Full-Length Plays
(in Alphabetical Order)
- Exit Strategies
- The Headliners
- Standards of Conduct
- Storytellers
- What You Will
- Wish You Were Here
Synopses, Production History, & Critical Reception
EXIT STRATEGIES

Synopsis: Chance Gold, a moderately successful playwright, returns home for his father’s funeral, only to be drawn into the explosive family dynamics he has spent the better part of his life trying to escape. At turns funny and heartbreaking, Exit Strategies not only explores the fine line between absurdity and pathos in family relationships, but also questions at what point the protective walls we put up around ourselves become a self-imposed prison.
Character List:
· Chance Gold (M, 40s)
· Kai (F, 30s)
· Sheryl (F, 60s)
· Rachel (F, 30s)
Production & Award History:
· Selected, Last Frontier Theatre Conference (Valdez, Alaska), June 8-14, 2014
· Winner: EDGE Theatre's ON THE EDGE: Festival of New Plays (Denver, Colorado), July 2014
· Semifinalist: Centre Stage New Play Festival (Greenville, South Carolina), July 2014.
· Scene workshop with Matthew Lopez (Whipping Man, Legend of Georgia McBride) at the Colorado New Play Summit, February 2015.
· Production: EDGE Theater Company (Denver, Colorado), December 4-27, 2015.
· Winner: Marlowe Award, "Best New Play of the Year" (Denver, 2015).
· Nominated: Henry Award, "Outstanding New Play or Musical" AND "Outstanding Supporting Actress in a Play [Emma Messenger]" (July, 2016).
The Headliners

Synopsis: Set in 1908, one hundred and seven years before the legalization of same-sex unions, The Headliners details an occurrence in the life of two of America’s biggest vaudeville stars, when they stepped onto one of the most preeminent stages in New York City and thumbed their noses at gender roles, respectability, and the institution of marriage. Was it a performance? Was it a publicity stunt? Or, was it something much more personal for the two stars involved? Based on true events, this surprisingly timely play with music explores the intersection of power, celebrity, gender, and sexuality.
Character List:
· Eva Tanguay (F, early 30’s)
· Julian Eltinge (M, late 20’s)
· Stage Manager (M, 60’s)
Production History:
· Developed, Denver Center for the Performing Arts, first inaugural Playwrights Group (Denver) 2019-20.
· Finalist, Local Lab Festival of New Plays (Boulder, Colorado), May 2021
· Finalist, O'Neill National Theatre Conference (Waterford, CT), June 2021
· Virtual Reading, Cherry Creek Thetatre (Denver), July 2021.
Character List:
· Eva Tanguay (F, early 30’s)
· Julian Eltinge (M, late 20’s)
· Stage Manager (M, 60’s)
Production History:
· Developed, Denver Center for the Performing Arts, first inaugural Playwrights Group (Denver) 2019-20.
· Finalist, Local Lab Festival of New Plays (Boulder, Colorado), May 2021
· Finalist, O'Neill National Theatre Conference (Waterford, CT), June 2021
· Virtual Reading, Cherry Creek Thetatre (Denver), July 2021.
Standards of Conduct

