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DAVID GRAPES II (1951 - ) |
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Nationality: USA Email: Click here to contact Website: Click here to visit |
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Literary Agent: n/a |
Currently the Director of the School of Theatre Arts and Dance at the University of Northern Colorado, David is an award-winning director, actor and playwright. His other career achievements have included providing administrative, financial, and artistic leadership for a wide variety of theatrical institutions including two professional regional theatres, 3D productions - a commercial bus and truck touring company, two nationally recognized university theatre departments, a variety of summer stock companies, and a number of large professional not-for-profit regional and civic theatres. Prior to his arrival at UNC in 2004, he served for six years as the Producing Artistic Director of Tennessee Repertory Theatre (LORT C). While in Nashville, he produced 36 productions including three world premieres, established an "off-Broadway season" of contemporary plays, expanded the Rep's education/outreach department, and was the recipient of eight "Tennie Awards" for Best Direction. During his 28-year career in the theatre, David has produced over 800 major productions that span nearly every genre of dramatic literature. His work as a director (150+ productions) has been seen from coast to coast in such theatres as the Denver Center for the Performing Arts, Tennessee Repertory Theatre, Asolo Theatre, ArtPark, Madison Repertory Theatre, Arkansas Repertory Theatre, The Barter Theatre, American Stage, Flat Rock Playhouse, The Blowing Rock Stage Company, Tuacahn Amphitheatre, Seven Angels Theatre, Little Theatre on the Square, Muhlenberg Summer Theatre, Western Michigan's Cherry County Playhouse, The Ryman Auditorium and Dollywood. Recent professional acting credits include leading roles in Cyrano de Bergerac, Amadeus, The Miser, The School For Wives, A Christmas Carol, Art, The Cherry Orchard, Talley's Folly, The Importance of Being Ernest, A Man For All Seasons, and The Drawer Boy. Born and raised in Parkersburg, West Virginia, David is a member of Actors' Equity Association, the Society of Stage Directors & Choreographers, the Dramatist Guild, and a graduate of the MFA Acting/Directing Program at the University of North Carolina at Greensboro. He is the creator/co-author (with Todd Olson) of four musical revues; My Way - A Musical Tribute to Frank Sinatra, Christmas My Way - A Sinatra Holiday Bash, Moon River - Johnny Mercer's American Songbook, and I Left My Heart - A Salute to the Music of Tony Bennett, which have been performed at over 170 theatres world wide. He has also created two works with Robert Neblett, a film noir mystery - Dracula: The Case of the Silver Scream and a musical revue - Simply Simone: The Music of Nina Simone. His latest work (created with Vance Fulkerson) is a musical revue entitled Babes in Hollywood: The Music of Garland and Rooney. At the University of Northern Colorado, Professor Grapes teaches directing and playwriting and serves as the Producer for UNC's 73-year-old professional summer stock company - The Little Theatre of the Rockies. His UNC/Little Theatre of the Rockies directorial credits include: Candida, Dracula: The Case of the Silver Scream, The Tempest, Rounding Third, and Bleacher Bums, Titanic - The Musical!, Bad Dates, and God's Man in Texas.
