MY FULL-LENGTH PLAYS (in alphabetical order)
Click the NPX button to read my plays listed with the New Play Exchange.
A Full-Length One Act for Mature Audiences
CAST OF CHARACTERS: (6M, 1F, 1MTF)
TRAVIS WILKINS: A heavy-set, southern gay man with an acerbic wit. A chef at a Dominican Restaurant.
In a relationship with Romeo. Age: 30s
MIKE HOUSEMAN: A kind-hearted, divorced parent. Trying to battle alcohol addiction.
A Truck driver. Bisexual. (Caucasian) Age: 30s
MAXINE: A Transgender woman. She is a sex worker who aspires to become a certified cosmetologist.(African American) Age: 20s
BENNY: An effeminate, bullied, special needs student. He has just begun to express a new gender identity.
(African-American, Mixed Race or Latinx) Age: 15
FEMALE: PROSECUTORS/TEACHERS A,B (Caucasian) Age: 30s
MALE 1: PROSECUTORS/JAMES (Perpetrator) (African-American) Age: 30s
MALE 2: ROMEO/CATCALLER (Perpetrator) Handsome and in the closet (Latinx) Age: 30s
MALE 3: TOMMY/JEFF/DANIEL (Perpetrators) (Caucasian) Age: 20
SYNOPSIS:
How can you get away with murder? Try the “panic defense.”
The Panic Defense, a docudrama, is loosely based on four actual murder cases of members of the LGBTQ+ community. The personal lives
of these four victims unfold as they divulge their struggles, their hopes and their dreams in search of better lives for themselves and
for those they love. Unfortunately, their gender identities are the catalyst to four senseless, hate-filled murders depriving each of them
of their future.
After their deaths, they are victimized again by a judicial system that allows “gay panic defense” strategies to bolster claims of
“diminished capacity”, “self-defense” and “provocation” thereby lessening the charges and reducing the criminal sentences for
the perpetrators including total acquittal of all charges. Gay Panic defense strategies seek to capitalize on the bias in favor of heterosexuality
and blame the victims for their own demise. With the increase in violence fueled by growing homophobia and transphobia in the USA today,
the question remains: Is there equal justice for members of the LGBTQ+ Community?
CAST OF CHARACTERS: (6M, 1F, 1MTF)
TRAVIS WILKINS: A heavy-set, southern gay man with an acerbic wit. A chef at a Dominican Restaurant.
In a relationship with Romeo. Age: 30s
MIKE HOUSEMAN: A kind-hearted, divorced parent. Trying to battle alcohol addiction.
A Truck driver. Bisexual. (Caucasian) Age: 30s
MAXINE: A Transgender woman. She is a sex worker who aspires to become a certified cosmetologist.(African American) Age: 20s
BENNY: An effeminate, bullied, special needs student. He has just begun to express a new gender identity.
(African-American, Mixed Race or Latinx) Age: 15
FEMALE: PROSECUTORS/TEACHERS A,B (Caucasian) Age: 30s
MALE 1: PROSECUTORS/JAMES (Perpetrator) (African-American) Age: 30s
MALE 2: ROMEO/CATCALLER (Perpetrator) Handsome and in the closet (Latinx) Age: 30s
MALE 3: TOMMY/JEFF/DANIEL (Perpetrators) (Caucasian) Age: 20
SYNOPSIS:
How can you get away with murder? Try the “panic defense.”
The Panic Defense, a docudrama, is loosely based on four actual murder cases of members of the LGBTQ+ community. The personal lives
of these four victims unfold as they divulge their struggles, their hopes and their dreams in search of better lives for themselves and
for those they love. Unfortunately, their gender identities are the catalyst to four senseless, hate-filled murders depriving each of them
of their future.
After their deaths, they are victimized again by a judicial system that allows “gay panic defense” strategies to bolster claims of
“diminished capacity”, “self-defense” and “provocation” thereby lessening the charges and reducing the criminal sentences for
the perpetrators including total acquittal of all charges. Gay Panic defense strategies seek to capitalize on the bias in favor of heterosexuality
and blame the victims for their own demise. With the increase in violence fueled by growing homophobia and transphobia in the USA today,
the question remains: Is there equal justice for members of the LGBTQ+ Community?
