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. Feel free to roam.
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synopses, bios, photos, reviews, performance
dates, technical
requirements, fees, contact information, study guides, etc.
The Lost Wife {LONG ISLAND READS 2012)
Gail Merzer Behrens and David Houston in a performance reading in the style of radio drama, with music and effect, from Alyson Richman's outstanding new novel of love and war and human resilience, spanning the time and distance from Prague before the occupation to twenty-first century New York.
Available from November 1, 2011, wonderful entertainment for the holidays and beyond
A RODGERS AND HART AUDITION
It's 1940, and the world-famous team prepares a benefit for our besieged friends across the Atlantic. Unlikely celebrities audition and sing such Rodgers and Hart classics as "I Could Write a Bookl," "Johnny One-Note," "Manhattan," "Isn't It Romantic," "Where Or When" and lots more. David Houston is Richard Rodgers, Rick Heuthe is Lorenz Hart, and Melanie Lipton, Steve Corbellini, and Diana Heinlein take turns in costume as famous personalities of the day.
Great for Halloween, Women's History, mystery clubs, etc.
ON THE CASE: CHRISTIE MYSTERIES
In
a 65-minute show, three actors perform
David Houston’s radio play (with music accompaniment and sound
effects) from classic short stories by the all-time mistress of suspense
and surprise—including a fanciful scene in which Miss Marple
(played by Diana Heinlein, left) and Hercule
Poirot (Rick Heuthe) discuss “Getting Away with Murder,” drawn from various
Agatha Christie sources.
For virtually any patriotic or historic celebration
A Ben Franklin for All Seasons
In his day, Ben Franklin was the most famous of all Americans—here and abroad. Now, with David Houston in the role, Ben—perhaps the most versatile creator since da Vinci—quotes and amuses himself. He has been asked to prepare a speech explaining his popularity and power, and he finds it difficult to keep a straight face, with the humorous essays and sayings of his alter-ego Poor Richard springing to mind.
Two collections of irresistible humorous and touching short stories from the American master
O. Henry's Christmas Gift and O. Henry's Hundred Years
O. Henry's final stories were published in the year of his death, 1910. David Houston and Diana Heinlein perform dramatized readings of his 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 Christmas with "The Cop and the Anthem," "Christmas by Injunction," and his sentimental 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
Abe Lincoln in the 21st Century
2011 marks the 150th anniversary of Lincoln's inauguration. 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.
Frequently under attack, this brilliant work is alarmingly right for Banned Books Week
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."
Delightful for any occasion and (surprise!)good for Banned Books Week
Great Scott, and Zelda
In this one-act two-actor play, Melanie Lipton and Steve Corbellini are Zelda and F. Scott Fitzgerald attempting to rescue the "boring" manuscript of The Great Gatsby by adding people, places and events from their private lives. David Houston's script is based on biographies, their love letters and literary correspondence, and Scott's stories. Humorous, informative, with bits of music, this is an authentic return to the Roaring Twenties when young Scott was America's best-selling author and Scott and Zelda were deeply in love.
A favorite for seniors, families and high-schoolers
Mark Twain: Telling Tales
David Houston as Mark Twain—in a "lecture" on the fine art of comedy, from Twain's essays including "How to Tell a Humorous Story," "Encounter With an Interviewer," "The Turning Point of My Career," and with full dramatic readings of "The Golden Arm," "The Notorious Jumping Frog of Calaveras County" and the famous white-washing scene from The Adventures of Tom Sawyer.
From one of the greatest writers in the history of the English-speaking world
The Dickens!
David Houston as Charles Dickens on his American Tour of 1867. Three different hour-long programs: (1) The Chimes (a ghost story about New Year's Eve) plus a comic scene from Pickwick Papers; (2) the classic A Christmas Carol with Scrooge, the Ghosts, Cratchit and all the rest, in Dickens' own words; or (3) a more secular offering: Three Short Pieces: "Sikes and Nancy" (the chilling murder from Oliver Twist), a charming winter short story "Boots at the Holly Tree Inn," and the humorous and sentimental novelette "Doctor Marigold."
This brilliant event (approximately 80 minutes) is the vorite for seniors, families and high-sch
The Belle of Amherst
Melanie Lipton as Emily Dickinson in the most celebrated of all one-actor Broadway plays; by Henry Luce, in a 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.)
A spell-binder for Halloween, mystery clubs, and devotees
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.
A chilling classic of futurist literature
Fahrenheit 451
A three-actor performance reading in the style of radio drama, with music and sound effects, of Ray Bradbury's enduring story of censorship and apathy and war. 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. Photo Gallery
Communications
Services Resume
technical writing and editing, business
language repair,
ad copy
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—MURDER AND MADNESS AND POE—FRED AND ADELE ASTAIRE: THE LAST DANCE—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 —THEODORE ROOSEVELT AND THE RIVER OF DOUBT—SAG HARBOR—LET'S DO IT!
Send an E-Mail to DH@davidhouston.net