Plays by David Grapes II
12th Night or Gun Fight at the Illyria Corral | ||
| 1st Produced: | Langworthy Theatre School of Theatre Arts and Dance, University of Northern Colorado | 02 Dec 2009 | ||||
Company: | University of Northern Colorado | |||||
| 1st Published: | Summerwind Productions, November 1, 2009 | ISBN/ASIN: | - | |||
| Music: | - | doollee no | #72953 | |||
To Buy This Play: | If Publisher (above) is underlined then the play may be purchased by direct click from the Publisher, otherwise (below) are AbeBooks for secondhand, signed & 1st eds and other Booksellers for new copies | |||||
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Genre: | Comedy with Music | |||||
| Parts: | Male | 14 | Female | 9 | ||
Parts other: | 10 optional ensemble | |||||
Notes: | Adapted from Shakespeare by David Grapes II and Robert Neblett - Original Music/Arrangements by Vince DiMura | |||||
Synopsis: | If music be the food of love, get ready for a good ol' ranch-style cookout of Shakespearean proportions, as a desert twister lands the Bard's most beloved romantic comedy in the middle of the Wild West. It's Gunsmoke meets the Globe Theatre as the delicate Viola must disguise herself as a young cowboy in order to survive in a town populated by an amorous sheriff and his barbershop quartet of deputies, a vain saloon madam in mourning, a puritanical prairie parson, and a group of drunken pranksters still fighting the Civil War. This new adaptation of Shakespeare's classic comedy promises to be a riotous mix of mistaken identity, romance and music for the whole family - all topped off with a hilarious climactic high noon showdown at the Illyria Corral! | |||||
Further Reference: | - | |||||
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Babes in Hollywood - The Music of Garland and Rooney | ||
| 1st Produced: | The Little Theatre of the Rockies - University of Northern Colorado - Greeley, CO | 2007 | ||||
Company: | n/a | |||||
| 1st Published: | Summerwind Productions, 2006 | ISBN/ASIN: | - | |||
| Music: | - | doollee no | #62309 | |||
To Buy This Play: | If Publisher (above) is underlined then the play may be purchased by direct click from the Publisher, otherwise (below) are AbeBooks for secondhand, signed & 1st eds and other Booksellers for new copies | |||||
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Genre: | Musical Revue Revue | |||||
| Parts: | Male | 2 | Female | 2 | ||
Parts other: | - | |||||
Notes: | written by David Grapes II and Vance Fulkerton; Musical arrangements by Andrew Herron. Unit set with an on stage trio | |||||
Synopsis: | Find a barn, have mom sew the costumes and then get ready to swing, sway and swoon to over 30 of the most glorious songs of the Twentieth Century. Join (your theatre) as we present the regional premiere of the exciting new musical revue, Babes in Hollywood, which salutes the legendary musical careers of Judy Garland and Mickey Rooney. You'll thrill to such American classics as Over the Rainbow, You Made me Love You, Easter Parade, But Not for Me, The Man Who Goy Away, On the Sunny Side of the Street, Meet Me in St. Louis, That's Entertainment, Where or When, Born in a Trunk, Yankee Doodle Boy, Come Rain or Come Shine and Strike up the Band. Let our cast of four talented singer/dancers take you on a magical journey from the soundstages of Hollywood to the stages of Broadway and the "great white way," Babes in Hollywood is sure to delight audiences of all ages | |||||
Further Reference: | - | |||||
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Christmas My Way - A Sinatra Holiday Bash | ||
| 1st Produced: | Musical Fare, Amherst, NY | 2002 | ||||
Company: | n/a | |||||
| 1st Published: | Summerwind Productions, 2002 | ISBN/ASIN: | - | |||
| Music: | - | doollee no | #41782 | |||
To Buy This Play: | If Publisher (above) is underlined then the play may be purchased by direct click from the Publisher, otherwise (below) are AbeBooks for secondhand, signed & 1st eds and other Booksellers for new copies | |||||
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Genre: | Musical Revue Revue | |||||
| Parts: | Male | 2 | Female | 2 | ||
Parts other: | on stage jazz trio | |||||
Notes: | written by David Grapes II and Todd Olson | |||||