A Full-Length Play for General Audiences
CAST OF CHARACTERS: (5M, 2F)
ANGEL VEGA: Special Education Student. Intelligent. Educationally handicapped
and capable of being extremely volatile. Latino. Age 15.
ROSETTA GREEN: Special Education Student. Learning Disabled, hyperactive,
gregarious with a sense of fair play. African-American. Age 15.
JOHN LUCCI: Special Education teacher. New to the teaching profession. He is
animated with a sense of humor. Caucasian. Age 22.
MRS. FRITZ: The school Guidance Counselor. A seasoned educator who maintains
the status quo. Caucasian. Age: 50s.
MR. GOLUB: The school principal. Conservative. He runs his school effectively
and is proud of its top-ranking in the district. Caucasian. Age: 40s.
BRIAN MCBRIDE: Special Education Student. Slow-learner Heavy-set, docile,
fearful and spoiled. Caucasian. Age 15.
WILLIAM WONG: Special Education Student. High functioning, artistic, verbal. He has
Autistic qualities. On occasion, he blurts out. Chinese-American. Age 15.
SYNOPSIS:
Dummies takes place during the 1967-1968 school year in a NYC public junior high school. John Lucci, a new Special Education teacher, avoids the draft and the inevitable tour of duty in Viet Nam by taking on a class of students who have been rejected everywhere else. John loses his heart to the children, two especially. He and the defiant, “emotionally disturbed” and potentially brilliant Angel develop a tumultuous relationship that causes each to grow. And John is continually pushed to do better by the hyperactive Rosetta, whose unflagging honesty demands of her teacher and classmates that they always do the right thing. John’s deepening appreciation for the children leads him to insist on their right to the kind of education that will truly develop their potential.However, his advocacy alienates the administration to the extent that it may cause him to forfeit the job that has, so far, saved him from the draft.
CAST OF CHARACTERS: (5M, 2F)
ANGEL VEGA: Special Education Student. Intelligent. Educationally handicapped
and capable of being extremely volatile. Latino. Age 15.
ROSETTA GREEN: Special Education Student. Learning Disabled, hyperactive,
gregarious with a sense of fair play. African-American. Age 15.
JOHN LUCCI: Special Education teacher. New to the teaching profession. He is
animated with a sense of humor. Caucasian. Age 22.
MRS. FRITZ: The school Guidance Counselor. A seasoned educator who maintains
the status quo. Caucasian. Age: 50s.
MR. GOLUB: The school principal. Conservative. He runs his school effectively
and is proud of its top-ranking in the district. Caucasian. Age: 40s.
BRIAN MCBRIDE: Special Education Student. Slow-learner Heavy-set, docile,
fearful and spoiled. Caucasian. Age 15.
WILLIAM WONG: Special Education Student. High functioning, artistic, verbal. He has
Autistic qualities. On occasion, he blurts out. Chinese-American. Age 15.
SYNOPSIS:
Dummies takes place during the 1967-1968 school year in a NYC public junior high school. John Lucci, a new Special Education teacher, avoids the draft and the inevitable tour of duty in Viet Nam by taking on a class of students who have been rejected everywhere else. John loses his heart to the children, two especially. He and the defiant, “emotionally disturbed” and potentially brilliant Angel develop a tumultuous relationship that causes each to grow. And John is continually pushed to do better by the hyperactive Rosetta, whose unflagging honesty demands of her teacher and classmates that they always do the right thing. John’s deepening appreciation for the children leads him to insist on their right to the kind of education that will truly develop their potential.However, his advocacy alienates the administration to the extent that it may cause him to forfeit the job that has, so far, saved him from the draft.
A Full-Length Play for General Audiences
CAST OF CHARACTERS (4M, 4F)
HELEN HOFFER (HEL): A heavy-set Bronx girl. Tough, yet innocent with a mouth like a sewer. Age: 18.
STANLEY: A night school college student. Hel's best friend. A misfit, who gets by with his wit. Age 19.
VINNY: Attractive wannabe greaser. Hel's good friend. Works part-time in a candy store. He is a doer, not a talker. Dating Fern. Age: 20
FERN: Senior at Yvonne Dodge Vocational School of Beauty Culture. Vinny's new girlfriend. Age: 18.