Synopsis:
Chaos. Cruelty. Scandal. Sabotage. Fistfights. Profanity. Just your typical day at the office.
Actually, business is not “as usual” at the corporate headquarters of Books & Music Unlimited, the fictional Fortune 500 company at the heart of this play. During a media event to announce an initiative that will hopefully save the company from bankruptcy, the Director of Marketing does something so outrageous that it not only rocks the organization to its foundation, but also creates a national scandal.
Standards of Conduct is a dark comedy about the humanity and hypocrisy that underscores American corporate culture. It is a timely satire that examines just how far some companies will go in an age of corporate lay-offs and company closings.
Character List:
· Rick (M, mid-50’s)
· Dave (M, 40’s)
· Al (M, 60’s)
· Jay (M, 40’s)
· Marcus (early 20’s)
Production History:
· Staged Reading, Colorado Theatre Guild New Venture Series (Denver, Colorado), October 2011.
Chaos. Cruelty. Scandal. Sabotage. Fistfights. Profanity. Just your typical day at the office.
Actually, business is not “as usual” at the corporate headquarters of Books & Music Unlimited, the fictional Fortune 500 company at the heart of this play. During a media event to announce an initiative that will hopefully save the company from bankruptcy, the Director of Marketing does something so outrageous that it not only rocks the organization to its foundation, but also creates a national scandal.
Standards of Conduct is a dark comedy about the humanity and hypocrisy that underscores American corporate culture. It is a timely satire that examines just how far some companies will go in an age of corporate lay-offs and company closings.
Character List:
· Rick (M, mid-50’s)
· Dave (M, 40’s)
· Al (M, 60’s)
· Jay (M, 40’s)
· Marcus (early 20’s)
Production History:
· Staged Reading, Colorado Theatre Guild New Venture Series (Denver, Colorado), October 2011.
Storytellers

Synopsis:
Nicolas, a young man recently interred in a prison, finds himself caught between hope and despair when he is befriended by Herman, an older inmate. Herman, a middle-aged folklorist, attempts to placate Nicolas' fears by reciting story after story to him. As the stories unfold in Herman’s words and Nicolas' imagination, the audience learns about the young man’s life and the events that brought him to this evening – an evening that holds him on a precipice between choosing life and accepting death.
Character List:
· Herman (M, 50’s)
· Nicolas (M, late teens)
THE STORIES (A corps of six players, who take on a variety of roles throughout the play):
o Papan (M, Middle aged)
o Josef (M, 20’s)
o Henri (M, 30's or 40's)
o Anna (F, late teens or early 20’s)
o Maman (F, A matronly woman)
o Madame LaFarge (F, late 30's)
Production History:
* All productions, readings and workshops prior to September 2012 presented under the title The Uses of Enchantment
· Premiere staging by Stage Left Theatre Company, Salida, Colorado, October 2010.
· Staged reading, Paragon Theatre's Trench new play development series (Denver, Colorado), August 1, 2011.
· Semi-finalist: Edge Theatre Company's 2012 Festival of New Works (Denver, Colorado).
· Workshop, Edge Theatre (Denver, CO), August 2012.
Nicolas, a young man recently interred in a prison, finds himself caught between hope and despair when he is befriended by Herman, an older inmate. Herman, a middle-aged folklorist, attempts to placate Nicolas' fears by reciting story after story to him. As the stories unfold in Herman’s words and Nicolas' imagination, the audience learns about the young man’s life and the events that brought him to this evening – an evening that holds him on a precipice between choosing life and accepting death.
Character List:
· Herman (M, 50’s)
· Nicolas (M, late teens)
THE STORIES (A corps of six players, who take on a variety of roles throughout the play):
o Papan (M, Middle aged)
o Josef (M, 20’s)
o Henri (M, 30's or 40's)
o Anna (F, late teens or early 20’s)
o Maman (F, A matronly woman)
o Madame LaFarge (F, late 30's)
Production History:
* All productions, readings and workshops prior to September 2012 presented under the title The Uses of Enchantment
· Premiere staging by Stage Left Theatre Company, Salida, Colorado, October 2010.
· Staged reading, Paragon Theatre's Trench new play development series (Denver, Colorado), August 1, 2011.
· Semi-finalist: Edge Theatre Company's 2012 Festival of New Works (Denver, Colorado).
· Workshop, Edge Theatre (Denver, CO), August 2012.
What You Will

