The Last Night of Red Barker is
“surprisingly poignant” & “unexpectedly touching”
The Denver Post
Audience are absolutely loving The Last Night of Red Barker, calling it a "lovely," "moving," and "heartbreaking" theatrical experience. Though not a review, Lisa Kennedy couldn't help but comment on the emotional aspects of the play's journey in her feature article in The Denver Post:
"The Last Night of Red Barker” is surprisingly poignant. As the audience accompanies Red through memories and into ghostly encounters, his dead-man-walking ruminations speak of melancholy and legacy." Kennedy goes on to write, "Did I mention that this work by the Catamounts and Neuman is, in addition to making an argument for the intimacy of a certain kind of low-tech immersive theater, unexpectedly touching?
It is. And I don’t mind telling you that watching [a young audience member's to] Red’s departure a teary one for a few of these new friends of Barker."
Read Lisa Kennedy's article in its entirety by clicking the image below!
"The Last Night of Red Barker” is surprisingly poignant. As the audience accompanies Red through memories and into ghostly encounters, his dead-man-walking ruminations speak of melancholy and legacy." Kennedy goes on to write, "Did I mention that this work by the Catamounts and Neuman is, in addition to making an argument for the intimacy of a certain kind of low-tech immersive theater, unexpectedly touching?
It is. And I don’t mind telling you that watching [a young audience member's to] Red’s departure a teary one for a few of these new friends of Barker."
Read Lisa Kennedy's article in its entirety by clicking the image below!
Some Tickets Still Available!
I’m thrilled beyond words to announce my next production, which marks my 3rd collaboration with The Catamounts, Colorado’s most creative, dynamic, and boundary-pushing theater company.
THE LAST NIGHT OF RED BARKER is based on the life of Lloyd Barker, second-born son of the notorious 1930's gang leader, Ma Barker. The production takes place on and around the property in Westminster, Colorado, where Lloyd -- known as "Red"-- met his tragic and untimely end. This is a different type of theatre experience, y'all, and sets the audience on a journey that asks if the ghosts from our past can ever be escaped, if redemption is ever within reach.
Tickets are VERY limited, so get them while you can through the link in the image below. Hope to see you at Lloyd's last call."
THE LAST NIGHT OF RED BARKER is based on the life of Lloyd Barker, second-born son of the notorious 1930's gang leader, Ma Barker. The production takes place on and around the property in Westminster, Colorado, where Lloyd -- known as "Red"-- met his tragic and untimely end. This is a different type of theatre experience, y'all, and sets the audience on a journey that asks if the ghosts from our past can ever be escaped, if redemption is ever within reach.
Tickets are VERY limited, so get them while you can through the link in the image below. Hope to see you at Lloyd's last call."
September 2024
Pen & Podium Returns for Its 21st Season
There are some authors who are not only beautiful storytellers, but also beautiful human beings. Amy Tan is one of those glorious people and it was pure joy (and pure luck) to have her kickoff our 21st season of Pen & Podium, seventeen years after her first appearance on our stage.
Amy carries a light and energy that are so inspiring; she’s uniquely sensitive, funny, and wise, and she commands a stage with warmth and generosity. Her message last night was particularly timely as she discussed The Backyard Bird Chronicles and how birding helped her to discover and embrace hope in a world that too often distracts us from the beauty that surrounds us. I don’t think I’ll ever forget her wondrous story of seeing and being seen by a bird for the very first time. Pure delight. Pure heaven. Man, I love my job!
Amy carries a light and energy that are so inspiring; she’s uniquely sensitive, funny, and wise, and she commands a stage with warmth and generosity. Her message last night was particularly timely as she discussed The Backyard Bird Chronicles and how birding helped her to discover and embrace hope in a world that too often distracts us from the beauty that surrounds us. I don’t think I’ll ever forget her wondrous story of seeing and being seen by a bird for the very first time. Pure delight. Pure heaven. Man, I love my job!
June 2024
24 Hour Plays at Curious Theatre Company
I’ve always been more of a “chip away at the marble” kinda writer, taking my sweet time cobbling a piece together. This month, though, I got to make Spin Art, writing a brand new play in just 8 hours! Did I mention I had to BEGIN writing it at 10pm and that it was to be fully produced the following evening?!?? Yup. You read that right. Why on earth would I do this?!!?? Well, wouldn’t you if it was a benefit for the nationally beloved Curious Theatre Company?