SADIE HOFFER: Hel's mom. Heavy-set woman. Best mom in the neighborhood. Age: 50s.
LARRY HOFFER: Hel's oldest brother. Boorish. Drives a cab and still lives at home. Engaged to Bonnie. Age: Mid- 30s.
MICHAEL HOFFER: Hel's brother. A zookeeper. Sensitive, independent with a sense of humor. Lives in Manhattan. Age: Late 20s.
BONNIE: Larry's fiancee. A well-traveled Bronx Princess. She's been to Manhattan several times. Age: late 20s.
SYNOPSIS
Hel’s Kitchen, a comedy-drama set in The Bronx, New York of 1961, is a realistic account of
a watershed weekend in the life of a young woman. Helen, the eighteen year old, sewer-mouthed
fat girl, has always used her clique to insulate herself from life. Though she is not prepared
to leave her teenage years behind, Helen discovers that her relationships with her friends
Vinny (the stud), Stanley (the brain) and Fern, a student of beauty culture, must be re-defined
in order for them to survive as a group and emerge as individuals.
CAST OF CHARACTERS (4M, 4F)
HELEN HOFFER (HEL): A heavy-set Bronx girl. Tough, yet innocent with a mouth like a sewer. Age: 18.
STANLEY: A night school college student. Hel's best friend. A misfit, who gets by with his wit. Age 19.
VINNY: Attractive wannabe greaser. Hel's good friend. Works part-time in a candy store. He is a doer, not a talker. Dating Fern. Age: 20
FERN: Senior at Yvonne Dodge Vocational School of Beauty Culture. Vinny's new girlfriend. Age: 18.
SADIE HOFFER: Hel's mom. Heavy-set woman. Best mom in the neighborhood. Age: 50s.
LARRY HOFFER: Hel's oldest brother. Boorish. Drives a cab and still lives at home. Engaged to Bonnie. Age: Mid- 30s.
MICHAEL HOFFER: Hel's brother. A zookeeper. Sensitive, independent with a sense of humor. Lives in Manhattan. Age: Late 20s.
BONNIE: Larry's fiancee. A well-traveled Bronx Princess. She's been to Manhattan several times. Age: late 20s.
SYNOPSIS
Hel’s Kitchen, a comedy-drama set in The Bronx, New York of 1961, is a realistic account of
a watershed weekend in the life of a young woman. Helen, the eighteen year old, sewer-mouthed
fat girl, has always used her clique to insulate herself from life. Though she is not prepared
to leave her teenage years behind, Helen discovers that her relationships with her friends
Vinny (the stud), Stanley (the brain) and Fern, a student of beauty culture, must be re-defined
in order for them to survive as a group and emerge as individuals.
A Full-Length Play for General Audiences
CAST OF CHARACTERS (5M)
MARTY HARDMAN: A Jewish-Italian New York native. A former teacher who recently lost his partner, Jock, in a weight-lifting accident. He is lovable, a bit of a prude and a little OCD. Age: early 30s
CHRIS: Marty's best friend. He is a master-chef and gourmet at eating, drinking and sex. He is hyperactive, pretentious and often speaks “kitchen French.” He is Don's lover. Age: early 30s
DON: Down-to-earth writer of children's books. He often quotes Dr. Seuss. He is Chris' lover. (African-American.) Age: 40
UNCLE IRA: Marty's uncle. He is a photographer who won the lottery but gave most of his money to Marty. He has Asperger's syndrome and self-stimulates (stims) when he is anxious. Age: 60s
EMMANUEL: A Koi pondscaper. Attractive, well-built, good natured and acts a bit naive. An enigmatic, "country" boy who likes to toy with his love interests. Latinx. Age: late 30s
SYNOPSIS
More Suds is the second installment of a gay serial, comedy-drama. We follow Marty Hardman and his pals,
Chris (the pretentious chef de cuisine) and Don (writer of children's books and Doctor Seuss enthusiast)
to their new country digs. The peace and quiet of the countryside is shattered with the unexpected arrival of Marty's
autistic Uncle Ira and a hot but kinky pondscaper. Adapting to the “country life” isn’t as easy as it seems.
