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“Philosophus” cast announced

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The cast has been announced for my world premiere comedy “Philosophus,” which is running at Alleyway Theatre of Buffalo, New York from September 13-October 6 under the direction of Artistic Director Neal Radice.

“Philosophus” is Alleyway Theatre’s opening show of their 2018-2019 season and opens the same night as the 37th Curtain Up! Buffalo annual celebration, which officially commences f Buffalo’s professional theatre season.

Curtain Up

The cast for “Philosophus” is as follows:

Very much looking forward to this show!

Thanks to AACT

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I wanted to drop a quick line to thank the American Association of Community Theatres (otherwise known as “AACT”) for advancing my script “The Footsteps of God” to their semifinalist round for their 2018 new works competition.

“Footsteps” did not advance beyond the second reading, but it is a great honor for the play to have advanced as far as it did, especially since it is a very new work with minimal development.

My tragedy “Fifteen Men in a Smoke-Filled Room” – which is being given a world premiere by Elite Theatre Company of Oxnard, CA later this month – was among the top 20 scripts in AACT’s 2013 contest.

Best of wishes to AACT for this year’s new play festival!

“Shadows” in PA!

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Today, with great joy, I have learned that my historical drama “Shadows of Men” is the full-length winner of the first Marsha Ann Croyle Award for Outstanding Achievement in Playwriting.

The award is a result of the Scribe Playwriting Competition sponsored by One Fish Media and Matthew Croyle, playwright, screenwriter, director, graphic designer, disc jockey, and award-nominated actor.

Oil Valley Film Festival

Scribe Playwriting Award Announcement

As explained by Matt Croyle, who named the award after his mother, a dedicated fan of theater: “There are not very many opportunities for playwrights in the Oil Region… A lot of similar opportunities are geared mainly toward youth theater. And while those opportunities are fantastic, I wanted to give the region another option – especially when it comes to writing for live theater.”

As mentioned above, “Shadows” will be read during the Oil Valley Film Festival. The festival, which is in its third year, takes place from September 7-9 (my play will be read on September 9th). The festival is designed to bring new film from around the world to the often-neglected Oil Valley region of Western Pennsylvania. You can read more about it here in this helpful Wikipedia article.

Many thanks to Matt for this great opportunity!

Life comes full circle…

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As I have mentioned, my historical farce “Philosophus” is being a world premiere at the wonderful Alleyway Theatre of Buffalo, New York, and tickets are now on-sale.

For 6-and-a-half years (2009-2015), I worked at TicketNetwork, one of the largest online marketplaces for resold tickets, ending my time there as AVP of Consumer Transactions.

How interesting, when I ventured out into cyberspace and did a Google search “Philosophus tickets,” I found that tickets for my show at Alleyway are being listed for sale on the TicketNetwork exchange:

TicketNetwork

Yes, indeed… ticket brokers are “scalping” my tickets!

First, this is a great compliment for Alleyway (tickets are only scalped at established, respected venues).

Second, this is a fulfilling moment for me… that an industry for which I worked is now selling tickets to one of my shows!

Truly, life does come full circle!

(PS: Buy tickets from Alleyway directly – here!)

Demo recording – “Inferno!”

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I’m happy to present another wonderful demo recording of one of the songs from the new musical I’m writing with co-librettist and composer Norman L. Berman –“Paul Jennings & The Burning of the White House”.

George Cockburn

The project concerns the young Paul Jennings, slave to James and Dolley Madison, President and First Lady of the United States in the early 1800’s, and his experience of the British occupation of Washington, DC. One very powerful scene early in Act Two involves the young slave being present as the British, having conquered the capital city, led by the acerbic, blustery Admiral George Cockburn, decide to burn down the White House.

The demo record below is from this scene in the play; Admiral Cockburn is exhorting the British soldiers to burn down the Presidential Palace and the entire city along with it.

The song uses the wonderful vocal talents of Keith ColClough (Admiral Cockburn) with back-up from Joshua Finkel, Gordon Goodman, Tonuccus McClain, and Dink O’Neal.

Many thanks yet again to my collaborator, Norman, for arranging and coordinating this effort!

Demo: “INFERNO!”

Auditions for “Fifteen Men”

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Elite Theatre Company has scheduled auditions for my historical drama “Fifteen Men in a Smoke-Filled Room” for July 23rd and July 24th!

There are some great roles in this play – very individual, very strong – for more mature actors and one younger actress.

Fifteen Men Audition Notice

The full audition notice – as well as script excerpts – can be found here!

Philosophus again

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I learned today with great pleasure that my historical farce “Philosophus” is going to be produced by Best Medicine Repertory Theatre of Gaithersburg, Maryland as part of their (second) 2018-2019 theatrical season.

Best Medicine is a theater that specializes in comedies (because laughter is… “the best medicine!”) and is the only professional theater company in Gaithersburg (Maryland’s fourth largest city).

Philosophus at Best Medicine Rep

Fittingly, “Philosophus” was first presented to the world by Best Medicine was part of their 2017 new play reading series, where, in November, 2017, it was given a wonderful staged reading. The director of thats how – Stan Levin – also directing “Philosophus” early next year.

Philosophus Cast

Shortly after the November reading, Best Medicine – helmed by playwright and actor John Morogiello, with a number of very funny plays to his credit – was about to occupy their own theatrical space in Lakeforest Mall in Gaithersburg. They launched their first theatrical season just this year (four plays, plus other special events) and are going strong!

I’m honored to be a part of Best Medicine’s second season!