The Playwrights Database
MICHAEL NORMAN MANN
(1966 - )Nationality: USA
email: n/a Website: n/a
Literary Agent: Farber Literary Agency Inc.
a graduate of the University of California at Santa Cruz, Mann has had several productions of his material. In 1991, original Dramas "Grave Relations" and "She Sat Behind Me" (available through eldridge Publishing), were produced in San Jose, CA. In 1993, Tangelo Productions of Los Gatos, Ca, produced Mann's originals "Godot Is Dead.", "Separate Crosses", "BOX 27", "Witches & Warlocks" and "Beast Born In the Night". the politically loaded and controversial "BOX 27" went on to an award-winning six month run in North Hollywood in 1996-97. Mann received a 1996 Drama-Logue award for his script, the 1997 artistic Directors achievement award for Best Original Drama, and the 1997 GLaaD Media award for Best La Production. In 1998, Mann's first original musical, "Cumberland Blues" was performed in San Jose and San Francisco. "Cumberland Blues" marks the first time that the beloved songs of Jerry Garcia and Robert Hunter were presented in a musical comedy, prompting Jon Pareles of the New York Times to comment, "It's ingenious and good-natured. If Cole Porter songs can be strung together for the stage, so can Hunter-Garcia songs." "Cumberland Blues" was presented at the 2006 New York Musical Theatre Festival and awarded the 2006 National Music Theatre Network's Director's Choice award. Mann's second partnering with Robert Hunter was the original musical "Shakedown Street" again dipping into new and classic songs from the Grateful Dead. "Shakedown Street" made its debut as part of the 2005 New York International Fringe Festival.
Research: Member of the Dramatists Guild of America (as at 2015)
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below is a list of Michael Norman Mann's plays - click on a Play Title for more information
Box 27 Cumberland Blues Her Story Shakedown StreetBox 27
the play opens with the closing hands of the poker game. Stephen, the son of a retired Colonel, Sergeant Howard Kurtis, and two non commissioned Marines are wrapping up the game when tensions become evident. the two non commissioned officers leave. Left alone on stage, Stephen and Howard resume a long running argument about their life style as gay men serving in the Marine Corps. Stephen, a young Lieutenant has decided to come out of the closet and declare his sexual orientation. Howard pleads for him to change his mind.
Notes:
Winner of 4 Drama-Logue Outstanding Achievement Awards. Winner of 2 Artistic Director Achievement Awards. Winner of the 1997 GLaaD Media Award
1st Produced:
Los Gatos Cinema Stage
1993
Organisations:
Tangelo Productions
1st Published:
CreateSpace,
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
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Genre:
Play/Drama. - - Gay, full length
Parts:
Male: 6 Female: 1 Other: 4
Further Reference:
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Top of PageCumberland Blues
Synopsis:
Peter Jones, Sr. came into the town of Cumberland, MD, with two dollars in his pocket and not a friend in the world. By the time the first night ended, Jones had found a poker game and won a mining claim, hotel, general store, and a tavern. Now, all these years later, all he has left is the Palace Hotel, the Mine, and two estranged sons. the years of working with coal has given Jones a case of Black Lung and a date with the grave. With what time he has left, Jones desires one last chance at reconciliation with his sons, Pete Jr. and Mick. Word of Jones's failing health is music to the ears of Jesse Steel, the region's most influential, and infamous mine owner. It was from Jesse's Father that Jones won the claim all those years ago. the family reunion comes crashing down when old passions and conflicts boil to the surface and are left with the sudden death of Jones. Now all attention turns to Jones's will and the ultimate ownership of the Palace Hotel and Cumberland Mine. Unable to decide which son should take over, Jones left all ownership to be settled in an all night, winner-take-all poker game open to all family and employees associated with the business.
Notes:
Music by Jerry Garcia And Robert Hunter. the twenty plus song score by Jerry Garcia And Robert Hunter include "Friend of the Devil", "High Time", "attics of My Life", "Touch of Gray", "easy Wind", "I Will Love You", "He's Gone", "Deal", "Loser", "Mad", "Brown eyed Women", "Boys In the Barroom", "Drunkard's Carol", "Bertha", "Black Peter", "When Push Comes To Shove", "Cumberland Blues", "Candyman", "Brokedown Palace", "Box of Rain" And the brand new Hunter classic "Immigrant". 2006 Director's Choice Award from NMTN
1st Produced:
San Jose Stage Company
1998
Organisations:
-
1st Published:
-
Music:
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Genre:
Musical
Parts:
Male: 9 Female: 6 Other: 4
Further Reference:
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Top of PageHer Story
Synopsis:
High school students Mike and Shelly are breaking up. Later, Shelly sees Mike at a party with his new girlfriend and between her depression and a few too many drinks, allows herself to be coaxed outside by an unscrupulous guy. Things go too far in the bushes and Shelly is date-raped. When she returns to school on Monday, she has a reputation and school officials want to get to the bottom of the rumors they have heard. With characters immediate and believable, this play is powerful, timely and significant.
Notes:
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1st Produced:
Piedmont Middle School
1991
Organisations:
-
1st Published:
Eldridge Plays and Musicals,
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
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Genre:
Play/Drama
Parts:
Male: 5 Female: 9 Other: -
Further Reference:
-
Top of PageShakedown Street
Synopsis:
Shakedown Street is the new musical/comedy set in San Francisco, circa 1941. Private Investigator Duke Bishop has been hired to foil a blackmail scheme involving a crooked judge and a lounge singer named Lucille Lovell. Quickly, Duke realizes that there is more than meets the eye when rumors of lost Spanish Mission artwork holds the clues as to the whereabouts of a fortune in missing Spanish gold believed lost in San Francisco Bay. This tongue-in-cheek trail to the treasure leads Duke through a tale of deception and murder set against high society parties, nightclubs, drunk-tanks and the boxing rings. Familiar and classic Grateful Dead tunes such as "Truckin'", "Scarlet Begonias", "US Blues", and "Mission In the Rain" have been re-orchestrated and adapted to the luscious jazz-band sound of the period. the score also includes songs by Robert Hunter and Greg anton composed directly for this musical.
Notes:
Words And music by Jerry Garcia, Robert Hunter & Greg Anton
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:
Musical
Parts:
Male: 6 Female: 4 Other: 4
Further Reference:
-
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