Performance

THEATRICAL EVENTS

We write and perform readings and full productions of original plays based on or inspired by the life and works of Mark Twain. Our productions have been presented in New York, Texas and Florida. And our tours have delighted audiences for decades across 22 states.

Although Twain wrote twelve plays in his lifetime, only Colonel Sellers, adapted from his first novel, was successful in his lifetime. A second success would have to wait more than a century for the Broadway version of Is He Dead.  

Our first shows were taken from Twain’s lecture tours. This evolved into full productions of original works adapted from his essays, short stories and journals. Current offerings include related works by other authors. Scroll down to view snippets from one of our solo shows.

1.  They Told Me to be Brief:  This entirely improvised,  full-length monologue is driven by jokes, stories, anecdotes, and audience questions. It is almost entirely improvised and therefore every show is different. It premiered at the Players Theatre in Sarasota, Florida in 2023. Its second production was presented at the Venice Theatre in 2024 (60 minutes).
2. Mark Twain’s Last Stand: This monologue combines segments from five of Twain’s lecture tours presented between 1872-96. Our rendition added original material written by Alan Kitty, and was produced three times in New York. It premiered at the Triad Theatre. A second premier took place at the Kraine Theater in Greenwich Village in 2010. It toured America until 2019. (90 minutes)
3. The Yesterday Show: Modeled after present-day talk shows, this program features historical characters. It is hosted by Mark Twain.  Our guests made significant impacts on American Society between 1852-1910. (60 minutes).
4. Original Sin: Adapted from Twain’s “Adam’s Diary” and “Eve’s Journal” (1904), the First Couple struggles to make sense of life on earth.
5. The Boys in Autumn, by Bernard Sabath (late of Sarasota): This play, set in the 1920s, imagines Tom Sawyer and Huck Finn meeting again in the autumn of their years. It explores some disturbing topics that persist to this day. But at its heart, it is a tale of redemption.

 LECTURES

For schools, we created standards-compliant programs that fosters a memorable image of the author, his work and times.

We created some programs for Senior Communities that want to keep their residents engaged. The result is a connection to Twain that inspires further reading of his works. Some of our most popular educational lectures are described below.

The Life and Times of Mark Twain: This biographical lecture can be presented in an intensive seminar style (5 hours) or in segments (60 minutes). It includes Q&A. Discussions relating to History, Literature, Politics often follow.

Frontier Tales: Stories and anecdotes from Twain’s early period (1861-1867) – 45-60 minutes

Family Life: The family adventures and tragedies of Mark Twain (1871-91) – 45-60 minutes

Stories for Young Audiences: A collection of improvised stories with audience participation (40 minutes)

Interested in a private lecture for your group? Contact us to discuss adding one or more of our programs to your events calendar.

Ticket sales represent only a small portion of our operations budget. Please support our efforts to enrich the lives of our less fortunate and older citizens. Considering donating whatever you can to the cause.

DONATE TODAY!.

---

Testimonials