Synopsis: | From the team that created My Way, the hottest musical revue in America right now, it's beginning to look a lot like a free, fresh, knocked-out coo-coo Sinatra Christmas, complete with 40 swingin' hits perfect for the holidays. Nothing is silent about this night where four singers serve up cool versions of Sinatra mainstays like "Fly Me To The Moon," "New York, New York," "That©Ęs Life," "Love and Marriage," "I Get A Kick Out of You," "I've Got You Under My Skin," and "The Lady is a Tramp".Plus, they make a little hey-hey with groovy versions of such Sinatra Christmas hits like "Mistletoe and Holly," "The Christmas Song," "Christmas Memories," "Winter Wonderland," "Silver Bells" and "I'll Be Home for Christmas." Toss in Rat Pack-ish versions of "Twas the Night Before Christmas" and "The Twelve Days of Christmas," Christmas My Way invites you to grab your bird, jingle your bells, pour a good stiff egg nog, and have yourself a merry little Christmas NOW baby! | |||||
Further Reference: | - | |||||
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Dracula: The Case of the Silver Scream | ||
| 1st Produced: | Tennessee Repertory Theatre | 2003 | ||||
Company: | n/a | |||||
| 1st Published: | Summerwind Productions, 2004 | ISBN/ASIN: | - | |||
| Music: | - | doollee no | #41779 | |||
To Buy This Play: | If Publisher (above) is underlined then the play may be purchased by direct click from the Publisher, otherwise (below) are AbeBooks for secondhand, signed & 1st eds and other Booksellers for new copies | |||||
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Genre: | Mystery | |||||
| Parts: | Male | 7 | Female | 5 | ||
Parts other: | - | |||||
Notes: | written by Robert Neblett and David Grapes II | |||||
Synopsis: | The traditional story of Dracula as portrayed in the 1929 Broadway play (the vehicle that brought Bela Lugosi instant fame and established him as the all-time Dracula icon) meets the somewhat suspect movie-making style of Ed Wood in this darkly funny, film noir take on the well-known vampire legend. Meet cynical, hard-drinking Detective Abe Helsing, luscious, ambitious film starlet Lucy Murray and despotic, neurotic film-maker Jonathan Harker as they take over Dr. Seward's 'Home for the Terminally Strange' to use as the latest location in which to shoot their dreadful monster movies. Unfortunately for them the increasingly violent madman Renfield and the vitriolic critic Sheriden turn out to be the least of their worries as the life is drained out of one person after another | |||||
Further Reference: | - | |||||
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I Left My Heart - A Salute to the Music of Tony Bennett | ||
| 1st Produced: | 2005 | |||||
Company: | n/a | |||||
| 1st Published: | Summerwind Productions, 2004 | ISBN/ASIN: | - | |||
| Music: | - | doollee no | #41833 | |||
To Buy This Play: | If Publisher (above) is underlined then the play may be purchased by direct click from the Publisher, otherwise (below) are AbeBooks for secondhand, signed & 1st eds and other Booksellers for new copies | |||||
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Genre: | Musical Revue Revue | |||||
| Parts: | Male | 3 | Female | - | ||
Parts other: | on stage jazz trio | |||||
Notes: | written by David Grapes II and Todd Olson | |||||
Synopsis: | Tony Bennett has not just bridged the generation gap, he has demolished it. - New York Times From the team that created the hit My Way: A Musical Tribute to Frank Sinatra comes the world premiere of I Left My Heart. Journey through four decades of music, from Bennett's early top-40 hits, to jazz recordings with Count Basie, Stan Getz and Bill Evans, to his torch songs, to film scores, all the way to his recent MTV "Unplugged" special which introduced him to a whole new generation of listeners. I Left My Heart has a thrilling score of 40 standards including "Because Of You," "Stranger In Paradise, " "Top Hat, White Tie And Tails," "The Best Is Yet To Come," "Cold, Cold Heart," "Boulevard Of Broken Dreams," "I Wanna Be Around," "The Good Life," "Rags To Riches," and his best-known hit, "I Left My Heart In San Francisco." An unforgettable evening for anyone who loves the music of George Gershwin, Harold Arlen, Johnny Mercer, Duke Ellington or Cole Porter! | |||||
Further Reference: | - | |||||
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Moon River: A Johnny Mercer Cabaret | ||
| 1st Produced: | Musical Fare, Amherst, NY | 2003 | ||||
Company: | n/a | |||||