The 24 Hour Plays came to Denver and somehow 6 fresh plays that didn't exist the day before were midwived into the world. My contribution, Visiting Zeyde, was a love letter to my grandparents and it was a complete joy (though utterly exhausting) to write. Even more joyful was seeing the brilliant work of Anne Oberbroeckling, Billie McBride, Kim Egan, and Jim Hunt under the auspices of Kent Thompson's direction. It took my body 72 hours to recover from the all-nighter, but I wouldn't have missed this experience for the world.
The 24 Hour Plays came to Denver and somehow 6 fresh plays that didn't exist the day before were midwived into the world. My contribution, Visiting Zeyde, was a love letter to my grandparents and it was a complete joy (though utterly exhausting) to write. Even more joyful was seeing the brilliant work of Anne Oberbroeckling, Billie McBride, Kim Egan, and Jim Hunt under the auspices of Kent Thompson's direction. It took my body 72 hours to recover from the all-nighter, but I wouldn't have missed this experience for the world.
May 2024
From Flower Moon to the Gates of Hell
On April 29, I had the immense pleasure of hosting bestselling author David Grann to Denver for the final installment of Pen & Podium's 20th Anniversary season. David was an absolute joy to host and he held the audience rapt as he discussed two of his works -- The Wager and Killers of the Flower Moon -- to illustrate the joys/challenges of bringing true stories to near-fictional life.
From April 26-May 18, Benchmark Theatre (Denver) produced the workshop premiere of my most recent play, The Road to Lethe, a funhouse-mirror reflection of our own damaged world that re-imagines one of Greek mythology’s most infamous stories through the lens of Black Lives Matter. In the play, a Black handyman is hired by three elderly White women to assemble the contents of a large Amazon package mysteriously left on their doorstep, he finds himself drawn through the World of the Living to the Gates of Hell. Click the photo below to hear a lovely story from Colorado Public Radio's Eden Lane about the play and its path to production.
March 2024
Ta-Nehisi Coates & Michael Chabon
at Pen & Podium
On March 18, I had one of the most epic experiences I’ve ever undertaken — beautiful, powerful, thought-provoking, and more than a little anxiety-inducing — when I shared the stage with two of the most brilliant minds of our times, Ta-Nehisi Coates and Michael Chabon, for almost two full hours in front of an audience of almost 1000 people. During the conversation, the two authors generously shared their thoughts about writing, process, and an authorial responsibility in public discourse. It was truly one of the most unforgettable events we've ever hosted at Pen & Podium and an absolute career highlight for me.
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February 2024
Kristin Hannah at Pen & Podium
It was pure joy hosting Kristin Hannah on Monday night, 2/12, for the very first Pen & Podium of 2024. Kristin was warm, kind, smart, and had one of those easily offered laughs that makes you feel like you’ve been friends for years. A natural storyteller and a fearless editor of her own work, I’ll not soon forget her advice that when it comes to writing, "You can fix a broken scene, but you can't fix a broken page.” I'm planning on remembering that advice any time/every time I find myself on the doorstep of writer's block.
January 2024
And The OSCA Goes To ...
So grateful to OnStage Colorado for recognizing Cherry Creek Theatre’s production of The Headliners with FIVE 2023 Awards for Theatrical Excellence, including honors for Original Play, Actor in a Play (Norrell Moore and Jeremy Rill), Director of a Play (Nick Sugar), and Costume Design (Linda Morken). This play and production continue to be such a source of happiness and pride for me.
December 2023
True West Awards Honors Colorado Playwrights
On Day 17 of this year's True West Awards, veteran journalist John Moore writes, "Jake Brasch put the Colorado in the Colorado New Play Summit. But It was a banner, perhaps unprecedented year for local playwrights as a collective, too. Defying all economic likelihood coming out of the pandemic, Colorado theaters staged at least 17 full-length new plays written by local playwrights in 2023. The 23rd annual True West Awards recount 30 good stories from the year in Colorado theater in The Denver Gazette."
I was thrilled to be among the TWA-recognized playwrights for my two locally-produced plays this year, The Headliners (Cherry Creek Theatre) and Pride of the Farm (The Catamounts). This is my fourth True West Award citation and I cannot express how much it means to me to be honored for my contributions to the Colorado theater landscape.