Long time friendships are tested, relationships are strained and family ties prove awkward when the boys
settle into their gay “Green Acres.”
CAST OF CHARACTERS (5M)
MARTY HARDMAN: A Jewish-Italian New York native. A former teacher who recently lost his partner, Jock, in a weight-lifting accident. He is lovable, a bit of a prude and a little OCD. Age: early 30s
CHRIS: Marty's best friend. He is a master-chef and gourmet at eating, drinking and sex. He is hyperactive, pretentious and often speaks “kitchen French.” He is Don's lover. Age: early 30s
DON: Down-to-earth writer of children's books. He often quotes Dr. Seuss. He is Chris' lover. (African-American.) Age: 40
UNCLE IRA: Marty's uncle. He is a photographer who won the lottery but gave most of his money to Marty. He has Asperger's syndrome and self-stimulates (stims) when he is anxious. Age: 60s
EMMANUEL: A Koi pondscaper. Attractive, well-built, good natured and acts a bit naive. An enigmatic, "country" boy who likes to toy with his love interests. Latinx. Age: late 30s
SYNOPSIS
More Suds is the second installment of a gay serial, comedy-drama. We follow Marty Hardman and his pals,
Chris (the pretentious chef de cuisine) and Don (writer of children's books and Doctor Seuss enthusiast)
to their new country digs. The peace and quiet of the countryside is shattered with the unexpected arrival of Marty's
autistic Uncle Ira and a hot but kinky pondscaper. Adapting to the “country life” isn’t as easy as it seems.
Long time friendships are tested, relationships are strained and family ties prove awkward when the boys
settle into their gay “Green Acres.”
“STRAIGHT-TALKING was a SEMIFINALIST for the 2017-2018 In-Progress New Play Series at Unicorn Theatre in Kansas City, Missouri. It is our pleasure to support STRAIGHT-TALKING.”
-Artistic Director
-Artistic Director
A Full-Length Play for General Audiences (Adult Theme)
CAST OF CHARACTERS (5M, 2F)
KYLE HARRISON: A sensitive, attractive, gay high school student who is questioning his sexuality. He plays the cello. Age: 17
EVE HARRISON: KYLE'S nurturing but overly-protective mother. She once had theatrical aspirations and can often be as flamboyant as "Auntie Mame." Age: 40s
DREW HARRISON: KYLE'S straight-laced father. He has a soft spot for his daughter. Age: 40s
KATHERINE HARRISON: KYLE'S older sister. Theater major at Sarah Lawrence; she loves Katharine Hepburn and imitates her whenever possible. Age: 19
JONAH: A charismatic, ex-gay, 'Conversion' Therapy Counselor. Age: 40s
STAN: A witty and openly gay college student. Kyle's best friend. Jewish. Age: 20
MAN: Imposing, gay man who is trying to rid himself of his same-sex attraction. Age: 30s to 40s
SYNOPSIS
Straight-Talking examines the inner identity struggle of a vulnerable high school senior, who is outed
when photos of his sexual indiscretion appear on Facebook. His well-educated but misguided parents try to
“fix” the problem by sending him to a 'conversion' therapist to rid him of his unwanted same-sex attraction.
CAST OF CHARACTERS (5M, 2F)
KYLE HARRISON: A sensitive, attractive, gay high school student who is questioning his sexuality. He plays the cello. Age: 17
EVE HARRISON: KYLE'S nurturing but overly-protective mother. She once had theatrical aspirations and can often be as flamboyant as "Auntie Mame." Age: 40s
DREW HARRISON: KYLE'S straight-laced father. He has a soft spot for his daughter. Age: 40s
KATHERINE HARRISON: KYLE'S older sister. Theater major at Sarah Lawrence; she loves Katharine Hepburn and imitates her whenever possible. Age: 19
JONAH: A charismatic, ex-gay, 'Conversion' Therapy Counselor. Age: 40s
STAN: A witty and openly gay college student. Kyle's best friend. Jewish. Age: 20
MAN: Imposing, gay man who is trying to rid himself of his same-sex attraction. Age: 30s to 40s
SYNOPSIS
Straight-Talking examines the inner identity struggle of a vulnerable high school senior, who is outed
when photos of his sexual indiscretion appear on Facebook. His well-educated but misguided parents try to
“fix” the problem by sending him to a 'conversion' therapist to rid him of his unwanted same-sex attraction.
