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Jonathan Josephson

JONATHAN JOSEPHSON

  (1983 - )
Nationality:    USA
facebook     email:    n/a     Website:    n/a

Literary Agent:    n/a

Jonathan Josephson (playwright) - Jonathan's works have and will be read and produced at the actor's Theater of Louisville, Pasadena Playhouse Balcony/Carrie Hamilton Theatre, the Chance Theater, N4th art Center (New Mexico), the Syzygy Theatre Group, the Great Plains Theatre Conference (Nebraska), Fusionworks (Massachusetts), the Dana Point Theatre Company, and the Westchester Playhouse. His play the Giant and the Pixie was named a finalist for the 2008 Eugene O'Neill National Playwrights Conference and will be produced at the Chance in November of this year. Jonathan has written several acclaimed short plays including 27 Ways I Didn't Say 'Hi' to Laurence Fishburne (Finalist for the 2009 Heideman award at the actor's Theatre of Louisville, and will produced at the 2009 apprentice Showcase) and Beluga Room which is published by Original Works Publishing. Jonathan has worked with the literary offices of the La Jolla Playhouse, Pasadena Playhouse, and Moving Arts as well numerous new play festivals throughout Southern California. He is also the Literary Director for the Chance Theater (www.chanceTheater.com) where he as has Dramaturged numerous productions including Variations on a theme: the Best, assassins, Talk about the Passion, the Brain from Planet X, Rabbit Hole, and evitA. Select producing credits include Dias y Flores by Oliver Mayer at the Black Dahlia Theatre and Our New Play Spectacular, the world premiere one-act festival at the University of California at San Diego (currently running its sixth year). Jonathan graduated from UCSD with a Theatre: Playwriting degree and is a member of the Dramatists' Guild of America, alliance of Los Angeles Playwrights, and Literary Managers and Dramaturgs of America. By day, Jonathan works at Pasadena Playhouse as the associate Communications Director.

Research:    Member of the Dramatists Guild of America (as at 2015)

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below is a list of Jonathan Josephson's plays - click on a Play Title for more information

         27 Ways I Didn't Say "Hi" to Laurence Fishburne         30,000 Arabian Nights         Anansi and the Demons         Beluga Room         Bitches And Cocks         Charles Dickens' Christmas Tree         Chimes, The         Four Sons         Garden Party, The         Ghost Story         Giant And the Pixie, The         Girl Who Owned A Bear, The         Grandpa and the Gay Rabbi         Her Father the King         Holmes, Sherlock and the Consulting Detective         Las Lloronas         Legend Of Sleepy Hollow, The         Lurking Fear, The         New Catacomb, The         Significance Of A Wedding Train, The
27 Ways I Didn't Say "Hi" to Laurence Fishburne

27 Ways I Didn't Say
One of playwright Jonathan Josephson's favorite movie stars is sitting right across the room, blithely eating a sandwich. There are a million things he'd like to say, but every attempt to make contact is more hopelessly awkward than the last. A hilarious meta-theatrical romp based on actual events (sort of).

Notes:
Highly theatrical. the play calls for one Actor (playing "Me") to enter very quickly for opposite sides of the stage. the playwright recommends casting the role of "Jonathan Josephson" with multiple Actors that look close enough to each other that they can divide the role up And Allow the play to move At A very fast, very funny pace. Feel free to contact the playwright with Any questions.

1st Produced:
Actors Theatre Of Louisville     2009

Organisations:
Humana Festival of New American Plays

1st Published:
in "Great Short Plays: Volume 10", Playscripts Inc, 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:
Short Comedy

Parts:
Male:  2            Female:  -            Other:  2-22 actors possible: 2-22 m

Further Reference:
-

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30,000 Arabian Nights

Synopsis:
-

Notes:
part of the late-night SJREAL series

1st Produced:
Campus Of San Jose Repertory Theatre     01 Mar 2013

Organisations:
-

1st Published:
-   

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:
short play

Parts:
Male:  -            Female:  -            Other:  -

Further Reference:
-

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Anansi and the Demons

Synopsis:
The leaders of a village go south leaving Anansi in charge. The demons start closing in

Notes:
-

1st Produced:
Mountain View Mausoleum, Pasadena     01 Oct 2016

Organisations:
-

1st Published:
-   

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:
Short play

Parts:
Male:  -            Female:  -            Other:  -

Further Reference:
-

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Beluga Room

Synopsis:
Andrea's husband has just left her, and her best friend Tawny is determined to get her out of her funk. In a bold move, Tawny sneaks her friend into Sea World in order to moon a beluga.

