I'm thrilled to announce that a production of my short play "Happy Birthday, Leonard" has been scheduled for a theatre in Middletown, Connecticut. On Saturday, February 17 the Theater Makers Lab will present an evening of short plays under the title of Crappy Valentine Festival. They are still putting together the production team and marketing for the … Continue reading A Production of “Happy Birthday, Leonard” in Connecticut
Theatre
Happy 71st Birthday to “The Mousetrap”
Agatha Christie's classic mystery play "The Mousetrap" was first performed in London on October 6, 1952. It has become a staple of family friendly theatre ever since. I performed in it during a 1980 summer stock performance back in 1980, at the Highlands Playhouse some 52 years ago. I played Giles Ralston, the husband of … Continue reading Happy 71st Birthday to “The Mousetrap”
Today is my first overseas performance
This evening at 7:00 PM (London time) my play HAPPY BIRTHDAY LEONARD will be performed by Rebound Productions at The Hens & Chickens Theatre. While I have had a number of finalist selections outside the US this is the first time one of my scripts will be mounted overseas. I am thrilled. Break a leg … Continue reading Today is my first overseas performance
My first London Production
I am thrilled to announce my short play HAPPY BIRTHDAY, LEONARD has been selected by Rebound Productions to be part of their New Writing Showcase. The production will be on July 26th at the Hen & Chickens Theatre in London, England. (I don't name the theaters folks, I just write the scripts.) This has special … Continue reading My first London Production
Results of The Reluctant Prophet Reading
Sorry to be so delayed. I've been exhausted since returning from both Richmond and New York. Not exactly sure why but there you have it. The reading went very well, was well received and yet gave good leads to continue to edit and refine. That is rare in a public reading. I credit it to … Continue reading Results of The Reluctant Prophet Reading
Reading Coming up in New York
I am very happy to announce that my new full length script THE RELUCTANT PROPHET will get a public reading at the Polaris North Theatre Co-operative in New York City on May 23 at 7:00 PM. I've posted the flier below for general information and I will follow up with more details in the coming … Continue reading Reading Coming up in New York
Today is National Technology Day
National Technology Day on January 6th recognizes how technology changes the world and looks to the future of technology. As usual I seem to spend more time looking to the past. After yesterday's post about old-time computer stuff from the 1980's another memory popped up and I wanted to continue the thread for National Technology … Continue reading Today is National Technology Day
Throwback Thursday – A Digital Adventure Program
I've worked with computers for four decades, since the very early days. My first home computer was a model called a Color Computer sold by Radio Shack from roughly 1980 through 1991. It was different from many of the early computers including other computers sold by Tandy/Radio Shack. First it had an advanced color scheme … Continue reading Throwback Thursday – A Digital Adventure Program
“Happy Birthday, Leonard” to be mounted in Sarasota
My short play "Happy Birthday, Leonard" will be part of the Theatre Odyssey Seventeenth Annual Ten-Minute Play Festival in Sarasota, Florida. There will be three evening shows from Thursday, June 9 - Friday, June 11 at 7:30 PM. There will also be a matinee at 2 PM, Sunday, June 12. I will be at that … Continue reading “Happy Birthday, Leonard” to be mounted in Sarasota
Tonight is Opening Night
For those in Central Florida, hope you will come to see the play. For those farther away, please say a quick and quiet prayer that it goes all right. Been a long time since I was in quite this type of situation. Tonight is opening night at the Living Drama Theatre in Eustis, Florida for … Continue reading Tonight is Opening Night
My play in a classroom
Recently I had a request from an undergraduate student at John Brown University in Siloam Springs, Arkansas. She had found one of my plays on the website http://www.newplayexchange.org. I have only a few of my play scripts up there and need to find time to post more. It is my first experience in a stranger … Continue reading My play in a classroom
Some Local Theatre News on World Theatre Day
Sorry I haven't posted of late, been very busy and not looking to let up soon, but will try to post more often. However, I always try to post on World Theatre Day and I have a couple of bits of news on this very special day. My play "Celebrity Divorce" received its world premiere … Continue reading Some Local Theatre News on World Theatre Day
Throwback Thursday – A high school age confession
I have a confession to make. I am, and I do not take this lightly ... my name is Walter and I am a Thespian. Have been for most of my life. While I was interested in theatre from the time of high school I didn't know much about it. I was working on a … Continue reading Throwback Thursday – A high school age confession
A pleasant surprise production…
Waaaay back in July (that seems a long time ago) I posted about a coming performance of one of my short plays scheduled in August in Fredericksburg VA. That was a busy time as we moved to Florida in August and so I could not schedule myself in to see the event. When I checked … Continue reading A pleasant surprise production…
In Memoriam – Stephen Sondheim
The news of the passing of Stephen Sondheim filled me with joy. Not because he died, I'm sorry the world is without him. But because the great joy he gave me as the greatest composer and lyricist of the American stage. He constantly expanded and challenged the music theater art form and we are forever … Continue reading In Memoriam – Stephen Sondheim
CELEBRITY DIVORCE is shortlisted in Dubai!
