If You Can't See a Play - Read A Play

I enjoy reading most everything and every genre - fiction, history, sci-fi, fantasy etc... and one thing I reakkt love to read is  plays. Reading plays benefits myself as an actor and as a playwright. When I read other playwright's  work, I get a glimpse into how they structure plot, characters, dialogue and even stage directions . Having said that, it's surprising that my own plays haven't been published in a medium where anyone could just "read" it.  You know, so someone could get a glimpse into how I write.

I have slowly been converting my material over to the print medium (usually I sent out a pdf file to theatre groups to perform -quick,easy and cheap) but for those who aren't wishing to perform anything, but would like to read - here are the printed versions of the plays available on-line for a low price.




Murder Me Always My very popular, world traveled play about a murder mystery that occurs during a murder mystery.
Click Here For Details.






Death Of A Doornail My other very popular, world traveled play. A tongue in cheek homage to drawing room murder mysteries with a twist.
Click Here For Details

Death Near Dead Man's Holler My newest play. A western with cowboys, gunslingers, saloon gals and school marms. Chock full o' obscure film and tv references.
Click Here For Details






Last Call At Chez Mort A 1940's Night Club with intrigue, gangsters, dames, a French guy and a creepy Russian with a hatchet. Not to mention, every 1940's phrase I could remember.
Click Here For Details!




For those you enjoy a quiet night, curled up - because apparently when one reads, one must "curl" in some fashion - I usually sit, but hey that's just me, here are a few titles for you. No acting or performance rights required.

Starting the Summer by Playing Dead (upcoming productions)

Roswell Community Little Theatre will be presenting "Last Call At Chez Mort" June 22 at ‘The Liberty’ on North Virginia in Roswell, New Mexico.

This production will be directed by by Edie Stevens is an RCLT dinner theatre fundraiser. Reservations must be made no later than June 8 by calling 575-622-1982.

And Freedom Area Community Theatre (F.A.C.T) in Freedom Wisconsin will be presenting the world premier of "Home Room of Doom"! Home Room is my first official "non-murder mystery". The plot centers around a high school classroom, during Home Room (which is that very short period of the school morning where attendance is attended to and announcements are announced etc.. ) anyway, on this particular day, things begin to... well here, let me print the announcement if everyone is their seat:

Strange things are happening in Mrs. Abernathy's High school home room. More than half of her students are absent or late and there's strange chanting sounds coming from the hallway. Student Council President Heather Graves maintains the chants are coming from the creepy janitor Mr Crowley. Heavy metal Doom Core expert Scott insists the chants are are actually spells that will unleash an ancient Carpathian Curse upon the school. Cody believes the Zombie Apocalypse is about to begin. And Kelsey thinks everyone is overreacting to what is just a flu outbreak or senior prank. But what about those bizarre zombie-like students appearing in the doorway? Who wants to leave the safety of home room and find out?

F.A.C.T will present the premier of this "horror/zombie/comedy" on August 1st and 2nd at 7pm

Mothers Day and a Road Less Discouraged

When I look back on the path I have followed, I must acknowledge that my mother had a strong influence on my directions (Mom GPS). A road less discouraged.

She told me a story about my propensity to entertain at an early age, it seems she was feeling rather ill one day and decided to rest. She apparently advised me to remain clear of her resting area in case what she had was contagious such as the flu or some other nasty airborne virus. According to her story, I obeyed by sitting in the hallway next to the bedroom which was ideal. I stayed clear, but apparently, I didn't stay quiet. I decided to entertain her by spinning yarns and tales off the top of my head, which according to her, lasted for an hour straight.

Now at any point, she could have told me to be quiet or please shut up or any other number of silencing techniques but she didn't. She let me ramble. And from that day forward, that has been pretty much the case. That is not to say, there weren't times she would tell me to turn it down a few clicks, but still, the fact that she more or less allowed me to explore my imagination and let it take voice. I am forever grateful.

My mother has always been my most captive audience and critic. In my High School years, she didn't wince when I told her I was interested in the performing arts, in fact, she encouraged me. At the same time, I witnessed other parents of my peers pooh pooh the same dream: "You want to act? Write? Paint? Be a Musician?! What are you, out of your mind? Have you fell on your head? Learn a trade for crying out loud! Put away childish things!"

My mother also encouraged me to read books at a very early age, I think it was a way to keep me quiet for a few hours as well as allow her to escape for a time. I always recall a paperback in her hand, wherever we went so out of curiosity and of course encouragement, I was introduced to the Hardy Boys crime novels. The Hardy lads were way more interesting than the See Sally Run, Run Sally Run garbage I had at school.

When I began writing my own stories and later plays, I could always go to my mom and discuss a plot point or solicit ideas from her. "Hey Mom, I'm stuck at this spot. I'm not sure where to go from here." She would look it over and point out the most obvious path. "What if the character in the second act implicated himself. Or what if all the characters had the same occupation?" Mom's advice could always move the blocks out of the way.

To this day, my mother's advice and encouragement still lead me forward, down this same path. Never discouraged one step of the way. I can't thank her enough but I will try just a little this mother's day. She lives in a different state now, so I can't swing by on days she doesn't feel well and entertain her with stories. She finally gets to rest in absolute entertainment free quiet. But I'm sure she peeks out in the hallway every once in a while.