Daniel Elihu Kramer

Daniel Elihu Kramer is Producing Artistic Director of Chester Theatre Company, an SPT summer company in the foothills of the Berkshires specializing in contemporary work. In addition to his work as a director, he adapts both non-theatrical and older theatrical works for the contemporary stage.

His play Pride@Prejudice was commissioned by Available Light Theatre, and is published by Playscripts. It has had multiple professional productions, at Capital Rep in Albany, the Theatre at Monmouth, South West Shakespeare, and many other theatres. Coyote Tales, written with Allan Hayton, is published by Samuel French and has been performed around the country.

My Jane (an adaptation of Jane Eyre) was developed at Available Light Theatre where it was performed in an earlier version, then premiered...

Daniel Elihu Kramer is Producing Artistic Director of Chester Theatre Company, an SPT summer company in the foothills of the Berkshires specializing in contemporary work. In addition to his work as a director, he adapts both non-theatrical and older theatrical works for the contemporary stage.

His play Pride@Prejudice was commissioned by Available Light Theatre, and is published by Playscripts. It has had multiple professional productions, at Capital Rep in Albany, the Theatre at Monmouth, South West Shakespeare, and many other theatres. Coyote Tales, written with Allan Hayton, is published by Samuel French and has been performed around the country.

My Jane (an adaptation of Jane Eyre) was developed at Available Light Theatre where it was performed in an earlier version, then premiered under its current title at Chester Theatre Company in 2016. His play Love Suicide (based on The Love Suicides at Sonezaki) was developed and produced in a residency at Cleveland Public Theatre.

Daniel is also on the theatre faculty at Smith College, and holds an MFA from Yale School of Drama.

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Scripts

Pride@Prejudice

by Daniel Elihu Kramer

Cast Size
5
Genre
adaptation,
comedy,
drama,
period,
romantic comedy

Elizabeth Bennet and Mr. Darcy fall in love all over again -- this time filtered through the world of the internet. Modern voices interject and build on this classic love story in the form of blog posts, chat room discussions, quotes from film adaptations, and even letters from Ms. Austen herself to create a delightfully postmodern view of 19th century England. Written for five actors to play every role, Pride...

Elizabeth Bennet and Mr. Darcy fall in love all over again -- this time filtered through the world of the internet. Modern voices interject and build on this classic love story in the form of blog posts, chat room discussions, quotes from film adaptations, and even letters from Ms. Austen herself to create a delightfully postmodern view of 19th century England. Written for five actors to play every role, Pride@Prejudice is a hilarious and moving homage to Jane Austen's most beloved novel, as well our love affair with reading.

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My Jane

by Daniel Elihu Kramer

Cast Size
4
Genre
adaptation,
drama,
mystery/thriller,
period

MY JANE is both an adaptation of Jane Eyre and an exploration of the power of our experiences as readers. A group of readers and an interviewer explore why the book continues to affect them. Or Jane now tries to protect Jane then, but of course cannot. Or Jane and Rochester fall in love. Or Jane discovers her own power. Or probably all of the above. Plus, of course, Jane Eyre. Created from Bronte's novel and...

MY JANE is both an adaptation of Jane Eyre and an exploration of the power of our experiences as readers. A group of readers and an interviewer explore why the book continues to affect them. Or Jane now tries to protect Jane then, but of course cannot. Or Jane and Rochester fall in love. Or Jane discovers her own power. Or probably all of the above. Plus, of course, Jane Eyre. Created from Bronte's novel and from interviews with readers. For a cast of 4. In 90 minutes.

"A spendid foray into the craft of theater combined with the depth of the classics." -- Berkshire Bright Focus

"The play brings to light the power of story, and how our encounters with truly great literature can draw us in and affect us forever." -- In the Spotlight

"A keenly observed, hugely entertaining adventure" -- Valley Advocate

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Love Suicide

by Daniel Elihu Kramer

Cast Size
5
Genre
adaptation,
drama,
period,
tragedy

Based on Chikamatsu Monzaemon's classical Japanese bunraku play The Love Suicides at Sonezaki. The script weaves together the story of the play with stories gathered from internet suicide chat rooms and news broadcasts to explore the disturbing connections—both modern and traditional—between love and suicide, and the romanticization of joint suicide.

Based on Chikamatsu Monzaemon's classical Japanese bunraku play The Love Suicides at Sonezaki. The script weaves together the story of the play with stories gathered from internet suicide chat rooms and news broadcasts to explore the disturbing connections—both modern and traditional—between love and suicide, and the romanticization of joint suicide.