Short+Sweet Play Festival is a franchise of sorts that started in Sydney, Australia. There are Short+Sweet Festivals in Hollywood, Dubai, Singapore and a number of other cities. A judging committee selects a "shortlist" of short plays and distributed them to a group of directors who choose one or several, cast them, rehearse them, and present … Continue reading Shortlist for Short Plays Down Under
Playwriting
World Theatre Day 2021
Happy World Theatre Day after a full year with no theatre. I can't tell you how much I have missed it. I've tried several screening options but it never filled the void. It was fine but so are movies and television. What I love is to sit shoulder to shoulder with total strangers to absorb … Continue reading World Theatre Day 2021
Final Weekend to catch my online plays in the safety and comfort of your home
I am very fortunate to have two my short plays streaming online this weekend that you can get tickets to. My popular HAPPY BIRTHDAY, LEONARD is part of the Barrington Stage Company's 10th Annual 10x10 New Play Festival and you can get tickets at: https://barringtonstageco.org/10x10-new-play-festival-2021/ And my very recent short play 2020 - A PERFECT … Continue reading Final Weekend to catch my online plays in the safety and comfort of your home
My Recent Short Play is now available OnDemand for a limited time!
I hope you caught my recent short play - 2020 - A Perfect Year for Magical Thinking - when it was streamed last month as part of the Old Library Theatre's 10th Annual One-Act Play Festival. If you didn't and want to watch it (or just want to watch it again!) you're in luck! The … Continue reading My Recent Short Play is now available OnDemand for a limited time!
One of my short plays will be streamed by Barrington Stage Company
Wanted you to know that my short play “Happy Birthday, Leonard” was selected to be performed and streamed in The Barrington Stage Company’s Tenth Annual 10x10 New Play Festival. The Festival will have ten performances and be streamed March 11-14 and March 18-21 (starts on Thursday!). Barrington Stage is an award winning and important regional theater … Continue reading One of my short plays will be streamed by Barrington Stage Company
Opening Night for the Old Library Theatre 10th Annual One-Act Play Festival
It is hard to find fresh theatre events during this pandemic. As a playwright, pickings are thin but I submitted my recent short play, 2020 - A Perfect Year for Magical Thinking to the Old Library Theatre in Fairlawn, New Jersey. 107 scripts were received and 12 finalists were selected. The theatre gave those dozen … Continue reading Opening Night for the Old Library Theatre 10th Annual One-Act Play Festival
Tickets for the Old Library Theatre production of my short play…
I'm afraid I've been a baaaaad blogger. Been busy personally and also spent some time writing plays. I've not even found the time to read other blogs I enjoy, so will try to make more time for that as well. Meanwhile information has been released for for the live streaming production of my short play … Continue reading Tickets for the Old Library Theatre production of my short play…
One of my short plays is in the 10th Annual Barrington Stage 10×10 Festival
I am thrilled to announce that my short play "Happy Birthday, Leonard" will be included in the Barrington Stage Company 10x10 New Play Festival. Barrington Stage in Pittsfield, Massachusetts is a major regional theatre of great renown. I couldn't be more happy. The festival will be streamed which means even if you are not close … Continue reading One of my short plays is in the 10th Annual Barrington Stage 10×10 Festival
My newest short play will have a performance in February 2021!
A few weeks ago I noted that my new play "2020 - A Perfect Year for Magical Thinking" was a finalist for The Old Library Theatre's 10th Annual One Act Play Festival in Fair Lawn, New Jersey. My script was one of a dozen plays selected from 107 submitted. The producer made those twelve scripts … Continue reading My newest short play will have a performance in February 2021!
