Harrison David Rivers

HARRISON DAVID RIVERS is an award-winning playwright, librettist and television writer based in St. Paul, Minnesota. His works include THE SALVAGERS (Yale Rep), WE ARE CONTINUOUS (Diversionary, Uptown Players, New Conservatory Theatre Center, Geva Theatre Center, Williamstown Theatre Festival), THE BANDAGED PACE (Roundabout), THIS BITTER EARTH (Ball State University, Fleetwood-Jourdain Theatre, White Bear Theatre, Seattle Public, TheatreWorks Hartford, InterAct, The Road, Richmond Triangle Players, Theater Alliance, About Face, Penumbra, NCTC), and an adaptation of A CHRISTMAS CAROL (Geva Theatre Center), among others, and the musicals WE SHALL SOMEDAY (formerly BROADBEND, ARKANSAS) with Ted Shen (Alabama Shakespeare Festival, Missouri University of Science & Technology, Theater Latté Da...

HARRISON DAVID RIVERS is an award-winning playwright, librettist and television writer based in St. Paul, Minnesota. His works include THE SALVAGERS (Yale Rep), WE ARE CONTINUOUS (Diversionary, Uptown Players, New Conservatory Theatre Center, Geva Theatre Center, Williamstown Theatre Festival), THE BANDAGED PACE (Roundabout), THIS BITTER EARTH (Ball State University, Fleetwood-Jourdain Theatre, White Bear Theatre, Seattle Public, TheatreWorks Hartford, InterAct, The Road, Richmond Triangle Players, Theater Alliance, About Face, Penumbra, NCTC), and an adaptation of A CHRISTMAS CAROL (Geva Theatre Center), among others, and the musicals WE SHALL SOMEDAY (formerly BROADBEND, ARKANSAS) with Ted Shen (Alabama Shakespeare Festival, Missouri University of Science & Technology, Theater Latté Da, Joe’s Pub, Signature Theatre, The Studio Theatre Tierra Del Sol, Transport Group/Public Theater) and LAST OF THE RED HOT MAMAS with Sue and Lloyd Ecker (Bucks County Playhouse). His television credits include "One of Us Is Lying" (Peacock), "The Nevers" (HBO) and "Wytches" (Amazon). Harrison is a recipient of McKnight, Jerome and Van Lier Fellowships, residencies with the Siena Art Institute, NYTW, Williamstown, Geva and Duke University, and commissions from Roundabout, Transport Group, Penumbra, Geva, La Jolla Playhouse and Minnesota Opera. He sits on the Board of Directors of The Movement Theatre Company and the Playwrights’ Center. MFA: Columbia University.

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Scripts

A Christmas Carol

Adapted by Harrison David Rivers

Cast Size
14—20
Genre
adaptation,
comedy,
drama,
holiday,
horror,
musical,
period,
young audiences

Beginning with a wish made by young Tim Cratchit, over the course of one night notorious grump Ebenezer Scrooge is visited by four ghosts. But will their intervention prompt him to change his “humbug” ways? Filled with humor, heart, hope – and a little bit of horror – A Christmas Carol reminds us that it is never too late to have a change of heart.

Beginning with a wish made by young Tim Cratchit, over the course of one night notorious grump Ebenezer Scrooge is visited by four ghosts. But will their intervention prompt him to change his “humbug” ways? Filled with humor, heart, hope – and a little bit of horror – A Christmas Carol reminds us that it is never too late to have a change of heart.

This Bitter Earth

by Harrison David Rivers

11
Cast Size
2
Genre
drama,
political

A protest brought them together. But now, as his white lover, a Black Lives Matter activist, immerses himself in the struggle, Jesse, a black man, must confront his own political apathy or risk his rights and their love. This gripping and intimate new play asks what is the real cost of standing on the sidelines?

