About Me

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Matthew Freeman is a Brooklyn based playwright with a BFA from Emerson College. His plays include THE DEATH OF KING ARTHUR, REASONS FOR MOVING, THE GREAT ESCAPE, THE AMERICANS, THE WHITE SWALLOW, AN INTERVIEW WITH THE AUTHOR, THE MOST WONDERFUL LOVE, WHEN IS A CLOCK, GLEE CLUB, THAT OLD SOFT SHOE and BRANDYWINE DISTILLERY FIRE. He served as Assistant Producer and Senior Writer for the live webcast from Times Square on New Year's Eve 2010-2012. As a freelance writer, he has contributed to Gamespy, Premiere, Complex Magazine, Maxim Online, and MTV Magazine. His plays have been published by Playscripts, Inc., New York Theatre Experience, and Samuel French.

Monday, May 23, 2011

Sunday, May 22, 2011

Did you know...

...that Mitch Daniels screwed over Planned Parenthood and then had the audacity to not run for President? Showing that his awful behavior in Indiana doesn't even have the lame excuse of being a part of presidential politics?

Why don't any GOP presidential hopefuls want to run against an 'out-of-touch, unpopular socialist who wasn't even born in this country?' I thought it was obvious that he was entirely beatable. I guess I heard them wrong or something.

Tuesday, May 17, 2011

"Faster is cheaper and more fun!"

The above quote is from my long-time artistic partner Kyle Ancowitz. It's from this article. Blue Coyote Theater Group, my artistic home since 2003, is featured alongside two other companies, as believers in immediacy over extended development.

Couldn't agree more. Give it a read!

Fresh off the page!

Standards of Decency 3: 300 Vaginas Before Breakfast

I hope John Mayer comes to see it.

Details below!

Plays announced for Blue Coyote’s STANDARDS OF DECENCY 3: 300 VAGINAS BEFORE BREAKFAST


New York, New York May 17, 2011—Blue Coyote Theater Group and Access Theater are proud to announce the full roster of short plays for their upcoming STANDARDS OF DECENCY 3: 300 VAGINAS BEFORE BREAKFAST. Each play runs approximately 10 minutes.

The Lesson by David Johnston, directed by Gary Shrader
A dark but funny look at the risks of finding your singing instructor on Facebook.

300 by Adam Szymkowicz, directed by Kyle Ancowitz
A couple comes to terms with their sexual pasts with the aid of three hundred vaginas.

Date Night at Skintastic Dot Com by Mac Rogers, directed by Bob Buckwalter
A workaholic couple's attempt at scheduling quality time together is challenged by the never ending leaks of online celebrity skin--the skin their business depends on for its survival.

The Metaphor by Matthew Freeman, directed by Kyle Ancowitz
A man seeks help for his Internet porn addiction from an unconventional Episcopal priest.

Plato’s Retreat by David Foley, directed by Gary Shrader
Three Greek lads are beguiled by the naughty shadows on the cave's wall. The goddess of Wisdom wants them to see the light.

any one by Jordan Seavey, directed by Bob Buckwalter
The question of what is connection, and how do we achieve it, is explored over the course of one very busy New Yorker's day.

Romance by Jackie Christy, directed by Kyle Ancowitz
After a pornographic homework submission, an awkward parent-teacher conference ensues.

Bits by Bruce Goldstone, directed by Gary Shrader
Even your computer itself, its bits and bytes, has a love/hate relationship with porn.

Camera Four by Cheri Magid, directed by Gary Shrader
A doorman's security camera exposes the city's surprising secret kinks.

STANDARDS OF DECENCY 3: 300 VAGINAS BEFORE BREAKFAST is the latest chapter in Blue Coyote’s downtown cult series Standards of Decency. Taking its title from the profundity of indie rock god John Mayer, STANDARDS OF DECENCY 3: 300 VAGINAS BEFORE BREAKFAST begins performances on Tuesday, May 31 for a limited engagement through Saturday, June 18. The performance schedule is Wednesday – Sunday at 8 PM, with an added performance on Tuesday, May 31 at 8 PM. Press Opening is Thursday, June 2 at 8 PM. Performances are at the Access Theater (380 Broadway, two blocks below Canal, just north of White Street). Tickets are $25 and are available by calling SmartTix at 212-868-4444 or online at www.smarttix.com. ###

Monday, May 09, 2011

Ticket Prices?

"Detroit Symphony Orcestra lowers single-ticket prices to build its audience."

h/t You've Cott Mail.

I think this is an issue worth frequently investigating. What is the impact of ticket price on attendance? I tend to think that the relationship between an audience and price is nuanced. A lower ticket price does not automatically build an audience who assume they're getting a deal: they may simply see something as being devalued.

Case and point: I love DVDs. I love to buy them and collect them. I just walked through a store near New York University where DVDs are being sold for $7.99 or less. Lots of things I used to consider expensive, special-editions, two-disc sets. The message I received was not that I could get lots of great DVDs for less money...but that DVDs are less valuable than they once were. I walked out having bought nothing, even a little depressed.

On the other hand, if you wildly overprice, you might fail to reach your audience as well. You couldn't adequately price an iPhone Ap at $19.99 and expect it to gain traction. Heck, even a small price increase for the invaluable New York Times online caused people to think the paper was committing cyber-suicide. There is a range of acceptable pricing that we agree upon, and that price has an acceptable ceiling.

So... the logic that most give is that theater tickets, from Broadway to Off-Off Broadway, are generally high. But the solution some offer is free theater, which seems to miss the point.

What do you think? How do ticket prices impact audiences, in your experience? When is a price reduction smart? When do deals work?

Saturday, May 07, 2011

Anthems for the Fringe - coming up May 16th and 17th


Blue Coyote Theater Group, with the original cast of Glee Club, is holding two night performance and fundraiser called Anthems for the Fringe, as we work to raise money for a potential trip to the Edinburgh Fringe Festival. Performances are May 17th and 18th. Details below.

Yes, I will also be singing. Quite a bit.

Conceived and Arranged by Stephen Speights
Inspired by GLEE CLUB by Matthew Freeman

Set Design - Emily Inglis
Lights - Christopher Weston
Costumes - Jonna McElrath
Stage Manager - F. Dash Vata

A benefit concert to bring BCTG's GLEE CLUB to the
2012 Edinburgh Fringe Festival!

Two nights only!

Monday & Tuesday, May 16th and 17th

Doors open @ 7:30pm
Concert @ 8pm

Enjoy a cocktail before the show, then stick around afterwards
for drinks, snacks, raffles and more!

Click HERE for Tix!

$25 gets you into the show
(limited tix available)

$50 gets you the show, an open bar, a concert t-shirt,
a signed copy of Matthew Freeman's GLEE CLUB,
free download of The World Will Make You Smile, and more!

ACCESS THEATER
380 Broadway, 4th Floor
(@ White Street)
(Subways: N/R closest, A/C/E/6/1/9

Thursday, May 05, 2011

Not the only one!

Chris Wilkinson at the Guardian wasn't the only person fooled by fake joke quotes I posted recently. I appreciate that people take me at my word. I really must remember that 1) it's a blog and people aren't combing mine for nuanced sarcasm and 2) no one can see me cocking my eyebrow.

Onwards!