David Houston, his site

Welcome!  
Here you'll find details of current Literary Entertainments written and produced for theaters, libraries and schools. Or, by perusing resumes, review David's past projects and credentials (author of 14 published books, fiction and non, several plays and screenplays; technical writer and magazine editor; and an actor/director with numerous credits). Scroll down a bit. Feel free to roam.  

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synopses, bios, photos, reviews, performance dates, technical requirements, fees, contact information, study guides, etc.

Two New Shows for 2010
O. Henry's Hundred Years and O. Henry's Christmas Gift

O. Henry was one of America's greatest story tellers. His final collection was published in the year of his death, 1910. David Houston and Diana Heinlein perform dramatized readings of his humorous and influential stories in (1) a year-round collection of "The Caballero's Way," "A Retrieved Reformation," and "The Last Leaf"; and (2) a show for the holidays with "The Cop and the Anthem," "Christmas by Injunction," and his touching and world-famous "The Gift of the Magi." Presented in the style of radio drama, with sound effects and the jaunty music accompaniment of O. Henry's popular contemporary, Scott Joplin 

Especially appropriate in 2010, the centennial year of his death

Mark Twain: Telling Tales

David Houston as Mark Twain—in a "lecture" on the fine art of comedy and wit, from Twain's essays including "How to Tell a Humorous Story," and with full dramatic readings of "The Golden Arm," "The Notorious Jumping Frog of Calaveras County" and the white-washing scene from Tom Sawyer.

The Dickens!

David Houston as Charles Dickens on his American Tour of 1867.  Three different programs: (1) The Chimes (a ghostly New Year's Eve) plus a comic scene from Pickwick Papers; (2) the classic A Christmas Carol; or (3) a performance of Three Short Pieces: "Sikes and Nancy" (the chilling murder from Oliver Twist),  a charming story "Boots at the Holly Tree Inn," and the humorous sentimental novelette "Doctor Marigold." 

David Houston as Honest Abe presents a surprising portrait of our most literary president—taken from Lincoln's writings, letters, poetry and speeches. This is a witty and wise statesman who speaks to us as if he lives today and understands our most pressing, confusing and amusing concerns. Underscored with music of American composers, including "The Union," which was premiered for Lincoln at the White House. This Americana presentation is appropriate year-round, and is especially right for patriotic holidays.

2010 is the book's 50th anniversary
To Kill a Mockingbird
David Houston and Diana Heinlein present an hour-long performance reading from Harper Lee's Pulitzer Prize winning novel - in the style of radio drama with background music from Elmer Bernstein's haunting film score. The program features events surrounding the trial of Tom Robinson, a black man accused of a crime he clearly did not commit, seen through the eyes of Atticus Finch, his defense attorney, and Finch's daughter Scout. A meaningful look at the misguided American South of the 1930s, sometimes violent, sometimes gentle and wise. In a Library Journal poll in 1999, To Kill a Mockingbird was voted "the best novel of the 20th Century."  

The Belle of Amherst

Melanie Lipton as Emily Dickinson in the most celebrated of all one-actor Broadway plays, by Henry Luce, in a new touring production for libraries and schools.  The surprisingly witty and candid Miss Dickinson speaks to her houseguests about her life, loves and artistry while sharing  passages from her immortal poetry.  (Presented by special arrangement with Samuel French, Inc.)

Available again from October 1, 2010, in time for Halloween

Murder and Madness and Poe

In a one-actor play about America's unequaled Master of the Macabre, actor Rick Heuthe portrays a desperate Edgar Allan Poe seeking acceptance for his gentle tales of violence and insanity—in order to revive his faltering life and career with a lecture tour.  Includes quotations and readings from "The Black Cat," "Murders in the Rue Morgue," "The Bells," "Annabel Lee," and "The Raven."   

Fred and Adele Astaire: The Last Dance

A bio-musical play.  In 1932, Adèle Astaire, thought to be the more talented of the famous brother-sister duo, suddenly retired.  In this one-act comedy-drama with music, Fred and Adèle reminisce, sing their favorites, and dance a last dance to a new song that Fred will have to perform next season with a new partner: Cole Porter's as-yet-unknown "Night and Day." Steve Corbellini is Fred , Melanie Lipton is Adèle , and Ed Huether is Fred's valet Georgie. More than a dozen great songs by George Gershwin, Jerome Kern, and others,   

Available again from June 15, 2010
Let's Do It!

David Houston as Noël Coward and Rick Heuthe as Cole Porter in a one-act musical set in 1954.  Noël has a chance to resurrect fame and fortune with a  Las Vegas cabaret act; so he enlists the aid of his old friend Cole in choosing material to suit American audiences. They try first one song and then another, some Cole's and some Noël's, ending with a duet of Coward's hilarious parody lyrics to Porter's "Let's Do It." Songs include "I'll See You Again," "Brush Up Your Shakespeare," "You'd Be So Nice to Come Home To," "Mad Dogs and Englishmen," "I Love Paris," "I'm Throwing a Ball Tonight," and many more.

Study in Scarlet

David Houston in a one-man dramatized adaptation of the delightful, frightening, controversial and surprising story that introduced Sherlock Holmes and Dr. Watson in 1887, took the English-speaking world by storm, and became the “gold standard” for modern detective fiction.  Accompanying music  is from various Sherlock Holmes movies and TV shows.

Fahrenheit 451

A three-actor performance reading in the style of radio drama (with music and sound effects) of Ray Bradbury's classic story of censorship and apathy.  Especially appropriate for Banned Book Week in September, for any focus on government oppression, and for schools and organizations  that include the science-fiction masterpiece on reading lists. 

Links to Resumes, Photo Gallery, Previous Plays and Readings 

Theatrical Resume acting, writing, directing, commercials, voice-overs, training, projects in the works plus links to Long Island theatre websites. Resume for technical writing and editing, business language repair, ad copy Communications Services Resume 1990-2008 On-Stage Photo Gallery (The Dresser, The Fantasticks, Me and My Girl, The Little Foxes, Dial M for Murder, etc.)

Although on hold for various reasons, some of these previous shows can still be made available. Titles below are links to information about each show.

GREAT SCOTT AND ZELDA—JOY COMES IN THE MORNING—THE GHOST OF DOROTHY PARKER—ALOFT—LILLY ALONE—JAZZ BABY JOAN—THREE SHORT STORIES OF ISAAC BASHEVIS SINGER—HOW THE GARCIA GIRLS LOST THEIR ACCENTS—SNOW IN AUGUST—TRAVELS WITH CHARLIE—AMAGANSETT—ST. VALENTINE'S DAYS—WALT WHITMAN, TO BEGIN WITH—WE THE LIVING [MOVIE]—THE COLOR OF WATER—WAIT TILL NEXT YEAR—COMING TOGETHER COMING APART —TEDDY ROOSEVELT AND THE RIVER OF DOUBT

Send an E-Mail to DH@davidhouston.net