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SOLO
THEATER
DIS: Voices from a Shelter
US? Talking Across
America
COLLABORATIONS
Conversations:
Homegirl & White Boy
Mouth Music: A Two-bit Poetry Opera
A Rust-bowl
Hootenanny
ROCK 'N ROLL
Tongue 'n Groove
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 Ray McNiece's PAGE-to-STAGE PRODUCTIONS
Book a truly unique performance for your venue,
performed by the author
and other professionals
with style, power, grace...
US? Talking Across America
 NOTE: Download a new and updated flyer on this performance at
What's new, Ray?
This 80 minute
picaresque tour of average Americans and their opinions starts in Times Square
and ends on Hollywood Boulevard. Performed in front of a wall-size map of the
country made from 50 used flags that were going to be burned, we hear from we,
the people--a factory worker in Cleveland, a survivalist in the hills of West
Virginia, a cow on a ramp in the Midwest, a truck driver, a broken-down bronco
buster, a country and western singer in a Reno bowling alley, and a young
hustler -- as they offer their questions and responses to the question,
"What one question would you like to ask the American people?" Of US?
Amy Sparks of the Free Times writes, "McNiece smoothly blends fine
writing with an angry political conscience and deft theatrical techniques to
create a series of characters straight from the streets." In a review from
the Orlando Fringe Festival the Sentinel called Ray "a folk troubadour
descendant of Woody Guthrie. He has a way with words and a dry sense of
humor." The Star-Phoenix said, "His thoughtful writing combines with
perfectly timed delivery to create a powerful wordscape that owes as much to
jazz as writing."
[ 80 minutes ]
FOR MORE INFORMATION on this, NEW BROCHURE on
News PAGE TO DOWNLOAD
> FOR PRINTED
VERSIONS. CONTACT ME > MORE INFO
GET the BOOK!
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 DIS:
Voices from a Shelter
This 75 minute, one-act series of linked monologues, poems and songs is a
visceral and poignant portrait of disrespected people --the homeless. A dozen
characters covering a cross-section of the street population, including a Vietnam
vet, a Native American, a de-institutionalized mental patient, and an elderly
woman, present their thoughts and feeling with riveting insight. The monologues
are composites of the stories and experiences told by the guests of the Boston
Night Center, an all-night drop-in center near Boston's theatre district.
The video version of this show was produced by
WGBH-Boston and aired on PBS
nationally. In a review of DIS from the Edinburgh Fringe Festival, London's
Stage and Television Today said, "The energy he has for each character is
impressive and he never fails to surprise with the variety packed into the
show." The Edinburgh Scotsman reported, "McNiece's characters are
acutely observed, the speech patterns and mannerisms perfectly caught. In a
review in dialogue, arts in the Midwest, John Stickney wrote, "McNiece
lends these victims a face with a voice and words, not full of pity but with
individual dignity."
[ 75 minutes ]
FOR MORE INFORMATION on this, click here >
MORE INFO
Get the Book!
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This one hour deconstruction of racial and gender
stereotypes, performed with Shawn D. Jackson, uses poetry, storytelling,
drumming, and game-show satire to explore relationships. Based on interviews
with other interracial couples and their own experiences across the country, the
play details issues of race and identity and the challenges faced by lovers
crossing cultural boundaries. A black and white Romeo and Juliet for the 90's. A
seminar/question and answer follows each performance.
[ 60 minutes ]
FOR MORE INFORMATION on this,
click here > MORE INFO
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Mouth Music -- A Two-Bit Poetry Opera
This 90 minute performance in two acts features vocalist Ray McNiece and the
band Tongue-in -Groove, along with guest musicians in a musical mélange of
poetry and song. From Rusty Junkyard Rock and Roll to Hillbilly Hip-hop, from
Acid Polka to Classical, come hear Laughing Sal's echo, a mongrel on the edge of
the Flats bark at Steel Cleveland Sagging, Johnny McEldoo's dine and dash
donnybrook, and Vedron Smelovic's dirge for Sarajavo as incarnated by the voice
of Ray McNiece as he explores the diverse musical influences on his poetry.
[ 90 minutes ]
FOR MORE INFORMATION on this,
click here > MORE INFO
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This two hour extravaganza in two acts celebrates the urban Appalachian
experience in the Industrial cities on the North Coast. Through his trademark
mix of stories, songs and poems, Ray explores the themes of work, family and
spirituality from his 'hillbilly' roots. The second act of the show includes
local folk musicians doing traditional and contemporary songs and ends with a
Mountain dance call. [ 120 minutes ]
FOR MORE INFORMATION on this,
click here > MORE INFO
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Tongue - n - Groove
Ray and the boys in the band...
Ray leads Tongue n Groove at the Powerhouse...
FOR MORE INFORMATION on this,
click here > MORE INFO
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