The White Oak of Johnston

The project began five years ago when Rippowam Cisqua School, where I have worked for the past 18 years, gave me a grant that I used to write the script. I was able to finish the script that summer, and two years ago we had a reading at Richard Gere's restaurant in Bedford, New York. We had an ensemble cast of equity actors from New York City read the play. One hundred fifty people attended, and the evening turned out to be magical. We have had all kinds of requests to do the play locally and then take it to the city. So, here we are.

We are hoping to raise enough money to be able to take The White Oak of Johnston to the city. We need revenue for the sets, the costumes, actors, technicians, directors, stage managers, the theater, etc.

We are actively working with a team of students from Parsons the New School for Design and Alan Reingold, the renowned commercial illustrator to get the show off the ground. The poster and post cards were just completed, and we are now launching on this site to raise the initial capital. We really appreciate any help that you can give us. 

People ask what the show is about. I tell them:

Johnny Madison wants to bury his dog under the big white oak on the family farm, but he hasn't been home in nineteen years. Nineteen years is a long time for a dog and an even longer time for a guy to be away from home...

We are all looking forward to a great show. I hope that you can join us in our effort. More to follow. Thank you. 








The biggest obstacle always seems to be the money. I have been willing to finance the startup up to this point and I will be willing to continue to pay with my own money in the future if I have to. Yes, things can happen along the way, but we have spent a tremendous amount of time organizing and planning for such things, and we are confident that we can overcome. The show must and will go on.