| 1st Published: | Summerwind Productions, | ISBN/ASIN: | - | |||
| Music: | - | doollee no | #41784 | |||
To Buy This Play: | If Publisher (above) is underlined then the play may be purchased by direct click from the Publisher, otherwise (below) are AbeBooks for secondhand, signed & 1st eds and other Booksellers for new copies | |||||
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Genre: | Musical Revue Revue | |||||
| Parts: | Male | 2 | Female | 2 | ||
Parts other: | on stage jazz trio | |||||
Notes: | written by David Grapes II and Todd Olson | |||||
Synopsis: | Moon River: A Johnny Mercer Cabaret, featuring 50 songs from 50 years - from the big band and radio shows of the 1920©Ęs to the great Hollywood film scores of the 1960's and 70's. With such standards as "One for My Baby (and One More for the Road)," "Summerwind," "Come Rain or Come Shine," "Fools Rush In," "Accentuate the Positive," "Jeepers Creepers," "Button Up Your Overcoat," "Autumn Leaves," "Zip a Dee Doo Dah," "You Must Have Been a Beautiful Baby," "Satin Doll," "Sweet Georgia Brown," "Too Marvelous for Words," "Java Jive," and "Winter Wonderland," it's almost impossible to get through a day of our lives without hearing at least one Johnny Mercer song on the radio, television, in movie houses, theaters or cabarets all over the world. Relive the hits of the War Years that are forever emblazoned on our memories, like "That Old Black Magic," "Candy," "Skylark," "GI Jive," and the unforgettable "Dream." Remember the Golden Age of Hollywood with such award-winning movie themes as "Blues in the Night," "Hooray for Hollywood," "On the Atchison, Topeka, and Santa Fe," "Laura," "Charade," "The Days of Wine and Roses," and of course the ultimate in American nostalgia, "Moon River." | |||||
Further Reference: | - | |||||
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My Way - A Musical Tribute to Frank Sinatra | ||
| 1st Produced: | Artpark at the Church (Lewiston, NY) | 1999 | ||||
Company: | n/a | |||||
| 1st Published: | Summerwind Productions, 2000 | ISBN/ASIN: | - | |||
| Music: | - | doollee no | #41780 | |||
To Buy This Play: | If Publisher (above) is underlined then the play may be purchased by direct click from the Publisher, otherwise (below) are AbeBooks for secondhand, signed & 1st eds and other Booksellers for new copies | |||||
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Genre: | Musical Revue Revue | |||||
| Parts: | Male | 2 | Female | 2 | ||
Parts other: | on stage jazz trio | |||||
Notes: | written by David Grapes II and Todd Olson | |||||
Synopsis: | My Way - A Musical Tribute to Frank Sinatra offers some of the greatest music of the 20th century in a smart, tight production that has broad appeal. The musical revue features 57 songs made famous by old blue eyes himself. The song list includes: "That's Life," "My Way," "Fly Me to the Moon," "I've Got the World on a String," "Lady is a Tramp," "Summer Wind," "I've Got You Under My Skin," "The Tender Trap, ""New York, New York," "You Make Me Feel So Young," "Witchcraft," "Young at Heart," "Where or When," "It Was a Very Good Year," "Nice and Easy," "My Funny Valentine," "Wave," "The Way You Look Tonight," "I Love Paris," "I Only Have Eyes for You," "All the Way," "I'll Be Seeing You," and many many more. | |||||
Further Reference: | - | |||||
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One More For My Baby - A Sinatra Songbook | ||
| 1st Produced: | Little Theatre of the Rockies (Greely, CO) | 09 Jun 2011 | ||||
Company: | Summerwind Productions, LLC. | |||||
| 1st Published: | Summerwind Productions, LLC. September 1, 2011 | ISBN/ASIN: | - | |||
| Music: | - | doollee no | #131658 | |||
To Buy This Play: | If Publisher (above) is underlined then the play may be purchased by direct click from the Publisher, otherwise (below) are AbeBooks for secondhand, signed & 1st eds and other Booksellers for new copies | |||||
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Genre: | musical | |||||
| Parts: | Male | 2 | Female | - | ||
Parts other: | - | |||||
Notes: | Created by David Grapes, John Fredo and Randall Kramer. Book by David Grapes. Arrangements by Vince diMura | |||||
