Delving into PP09 - Michael Laurence

I have seen Michael Laurence on stage as a very talented and versatile actor several times and was always impressed by his charisma -- really could not stop watching him, even when he was in the background of a scene.

Meeting him in person when we decided to publish Krapp, 39, I found him just as charismatic. Even more I found him to be a craftsman with an extreme talent as a playwright. This was a play that was meticulously crafted. He has a great, long relationship with his director, George Demos (who I have known for a while as an actor with the Axis Company) and it shows in the finished product.

Michael is, to my thinking, one of the most professional of artists. He is secure in what he does and is completely immersed in so many aspects of theatre. Yet he is a charming, funny, and considerate person; a joy to spend time with talking about so many aspects of everyday minutia that makes up living in this city.

On Stage Now: Taylor Mac, P Seth Bauer, Chris Harcum

Just saw a performance of Taylor Mac's ('07) The Lily's Revenge. It's at HERE Arts Center with 5 directors and the involvement of 50+ artists. This production is a must see for those who want their theatre relevant and cutting-edge. It plays until Nov. 22 but see it soon so you can tell your friends and then they can tell their friends.

P. Seth Bauer ('06) has a new play, Over the Line, starting this week at 78th Street Theatre.

"They toured the show in schools in Germany," said director Hamilton Clancy, "something that would never happen here in America. The play is too frankly sexual, and in-your-face for American schools to ever consider. But its frankness gives it a ring of real experience."

Sounds like this should not be missed.

Chris Harcum ('09) is beginning a three week run of The Hypochondriac. Based on Moliere's The Imaginary Invalid, Chris was part of the team that adapted the piece and he will also be playing the leading role of Argan. You can hear more about this production from Chris and director, Matthew AJ Gregory on our latest podcast.

And coming real soon: a new translation of Agamemnon by Alexander Harrington (Playing with Canons) and a new play, Kitsch, or Two for the Price of One by Trav S.D. ('01) which is descibed as "a Brecht-flavored retelling of The Comedy of Errors."

Delving into PP09 - Carlos Lacamara

Meeting Carlos Lacamara, author of Nowhere on the Border was one of the most delightful parts of putting together this anthology. He is dedicated to his craft and so very knowledgeable about lots of things. And he has a great sense of humor especially when recounting anecdotes about his career, his family, and his life in Los Angeles. And it was exciting to sit down and chat with a real television star, someone whom I had seen on the small screen many times.

Although Carlos works mostly as an actor, he really enjoys writing plays and works at getting them produced and seen. Although he tends to deal with serious topics, his work is in no way didactic or overbearing. Seeing his play is like being allowed to peak through a curtain and see what is happening outside your window. It's a wonderful eperience.

Several of the playwrights in this volume are not based in NYC but theatre is still a small world. Carlos and Colette Freedman (Sister Cities) both live in LA. Both plays premiered at the same theatre within a month of each other and yet these two playwrights had never met.

I hope Carlos can get back to NYC sometime soon. He's a playwright that thinks deeply about his subjects and I sure would like to hear more about what he's thinking about now.

Your Guide to modern playwrights and theatre plays - Doollee.com

Ever want to get some information about a young, aspiring playwright or a play that struck your fancy? Most time a search will lead immediately to one spot on the web -- doollee.com. This amazing site has an immense database of information about a multitude of plays and playwrights.

Having often found information about the playwrights we publish (and others, too) on this site, I recently began corresponding with the dedicated gentleman from England who runs this site, Julian Oddy. If you have never had a chance to look this over, don't wait -- check it out now and you will be amazed at the amount of material on it.

I shipped him a box of books and now NYTE Small Press has its own publisher's page.

This is a website worth supporting. Any playwrights reading this that aren't on doolee or want to update their listing, send me an email and I will send you off a copy of a template that will make it so much easier and quicker for Julian to work with.

New from David Johnston, Chris Harcum

David Johnston published in our anthology, Playing With Canons, tells us about some of his plays coming soon to theatres around the country. So here's a chance for non New Yorkers to get a glimpse at some really good stuff. I have seen both and they are well worth your time.

CANDY & DOROTHY is premiering in Palm Springs, CA at the Thorny Theatre, opening October 23 and running through Nov 13.

BUSTED JESUS COMIX, which was also produced by Blue Coyote Theater Group in New York, will be opening in London on November 3 at Above the Stag.

And Chris Harcum whose solo work, American Badass is in Plays and Playwrights 2009, has recently been busy as one of the adaptors of Moliere's The Imaginary Invalid. It will begin performances on November 2 as The Hypochondriac and Chris will be playing the title character. It will be performing at the Cell Theatre.

Play Submissions

This might be a bit off topic but I do think this might be of interest to those who read this blog. nytheatre.com includes a page known as nytheatre buzz. On this page, among other items, we publish notices of play writing contests and calls for submissions. The postings include information about who is eligible and how to apply plus details about the sponsor. If you know of any playwrights who might be interested or are a playwright yourself, taking a look might be worth your while.

Delving into PP09 - Andrew Irons

I met Andrew Irons several years ago when we published Margie Stokley's play, Elephant, which was produced by his company And How! At that time I was most struck by his seriousness and quiet, almost shy demeanor. That hasn't changed much over the years.



When he works on his plays and with his company he aims for perfection or as close to that as he can get. His plays have a depth that is unusual for a young artist. He works from the emotions to the intellectual. Linus and Alora could have been a soap opera in other hands, but Andrew has an imagination without bounds and the ability to take the audience with him on the journey.

And How! is a theatre company whose members truly work together -- who understand the play and the playwright and take it from there. Jessica Davis Irons directed with a touch that showed how well she truly understood the play. It also helps that she is Andrew's wife.

And of course there is Jacob, the young son of Jessica and Andrew. He is the apple of their eye and at his very young age, a real member of the theatre community.