Joseph Reed Hayes, playwright
Plays that connect with the audience on many levels - a memory of distant relatives, the echo of a half-forgotten story, or the absurdity of modern life. People laugh (a lot), and they cry, and are reminded that, regardless of the accent, words can change lives
A Little Crazy
A comedy about real life (or a drama with some very funny bits) about an elderly Polish man's last days with his favorite nephew - a warm, touching tale of life, death, laughter, tears, family, storytelling, secrets, being Jewish, revelations about jazz and Louis Armstrong ... and glass pants.
Part 4 of the Avram Chronicles
Solos
The Jazz Romance of trumpeter Ben "Blue" Miller and Ellie Grace, a woman composer in a man's world.
A tale as passionate as the music.
After Two
Ray loves Carly.
Carly loves Darryl, but can't remember why.
Sandi loves Bill.
Bill loves the waitress.
James loves his son.
Sam hates everyone.
3 tables, 8 people, 25 minutes... over and over and over...
Slow Ride
Three generations of women take a Sunday ride, with all the tension, humor, affection and near-demented discord that arises when family is in close proximity for more than ten minutes.
The Short Plays
West Farms
Winner 2008 Telly Award
A worn man reminisces about youth, boxing, family and The Metropolitan, an almost mythical drinking establishment from his childhood in the Bronx.
A God In Aspect
Jeremy Gilbert, minor government functionary at the Department of the Interior, meets the embodiment of his darkest dreams when a Lovecraftian Elder God walks into his office and demands to be classified an Endangered Species.
Hard to say which one is more frightening.
Tell It To The Bird
Checking into a swank hotel, Mr. Thompson finds more than your typical amenities, including individual climate control, on-site fitness center, Internet access ...
and Ethel, the Pest Elimination Companion.
Johnny Mystery: Public School Private Eye
The ghost in the closet, the Tooth Fairy, even the bite of the bed bugs, these are real things for Johnny Mystery, and for his friends, he'll solve anything.
A short play/radio drama series for kids.
Works In Progress
If I Had My Way
Coming Soon
The illogical logic of relationships and the inequity of war meets the magic of a Spring evening in a small citrus town.
A play about a forgotten moment in Florida history.
Tempus
Coming Soon
The end of Swing
The birth of Cool
Music
Separation
Love
One musician's quest to play the music of his people while learning, and influencing, a new world of jazz.
Part 2 of the Avram Chronicles
The Band of Drunks Project
Coming Soon
They'll play all night, eat your food and seduce your daughters. They're raucous, brilliant, and usually drunk. The absolute definition of rock stars.
It just happens to be Russia.
In 1890 ...
Part 1 of the Avram Chronicles
NEWS:
"West Farms" wins a 2008 Telly Award Bronze in the original programming category, for the OrangeTV production that aired December, 2007 (best in local, regional and cable television programs and video productions) more>>
NEWS:
Producing Jazz On Edge, an evening of new, original jazz in Orlando, FL, August 23, 2008, featuring Brian Groder and a host of creative musicians. more>>
ABOUT:
Critics have called the work of Joseph Reed Hayes "lyrical", "touching", "beautiful" and "a welcome oasis of cultural smarts". Noted composer and writer David Amram has said, "His work and all the events he creates are significant nationally and internationally." more>>