Synopsis: | This latest Frank Sinatra revue fashioned by David Grapes (Co-Creator of My Way - A Tribute to the Music of Frank Sinatra) has aging Sinatra impersonator Jack DeCarlo struggling with his personal life, his failing career, broken relationships and his determination to find his own voice within the body of an impersonator. To everyone else, he may temporarily be Sinatra, but he desperately wants only to be an authentic Jack DeCarlo. As he battles with the changing times in his career, DeCarlo must renew his self-esteem and find a way to realize the performer he aspires to be. The score features 31 classic Sinatra tunes backed by a six piece combo, including "All Or Nothing At All," "Fly Me To The Moon," "Blue Skies," "Be Careful It's My Heart," "New York, New York," "That's Life," "My Way," "All Of Me," "Baubles Bangles and Beads," "It Was A Very Good Year," "World On A String," "One For My Baby" and many more. | |||||
Further Reference: | - | |||||
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Simply Simone - The Music of Nina Simone | ||
| 1st Produced: | The Theatre Department at the University of North Carolina at Greensboro | 2006 | ||||
Company: | n/a | |||||
| 1st Published: | Summerwind Productions, 2006 | ISBN/ASIN: | - | |||
| Music: | - | doollee no | #62310 | |||
To Buy This Play: | If Publisher (above) is underlined then the play may be purchased by direct click from the Publisher, otherwise (below) are AbeBooks for secondhand, signed & 1st eds and other Booksellers for new copies | |||||
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Genre: | Musical Revue Revue | |||||
| Parts: | Male | - | Female | 4 | ||
Parts other: | - | |||||
Notes: | written by Robert Neblett and David Grapes II; Musical Arrangements by Vince diMura. Unit set with an on stage band | |||||
Synopsis: | Child prodigy. Jazz superstar. Civil rights activist. Political exile. Nina Simone was all of these things, and more. One of the true divas of the 20th century and a genuine musical powerhouse, she defined a generation and defied classification. Silky, soulful, and untamed, her voice will put a spell on you. She'll melt your heart, she'll chill you to the bone. But watch out! Cross her, and she'll lash back and leave you with the blues. Summerwind Productions presents an electric new revue based on the turbulent life and rich artistic legacy of this American musical icon, sure to be a hit with audiences everywhere. The score to Simply Simone crosses genres from gospel to blues to Broadway to rock and roll, and features such definitive Simone classics as "I Loves You Porgy," "The Look of Love," "My Baby Just Cares for Me," "To Be Young, Gifted, and Black" and "Don't Let Me Be Misunderstood." | |||||
Further Reference: | - | |||||
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Taming of the Shrew: Shakespeare Rattle & Roll | ||
| 1st Produced: | Polk Theatre, TN Performing Arts Center | 12 Mar2003 | ||||
Company: | Tennessee Repertory Theatre | |||||
| 1st Published: | Summerwind Productions, April 01 2003 | ISBN/ASIN: | - | |||
| Music: | - | doollee no | #106777 | |||
To Buy This Play: | If Publisher (above) is underlined then the play may be purchased by direct click from the Publisher, otherwise (below) are AbeBooks for secondhand, signed & 1st eds and other Booksellers for new copies | |||||
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Genre: | Comedy with Music Adaptation | |||||
| Parts: | Male | 13 | Female | 5 | ||
Parts other: | Ensemble may be added | |||||
Notes: | Original Playwright - Shakespeare. Adapted by David Grapes II and Robert Neblett - Featuring music from the fabulous 50's | |||||
Synopsis: | The traditional story of Dracula as portrayed in the 1929 Broadway play (the vehicle that brought Bela Lugosi instant fame and established him as the all-time Dracula icon) meets the somewhat suspect movie-making style of Ed Wood in this darkly funny, film noir take on the well-known vampire legend. Meet cynical, hard-drinking Detective Abe Helsing, luscious, ambitious film starlet Lucy Murray and despotic, neurotic film-maker Jonathan Harker as they take over Dr. Seward's 'Home for the Terminally Strange' to use as the latest location in which to shoot their dreadful monster movies. Unfortunately for them the increasingly violent madman Renfield and the vitriolic critic Sheriden turn out to be the least of their worries as the life is drained out of one person after another | |||||
Further Reference: | - | |||||
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