Synopsis:
Adam is living a quiet but seemingly contented life. He’s married to a man he truly loves and runs a stationery shop, where he designs custom wedding invitations. However, when he meets and begins a series of encounters with a rather seductive married man in a gym steam room, he starts to doubt everything he has and everything he wants. An expert in the world of wedding etiquette, Adam begins to realize that marriage may be a "country" with clear boundaries, but it is certainly not one with very clear rules.
What You Will brings together the disparate worlds of wedding invitations, anonymous sex, and Shakespeare's Twelfth Night to explore the unspoken contracts we make in personal relationships and what happens when the terms of those tacit agreements come into question.
Character List:
· Adam (M, 40’s)
· Greg (M, 40’s)
· Celia (F, late 30s or 40’s)
· Nick (mid/late 30s)
Production History:
· Reading, Benchmark Theatre (Denver, CO), July 2017.
· World Premiere, Benchmark Theatre (Denver, CO), November 2018.
Reviews of What You Will
"A witty, incisive and sometimes prurient reflection on loyalty, truth, marriage and relationships .... the genius of Neuman’s story – and it is stunning – lies in examining the fabrications large and small that we tell ourselves and those dearest to us. Neuman’s thorny insights arrive both cloaked in comedy, and as subtle as sharp glass shards."
~ The Denver Post, Claire Martin
https://www.denverpost.com/2018/12/06/theater-review-benchmark-what-you-will/
"The characters in Neuman’s play are ... traversing strange territory: They’re exploring love and sex, the meaning of short-term affairs and — even more desperately and passionately — the nature of committed relationships. These relationships, according to Neuman’s literate and deeply felt script, can be many things at once: complex, deceptive, lonely, smothering, satisfying, infuriating and — at best — warm and nurturing .... You’re likely to find yourself holding your breath and then tearing up at the answers, because the truths Neuman uncovers strike deep."
~ Westord, Juliet Wittman
https://www.westword.com/arts/jeffrey-neumans-what-you-will-explores-new-territory-at-benchmark-theatre-11045207
"Jeffrey Neuman’s play, WHAT YOU WILL, is not only the best new play of the season, it’s a play this reviewer wishes he had written. It’s a powerful play with a powerful message."
~ Marlowe's Musings, David Marlowe
http://david-marlowe.blogspot.com
" Another point worth noting about the play is the wonderful way in which it deals with queer issues. Adam and Greg are gay, and there is certainly no shortage of gay jokes or references to queer culture .... But what is remarkable is that although all of these are important plot points, Adam and Greg’s marriage being a gay one doesn’t really matter. The whole point of the show is couples of all kinds experience the same issues, the same ups and downs, and the same temptations. Again, without giving any spoilers, the dynamics between characters and the universal issues that are highlighted are reason enough to go see the show."
- Addison Herron-Wheeler, Outfront Colorado https://www.outfrontmagazine.com/trending/what-you-will-tackles-modern-queer-marriage/
Wish You Were Here

Synopsis: Eight people, four weeks, one beach.
Playa de Rincon is a remote beach resort just north of Puerto Vallarta. Peaceful, affordable, untrafficked (though relatively easy to get to), it is one of Mexico's best kept secrets. Over the course of vacation season, four different couples spend their time at the only hotel located in Rincon. Though each has booked their respective trip as a respite from daily life, each finds that getting away from life is oftentimes how you find yourself closer to it.
Production History: This is a work in progress.
Character List:
· Claude (M, 40+)
· Suzy (F, 50s)
· Jim (m, 50s)
· Edith (F, 50s)
· Katie (F, 30s)
· Sharon (F, 40s)
· David (M, late 30s, early 40s)
· Robert (M, 60s)
· Paul (M, 60s)
Playa de Rincon is a remote beach resort just north of Puerto Vallarta. Peaceful, affordable, untrafficked (though relatively easy to get to), it is one of Mexico's best kept secrets. Over the course of vacation season, four different couples spend their time at the only hotel located in Rincon. Though each has booked their respective trip as a respite from daily life, each finds that getting away from life is oftentimes how you find yourself closer to it.
Production History: This is a work in progress.
Character List:
· Claude (M, 40+)
· Suzy (F, 50s)
· Jim (m, 50s)
· Edith (F, 50s)
· Katie (F, 30s)
· Sharon (F, 40s)
· David (M, late 30s, early 40s)
· Robert (M, 60s)
· Paul (M, 60s)