Winding down the week

Hi everyone,

The week has been busy and pleasant. Made good progress on the manuscripts I’m tweaking. Had an excellent meeting yesterday with my editor for one of them. May have found a publisher for my autobiography, which I’ve nearly finished writing.

Yesterday, Dramatic Publishing sent out an eblast featuring some selected plays. I’m delighted to see JESSE AND GRACE, A BEST FRIENDS STORY, is one of them. SANDY ASHER wrote the play based on the story in verse that she and I wrote some time ago. We haven’t found a book publisher yet but the play has been honored with the AATE Distinguished Play Award and The Charlotte B. Chorpenning Playwright Award. Here’s a link: https://www.dramaticpublishing.com/jesse-and-grace-a-best-friends-story?utm_source=DPC+Featured+Titles&utm_campaign=4d1cdb2918-EMAIL_CAMPAIGN_2018_05_07_COPY_02&utm_medium=email&utm_term=0_fd61998ed8-4d1cdb2918-241983649

If nothing happens, I expect to finish the last of the revisions by the end of next week. By then I hope to see some sketches from an old friend and widely known artist with whom I may collaborate on a new, speculative book.

New production of SOMEBODY CATCH MY HOMEWORK

Hi everyone,

SANDY ASHER sent word that a new production of SOMEBODY CATCH MY HOMEWORK is coming up in Indiana. Details to follow. Of the many projects that Sandy and I have tackled together over the years, this play has been the most enduring. Our other play together is JESSE AND GRACE, A BEST FRIENDS STORY.

Somebody Catch My Homework

By Sandra Fenichel Asher. Inspired by the poetry of David L. Harrison. Optional incidental music by Ric Averill.

• One-act Play
• Comedy
• Cast size: 2m., 2w., 1 either gender. Expandable to 13 roles, plus extras as desired.
• Livestream and Record & Stream Rights Available
• Awards: The Charlotte B. Chorpenning Playwright Award

Synopsis

A light-hearted, high-energy look at one eventful day in the life of fourth-grader Samantha, the new girl in town, who has lost her beloved cat, Corky. At the bus stop, Samantha meets three wacky new friends who welcome her into their class, which just happens to be studying the animal kingdom. Their search for essay topics takes them from a dinner table’s chicken thighs to the pasture of a bull not pleased to see visitors. A wayward wad of bubble gum, tuba practice and a sticky baby sister later, the busy day finally peaks with the rescue of Corky. Nineteen humorous—and sometimes serious—poems by David L. Harrison are woven into the script as dialogue. Instead of bursting into song, the characters break out into poetry! Incidental music composed especially for this play is available. Highly tourable by five actors. Somebody Catch My Homework also offers creative opportunities for a larger cast and/or audience participation.

Somebody Catch My Homework!

Hi everyone,

Sandy Asher told me yesterday about a new production of SOMEBODY CATCH MY HOMEWORK coming up soon in South Carolina. I’ve told you about the play before but it’s always fun to see it coming to another stage.

Somebody Catch My Homework
By Sandra Fenichel Asher. Inspired by the poetry of David L. Harrison. Optional incidental music by Ric Averill.
Product Code: SH8000

One-act Play
Comedy
Cast size: 2m., 2w., 1 either gender. Expandable to 13 roles, plus extras as desired.
Awards: The Charlotte B. Chorpenning Playwright Award
Rights and availability
This title can be licensed and sold throughout the World.

Synopsis
A light-hearted, high-energy look at one eventful day in the life of fourth-grader Samantha, the new girl in town, who has lost her beloved cat, Corky. At the bus stop, Samantha meets three wacky new friends who welcome her into their class, which just happens to be studying the animal kingdom. Their search for essay topics takes them from a dinner table’s chicken thighs to the pasture of a bull not pleased to see visitors. A wayward wad of bubble gum, tuba practice and a sticky baby sister later, the busy day finally peaks with the rescue of Corky. Nineteen humorous—and sometimes serious—poems by David L. Harrison are woven into the script as dialogue. Instead of bursting into song, the characters break out into poetry! Incidental music composed especially for this play is available. Highly tourable by five actors. Somebody Catch My Homework also offers creative opportunities for a larger cast and/or audience participation.

SOMEBODY CATCH MY HOMEWORK!

Hi everyone,

Yesterday’s mail included a royalty statement from Dramatic Publishing, the publisher of Sandra Fenichel Asher (Sandy Asher)’s play, SOMEBODY CATCH MY HOMEOWORK, whose characters were inspired by my poetry. The play was first produced by Good Company Theatre for All Ages at the Vandivort Center Theatre in Springfield, Missouri, April 11-14, 2002, directed by Maxine Whittaker. Since then it has been produced numerous times, including at least once abroad, and I’m delighted each time.

According to this latest summary of activity, SOMEBODY CATCH MY HOMEWORK was produced on May 18, 2019 at the University of South Carolina Upstate and on May 27, 2019 by Westbridge Children’s Theatre. I’m proud and happy that this play is still so active seventeen years after it’s 2002 debut.

This is a one-act play that features a class of 4th grade students. There’s a new kid, a missing cat, a school bus, and plenty of action to keep young audiences entertained. Sandy chose poems from my various published (and unpublished) work at the time and I was wonderfully surprised that she found enough characters to populate her highly entertaining play. It’s sort of like a musical except when actors open their mouths, instead of singing, they perform my poetry. Yes!

For more information about how to bring the play to a school or other kid friendly venue near you, contact Dramatic Publishing, 311 Washington St., Woodstock, IL 60098. Telephone: 800-448-7469. Sandy can also provide more insight into the play so you can contact her too.
http://sandyasher.com
http://usawrites4kids.blogspot.com
http://americatheownersmanual.wordpress.com

Another production of SOMEBODY CATCH MY HOMEWORK

Hi everyone,

Yesterday Sandy Asher learned that her play inspired by my poetry, SOMEBODY CATCH MY HOMEWORK, will be produced in South Carolina in April. We knew about the upcoming tour in and around Ames, Iowa in February and March so this is new and welcome news. Here’s the description.

Somebody Catch My Homework
A Comedy by Sandra Fenichel Asher
A light-hearted, high-energy look at one eventful day in the life of fourth-grader Samantha, the new girl in town, who has lost her beloved cat, Corky. At the bus stop, Samantha meets three wacky new friends who welcome her into their class, which just happens to be studying the animal kingdom. Their search for essay topics takes them from a dinner table’s chicken thighs to the pasture of a bull not pleased to see visitors. A wayward wad of bubble gum, tuba practice and a sticky baby sister later, the busy day finally peaks with the rescue of Corky.
Touring local elementary schools in April 2019
Public Performance
April 20, 2019 at 2:00 p.m.
Humanities and Performing Arts Center – Studio Theatre

If any of you or someone you know lives in the vicinity of Ames, Iowa or Spartanburg, South Carolina area, let me know and I’ll get more information about how to attend the public productions.