Notes:
the playwright encourages theatricality with the staging of this play - especially Any moments that seem impossible to stage.

1st Produced:
Dana Point Theatre Company     2006

Organisations:
-

1st Published:
-   

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:
Drama One act

Parts:
Male:  -            Female:  2            Other:  

Further Reference:
-

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Bitches And Cocks

Synopsis:
a shirt play with anthropomorphized female dogs and peacocks that pokes fun at gender politics.

Notes:
Highly theatrical.

1st Produced:
The Chance Theater     2007

Organisations:
-

1st Published:
-   

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:
comedy One act

Parts:
Male:  2            Female:  3            Other:  

Further Reference:
-

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Charles Dickens' Christmas Tree

Synopsis:
an adaption of three short stories by Charles Dickens, Christmas Tree is a theatrical look at the holiday season that is sure to warm the heart of the coldest humbug.

Notes:
the play is made up of three short works - "a Christmas Tree," "the Child's Story," And "the Poor Relations." each vignette is based on or inspired by the short story of the same name by Charles Dickens. the play is written with the intension of having five Actors play multiple roles in each story, but certainly can be cast with As many As 20 Actors each playing A single role throughout the evening.

1st Produced:
The Chance Theater     2009

Organisations:
the Chance Theater

1st Published:
-   

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:
Full-length, holiday, Drama

Parts:
Male:  3            Female:  3            Other:  -

Further Reference:
-

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Chimes, The

Synopsis:
Hauntings and goblins

Notes:
Based on the short story by Charles Dickens

1st Produced:
Mountain View Mausoleum And Cemetery, Altadeana, California     21 Oct 2011

Organisations:
Unbound Productions

1st Published:
-   

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:
adaptation

Parts:
Male:  -            Female:  -            Other:  -

Further Reference:
-

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Four Sons

Synopsis:
Four Sons is a full length comedy about four brothers (with four very different personalities) that find out that one of them is adopted - but they don't know which one. Through an intense trivia game adventure and a kooky Passover Seder, the brothers try to extract information about the hidden adoption from their parents. In the end, it is revealed that it was Grandpa that leaked the information about the adoption in order to teach his family a lesson about the importance of family and brotherhood, and truth.

Notes:
Single interior: the Weiner family living room. Act One requires A couch And coffee table, Act Two A long dinner table And seating for nine. there should Also be A television downstage center facing upstage. the play was written with A black box in mind but can easily be expanded to Any size stage.

1st Produced:
Ucsd Theatre And Dance, Reading     2005

Organisations:
-

1st Published:
-   

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:
Comedy

Parts:
Male:  -            Female:  1            Other:   6 (four 20s, 1 40s, 1 60s)

Further Reference:
-

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Garden Party, The

Synopsis:
-

Notes:
Based on the short story by Katherine Mansfield

1st Produced:
Pasedena Museum Of History     24 May 2011

Organisations:
-

1st Published:
-   

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:
adaptation

Parts:
Male:  -            Female:  -            Other:  -

Further Reference:
-

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Ghost Story

Synopsis:
When his car gets two flat tyres there is only one place that the college student can go for help - a creepy, dark, abandoned old hotel. . .

Notes:
Based on the short story by Mark Twain

1st Produced:
Mountain View Mausoleum And Cemetery, Altadeana, California     27 Oct 2011

Organisations:
Unbound Productions

1st Published:
-   

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:
adaptation

Parts:
Male:  -            Female:  -            Other:  -

Further Reference:
-

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Giant And the Pixie, The

Synopsis:
the Giant and the Pixie is a contemporary fairy tale set simultaneously in a magical realm and a shopping mall. the story centers on arthur - a contentious Giant who works by day as a janitor - trying to win the heart of Cipriana, a Pixie who also works in the mall. Sebastian - the hotheaded Knight - is not happy with this and wants to get rid of arthur, but arthur's homeless buddy Gregory (the "Troll with a soul") won't have anything of it. all the while Cipriana's father, the Magician, watches from a distance with an agenda of his own. Finalist for the 2008 Eugene O'Neill National Playwright's Conference.

Notes:
Highly theatrical play that can be produced elaborately or very simply. NOT A play for children.