It is difficult to be a writer in today’s world
I'm working on several projects at the moment. But I have a nagging fear how they will be received. Let's imagine I am writing about a sitting president who sends his personal attorney to give a press conference disputing election results in Pennsylvania. And for the sake of argument, perhaps this sitting president sends a … Continue reading It is difficult to be a writer in today’s world
My newest short play is a finalist in New Jersey
I am thrilled to announce that my (very recently completed) short play 2020 - A PERFECT YEAR FOR MAGICAL THINKING has been selected as a finalist for the Old Library Theatre's 10th Annual One Act Play Festival in Fair Lawn, New Jersey. There were 107 plays submitted and 12 were selected as finalists. By late … Continue reading My newest short play is a finalist in New Jersey
National Frozen Custard Day
For those unaware, Frozen Custard is enhanced soft serve ice cream. By adding egg yolks to the recipe it becomes smoother, keeps colder, and for my money is far tastier. Today's national day comes with a dollop of an embarrassing story about me. I lived in Pittsburgh for just two years, but enjoyed it very … Continue reading National Frozen Custard Day
In Memoriam – John Lewis
It was a great loss to the world when Civil Rights Icon John Lewis passed away Friday night. He was called to the movement early in life and accomplished more than nearly any other man in that pursuit during his 80 year lifespan. He was the youngest speaker at the March on Washington and the … Continue reading In Memoriam – John Lewis
Playwright pitch for “The Rally”
I've never tried to pitch an idea for a new play on my blog. So I'm hoping that lots of my readers are theatre or film producers. You are, right? I'm guessing this would work better as a cinema release than a theater script. The setup: Imagine a time when a populist politician has won … Continue reading Playwright pitch for “The Rally”
An audio version of one of my plays online
During our city wide stay at home order the theatrical studio co-op I am a member of is posting virtual performances on their Facebook page. I contributed a radio version of one of my most popular short plays "Happy Birthday, Leonard." It was chosen to be broadcast by a Spokane, Washington station several years ago. … Continue reading An audio version of one of my plays online
National Encourage a Young Writer Day
I've only been writing scripts a relatively short time, less than 15 years. While I played around with the idea when I was younger, I never seriously attacked it. I wish I had started earlier. On this national day I've reached out to a number of young writers to encourage their work. I've been part … Continue reading National Encourage a Young Writer Day
In Memoriam – Terrence McNally
Playwright Terrence McNally passed away from complications of COVID-19 yesterday in a hospital in Sarasota, Florida. He was in the target danger group as he was 81 and had COPD. He was a prolific writer I admired very much and still actively writing. A great loss to the theatre community. He wrote the book to … Continue reading In Memoriam – Terrence McNally
Patience and Fortitude
Like so much else, the New York Public Library is shut down. I miss going there to do my playwriting, especially the beautiful Rose Reading Room at the main branch. Flanking the entrance to that gorgeous building are two stone lions. During the Great Depression Mayor Fiorello La Guardia gave them names that he felt … Continue reading Patience and Fortitude
Review – Harry Townsend’s Last Stand
The new play by George Eastman is about growing older and the consequences thereof. Harry Townsend (Len Cariou) is widowed, in his eighties and still living in the lake house he treasures. A visit from his son Alan Townsend (Craig Bierko) slowly wends its way to the easily anticipated question - shouldn't dad move somewhere … Continue reading Review – Harry Townsend’s Last Stand
Come see Driving Miss Daisy this weekend at Polaris North
This weekend (Friday, January 24 @ 7 PM; Saturday, January 25 @ 7 PM and Sunday, January 26 @ 2 PM) you should stop by the Polaris North Studio (245 West 29th Street, 4th floor) here in New York. There you will find a very talented cast led by a very talented director and assisted … Continue reading Come see Driving Miss Daisy this weekend at Polaris North
Review – The Sound Inside
Playwright Adam Rapp has made an auspicious Broadway debut but in a house that is too large for the work. The delicate yet driving work centers on writer and writing teacher Bella Baird, brilliantly acted by Mary Louise-Parker. The quiet touches Rapp provides for Parker provide a moving and touching portrait of a character that … Continue reading Review – The Sound Inside
Review – In a Dark Dark House
You have only one week left to catch the Knife Edge Productions performance of Neil LaBute's "In a Dark Dark House" at the A.R.T./New York Theatre at 53rd Street and 10th Avenue. Though it is a difficult subject, I recommend you get there to see it. The script is consistent with Mr. LaBute's reputation as … Continue reading Review – In a Dark Dark House
National Miner’s Day
It seems almost anyone can name a National Day to hype their product, but today's was declared by Congress. It commemorates the worst mining disaster in US history when 362 coal miners lost their life in Monogah, West Virginia in 1907. One of my full length plays is based on the southwest West Virginia coal … Continue reading National Miner’s Day
Review – Hillary and Clinton
Playwright Lucas Hnath is on a bit of a "what if" kick lately, following his recent "A Doll's House, Part 2" with a look into two of our most famous political figures. While I shied from his multiple universe framing device, he nails the insight inside one of the most famous marriages of all time. … Continue reading Review – Hillary and Clinton
Review – Gary: The Sequel to Titus Andronicus
Start with the "source material" - Shakespeare's bloodiest play "Titus Andronicus." This isn't really a sequel. Sure Taylor Mac's script starts by plucking three minor characters from Will's play to follow as they clean up all the corpses (and they are stacked high in Santo Loquasto's set). In theory they are here to clean up … Continue reading Review – Gary: The Sequel to Titus Andronicus