McSweeney's Issue 72 Now Available for Purchase
I know I'm supposed to be a wordsmith or something like that, but words absolutely failed me this week when I saw my play, The Headliners, beautifully published by McSweeney's, a literary organization that has meant so much to me for so long. Issue 72 is NOW available for purchase on the McSweeney's website and I couldn't be happier with how it turned out, gorgeously packaged with photos from the play's world premiere. I do hope you'll consider buying a copy of the publication, and I urge you to share the play with any producers who are looking for a timely piece of theater that explores issues of gender, celebrity, and sexuality.
The Road to Lethe Premiere Rescheduled
Just a programming note, but my newest play, The Road To Lethe, which was slated to premiere at Benchmark Theatre this month has been rescheduled to open in April 2024. I'm actually quite happy about the change in timeline and look forward to sharing this piece with you all in just a few months.
On Day 17 of this year's True West Awards, veteran journalist John Moore writes, "Jake Brasch put the Colorado in the Colorado New Play Summit. But It was a banner, perhaps unprecedented year for local playwrights as a collective, too. Defying all economic likelihood coming out of the pandemic, Colorado theaters staged at least 17 full-length new plays written by local playwrights in 2023. The 23rd annual True West Awards recount 30 good stories from the year in Colorado theater in The Denver Gazette."
I was thrilled to be among the TWA-recognized playwrights for my two locally-produced plays this year, The Headliners (Cherry Creek Theatre) and Pride of the Farm (The Catamounts). This is my fourth True West Award citation and I cannot express how much it means to me to be honored for my contributions to the Colorado theater landscape.
McSweeney's Issue 72 Now Available for Purchase
I know I'm supposed to be a wordsmith or something like that, but words absolutely failed me this week when I saw my play, The Headliners, beautifully published by McSweeney's, a literary organization that has meant so much to me for so long. Issue 72 is NOW available for purchase on the McSweeney's website and I couldn't be happier with how it turned out, gorgeously packaged with photos from the play's world premiere. I do hope you'll consider buying a copy of the publication, and I urge you to share the play with any producers who are looking for a timely piece of theater that explores issues of gender, celebrity, and sexuality.
The Road to Lethe Premiere Rescheduled
Just a programming note, but my newest play, The Road To Lethe, which was slated to premiere at Benchmark Theatre this month has been rescheduled to open in April 2024. I'm actually quite happy about the change in timeline and look forward to sharing this piece with you all in just a few months.
November 2023
Now Available for Pre-Order!
It’s finally here! Time to pre-order McSweeney’s Quarterly Concern Issue 72, which is being released in December and features my play THE HEADLINERS! Working with the McSweeney’s team has been pure joy and I hope you’ll consider ordering a copy.
From McSweeney's: Finish out 2023 in style with a jam-packed metaphorical evening of cultural nourishment courtesy of McSweeney’s 72. Inside this three mini-book volume (bedecked with art by printmaker David Ryan), you’ll find a new play, The Headliners, by Jeffrey Neuman (produced here in an extended playbill of black and white photos from the Denver world-premiere production along with the play’s full text); and experience the hardships and thrills of life on the road as comedian and musician Tim Heidecker guides you through his intimate diary and documentary photos of his The Two Timstour. With your whistle appropriately wetted, settle in for a full festival’s worth of literary stars including Ed Park’s latest tale of generational differences in family and love; Selena Gambrell Anderson on the intentional wrecking of a rich man’s ill-used ship; Jim Shepard’s new narrative perspective of Dr. Jekyll and his Mr. Hyde; Caleb Crain’s painfully accurate take on the time-honored tradition of hooking up at a writing conference; and Lauren Spohrer on the frightening specter of ghost planes and ghost citations, misattributions and appropriations.
For those of you not familiar with McSweeney's Quarterly Concern, It has been described as "A key barometer of the literary climate" by The New York Times and "an enduring literary presence" by Chicago Tribune. A three-time winner and nine-time finalist of the National Magazine Award for fiction, I'm thrilled to have the honor of being presented in its pages.
Click on the image above to pre-order your copy today!