1st Produced:
The Chance Theater     2008

Organisations:
the Chance Theater

1st Published:
-   

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/Drama

Parts:
Male:  4            Female:  1            Other:  

Further Reference:
-

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Girl Who Owned A Bear, The

Synopsis:
-

Notes:
Based on a short story by L Frank Baum

1st Produced:
-    

Organisations:
-

1st Published:
-   

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:
Adaptation

Parts:
Male:  -            Female:  -            Other:  -

Further Reference:
-

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Grandpa and the Gay Rabbi

Grandpa and the Gay Rabbi
A hate crime has rocked the community. The newly appointed Rabbi Gold helps Grandpa widen his horizons

Notes:
-

1st Produced:
Samuel French Off Off Broadway Festival     2016

Organisations:
-

1st Published:
Contained in "Off Off Broadway Festival Plays 41st Series" Samuel French 2016   

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:
Gay one act

Parts:
Male:  2            Female:  -            Other:  -

Further Reference:
-

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Her Father the King

Synopsis:
Highly theatrical play that can be produced elaborately or very simply. NOT a play for children.

Notes:
-

1st Produced:
Pasadena Playhouse/Carrie Hamilton Theatre (Reading)     2006

Organisations:
-

1st Published:
-   

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/Drama

Parts:
Male:  3            Female:  3            Other:  

Further Reference:
-

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Holmes, Sherlock and the Consulting Detective

Synopsis:
Follow three different versions of Doyle's iconic Baker Street detective through a literary labyrinth of clues and misdirection

Notes:
Based on characters created by Arthur Conan Doyle

1st Produced:
[reading] The Huntington Library and Botanical Gardens. San Marino, CA     26 Jun 2015

Organisations:
-

1st Published:
-   

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:
-

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Las Lloronas

Synopsis:
adaptation of the Mexican legend LA LLORONA

Notes:
-

1st Produced:
Mountain View Mausoleum and Cemetery. Altadena, CA 91001     02 Oct 2014

Organisations:
-

1st Published:
-   

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:
-

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Legend Of Sleepy Hollow, The

Synopsis:
a 35-minute, loyal adaptation of Washington Irving's the Legend of Sleepy Hollow. Ichabod Crane is a ravenous young school teacher who desires the heart and inheritance of Katrina Van Tassel, the belle of Sleepy Hollow. But will he be abel to win the girl despite the advances of town bully Brom Bones and the terrorizing acts of dreaded Headless Horseman?

Notes:
the play is highly theatrical. It was intended to be performed by five Actors but could easily Adapted to 10 or more should the situation require. the play reads As story theatre but wants to be presented very theatrically And not At All presentational.

1st Produced:
The Chance Theater     2008

Organisations:
Wicked Lit - a Halloween Theater Festival

1st Published:
-   

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:
Drama, literature to life One act

Parts:
Male:  4            Female:  1            Other:  -

Further Reference:
-

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Lurking Fear, The

Synopsis:
They need to kill the something that is taking all the womenfolk

Notes:
Adapted by Jonathan Josephson and Jeff G Rack. Based on the short story "The Lurking Fear" by H P Lovecraft

1st Produced:
Mountain View Mausoleum And Cemetery, Los Angeles     03 Oct 2013

Organisations:
-

1st Published:
-   

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:
Adaptation

Parts:
Male:  -            Female:  -            Other:  -

Further Reference:
-

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New Catacomb, The

Synopsis:
Burger an American makes a discovery in a Roman catacomb that put his friendship with the British Kennedy at risk

Notes:
Based on the short story "The New Catacomb" by Sir Arthur Conan Doyle

1st Produced:
Mountain View Mausoleum And Cemetery, Los Angeles     03 Oct 2013

Organisations:
-

1st Published:
-   

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:
Adaptation

Parts:
Male:  -            Female:  -            Other:  -

Further Reference:
-

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Significance Of A Wedding Train, The

Synopsis:
Yolonda's mother recently died after unexpectedly overdosing on her heart medication. Yolonda's Father Frank had been away on business - the first time he had left his dying wife's side in some time - and is returning home on a midnight train. Through Frank's altercation with an abrasive glove salesman and Yolonda's speeches to her magic mirror, we learn that the mother's death was not accidental - Yolonda added additional "sleeping candies" to her mother's soup in order to make her "sleep forever so she can have day all to herself." Workshopped at the 2007 Great Plains theater Conference.

Notes:
the character of Yolanda should be played by An Adult Actress - 25-35 years old. Also note that some of the more dynamic stage directions were written with the intent to convey mood, not to be literally staged exactly As presented

1st Produced:
Fusionworks Mini Fest     2007

Organisations:
-

1st Published:
-   

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:
Drama One act

Parts:
Male:  2            Female:  1            Other:  

Further Reference:
-

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