A Full-Length Play for General Audiences
CAST OF CHARACTERS (6M, 1F)
MARTY HARDMAN: A Jewish-Italian New York native. A former teacher. He is a lovable prude and a bit of a smart-ass. He's in a relationship with Jock. Age: 20s.
JOCK: An Actor/Model wannabe who is hiding his porn star past. An attractive, muscular gym rat. He is self-centered but good-natured and a bit naïve. Marty's lover. Age: 30s.
CHRIS: Marty's neighbor and best friend. He is an aspiring master-chef and gourmet at eating, drinking, and sex. He's hyperactive, scattered and pretentious and often speaks “kitchen French.” He is Don's lover. Age: 20s.
DON: He is a writer of children's books. He often quotes Dr. Seuss. Attractive, intelligent, down-to-earth. He is a perfect gentleman. Chris' lover. Age: 30s (African-American.)
CAROLINA (CARL): Marty's neighbor and friend. Astrologist/Palmist/Tarot reader. A funny, southern belle. He is a “nonperforming” drag queen who dresses up only on special occasions. A big man in his 30s.
DELILAH: Marty's neighbor. Escort/Hooker. Her warm and generous nature is often hidden beneath her tough exterior. Vulnerable, attractive, Marilyn Monroe type. Early 30s.
MR. RIVERA: The building's muscular/macho superintendent and aspiring personal trainer. He is hiding his transgender identity; formerly known as Mrs. Rivera. Age: 30s.
SYNOPSIS
SUDS, a gay serial, comedy-drama, takes place in a NYC Brownstone. It’s about the entangled lives of a group
of unconventional people some of whom have provocative pasts they do not wish to divulge to their present circle of friends.
We follow Marty Hardman and the muscular love of his life, Jock, through their ups and downs, ins and outs. The friends who
help them through love and loss include a writer of children’s books, a pretentious master-chef, a “non-performing”
drag queen/fortune-teller who may actually have psychic gifts, a prostitute, and a man with a questionable identity.
Every one has something to hide, but all secrets eventually are exposed, for good or ill. Through a series of mishaps,
false-identities and a personal tragedy, we find real people struggling to live with themselves and one another.
CAST OF CHARACTERS (6M, 1F)
MARTY HARDMAN: A Jewish-Italian New York native. A former teacher. He is a lovable prude and a bit of a smart-ass. He's in a relationship with Jock. Age: 20s.
JOCK: An Actor/Model wannabe who is hiding his porn star past. An attractive, muscular gym rat. He is self-centered but good-natured and a bit naïve. Marty's lover. Age: 30s.
CHRIS: Marty's neighbor and best friend. He is an aspiring master-chef and gourmet at eating, drinking, and sex. He's hyperactive, scattered and pretentious and often speaks “kitchen French.” He is Don's lover. Age: 20s.
DON: He is a writer of children's books. He often quotes Dr. Seuss. Attractive, intelligent, down-to-earth. He is a perfect gentleman. Chris' lover. Age: 30s (African-American.)
CAROLINA (CARL): Marty's neighbor and friend. Astrologist/Palmist/Tarot reader. A funny, southern belle. He is a “nonperforming” drag queen who dresses up only on special occasions. A big man in his 30s.
DELILAH: Marty's neighbor. Escort/Hooker. Her warm and generous nature is often hidden beneath her tough exterior. Vulnerable, attractive, Marilyn Monroe type. Early 30s.
MR. RIVERA: The building's muscular/macho superintendent and aspiring personal trainer. He is hiding his transgender identity; formerly known as Mrs. Rivera. Age: 30s.
SYNOPSIS
SUDS, a gay serial, comedy-drama, takes place in a NYC Brownstone. It’s about the entangled lives of a group
of unconventional people some of whom have provocative pasts they do not wish to divulge to their present circle of friends.
We follow Marty Hardman and the muscular love of his life, Jock, through their ups and downs, ins and outs. The friends who
help them through love and loss include a writer of children’s books, a pretentious master-chef, a “non-performing”
drag queen/fortune-teller who may actually have psychic gifts, a prostitute, and a man with a questionable identity.