From McSweeney's: Finish out 2023 in style with a jam-packed metaphorical evening of cultural nourishment courtesy of McSweeney’s 72. Inside this three mini-book volume (bedecked with art by printmaker David Ryan), you’ll find a new play, The Headliners, by Jeffrey Neuman (produced here in an extended playbill of black and white photos from the Denver world-premiere production along with the play’s full text); and experience the hardships and thrills of life on the road as comedian and musician Tim Heidecker guides you through his intimate diary and documentary photos of his The Two Timstour. With your whistle appropriately wetted, settle in for a full festival’s worth of literary stars including Ed Park’s latest tale of generational differences in family and love; Selena Gambrell Anderson on the intentional wrecking of a rich man’s ill-used ship; Jim Shepard’s new narrative perspective of Dr. Jekyll and his Mr. Hyde; Caleb Crain’s painfully accurate take on the time-honored tradition of hooking up at a writing conference; and Lauren Spohrer on the frightening specter of ghost planes and ghost citations, misattributions and appropriations.
For those of you not familiar with McSweeney's Quarterly Concern, It has been described as "A key barometer of the literary climate" by The New York Times and "an enduring literary presence" by Chicago Tribune. A three-time winner and nine-time finalist of the National Magazine Award for fiction, I'm thrilled to have the honor of being presented in its pages.
Click on the image above to pre-order your copy today!
OCTOBER 2023
A New Season for Pen & Podium
We kicked off our 20th anniversary season of Pen & Podium last evening with Yaa Gyasi (Homegoing, Transcendent Kingdom), who brought such warmth, intelligence, and thoughtfulness to our stage. What an extraordinary mind and what a singular talent! Not only did she talk passionately about the importance and power of reading, but also of the debt we owe our ancestors who literally laid down their lives for us to have the right to our voice and our written word. I don’t think I’ve ever been as mesmerized by an author or as transfixed by a message as I was by this spectacular young writer. A truly special evening that I was thrilled to share with so many dear friends.
AUGUST 2023
What You Will Featured in New Anthology
Really excited to share that one of the monologues from my play What You Will is featured in a new anthology by some scripts, Monologues by LGBTQIA+ Writers for LGBTQIA+ Actors. This anthology builds on some scripts' work as a literary magazine since 2019 and provides Queer and trans actors a place to seek monologues by scriptwriters that reflect their own lived experiences. Monologues by LGBTQIA+ Writers for LGBTQIA+ Actors is available for purchase at Amazon, Barnes & Noble, Lulu.com, Bookshop.org, and through a number of ebook services.
JULY 2023
The Headliners Nominated for Three Henry Awards
I'm beyond excited to announce that Cherry Creek Theatre's production of The Headliners has been nominated for THREE Henry Awards, including Lead Actor, Best Costume Design, and Best New Play or Musical!
The 17th annual Colorado Theatre Guild awards ceremony, which honors outstanding achievements of Colorado's theatre community, will take place on Monday, July 24, 2023 at the Wolf Theatre in the Denver Center for the Performing Arts. Pre-ceremony social time in the Wolf Theatre lobby starts at 6pm Mountain time, the ceremony begins via live-stream and in-person at 7pm Mountain time, and the evening concludes with a catered after-party on-site. There are in-person and streaming options for tickets.
This is my third nomination for Best New Play, and fingers are crossed that the third time is, as they say, a charm.
The 17th annual Colorado Theatre Guild awards ceremony, which honors outstanding achievements of Colorado's theatre community, will take place on Monday, July 24, 2023 at the Wolf Theatre in the Denver Center for the Performing Arts. Pre-ceremony social time in the Wolf Theatre lobby starts at 6pm Mountain time, the ceremony begins via live-stream and in-person at 7pm Mountain time, and the evening concludes with a catered after-party on-site. There are in-person and streaming options for tickets.
This is my third nomination for Best New Play, and fingers are crossed that the third time is, as they say, a charm.
June 2023
A rainbow suddenly appears over two young lovers as they court one another through dance. A rabbit darts across a gravel-strewn path as two nurses commiserate over a well-earned end-of-day drink. A light rain kisses your cheeks as a young man mourns the untimely loss of his brother. These are the unexpected joys of immersive, site-specific theater and the heart of my next venture, which opens on June 1. Weather, wildlife, community.
The Catamounts production of PRIDE OF THE FARM runs through June 25, and I really hope you’ll come to Metzger Farm Open Space to see this charming little jaunt through time. The property is beautiful, the design work lovely, and you are going to absolutely fall in love with these actors (pictured below). Hope to see you there!
Tickets available at https://cityofwestminster.ticketspice.com/pride-of-the-farm or by clicking the image above.
