The Playwrights Database
ELIZABETH HANSEN
Nationality: USAemail: n/a Website: Click here
Literary Agent: n/a
Ms. Hansen is a Writers Guild Award winner and an EMMY-nominated screenwriter and consultant who has had a varied writing, directing, and acting career, that has taken her from the bright lights of Broadway working with the likes of Tommy Tune and Harold Prince, to the newsrooms of the Los Angeles Times where she had her own "Byline," to the classrooms of Brigham Young University where she taught screenwriting and playwriting from 1994-2000 as well as helped focus their Screenwriting Program. After graduating with honors from the University of Utah, Ms. Hansen journeyed to Los Angeles to study musical theatre performance at the highly regarded Los Angeles Civic Light Opera Musical Theatre Workshop as well as acting technique with Charles Nelson-Reilly. From Los Angeles she moved to New York where she studied with the famed acting teacher Uta Hagen. Over the next few years she was seen on Broadway in A Day In Hollywood/A Night In The Ukraine and Do Black Patent Leather Shoes Really Reflect Up. In her acting career she has starred opposite Milton Berle in Guys and Dolls, James Mason in A Partridge in a Pear Tree, Carol Channing in Hello, Dolly!, and Rudolf Nureyev in The King and I, as well as numerous musicals Off-Broadway and in regional theatre. In the late 80s, Ms. Hansen decided to focus on her writing and was accepted into the prestigious American Film Institute Center for Advanced Film and Television studies, one of the top five film programs in the U.S., where she received an MFA in screenwriting. Since then, she has written for nearly every film and video venue in the business: feature film, short film, television (long and short form), corporate video, documentary, as well a s musicals and straight plays for the legitimate theatre. She has spent numerous years as a script consultant, first with the Pasadena Playhouse, where she reviewed new and established scripts which were under consideration, as well as with Entertainment Business Group, an entertainment consulting company where she worked on "Campaign Breakdowns" and "Comparative Picture Analyses" Also a film and stage director, she has directed a handful of short films and just completed directing Big River: The Adventures of Huckleberry Finn for Sundance Summer Theatre. In addition to her Writer's Guild Award and her Emmy nomination, Ms. Hansen was a finalist for the esteemed Humanitas Prize for excellence in children's television programing, a Telly Award for her work with the Foundation for a Better Life and has been awarded two Crystal Awards for excellence in corporate video writing as well as numerous screenwriting competitions.
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below is a list of Elizabeth Hansen's plays - click on a Play Title for more information
Enchanted April. . .A Musical High and Glorious Place, A How the West Was Done Pearl of Great Price, A String of Pearls, A Tangents They Called Him Brother JosephEnchanted April. . .A Musical
Synopsis:
London, 1922. It's a miserable, rainy, dreary day in London and LOTTY WILKINS, a dowdy woman of about 30, is miserable and dreary in it. Longing for a respite from the rain, Lotty finds refuge in her women's club where she happens upon an ad in the "agony Column" in the London Times that reads: "To Those who appreciate Wisteria and Sunshine. San Salvatore, a small medieval Italian castle on the shores of the Mediterranean to be let furnished for the month of April." Lotty longs to be basking in wisteria and sunshine and leave her drab and tedious life behind, if only for a month Lotty befriends ROSe aRBUTHNOT, a rigid, reserved and sad sort of woman in her 30s, who yearns for a rest from her stifling duties and distant husband as much as Lotty. But they can't possibly afford the castle by themselves, so advertise for companions to share the expense and are joined by two other ladies: MRS. FISHeR a formidable and disapproving woman in her 60s, who wants only to sit in the sun to read and remember her receding youth; and LaDY CaROLINe DeSTeR who longs for a place she can ponder life's questions without the distraction of adoring suitors. they all agree to rent the castle for a month of blissful privacy. But the castle is more than they bargained for, and it's wondrous enchantment affects Lotty immediately. Only in dreams has she dared to imagine such a place as she transforms from the mousey, stuttering housewife and blooms into a radiant, confident "seer of all things." Wanting to share this "tub of love" she writes and invites her husband, MeLeRSH, an ambitious solicitor, who finds himself charmed by not only "this place" but by his wife. Meanwhile, Rose is tormented by the beauty of the place, for it only reminds her of the rift between her and her husband, FReDRICK, a middle-aged writer of lurid novels. While on a book tour, Fredrick serendipitously arrives at San Salvatore to visit Lady Caroline, not even aware that Rose is at the castle. amid the blossoms of fragrant wisteria, the hazy heat and sensuous silence, Lotty innocently and lovingly guides each lady through this place and past their loveless lives to rediscover their hearts. Rose reunites with her husband she had distanced herself from after the loss of their child; Mrs. Fisher embraces the present and the love and kindness it affords as she lets go of her past; and Lady Caroline finds a soulmate who sees her for what she finally admits she is: a stunning, yet spoilt, sour, suspicious and selfish spinster, and loves her despite it. In just a month, one short enchanted April, the lives and hearts of four women are transfigured by wisteria. . .sunshine. . .and a small medieval castle.
