Playwright | Joshua James

Warning, strong language and violence, along with cool Luc Besson action …

Via Scott at Go Into The Story

With great pleasure I announce the availability of Tallboy Walkin’ as an e-play on IndieTheatre Now.

Here’s the synopsis:

Tallboy Walkin’ is the story of five different men, of different ages and ethnic backgrounds, who find themselves stranded at a bus stop late at night in a dangerous urban city. A confrontation between two men, men of color, holds the other three men as their unwilling captive audience, trapped by circumstances, a late bus and the presence of a loaded firearm. A high-wire meditation on race, religion and the comedy of life, Tallboy Walkin’ asks the question all of us at some point have to answer.

I’ve written a lot of plays, but Tallboy Walkin’ is perhaps the theatre work that, at least thus far, I am most proud of. At the time that I wrote it, I was at a real crossroads as a writer, artist and citizen and didn’t know what I was going to do, very frustrated with where I was as a writer … I had two or three weeks vacation coming up from the really crappy day job I had and planned to use the time to write a screenplay … instead, I wrote this play, which went on to have many fans … I was living in a boarding house with six or seven Irishmen at the time, and the story just leaped out of my head in ten days. In many ways, it represented an artistic shift for me, one for which I’m most grateful for.

It went on to be a most fulfilling work for me, I got to work with a couple of really great friends (Van and Nick) who each directed a production, and also, through the casting of this play, met the guy who is, to this day, my very best friend, who starred in it. All three men, Van, Nick and Ato were incredibly important in the formation of this work, providing the necessary feedback and support that helped the piece realize its potential. I can’t thank them enough, truly.

Both productions had great actors in them who gave fantastic stellar performances. A lot of people thought the play would go on to larger stages, especially the 2001 production, which audiences loved but, unfortunately, opened on September 7th … a few days later, we all had much more tragic things occupying our mind in New York at that time, which was unfortunate for the play (which closed a few weeks later), but in light of the many other losses during that tragedy, understandably small in the great scope of things.

I’m grateful we had what time we did have together and that we had each other during a truly chaotic period in New York City’s history. And I am very thankful for this play in ways I cannot put into words, no matter if it now lives only online and in our memory.

So if you have a moment, please check out Tallboy Walkin’, read the excerpt, pass it on to friends.

Thanks, all.

Hey friends, my play The Elf, The Bunny & The Big Xmas Blowup is also online as an eplay … please click on it and check it out.

The Elf, The Bunny & The Big Xmas Blowup is a wild satiric look about a disgruntled elf and an understudy reindeer determined to blow up Christmas. Only Wendi, a nine-year old girl and her friend the Easter Bunny can stop them from their diabolical plan as they travel down to the South Pole in pursuit.

Charlie: Christmas. Christmas really chaps my ass.

This show was one of the most fun I’ve ever had, I was actually asked to write the play for Manhattan Theatre Source to produce (they actually did that for awhile, rather than just rent) and I worked with all my friends on it, we had a killer cast, Ato Essandoh, Tara Platt, Lou Carbonneau, Chuck Bunting, Clyde Kelly, Kimmy Gamble, and R. Paul Hamilton (as Santa). Costumes were designed by the insanely talented Tomoko Naka (ahem) and Mitchell Riggs (the director) shot actual commercials … it was a real hoot and audiences loved it … it’s been done a few times since, but that first one, dude, it was pretty awesome.

If you haven’t read it, give it a look (there’s a sample) and pass it on to anyone you think would dig it.

Thanks, friends!

Another quick post … just wanted to let you all know that my play THE MEN’S ROOM is now available as an ebook through Indie Theater Now.

THE MEN’S ROOM was my first full length play, the first thing I ever had read publicly (in a wonderful staged reading directed by Nick Corley, featuring Josh Brolin, Micheal Stulbarg, Rod Sedgwick and many others) the first one I had produced (by Camilla’s Theatre Gallery, directed by Mitchell Riggs and by Gamerin Theatre Company, directed by me) and it later went on to be produced in London (by Icon Theatre, directed by Nancy Hirst).

Here’s a publicity picture from the Gamerin production, we had a killer cast … James McCauley, Gil Grail, Chuck Bunting, Garrison Philips, Lou Carbonneau, Mahlon Stewart & Mark Hutchinson

I also met and made some life long friends as a result of the many forms this play has taken over the years.

So please check it out at THE MEN’S ROOM, read the excerpt (if you’re not familiar with the play) and pass it on, if you so desire.

Thanks!

Heh-heh …

I know, I’ve been remiss in blogging, much is going on in the analog world at the moment.

In the digital world, however, my play … 2 Very Dangerous People Sharing 1 Small Space Together is now available as an ebook, so please check it out, read a sample or get a copy, if you wish!

My friend Nancy’s novel THE CROWN is now in bookstores … here’s a trailer for it:

Seek this book, buy this book, read this book … it will elevate your existence … that is all.

Warning … it’s pretty violent and totally awesome!

I’m totally crushing on Gina …

Via Scott at Go Into The Story …

Today is the anniversary the day of my arrival on this island Earth … the birthdays just keep on coming and coming, for which I am extremely grateful. My thanks to all who’ve wished me well on this day.