Author Archive for David Simpatico

08
Sep
26

DAVID SIMPATICO NEWSLETTER

Summer, 2026

I hope this finds everyone in good health and mind. It’s been a busy summer around here, so I thought I’d share some upcoming news with you: I have two different events in September, both in the Hudson Valley. I hope you can make one or both. 

Upcoming Events

On Friday, September 11, the Stissing Center presents a staged reading of PG-13, my collection of seven short, dark plays, downstairs in the Grace Note cabaret room. A Young Man comes out to his Father—12 different ways. A beleaguered daughter brushes up her euthanasia skills, just in case. A mismatched dance team prepare for a nationally televised talent competition. Two high school girls discover the perfect diet—vampirism! And despite all dangers stalking the animal kingdom, two lonely people find each other. These, and several other short plays, shine a spotlight on the darker side of comedy.  7:30pm

Stissing Center: https://www.thestissingcenter.org

September17-21, the Rosendale Theater will be producing my short play, CARPE DENIM, as part of their DEMOCRACY PLAYS series. In my ten minute play, three copywriters come up with a brilliant new ad jeans campaign while watching the riots and chaos after the death of George Floyd. Directed by Ann Citron. Funny and disturbing! Rosendale Theater: https://www.rosendaletheatre.org

Much love,

David

24
Dec
24

Dickens’s A Christmas Carol, review

Dickens’s A Christmas Carol: a musical retelling by Will Todd and David Simpatico; Sinfonia Smith Square, London, Dec 18, 2024

MusicOMH: A Christmas Carol review
– Opera Holland Park makes a festive visit to Smith Square Hall –

17, 18 December 2024 

by Sam Smith
published: 20 Dec 2024 in Opera + Classical Music Reviews

Ensemble members Charne Rochford, Victoria Simmonds, Charlotte Badham, Robert Winslade Anderson, Alys Roberts, Julien Van Mellaerts, Paul Carey Jones, Kit Benjamin, and Fleur de Bray along with CEO and Director of Opera, Opera Holland Park James Clutton, and associate producer, Monique Foulger

Preshow chat with OPH Communications Director Anna Picard, composer Will Todd and Lucinda Dickens Hawksley, author, art historian and great-great-great granddaughter of Charles Dickens!

25
Sep
24

THE LAST SUPPER

THE LAST SUPPER
A new play by David Simpatico

The guests are late, the grid is on the fritz, and sirens blast out dire warnings of impending doom as recently deceased corpses rise from the grave as UNDEAD CANNIBALS, devouring  humans and spreading the ZOMBIE VIRUS. The desperate survivors band together in the flux of what’s real and unreal, fighting for their lives against the undead, against the machines, and against each other. This aggressive black comedy explores the Great Replacement Theory to its logical, self-destructive ends.

First public reading on
Sunday, Oct. 20
3pm, $5
Stissing Center, Pine Plains

02
Apr
24

She’s Come Undone

Music and Lyrics by Michael Holland
Book by Darrah Cloud and David Simpatico

Adapted from the novel by Wally Lamb

Commissioned by Theater Latte Da

Under construction.

Come see us at the Next Festival, Theater Latte Da

Minneapolis. Summer, 2024

10
Jan
23

Live Streaming free Thursday Jan 12 7pm

THAT HELL-BOUND TRAIN
A new American opera

LIVE-STREAMED! FREE! Thursday, Jan 12 at 7pm.
(The link for the live-stream will be sent out on Thursday afternoon, I’ll post it on my FB page, or I can send it to you directly if you prefer.)

Score by Lisa DeSpain

Libretto by David Simpatico

Based on a short story by Robert Bloch.

It’s THAT HELL-BOUND TRAIN week!

Book your seat on THAT HELL-BOUND TRAIN – livestream.

This THURSDAY night, 7pm EST

Featuring: Ryan Hurley, Grace Kahl, Tesia Kwarteng, Rocky Sellers, Samuel White and Tiana White, all under the music direction of Scott Ethier! Thanks also to dramaturg, Cori Ellison.

Special thanks to Samuel White and Ryan Hurley, for their contributions in creating the trailer.

16
Dec
22

Chronogram covers Wilde About Whitman

A nice preview about the upcoming reading of WILDE ABOUT WHITMAN at the Stissing Center on Sunday, Dec.18, 3pm; thanks to Sparrow and Chronogram for the lovely article. Thanks to Local Produce for including this piece in their line-up.

The staged reading is directed by Sydnie Grosberg Ronga, and features Steven Patterson as Walt Whitman, and Joshuah Partriarco as Oscar Wilde.

15
Dec
22

The Dramatist magazine: Ten Questions

Here is a link to an interview in The Dramatist Guild Magazine: Ten Questions.

Enjoy!

23
Nov
22

REV. JIMMY’S LAKE OF FIRE, a finalist at the Hear Me Out Monologue Festival

Come watch me perform my monologue, REV. JIMMY’S LAKE OF FIRE, as one of 13 finalists from a group of writers from around the world.

I perform on Monday, Dec. 5 at 7:00 PM, but one ticket will get you in to both nights.

See the link below for tickets and info.

https://www.hearmeoutmonologues.com/competition-2022

21
Nov
22

WILDE ABOUT WHITMAN at the Stissing Center

Pencil this in! Sunday, Dec 18, 3PM: a reading of WILDE ABOUT WHITMAN, with Steven Patterson as Walt Whitman, and Joshuah Patriarco as Oscar Wilde, directed by Sydnie Grosberg Ronga.

“On January 18, 1882, the young, untested wannabe-writer Oscar Wilde, 27, and the elder-poet-pauper Walt Whitman, 62, spent three hours together behind closed doors in Whitman’s home in Camden, New Jersey. WILDE ABOUT WHITMAN is the story, equal parts historical record and theatrical conjecture, of what they might have said, and done, behind those closed doors.”

Directions to the Stissing Center in Pine Plains, NY

29
May
22

TWELVE ANGRY MEN: A NEW MUSICAL In-Process Part One

TWELVE ANGRY MEN: A NEW MUSICAL

Music/Lyrics by Michael Holland; Book by David Simpatico; adapted by the original play by Reginald Rose; directed by Peter Rothstein at Theater Latte Da.

Go behind the scenes of TWELVE ANGRY MEN: A NEW MUSICAL as we hear about this world premiere’s journey in its development to the stage from the creative team and the cast. Learn more about the themes explored in this new musical adaptation and why it’s story is so relevant today.

Tickets available at Latteda.org. #twelveangrymen#theatermusically #worldpremiere#theaterlatteda

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