A protest brought them together. But now, as his white lover, a Black Lives Matter activist, immerses himself in the struggle, Jesse, a black man, must confront his own political apathy or risk his rights and their love. This gripping and intimate new play asks what is the real cost of standing on the sidelines?

we are continuous

by Harrison David Rivers

2
Cast Size
3
Genre
comedy,
docudrama/historic,
drama,
faith-based

Simon and his mother, Ora, have always been close. She’s been his champion, his defender, and his friend. But when a life-changing secret comes to light, can their bond survive?

Simon and his mother, Ora, have always been close. She’s been his champion, his defender, and his friend. But when a life-changing secret comes to light, can their bond survive?

Proximity

by Harrison David Rivers

2
Cast Size
4
Genre
comedy,
drama,
romantic comedy

Newly divorced and sheltering at home with her two children, Ezra hasn’t been touched by another adult in eight months. When she’s introduced to Irie, a charismatic fellow single parent, at a virtual PTA meeting, their immediate attraction causes Ezra to reconsider the limits of her Covid-bubble.

Newly divorced and sheltering at home with her two children, Ezra hasn’t been touched by another adult in eight months. When she’s introduced to Irie, a charismatic fellow single parent, at a virtual PTA meeting, their immediate attraction causes Ezra to reconsider the limits of her Covid-bubble.

maybe the saddest thing

by Harrison David Rivers

2
Cast Size
6
Genre
dark comedy,
drama

In a city in the South, Deshaun sells drugs, Frankie cleans hotel rooms and Noble makes sandwiches. They’re smart. Black. And stuck. MAYBE THE SADDEST THING is a play about that most American of phenomena – the rut – and what it takes to get out.

In a city in the South, Deshaun sells drugs, Frankie cleans hotel rooms and Noble makes sandwiches. They’re smart. Black. And stuck. MAYBE THE SADDEST THING is a play about that most American of phenomena – the rut – and what it takes to get out.

the bandaged place

by Harrison David Rivers

7
Cast Size
5
Genre
drama,
movement/physical

Struggling to recover after an assault, Jonah realizes the only way to heal is by mending the relationships with his family.

Struggling to recover after an assault, Jonah realizes the only way to heal is by mending the relationships with his family.

Where Storms Are Born

by Harrison David Rivers

3
Cast Size
6
Genre
drama,
political

Mourning the loss of her elder son Myles, Bethea tries to help her younger son Gideon through his grief. But as revelations surrounding Myles’ incarceration and death emerge, both mother and son must decide whether to fight or let go. With wit and empathy, this play reminds us of the courage and resilience it takes to chart a better way forward for the ones we love.

Mourning the loss of her elder son Myles, Bethea tries to help her younger son Gideon through his grief. But as revelations surrounding Myles’ incarceration and death emerge, both mother and son must decide whether to fight or let go. With wit and empathy, this play reminds us of the courage and resilience it takes to chart a better way forward for the ones we love.

To Let Go and Fall

by Harrison David Rivers

2
Cast Size
6—8
Genre
drama,
movement/physical,
political

Todd and Arthur are two former ballet dancers who reunite at New York’s Lincoln Center Plaza having not seen each other for more than 25 years. This beautifully-told story takes us through the lives of both men, their choices, their regrets, and their coming to terms with age, illness and sexual identity.

Todd and Arthur are two former ballet dancers who reunite at New York’s Lincoln Center Plaza having not seen each other for more than 25 years. This beautifully-told story takes us through the lives of both men, their choices, their regrets, and their coming to terms with age, illness and sexual identity.

PARKS

by Harrison David Rivers

5
Cast Size
8
Genre
biography,
docudrama/historic,
drama,
musical,
young audiences

Raised amidst the violent racism of the 1920’s and 30’s, Gordon Parks chose to fight back with a camera instead of a gun. Inspired by the life of the iconic photographer, PARKS, tells the story of a young black man’s journey to becoming an artist. The trials and tribulations; the triumphs. The pain, the glory and the love.

Raised amidst the violent racism of the 1920’s and 30’s, Gordon Parks chose to fight back with a camera instead of a gun. Inspired by the life of the iconic photographer, PARKS, tells the story of a young black man’s journey to becoming an artist. The trials and tribulations; the triumphs. The pain, the glory and the love.