Near Nellie Bly by Mark Loewenstern

(O'Neill Semi-Finalist)
(Lanford Wilson Semi-Finalist)
(Gulfshore Playhouse New Works Festival)
(Epiphanies New Works Festival by Wild Imaginings)

FULL LENGTH
Nellie Bly, aspiring daredevil reporter, went undercover in an insane asylum on Blackwell's Island (now Roosevelt Island) in New York City, 1887. There she befriended a patient named Anne Neville....
(O'Neill Semi-Finalist)
(Lanford Wilson Semi-Finalist)
(Gulfshore Playhouse New Works Festival)
(Epiphanies New Works Festival by Wild Imaginings)

FULL LENGTH
Nellie Bly, aspiring daredevil reporter, went undercover in an insane asylum on Blackwell's Island (now Roosevelt Island) in New York City, 1887. There she befriended a patient named Anne Neville. After 10 days, Nellie was released. Anne stayed. This play tells the above story from Anne Neville’s perspective. It strives to show not what Nellie Bly did, but rather, WHY what Nellie Bly did was important.
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Near Nellie Bly

Recommended by

  • Cindi Sansone-Braff:
    1 May. 2022
    “ This historical drama set in 1887 in a New York women’s insane asylum is a harrowing account of how easy it was back then for a woman to be misdiagnosed as mentally ill and then institionalized. Nellie Bly, a bold and courageous reporter, sees firsthand the cruel, inhumane, and barbaric treatment women were receiving in an institution on Blackwell Island. There are many fascinating parts for women to portray. This docudrama would be riveting to see staged. Bravo! ”
  • Suzi Elnaggar:
    29 Apr. 2022
    “ This play was a finalist in the Epiphanies New Works Festival 2021. The exploration of feminine madness and who Nellie Bly was to the women who met her was awesome. Definitely recommended. ”
  • Steven G. Martin:
    29 Dec. 2021
    “ This full-length drama stunned me. Mark Loewenstern spotlights the impact of Nellie Bly's daredevil journalism on the women cruelly treated at the asylum on Blackwell's Island. We see the impact on Anne Neville, a resident as the asylum before and after Bly's 10-day stay, as well as other residents and the staff.

    Loewenstern storytelling is tremendous. Yes, there is realistic drama, but we feel through Anne's dreams how not only institutions but entire societies have attempted/are attempting to keep women docile and disenfranchised. We feel Anne is learning.

    Truly a stunning script that will profoundly affect audiences when produced. ”
View all 9 recommendations

Development History

  • Workshop
    ,
    Epiphanies New Play Festival at Wild Imaginings, Waco, TX
    ,
    2021
  • Workshop
    ,
    Gulfshore Playhouse, Naples, FL
    ,
    2019
  • Workshop
    ,
    The Actors Studio, Playwrights and Directors Workshop, New York, NY
    ,
    2017

Production History

  • Workshop
    ,
    Wild Imaginings, Epiphanies New Play Festival, Waco, TX
    ,
    2021
  • Workshop
    ,
    Gulfshore Playhouse, New Play Festival, Naples, FL
    ,
    2019

Awards

Semi-Finalist
,
Lanford Wilson New American Play Festival
,
Southeast Missouri State University
,
2022
Finalist
,
New Play Festival
,
Wild Imaginings
,
2021
Winner
,
New Play Festival
,
Gulfshore Playhouse
,
2019