Dry Bones by James McManus
LOCATION
The Road on Lankershim – THEATRE
5108 Lankershim Boulevard
North Hollywood, CA 91601
(Street parking or paid lot parking at 5125 Lankershim Blvd)
Dry Bones
By James McManus
Directed by Sam Anderson
CAST
BOO – Coronado Romero
MAGGIE- Erica Mathlin
HALF PINT- Adam Meredith*
JUDY- Liz Fenning
LUCKY- Michael Dempsey
STAGE DIRECTION- Jacob Smith
*Appears courtesy of Actor’s Equity Association
SYNOPSIS
Boo and Half Pint are childhood friends growing up and fighting to get by in a dying factory town in Western Pennsylvania. In a swirl of love, anger, and lyricism, Dry Bones explores the journey of five intertwined lives and the price survival demands, when the world changes around you.
TICKETS
No reservations or advance tickets. Admission is by donation ($15 suggested).
MEET YOUR PLAYWRIGHT
JAMES MCMANUS’ plays have been developed and performed at Cornerstone Theater Company, Labyrinth Theater Company, Working Theater, Apothecary Theatre Company, The Clockwork Theatre, Glass Umbrella Creative (Sydney), Revolt Theatre (Melbourne), Gurnet Theatre Project, The Kennedy Center, Round House Theatre, Pittsburgh Playwrights Theatre Company, The Edinburgh Festival Fringe, Barebones Productions, Irish Repertory Theatre, Son of Semele, The Side Project Theatre Company, The Lark Play Development Center, The Inkwell and the August Wilson Center for African American Culture. James was the recipient of the Princess Grace Award in Playwriting for Cherry Smoke, which is published by Samuel French. He has also received the Helen Merrill Playwriting Award and is a proud alumnist of New Dramatists.
MEET YOUR DIRECTOR
SAM ANDERSON is one of the Road’s two Artistic Directors. He has directed many world premieres, as well as being an award-winning actor. He teaches acting and is also a writer and member of Mystery Writers of America.
An Interview with Playwright James McManus
1: What is the name of your play?
Dry Bones
2: What was your first job in the theatre?
Playwright
3: Do you ever model characters after real life people?
Oh yes. The fact that they don’t fold my teeth back means I’m doing something correct.
4: As an artist, what subjects tend to draw your interest?
I’m consumed with people who are about to fall over the waterfall and the folks who can save them.
5: Do you have other passions aside from playwriting?
I breathe theater. I talk to my dog in Olde English. Is there anything more germane to my daily life than plays written 500 years ago? When I’m not speaking in Iambic Pentameter, I sometimes think about avocados.
6: Are you currently working on any new projects?
I’ve written a play, Radioman, based on a book of poetry by a Vietnam Veteran. It will begin touring soon and I cannot wait to share it.
7: Here’s a fun question! What is your favorite dessert?
Nutter Butters, no foolin.
8: Any acknowledgements or words of encouragement?
As with almost all of my plays, thanks to New Dramatists for giving me the time and space to write and develop it.
9: Describe your play in 3 words!
Boo loves Maggie