Notes:
written by C Michael Perry, music and lyrics by Elizabeth Hansen
1st Produced:
Utah Valley University -
Organisations:
-
1st Published:
Leicester Bay Theatricals, 2013 -
Music:
-
To Buy This Play:
If Publisher (above) is underlined then the play may be purchased by direct click from the Publisher, otherwise (below) are AbeBooks for secondhand, signed & 1st eds and other Booksellers for new copies
Booksellers:
Genre:
Musical
Parts:
Male: 4 Female: 5 Other: -
Further Reference:
-
Top of PageHigh and Glorious Place, A
Synopsis:
Eliza R. Snow is one of the few Mormon women who has become a heroine. It is February 11 of 1846 and the town of Nauvoo is bustling as the Saints make ready to leave for Winter Quarters. As Eliza packs, she finds herself doubting her decision to go west. During the night, as she contemplates her life and faith, she comes to understand Gods purpose for her, which ultimately propels her into her role as the great and inspiring woman who figured so importantly in the early days of the Church. Often called Zions Poetess by the Prophet Joseph Smith, Eliza was an imperfect, yet obedient, daughter of God. One actress tells us the story of this incredible womans Faith. Perhaps by experiencing some of Elizas doubts, fears and sorrows, we can find some solace and hope in our own struggles. When adapted as a teleplay for KBYU TV it won awards and acclaim.
Notes:
-
1st Produced:
Brigham Young University -
Organisations:
-
1st Published:
Leicester Bay Theatricals, 2013 -
Music:
-
To Buy This Play:
If Publisher (above) is underlined then the play may be purchased by direct click from the Publisher, otherwise (below) are AbeBooks for secondhand, signed & 1st eds and other Booksellers for new copies
Booksellers:
Genre:
play 90 min
Parts:
Male: - Female: 1 Other: -
Further Reference:
-
Top of PageHow the West Was Done
Synopsis:
How the West Was Done. . .is fast paced, toe tapping', rip roarin' "Western" show full of authentic American music and original songs that will both delight the heart as well as tug at its strings. the story, I hear'd tell, is like this: COOKIe, a right likable "swedish meat-ball" of a chuck wagon cook, has sent fer a mail-order bride. He shows up at a remote way-station to wait fer the stage coach when who should he find? a handful of our fav-o-rite Western types: LUCKY, the Gambler; CURLeY, the true-blue Cowboy; and SHeRIFF, the&well&Sheriff. Well, sir, after talkin' and singin' a handful of great cowboy songs, the four of 'em come to find that ever' last one of 'em is waitin' fer someone on that stage. Suddenly, Curley gets a feelin' and puts his ear to the ground. the stage is a comin'. they sing a rousin' welcome song and head off at a dead run to meet the stage. Meanwhile, back at the way-station, a ear-shatterin' crash is heard real close. then, four of the most disheveled fav-o-rite Western-type women come a staggerin' on: FReNCHY, the dance hall girl "with the heart of gold;" MISS eLLaNeOUS, the girl next door; BeLLe, a Southern woman-of-the-world chanteuse; and SHOTGUN, a rough and tumble gal in buckskins. Well, after some talkin' and singin' some wonderful old tunes theirselves, they hear the faint voices of our Western heroes a callin' fer 'em. But where could these boys be? as good a scout as Shotgun is, she just can't find where the voices 'air a comin' from. Will these poor gals end up a-wanderin' the Western wilder-ness forever or will they find these menfolk that are a-lookin' fer them. Well, not wantin' to spoil it, let's just say that like all good cowboy stories, everythin' ends happily fer ever'one concerned. With the book by Elizabeth HaNSeN & eLaINe HaNSeN, original lyrics by Elizabeth HaNSeN & C. MICHaeL PeRRY, and original music and arrangements by C. MICHaeL PeRRY, the show is jam-packed with familiar tunes like SHeNeNDOaH, SHe'LL Be COMIN' ROUND the MOUNTaIN, SWeeT BeTSY FROM PIKe, ReD RIVeR VaLLeY, STReeTS OF LaReDO, HOMe ON the RaNGe, DaNNY BOY, and a whole bunch more, not to mention original songs that make the stage resound with glorious voices, laughs, and perhaps a touching moment or two. the show runs about 75 minutes and all in all is a wholesome and delightful yarn for the whole family.
