Author Archives: admin

“Whit(e)man” is honored

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With great pleasure, I have learned that my contemporary satire “Whit(e)man” is a semi-finalist for the 2017 Eugene O’Neill Theater Conference!

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The Eugene O’Neill Theatre National Play Conference (sponsored by the Eugene O’Neill Theater Center of Waterford, CT) is one of the most respected new play development organizations in the country. I’m very happy that my new play is on their radar!

“Since its founding in 1965, NPC has developed over 600 new plays for the stage, launching the careers of many notable writers including: August Wilson, Wendy Wasserstein, Adam Rapp, John Patrick Shanley, Lee Blessing, John Guare, Gina Gionfriddo, and hundreds more.”

Previously, in 2016, my historical drama “Shadows of Men” was a semi-finalist for the Conference.

This will be the second year in a row when one of my plays has been recognized within the contest.

“Bethesda” a finalist!

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I am pleased to announce that my biblical play “The Beggar of Bethesda” is a finalist in the Maxim Mazumdar New Play Competition!

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The Maxim Mazumdar Competition is hosed by the esteemed Alleyway Theatre, located in Buffalo, New York. They are one of the better known theaters in the area and are widely respected for their development of new plays. In fact, Alleyway “is one of only a handful of companies nationwide dedicated to the development and production of new plays and musicals.” They have been in operation for over thirty years and developed scores of full-length plays, musicals, and one-act plays.

The competition itself is named after actor/playwright Maxim Mazumdar (1953-1988) whose “many contributions to the early growth of the Alleyway were artistically invaluable and instrumental in shaping a continuing relationship with Canadian theatre.”

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Thank you so much to Alleyway and its Artistic Director Neal Radice – and congrats to all winners and finalists!!

 

Songs from “Memory”

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Check out this marvelous audio recording from the recent concert of the rock opera “Memory” that was presented at the DiMenna Center (NYC) on October 21, 2016.

Many, many thanks to Andrew Seligson for his beautiful music and to Christopher Sokolowski, Claudillea Holloway, and William Guango Su for their beautiful voices.

The links below are some of the top samples from the show – music and dialogue being interwoven:

PS: “Scene Two” is especially good!

Pictures from “Memory”

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Below, you can find some pictures from the recent concert presentation of the rock opera “Memory!”

Pictured here are:

  • Christopher Sokolowski
  • Claudillea Holloway
  • William Guango Su
  • Metamorphosis Chamber Orchestra

Wonderful night!

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I want to extend my heartfelt congratulations and thanks to the amazing cast and crew of the rock opera “Memory!”

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Last night, the opera was given a concert presentation at the prestigious DiMenna Center in New York City, starring Christopher Sokolowski, Claudillea Holloway, and William Guango Su, backed by the brilliantly blissful Metamorphosis Chamber Orchestra.

A special thank you to

  • Claudillea, for her beautiful voice
  • Christopher, for his pin-dropping, a cappella solo
  • William, for his suave baritone and the iroicn humor he brought to his role

I was extremely impressed by the flawless, elegant presentation of the three singers – and with so few rehearsals! The audience thoroughly enjoyed the show and showered it with praise. What a wonderful feeling to be part of such a special, thoughtful piece.

A very special “thank you” to my tuneful and talented collaborator, Andrew Seligson, who, as producer of the piece, masterminded it through the performance process with a great deal of skill. I know from my own experience as a former president of a theatrical not-for-profit that producing a show – any show, especially a musical – is very hard. Andrew handled it with a great deal of class and ability.

Stay tuned! More photos (and song samples) to come!

“Whit(e)man!”

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Today, I finished a new play, entitled “Whit(e)man” a contemporary satir on race and identity!

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Briefly, “Whit(e)man” is the story of Wally Whitman, a good-looking, professional African-American male who, despite all appearances, insists that he is, and has always been, a white man. Born into the wrong race, Wally relates to us his prolonged journey of self-discovery, aided by a flashy, transgender girlfriend, a Delhi-based customer service representative from Time Warner Cable, a crass, ambulance-chasing trial attorney, a white hobo with blond dreadlocks and abstruse wisdom, and a kooky white psychiatrist, who, like Wally, was born into the wrong race (she is, in fact, Mongolian).

At its core, “Whit(e)man” is a clever, absurdist, thought-provoking parody of social stereotypes and identity. The play is witty, fast-paced, relevant to a diverse audience, and waiting to delight theatre-goers! It is my first foray into the droll world of social satire. I don’t typically write plays that relate much to current social conditions, but, this time, I stuck my toes into the fray (and I’ve rather enjoyed it).

You can find more about the play here!

Next up…

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The rock opera “Memory,” which I wrote with composer Andrew Seligman, is going to be given a concert presentation at the prestigious DiMenna Center for Classical Music in New York City.

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I’m very excited to see this wonderful, elegant show see the light of day, as part of what will be a very long journey.

I’m also very happy and proud to announce the cast:

Above all, I am thrilled that Metamorphosis Chamber Orchestra will be bringing the music alive for the show! Metamorphosis is a respected Manhattan institution (the recording orchestra for GPR Records) whose main focus “is orchestral repertoire for chamber ensemble, ranging from early classical to 20th century music.” They serve to “unearth narratives of composers’ lives through innovative programming and story-telling” and also seek to “bring a fresh glance into the realm of classical performance.”

“Memory” show will be performed on October 21 at 8pm.

You can reserve your spot for the show here!

Thanks, Exit Theatre

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I learned today that my historical farce “Philosophus” is one of three plays to be considered for the next theatrical production of Exit Theatre Company in London… what a great honor!

Exit Theatre Company is a wonderful local theater group in the UK which (rather uniquely) focuses on developing the work of emerging writers, which is a truly special (and needed) thing.

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A representative of the theater reported that he “thoroughly enjoyed” my play and called it “incredibly witty and well-crafted,” to which I say… “thank you!” I’m very proud of “Philosophus” and look forward to seeing it grace some lucky stage in the near future!

Many thanks to Exit Theatre for their consideration!

“Kickstart” our show!

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Recently, I completed a rock opera with the composer Andrew Seligson, due to be recorded at Premier Studios in NYC in September!

We’re at the point where we are looking for help funding the project so we can get a wonderful cast recording out of it!

Check us out here:

https://www.kickstarter.com/projects/747007386/help-us-create-nycs-upcoming-fantasy-musical-memor

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You will find

  • bios of the people involved
  • musical samples from the show
  • a nice DONATE button

Thanks for all your support! Spread the word!