Every one has something to hide, but all secrets eventually are exposed, for good or ill. Through a series of mishaps,
false-identities and a personal tragedy, we find real people struggling to live with themselves and one another.
A Full-Length Play for General Audiences
CAST OF CHARACTERS (4M, 3F)
Javier Díaz-Johnson (DJ): A high school History/Music teacher. Idealistic. Strongly believes in the teachings of Howard Zinn. (Afro-Latinx) Age: 40s
Miriam Mayor: An English teacher. She loves to bake and read. (Spanish-Jewish Heritage) Age: 60s
Apollonia Pitt (Apple): A special education teacher. A woman with attitude and long nails. (African-American) Age: 30s
Ben Bennett: A gay gym teacher. He likes to keep active and stay fit. He tries to be optimistic. (Caucasian) Age: 30s
Victor Perlmutter: An Art Teacher. He has Tourette's Syndrome and occasionally stutters and barks. He lives with his parents. Age: 29
Paula Powers: Newly-appointed high school principal. Teaches Earth Science. Age: 30s
Maurice: A guard who works for a private security company. (African-American) Age:40s
SYNOPSIS
The mayor has taken control over a bureaucratic school system, appointed a like-minded chancellor and, together, they attempt to rid the system of unwanted teachers despite the fact that teacher tenure protects them from being fired. While his union stands on the sidelines, Javier Díaz-Johnson, a well-respected, high school history teacher, is being warehoused together with an incompetent, aging English teacher, an art teacher who suffers the indignities caused by his outbursts due to Tourette’s Syndrome, a Special Educator accused of illegal practices, as well as other unwanted teachers, all strangers to one another. They are banned from their respective schools and mandated to report to a reassignment center: spending long days in a small, windowless room with nothing to do but wait.They are waiting for a judgment that may never come. Some of them are innocent and some are guilty of minor infractions while others may have committed more serious offenses but none of them deserve their prolonged punishment. With their careers shattered, their reputations tarnished and their fate hanging in the balance, hostilities are unleashed as Javier Díaz-Johnson tries to unite the group with a call-to-action. His own sense of justice and fair play contributes to his demise as the nightmares unfold in the “Rubber Room.”
CAST OF CHARACTERS (4M, 3F)
Javier Díaz-Johnson (DJ): A high school History/Music teacher. Idealistic. Strongly believes in the teachings of Howard Zinn. (Afro-Latinx) Age: 40s
Miriam Mayor: An English teacher. She loves to bake and read. (Spanish-Jewish Heritage) Age: 60s
Apollonia Pitt (Apple): A special education teacher. A woman with attitude and long nails. (African-American) Age: 30s
Ben Bennett: A gay gym teacher. He likes to keep active and stay fit. He tries to be optimistic. (Caucasian) Age: 30s
Victor Perlmutter: An Art Teacher. He has Tourette's Syndrome and occasionally stutters and barks. He lives with his parents. Age: 29
Paula Powers: Newly-appointed high school principal. Teaches Earth Science. Age: 30s
Maurice: A guard who works for a private security company. (African-American) Age:40s
SYNOPSIS
The mayor has taken control over a bureaucratic school system, appointed a like-minded chancellor and, together, they attempt to rid the system of unwanted teachers despite the fact that teacher tenure protects them from being fired. While his union stands on the sidelines, Javier Díaz-Johnson, a well-respected, high school history teacher, is being warehoused together with an incompetent, aging English teacher, an art teacher who suffers the indignities caused by his outbursts due to Tourette’s Syndrome, a Special Educator accused of illegal practices, as well as other unwanted teachers, all strangers to one another. They are banned from their respective schools and mandated to report to a reassignment center: spending long days in a small, windowless room with nothing to do but wait.They are waiting for a judgment that may never come. Some of them are innocent and some are guilty of minor infractions while others may have committed more serious offenses but none of them deserve their prolonged punishment. With their careers shattered, their reputations tarnished and their fate hanging in the balance, hostilities are unleashed as Javier Díaz-Johnson tries to unite the group with a call-to-action. His own sense of justice and fair play contributes to his demise as the nightmares unfold in the “Rubber Room.”