Theatrical Works
Roger’s new play, Seasons on Nibiru, or: How Do You Say Apocalypse in Volapük?, will be presented by the Black Bear Film Festival Screenwriting Collective as a virtual reading.
The live stream table reading will take place on April 13th at 6:00pm.
Check it out on the Black Bear Film Festival’s YouTube channel.
Talking Dirty, is a historical/hypothetical dramatic comedy. It takes place on the evening of December 5th, 1962, when Lenny Bruce was arrested on the stage of the Chicago's Gate of Horn nightclub for obscenity. While not his first arrest, it was the first time that the police actually took him off the stage and ended the show. A young fan, George Carlin, was in the audience that night and, for a laugh and also to get closer to his idol, antagonized one of the policemen in a deliberate attempt to get arrested in hopes that he would be able to ride off to jail in the "paddy wagon" with his hero. While successful in his efforts, he later reflected that "even though it began as a drunken joke... the whole affair had a radicalizing effect on me.”
Talking Dirty explores the conversation that might have taken place that night in the police van.
The one-act play was presented as a staged reading at Polaris North in New York on June 14th, 2015, with Roger's old friends and colleagues Brett Warwick and Joshua Zisholtz performing in the piece as George Carlin and Lenny Bruce respectively.
Check back for updates on future performances.
How Do You Say Mother in Esperanto? is a play that explores the human drama of outlandish phenomena. A couple’s relationship reaches a crisis moment when the young man, a former alien abductee, is forced to reveal to his partner long suppressed details of that event which could threaten the couple’s future together. At this time, they find themselves having to re-explore their notions of intimacy, fidelity, and family. Secrets are revealed and old wounds are opened in this comic drama which explores the emotional consequences of otherworldly encounters.
It was presented in August, 2014, as a part of the 18th annual New York International Fringe Festival (FringeNYC).
The production was directed by Lauren Miller, and featured Zac Hoogendyk and Leigh Williams, with Franny Civitano understudying for Williams at the last performance.
For more information visit motherinesperanto.com.
Photos by Jeremy Gordon
