For this Throwback Thursday, I am going to highlight my psychological drama “Harriman-Baines,” which is actually one of my favorite works, despite the fact that I haven’t been able to get much traction with it – likely not helped by its darker nature.

In point of order, “Harriman-Baines” ended up being the second “real” straight play I wrote (meaning a play that was sufficiently acceptable to be seen by human eyes) after “Fifteen Men in a Smoke-Filled Room”, authored after I went through an extended phase writing musicals and completed somewhere in mid-2011.

A little over a year later, “Harriman-Baines” won a contest sponsored by On The Brink Productions – some theater enthusiasts and recent graduates from Middlebury College in Vermont – and in conjunction with my own theatrical nonprofit (Speerhead Theatricals), “Harriman-Baines” was accepted into the 2013 Dream Up Festival (hosted by Theater for the New City) and produced in August 2013 during their festival week.

At the time, this was the first time I had the chance to see a play of mine performed, rather than read, and the process was fun from start to finish – as well as challenging – because, due to contest rules, I had to take a 120-minute play and reduce it to less than 80 minutes – which I did and which actually worked rather well – and as for the director (Charles Giardina) and the actors and actresses, I cannot say enough good things about how they handled a rather difficult play.

Now, I say “difficult” because “Harriman-Baines” is my darkest play by far – in full Tennessee WIlliams mode – dealing with a hermetic composer, Carter Harriman, who composes music to the poems of a recently deceased poet, Melody Baines, whose poems are brought to him by Melody’s sister, a bit of a nonentity, named Minnie – and how, over the course of an evening, the lies and abstractions surrounding the identity of Melody Baines are revealed to cutting effect, with an appropriate, surprise denouement.

One of the nice things about having a play about a composer (a modern classical composer, to be precise) involves the use of music – and in the promotional video below, you’ll hear some of the fine music composed by Denise Hoffman for the show.

I wanted to extend my heartfelt thanks to the Scranton Shakespeare Festival for recognizing my tragedy “Harriman-Baines”, which was one of their finalists for consideration in their annual Scranton Scratch Night series of new play premieres!

The Scranton Shakespeare Festival is a theater group organized back in 2011 by Michael Bradshw Flynn to provide free professional theater to the public in Northeast Pennsylavania and, sinc ethen, works to develop new work through hosts numerous new play premieres.

Their “Scranton Scratch Night” is an annual event for developing new works for the theater and I’m thrilled that “Harriman-Baines” was one of only 20 finalists out of 317 scripts, which puts the play in the top 6.3% of total submissions.

Briefly, “Harriman-Baines” is a full-length, two-act drama about a reclusive and brilliant composer – Carter Harriman – who is haunted by his eerie relationship with the mysterious poet Melody Baines. The play takes place over a single night, during which the lies and truths surrounding Melody Baines and her meek, psychic sister, Minnie, are exposed with brutal and unbearable honesty by an information-hungry journalist.

Above all, I am grateful to SSF for their very kind words about the play – which I shall quote here:

“It’s a pleasure to read a piece that embraces originality. Your ideas definitely feel fresh and unique… The reading team finds (also) your style to be wonderfully crafted. Our panel is very impressed by your use of character. They feel distinct and lively. You should be proud of your dialogue. It is well crafted to your characters and makes for very engaging storytelling. Our panel was impressed by how you created a distinct voice in your dialogue.”

~Scranton Shakespeare Festival

Many thanks to SSF for the consideration, and I wish them well in their final festival!

I’m very proud to say that my edgy drama “Harriman-Baines” was a finalist in the 2019 Garry Marshall Theatre New Play Contest!

The Garry Marshall New Play Contest is sponsored by Garry Marshall Theatre of Burbank, California, formerly Falcon Theatre, which was founded by famed actor, director, and screenwriter Garry Marshall.

My Biblical tragedy “The Beggar of Bethesda” was also a finalist for this same contest last year in the inaugural year of the contest.

Many thanks to Garry Marshall Theatre for the second-year nod -= and bets of luck to them on the festival in July!

I learned today that my play – “Harriman-Baines” – is a finalist in a new play contest contest sponsored by 12 Peers Theater in Pittsburgh. The theater company is “dedicated to bringing stimulating and thought provoking theater to all Pittsburgh audiences.” Their mission is to “provide challenging and engaging theater” and “highlight social, political, and ethical issues that exist in both classical and contemporary works.”

The Literary Manager of 12 Peers Theater was kind enough to say the following about my play: “We want you to know that we think your play is excellent; we thought the characters were all very engaging and dynamic, and we really enjoyed the twists and surprising revelations of the plot.”

“Harriman-Baines” is one of 30 finalists in 12 Peer’s “Summer Scribes Series.” The play will receive a public reading in August if it is included among the four winners.

I received a lovely email from a group called Panndora Productions the other day. I had submitted an older version of “Harriman-Baines” to their new play contest a while back. Panndora let me know that the play advanced to the final round of judging – how wonderful!

I wish Panndora Productions the best of luck with their productions and I also wish the winners of their new play contest the best of luck with their shows!

If you’re in the area, be sure to check them out!

Tonight was the closing night of “Harriman-Baines” (sniffle) – but I have to say I was very pleased with the production and am excited to be able to take the show elsewhere! (“Up, up, and away” as they say)

I can’t thank Charles, Noah, and Stephen enough for their confidence in my play and for the immense (truly immense – believe me) time, effort, and hard work they put in to making the production a reality.

I know, from personal experience, as President of Speerhead Theatricals, that a LOT of work goes into a theatrical production – even if it’s a “small” one without a 10-piece orchestra involved. “Harriman-Baines” was the most professional, most artistic, and highest quality production of my work that I have ever had the pleasure of witnessing.

Bye for now, New York – and see you soon. 🙂

Congratulations to the cast of “Harriman-Baines!” We had a very successful opening night performance of the show on August 18! I was very impressed by how everything came together – especially for the opening. I’m looking forward to the upcoming performances.

Great job to Charles Giardina especially for a very fine casting and directing job!

Noah, Molly, Gabby, Max – awesome acting!!