Pride of the Farm in the News
Boulder Weekly: Growing Something Good
The Denver Post, Two Poignant New Shows Immerse Viewers
May 2023
THE HEADLINERS OPENS TO RAVE REVIEWS!
"When the final blackout signaled the abrupt but satisfying end of The Headliners on its sold-out opening night at Cherry Creek Theatre, the audience was already well aware we’d seen something pretty special. It’s an overused word, but “triumph” is an altogether appropriate descriptor for the world premiere of Colorado playwright Jeffrey Neuman’s fictionalized version of a real-life stunt wedding a century ago." -- OnStage Colorado
The World Premiere of The Headliners plays at Denver's Cherry Creek Theatre May 5-21. Tickets available at cherrycreektheatre.org. To read the full Opening Night review of the show from OnStage Colorado, please click the image below.
The Headliners Making Headlines
The Denver Post, "Jeffrey Neuman’s canny drama, “The Headliners,” wows at Pluss Theatre"
Colorado Public Radio, "A Colorado writer lost his hearing. Then he set out to follow his dream"
OnStage Colorado, "World premiere of ‘The Headliners’ a Triumph at Cherry Creek"
Outfront Magazine, "Jeffrey Neuman’s ‘The Headliners’ to Premiere at Cherry Creek Theater
Denver Gazette, "Denver playwright Jeffrey Neuman Hits the Trifecta"
Westword, "Twentieth-Century Vaudeville Stars Tackle 21st-Century Issues in The Headliners"
Pen & Podium
The Close of One Season and Announcement of Another
Spending an hour in conversation with Dave Eggers on May 8 was, by far, one of the highlights of my career. Not only was he a charming, funny, smart, and impassioned speaker, but he was also a kind and warm human being. The experience went from amazing to unbelievable, though, when we stepped offstage and Dave told me he’d never had so much fun during an interview before and even asked if I’d consider doing a few events with him in San Francisco. I'm still walking on air.
Do yourself a favor and pick up a copy of Dave's newest book The Eyes and The Impossible, a delightful all ages novel told from the point of view of Johannes, a wild dog with a mission. While you're doing yourself that favor, do yourself another and pick up his short book The Museum of Rain. It is, by far, one of my favorite short stories and perfectly encapsulates the importance of artistic expression -- how you can never quite anticipate the rippling wake of creation.
At our event with Dave, we also announced our 2023-24 season. For our 20th anniversary, we pulled out all the stops and put together quite a program:
Do yourself a favor and pick up a copy of Dave's newest book The Eyes and The Impossible, a delightful all ages novel told from the point of view of Johannes, a wild dog with a mission. While you're doing yourself that favor, do yourself another and pick up his short book The Museum of Rain. It is, by far, one of my favorite short stories and perfectly encapsulates the importance of artistic expression -- how you can never quite anticipate the rippling wake of creation.
At our event with Dave, we also announced our 2023-24 season. For our 20th anniversary, we pulled out all the stops and put together quite a program:
- Yaa Gyasi, October 2023
- Frances Mayes & Ruth Reichl In Conversation, November 2023
- Kristin Hannah, February 2024
- Ta-Nehisi Coates & Michael Chabon In Conversation, March 2024
- David Grann, May 2024
March 2023
A Year of Premieres!
I don’t know how on earth I got so lucky, but I’ve been gifted the opportunity to premiere three new plays in my beautiful home state of Colorado this year. Three! From a vaudeville stage in New York (THE HEADLINERS) to a jaunt through time on a historical Colorado property (PRIDE OF THE FARM) to my very personal response to the Black Lives Matter movement (THE ROAD TO LETHE) — 3 wildly different plays presented by 3 amazingly different companies. I hope you’ll join me for the journeys.
The Headliners, Cherry Creek Theatre, May 5-21
Pride of the Farm, The Catamounts, May-June, Dates TBD
The Road to Lethe ,Benchmark Theatre, December 2-23
Thrilled to have my short play Delivered included in And Toto too Theatre Company’s Queer Reading Series — March 29, 7PM (Aurora, Colorado). It’s one of my most award-winning, yet seldom-produced pieces and tells the story of four people whose lives collide when they witness a strange and disturbing occurrence. Based on real events, Delivered is about the dangerous crossroads of homophobia and complacency.
Tickets available through link in photo above
Tickets available through link in photo above