My recent ten-minute play CELEBRITY DIVORCE has been shortlisted for the Short+Sweet Festival in Dubai, United Arab Emirates! This means that the script is a finalist and that participating directors will select plays from the group to present in the festival that will be presented between January and March in 2022. Of course the same … Continue reading CELEBRITY DIVORCE is shortlisted in Dubai!
Part 3 of an extended Throwback Thursday – Theatrical Network before the internet!
My final installment of a celebration of the anniversary of the opening of the Philharmonic Center for the Arts. The beautiful theater (see my Wednesday post for a photo) could be configured for our exceptional Naples Philharmonic, but also for touring performances of other musicians and Broadway touring productions. From my early days of leading … Continue reading Part 3 of an extended Throwback Thursday – Theatrical Network before the internet!
Throwback Thursday – Part 2 – the opening staff of The Philharmonic Center for the Arts
Following up on the celebration of the anniversary of The Philharmonic Center for the Arts in Naples, Florida. The building is amazing and the community is great. But the best part of my years at The Phil was my colleagues there. The staff was talented, inventive and fun. I kept a copy of the opening … Continue reading Throwback Thursday – Part 2 – the opening staff of The Philharmonic Center for the Arts
A Triple Throwback Thursday salute to the Philharmonic Center for the Arts
Yes, I know it is Wednesday, give me a minute to explain One of my favorite performing venues in the world is the Philharmonic Center for the Arts in Naples, Florida. I was part of a terrific team of people who opened the theater thirty two years ago today (November 3, 1989). To celebrate that … Continue reading A Triple Throwback Thursday salute to the Philharmonic Center for the Arts
Three Reviews I Won’t Be Writing
When I lived in New York City I reviewed every play I saw, and that was quite a lot. I was lucky to be able to acquire inexpensive tickets (sometimes reviewer freebies) to a large number of events. Because theater in New York is big business and theater talent is concentrated there, I had high … Continue reading Three Reviews I Won’t Be Writing
Throwback Thursday and a peculiar game
I worked at Bailey Concert Hall in Fort Lauderdale for a number of years before moving to Naples, Florida to be part of the team that opened the Philharmonic Center for the Arts. My staff threw a best wishes picnic send off on the occasion. Here is a picture from that gathering. You can identify … Continue reading Throwback Thursday and a peculiar game
Happy International Day of Older Persons
Since I have moved back to Florida I am becoming more familiar with the whole concept of older persons and luckily it seems there are plenty of older persons than myself. In celebration I have a story that relates to this international day. Back in 1989 I was part of the team that opened the … Continue reading Happy International Day of Older Persons
Broadway takes a big step forward to returning
The pandemic shutdown of theater in New York was very hard to take for those of us who love the art form. While performers took to streaming, I never warmed to the platform. For some odd reason I enjoy sitting shoulder to shoulder with strangers to watch live performers. Not the best pastime during a … Continue reading Broadway takes a big step forward to returning
Dual Citizenship, here I come Florida, ready or not
You may or may not have heard but I am pulling up roots and moving to the state of Florida. I have lived in New York City for more than 23 glorious years and first fell in love with it when I visited when I was just 17 years old. As I was originally born … Continue reading Dual Citizenship, here I come Florida, ready or not
Orlando’s Playwrights Round Table will present one on my scripts in January!
I am thrilled to announce that the Playwrights Round Table in Orlando, Florida will present my short play CELEBRITY DIVORCE in their LAUNCH Festival in January 2022. I'll be sharing more details as they become available and can't wait to see it performed! Watch this space for more news. As always you can find more … Continue reading Orlando’s Playwrights Round Table will present one on my scripts in January!
Walter Thinnes 
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