Notes:
written by C Michael Perry, music and lyrics by Elizabeth Hansen
1st Produced:
Olympic Offering 2002 -
Organisations:
Thanksgiving Point
1st Published:
Leicester Bay Theatricals, 2012 -
Music:
-
To Buy This Play:
If Publisher (above) is underlined then the play may be purchased by direct click from the Publisher, otherwise (below) are AbeBooks for secondhand, signed & 1st eds and other Booksellers for new copies
Booksellers:
Genre:
Musical
Parts:
Male: 5 Female: 5 Other: -
Further Reference:
-
Top of PagePearl of Great Price, A
Synopsis:
-
Notes:
-
1st Produced:
- -
Organisations:
-
1st Published:
Leicester Bay Theatricals -
Music:
-
To Buy This Play:
If Publisher (above) is underlined then the play may be purchased by direct click from the Publisher, otherwise (below) are AbeBooks for secondhand, signed & 1st eds and other Booksellers for new copies
Booksellers:
Genre:
-
Parts:
Male: - Female: - Other: -
Further Reference:
-
Top of PageString of Pearls, A
Synopsis:
War does funny things to a man, but what does it do to a woman? With their loved ones off to war, the five women in "A String of Pearls" have battles of their own to face while waiting out World War II on the home front. They must learn to live on hope, wit and courage, and as the war touches them in different ways, they discover their own and each others strengths and frailties--sometimes painfully, often humorously. The setting of the play is a modest but warm New York Brownstone. Here the women meet each week for their game of bridge that provides a momentary escape from the fears and uncertainties of war. Far from the front lines, they survive their own battles of anger, betrayal, fear and weakness with the bravery and faith of soldiers and the tolerance and compassion of friends. They are strong women from different backgrounds who endure on the home front as best they can and find a new and mature courage as they take charge of their own lives, finally, emerging not as victims of war, but victors of life. The play is a valentine to the women of the era. Audiences at every performance have unanimously loved it. The theme of this play could be: War wives endure on the home front as best as they can. This play allows the audience a few glimpses into the lives of these women as they meet over the course of several years to play bridge as well as to laugh and weep together over the events that life and war bring to them. It is a depiction of women who do the best they can to deal with the disappointments thrown in their paths. This is a play about adults who each come to have a claim on our attention.
Notes:
-
1st Produced:
T.O.M.I Theatre (Off-broadway) 1983
Organisations:
-
1st Published:
Leicester Bay Theatricals, 2014 -
Music:
-
To Buy This Play:
If Publisher (above) is underlined then the play may be purchased by direct click from the Publisher, otherwise (below) are AbeBooks for secondhand, signed & 1st eds and other Booksellers for new copies
Booksellers:
Genre:
Play
Parts:
Male: - Female: 5 Other: -
Further Reference:
-
Top of PageTangents
Synopsis:
-
Notes:
-
1st Produced:
- -
Organisations:
-
1st Published:
Leicester Bay Theatricals -
Music:
-
To Buy This Play:
If Publisher (above) is underlined then the play may be purchased by direct click from the Publisher, otherwise (below) are AbeBooks for secondhand, signed & 1st eds and other Booksellers for new copies
Booksellers:
Genre:
-
Parts:
Male: - Female: - Other: -
Further Reference:
-
Top of PageThey Called Him Brother Joseph
Synopsis:
We come to know Lucy Mack Smith. It is 1855. She is near death and has compiled her memoirs into a biography of her son, Joseph Smith - - the Prophet. She has a young visitor who is interviewing her for the newspaper and asking her all about that "ol' Joe Smith". She says his name was Joseph -- but they all called him Brother Joseph. She takes us through bits and pieces of the Prophet's life in a celebration of the man and his relationship to God, his family, his friends, his congregations and even his enemies -- where we find that he was always "Brother Joseph".
Notes:
-
1st Produced:
an LDS Church Building -
Organisations:
-
1st Published:
www.ziontheatricals.com, 2012 -
Music:
-
To Buy This Play:
If Publisher (above) is underlined then the play may be purchased by direct click from the Publisher, otherwise (below) are AbeBooks for secondhand, signed & 1st eds and other Booksellers for new copies
Booksellers:
Genre:
Religious Musical (LDS)
Parts:
Male: - Female: - Other: Large, flexible cast
Further Reference:
-
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