PROJECTS*
*These are primarily my writing projects. For Producing Projects, please visit ChineseMotherLLC.com. For directing projects, check out the Photos or Videos sections.
Project |01
Project |01 5th Republic
A New Musical (FKA Les Enfants de Paris)
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This musical originally made its world premiere at NYMF 2011 under the title Les Enfants de Paris, but has since been retooled and refocused-- and is now being developed through the Dramatist Guild Fellowship '14-'15. Utilizing both French chanson and Arab-inspired tunes, this piece is set in early 1960s Paris at the height of the Algerian War for Independence and tells the story of how one Algerian refugee named Layla touched the hearts and minds of Algerians and French alike, and turned the tides of war. Music/Lyrics by Dana Levinson, Book by Stacey Weingarten, Director/Development by Donna Drake.
Project |02
Project |02 Broken Bride
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A stage adaptation of the album by Ludo of the same name, this is the epic adventure of one man’s time-traveling voyage from the Age of Dinosaurs to the Zombie Apocalypse, all to save his true love’s life. Original Concept Album, Music, Lyrics by LUDO. Adaptation by Stacey Weingarten. Arrangements by Dana Levinson.
Project |03
Project |03 Madame
​An Original Musical
Madame is set in the gritty and dark underbelly of New Orleans society at the turn of the 20th century. Sex, secrets, and spells can all be found within the walls of Madame Jarreau's, a brothel in the fabled Storyville where the ladies were all born male-- and where recently married Luc, a member of New Orleans high society, finds himself falling in love with a courtesan called Clea who teaches him what it truly means to be yourself. Jarreau’s had a developmental reading at NYMF in 2012. Originally conceived by L Morgan Lee, with music and lyrics by Dana Levinson, book by L Morgan Lee and Stacey Weingarten.
Other musical projects include:
Project |04
Project |04 Back in the Day
​An Original Musical
A modern-era TV executive named Nancy finds herself displaced-- trapped in 1930s NYC... but not just any 1930s NYC... a 1930s musical! Nancy forced to confront her jaded outlook on life through exposure to, and life within, the 1930s musical paradigm. (The piece also explores the integrated book musical and non-integrated musical forms.)
Project |05
Project |05 Closing the Gap
​A Concert
An autobiographical concert. Dana Levinson and Stacey Weingarten, a musical theater writing team, airs out their dirty laundry and reveals the sometimes painful but often hilarious process of closing the gap between artistic taste and ability. As arts education was vital to both writers throughout their childhood and adolescence, a benefit presentation of this concert was held in early 2015 to support the Levels Teen Center at the Great Neck Library.
Project |06
Project |06 [Time Travel Dating Show]
​A musical scene cycle
Have you ever wondered if your soulmate is out there, not only in a different place but a different time? This show follows a man and woman as they date around time thanks to a Time Travel Dating Agency. As they search for 'the one' they discover what they're seeking may not be so far away after all.
Other stage projects include:
Project |07
Project |07 Dog Crazy
​A Scene Cycle With Songs for Dog People
Inspired by a real-life stories of dog adoption, this scene cycle contains the trials and tribulations of new and old dog parents alike and begs the question: why do we allow ourselves to be adopted by our furry friends? (Because, let's face it, if you've ever saved a dog you know they saved you too!)
Project |08
Project |08 Oscar & Other Stories
​Short Plays with Puppets
Originally created and presented at the O'Neill Puppetry Conference, Oscar is the story of a real-life naked cockatoo named Oscar and her longing to meet another of her own kind. Exploring the moifs of connection and loneliness, all the stories in this series are inspired by true animal tales including Einstein the Parrot, Lonesome George the Tortoise, and Vishal the Tiger.
Project |10
Project |09
Project |09 The Mensch
​A one-act play
An alternative reality's distant future. When Adam Schapiro's mother passes away, she leaves Adam with one dying wish any Jewish mother might do: to marry a Jewish girl and have Jewish children... or else he won't inherit a dime. The catch? Adam is now the last Jew in the world-- so how could he possibly find himself a bride? Absurd hilarity ensues as Adam and his ragtag team work to fulfill his mother's impossible final request so Adam can keep running the family businesses the only way they can think of: a Bachelor-style muldimedia extravaganza called The Mensch! This play explores exploring cultural identity, stereotype, and expectations.
Project |10 Spirits: The Bar Plays
​Short Plays Inspired by Real Life & Set in Bars
A series of shorts ranging from 5 to 15 minutes, all centered in and around Bars and inspired by real life events and places. Shorts include:
"The Gentleman Gangster" - centering on the possession of a man prepping for his drag show by an Irish gangster, the clash of old and new in Hell's Kitchen NYC
"Sourtoe Cocktail Club" - centering on the loss of a severed toe often that is used for 'sourtoe cocktails'
"Thumb War" - a puppet slam piece about a thumb preparing to mutiny from his owner
"V-Card" - about a woman who carries around a literal 'V-Card' so she doesn't have to explain herself
"I'll Show You Mine" - a play for the dark with misunderstandings and double-entendre)
"Pawternity Leave" - about a brewery that offers paternity leave for new doggy-dads
TV/Film projects include:
Project |01
Project |01 D!ckless
​A TV Series Pilot Script
Based on real life, D!ckless is an irreverent, character-driven comedy following two women who invent a male co-founder in order to be taken seriously in the world of tech startups.
Project |04
Project |02
Project |02 Nina and the Ninetails
​A TV Series Pilot Script/Treatment
Ever since getting hit in the head while visiting her friend on the set of a children’s TV show, Nina, a crime photographer, can’t stop seeing adorable furry puppet characters everywhere in her daily life. Even worse? They like to meddle.
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This comedy-crimesolving show is Pushing Daisies and Wonderfalls meets Greg the Bunny.
Project |03
Project |03 Boys Lost
​A Screenplay/Treatment
Based on an original concept by Donna Drake. Story by Donna Drake, Stacey Weingarten.
This action-adventure dramedy explores an alternative origin story of the Lost Boys of Neverland.
Project |04 Life Partners
​A TV Series Pilot Script/Treatment
They say being writing partners is like being married, and it is! Inspired by real-life, this series follows the lives of a pair of writing partners and their best friend as they try to establish themselves in showbuiness. Explores everything from the peculiarities in the biz (getting a show written and produced) to self-discovery as a twenty/thirty-something (work/play balance, dating, gender identity, sexuality, dog adoption).
Think Looking, Girls, and Smash meeting somewhere closer to the real world.