These small moments are the ones that keep us coming back for more… to re-watch the movies they’re in, and to explore movies we don’t know, or don’t yet know, in order to enlarge ourselves and our lives.
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A staged reading. Sounds so simple. But it takes 17 hours over 4 days; 1 director, 3 actors, 1 reader of stage directions, 1 stage manager; 1 play development director. Not to mention an audience of around 120 people, a crew of ushers, the sound and lighting departments, and then there’s those providing PlayWrights Punch in the concession area. And, of course, the playwright. It was a wonderful week. It was exhilarating and exhausting.
The latest version of Jane Burgoyne, developed over the summer with the help of Cynthia White (Orlando Shakes director of new play development), made for a stronger play, and provided the director and the actors with moments that connected. Hats off and big thanks to director Tony Simotes, and actors Kate Young (Jane), Michelle Brightman (Katherine), and Megan Valle (Allison). And also Alli Gersbach (Stage Manager), and Melissa Landy (Stage Directions reader).
What’s next for Jane? I’ll keep you posted.
Those novelists. They sure know how to get you. Pick up that book at the bookstore and begin to read at your peril. Here are a few of my favorite openers for your consideration.
Read MoreI offer, and they seem, silently, glad of my help. But there are three return addresses they point to on the well-folded, well-creased envelope they thrust in my direction. One in Queens, one in Brooklyn, and one on Lafayette Street. I direct them to the latter. It’s closer. But they don’t want that.
Read MoreMy Little Cell is my personal laboratory. A laboratory is a place equipped for scientific experimentation. My Little Cell is equipped for universal learning, universal studying, and experimentation. I am my own little personal scientist. What does a scientist do? Experiments. And through experimenting, what emerges? Inventions.
Read MoreLater, after the vise is open,
Rough old hands—
Gnarled fingers, calloused thumbs—
Invoke the plan.
Read MoreI had things I wanted to say about age and death in our society, and the play was finished in about a week. That was Version "A". Two years later, Version "W" has had some traction and several outings. And now, Version Y is almost finished.
Read More"Let's Keep Dancing," a play by John Purugganan, has received a developmental reading produced by The Public Theater in New York City. John is a creative writer, essayist, and life without parole prisoner in California.
Read MoreFollowing the successful reading at NNPN’s 20th anniversary benefit, two additional readings are now in the offing: Monday, August 27th, in the Monday Evening Salon Reading Series at the New Jersey Repertory Company, cast TBA; and as part of the Orlando (FL) Shakespeare Festival’s PlayFest 2018, in early November. Both theaters are NNPN partners, and I'm both excited and proud for "Jane Burgoyne" to be developed with these theaters. Find out more soon!
Read MoreDanish author Glenn Ringtved was back in NY recently. He walked, a lot. And I walked with him, a little…
Read MoreThe unprocessed rolls of film sat in a drawer. Recently developed, they provide a brief glimpse of one day in the life of major portions of one of the world’s most important thoroughfares. Here are some samples.
Read MoreDear Evan Hansen's Laura Dreyfuss and Tony-nominated actresses Kathleen Chalfant and Geneva Carr join National New Play Network (NNPN) for a 20th Anniversary benefit reading of a new play Jane Burgoyne by Robert Moulthrop, directed by Moritz von Stuelpnagel, at Westside Theatre on April 30th at 7:00 pm. Hosted by Richard Winkler and Jane and JB Harrison, the reading will support NNPN as it continues to revolutionize the new play landscape through its nationally recognized programs and services for artists and organizations. Tickets for the reading can be purchased at TodayTix.
Read MoreI’m attuned to this gold rush thing. My antennae are up. My grandfather, Manley Beaver, was a gold miner. In the early 1900s he went to South Africa to look for gold; then to Yreka in Northern California.
Read MoreAnd is literature, like life, just really all about being nice? Is "Cry, Heart, But Never Break" a nice children's picture book, and, if it is, perhaps it is because it is weighted with an immense sadness.
Read MoreSnow-hats, caps, and ear-muffs off to Northern Stage’s Producing Artistic Director, Carol Dunne, for a terrific three-day new works festival, New Works Now 5.0, the fifth in five years, with an involved and full-house audience.
Read MoreEllen looked up. She was surrounded by a sea of empty seats. She’d noticed the noise of the cleaning machine had stopped. But hadn’t thought beyond that. Now she glanced at the floor. It was so shiny she had to look away. A man wearing a khaki shirt and the same color pants stood in front of her, holding the handles of his waxing machine. Ellen noticed that his moustache was gray, but not his hair. She took a breath, then looked into his eyes. They seemed blank, and safe.
Read More'Cry, Heart, But Never Break' has been nominated for the Sakura Medal 2018, a student-voted library award in Japan.
Read MoreHopper’s work is all about the space between people and things, space that is usually filled with light that never really illuminates, space that exists on its own plane, space and light that create their own tension.
Read MoreAnd when close to a steaming lake surrounded by giant ferns, framed with silica terraces in white and blue and ochre, the same onrush of emotion held me breathless in gratitude.
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