live entertainment venue in 1990, courtesy of the Community Theater of Wharton.

“Philosophus” will be directed by Trace Morris and play one weekend, from February 22-February 24th.

You can read more here!

Yesterday, my historical farce “Philosophus” closed at Alleyway Theatre of Buffalo, New York! What a wonderful production – expertly directed by Neal Radice (assisted by Samantha Marchant), gorgeously costumed by Joyce Stilson and Todd Warfield, and perfectly acted by Chris J. Handley, James Cichocki, Christopher Standart, Emily Yancey, and Andrew Zuccari. I couldn’t have possibly asked for or dreamed of a better world premiere for this play.

“Philosophus” was Alleyway Theatre’s 148th production – one of many world premieres produced by this great theatre. It is truly rare to find such a great theater devoting itself (riskily) solely to new work, and it is an honor my work was chosen by them. Many thanks goes to Neal Radice for his trust and his guidance (he recommended some tweaks and tightening to the script that were enacted halfway through the play’s run).

Enjoy this wonderful montage of photos… the costumes alone speak a thousand words!

The world premiere cast of “Philosophus” – clockwise from upper-left: James Cichocki, Andrew Zuccari, Chris J. Handley, Emily Yancey, and Christopher Standart