Mark Harvey Levine

Mark Harvey Levine

Mark Harvey Levine is an award-winning playwright with over 1700 productions of his plays all over the world from New York to Bucharest to Jakarta to London. His work has been seen at such theatres as the Actors Theatre Of Louisville, City Theatre of Miami and the Kennedy Center in Washington, DC. Evenings of his short plays have been produced at the Edinburgh Fringe Festival, as well as in Amsterdam, Sao...
Mark Harvey Levine is an award-winning playwright with over 1700 productions of his plays all over the world from New York to Bucharest to Jakarta to London. His work has been seen at such theatres as the Actors Theatre Of Louisville, City Theatre of Miami and the Kennedy Center in Washington, DC. Evenings of his short plays have been produced at the Edinburgh Fringe Festival, as well as in Amsterdam, Sao Paulo, Seoul, Sydney, New York, Los Angeles, Boston, Indianapolis, Columbus, Providence, and other cities. An evening of his plays had a National tour of Brazil from 2007-2010. His work has been translated into seven languages. Eleven of his plays appear in the "Best Ten Minute Play" Anthologies from Smith & Kraus, and other plays appear in the Anthologies "Laugh Lines", "Shorter, Faster, Funnier" and “Plays For Two” from Random House. A Spanish language film version of his play “The Kiss” (“El Beso”) just premiered at the Cannes Film Festival. He is a graduate of Carnegie-Mellon University's School of Drama and currently lives in Pasadena, California with his lovely wife and son. More info at www.markharveylevine.com.

Plays

  • Didn't See That Coming by Mark Harvey Levine
    Recommendations: 1
    ·
    Cast: 
    4–21
    ·
    Genre: comedy, drama + 1 more
    ·
    Keyword: magical realism, Relationships + 3 more
    Genre: comedy, drama, romantic comedy
    Keyword: magical realism, Relationships, death, psychic, Superhero Short Plays
    DIDN'T SEE THAT COMING is a journey through eight short stories featuring ordinary people in not-so-ordinary situations. There's death and kissing, superheroes and chinese food, and a lot of surprises.

    "remarkable for the diversity and originality of its subject matter, notable for its sense of humor and laudable for its generally humanist stance. The pieces are as consistently...
    DIDN'T SEE THAT COMING is a journey through eight short stories featuring ordinary people in not-so-ordinary situations. There's death and kissing, superheroes and chinese food, and a lot of surprises.

    "remarkable for the diversity and originality of its subject matter, notable for its sense of humor and laudable for its generally humanist stance. The pieces are as consistently dissimilar as they are consistently entertaining, which makes the evening that much more of a wonder, incorporating everything from straight-on madcap to aw-shucks sweetness... I'm betting you'll take at least a little something — on top of the laughter — from all of them. It's a tremendous evening of little theater."
    Michael C. Moore, Kitsap Sun (Washington State)
  • A Very Special Holiday Special by Mark Harvey Levine
    Recommendations: 1
    ·
    Cast: 
    6–50
    ·
    Genre: comedy, drama + 4 more
    ·
    Keyword: christmas, Jesus + 6 more
    Genre: comedy, drama, faith-based, holiday, musical, satire
    Keyword: christmas, Jesus, Christian, hanukkah, Jews, Jewish, Chanukah, winter holidays
    Eight comedies about Christmas and Hanukkah and where they meet.

    "If you don't catch this show, you are depriving yourself of the best holiday present, this year."
    - Ingrid Wilmot, Willcall.org

    "...more than a few times doubling over in hilarity"
    -- Dany Margolie, Long Beach Press Telegram

    "It is a thought-provoking night...
    Eight comedies about Christmas and Hanukkah and where they meet.

    "If you don't catch this show, you are depriving yourself of the best holiday present, this year."
    - Ingrid Wilmot, Willcall.org

    "...more than a few times doubling over in hilarity"
    -- Dany Margolie, Long Beach Press Telegram

    "It is a thought-provoking night at the theater. By turns hilarious and pensive...80 minutes of solid and worthwhile theater"
    -- Kim Hastings, Axs.com

    "Fit this little gem under your Menorah or into your Christmas stocking."
    -- Lynn Geyer, TheSubTimes.com
  • Crazy Love by Mark Harvey Levine
    Cast: 
    2–16
    ·
    Genre: comedy, faith-based + 1 more
    ·
    Keyword: love, romance + 4 more
    Genre: comedy, faith-based, romantic comedy
    Keyword: love, romance, friends, neighbors, Livestock, zany
    CRAZY LOVE is a journey through eight short stories about love – between lovers, friends, neighbors and livestock.
  • Scripted by Mark Harvey Levine
    Recommendations: 7
    ·
    Cast: 
    2
    ·
    Genre: comedy, romantic comedy
    ·
    Keyword: existential, metatheatrical
    Genre: comedy, romantic comedy
    Keyword: existential, metatheatrical
    Scripted is about a couple who wake up to find the script of the play that they are in -- the very play we're watching. Everything they do, every word they're about to say has already been written down for them.

    “Scripted is...a single whoppingly fantastic idea for a one-act play"
    Alan R. Hall, Classical Voice of North Carolina

    "Scripted...is a charming...
    Scripted is about a couple who wake up to find the script of the play that they are in -- the very play we're watching. Everything they do, every word they're about to say has already been written down for them.

    “Scripted is...a single whoppingly fantastic idea for a one-act play"
    Alan R. Hall, Classical Voice of North Carolina

    "Scripted...is a charming romantic comedy"
    Jack Zink, Ft. Lauderdale Sun-Sentinal
  • The Rental by Mark Harvey Levine
    Recommendations: 5
    ·
    Cast: 
    2
    ·
    Genre: comedy, romantic comedy
    ·
    Keyword: Rented Boyfriend
    Genre: comedy, romantic comedy
    Keyword: Rented Boyfriend
    Sonya receives an extraordinary birthday present -- a rented boyfriend. He's the perfect man for her -- but he's only there for a day.

    "fifteen minutes of sparkling repertee"
    Nick Crews, Indianapolis Star

    "Levine blends the wistful longings of loneliness and the mad passions of instant infatuation into The Rental."
    Michael Grossberg, Columbus Dispatch
  • Surprise by Mark Harvey Levine
    Recommendations: 6
    ·
    Cast: 
    3
    ·
    Genre: comedy, romantic comedy
    ·
    Keyword: psychic, wordplay + 4 more
    Genre: comedy, romantic comedy
    Keyword: psychic, wordplay, breakfast, Cereal, waffle, waffles
    Peter is a psychic who can only see two minutes into the future. Unfortunately, all this gives him is the ability to drive his date slowly insane. But even a psychic can be surprised.

    "a lovely little piece of sleight-of-mouth that would be at home in a David Ives collection...a little gem"
    Joshua Tanzer, OffOffOff.com (New York)

    "Riotously comical is Mark...
    Peter is a psychic who can only see two minutes into the future. Unfortunately, all this gives him is the ability to drive his date slowly insane. But even a psychic can be surprised.

    "a lovely little piece of sleight-of-mouth that would be at home in a David Ives collection...a little gem"
    Joshua Tanzer, OffOffOff.com (New York)

    "Riotously comical is Mark Levine's Surprise... A nice twist ending and especially enjoyable bitterness on the part of [actress] Hennesy make this a humorous high point for the evening."
    Brad Shreiber, Backstage West
  • Superhero by Mark Harvey Levine
    Recommendations: 4
    ·
    Cast: 
    2
    ·
    Genre: comedy, romantic comedy
    ·
    Keyword: superhero, real-life superheroes
    Genre: comedy, romantic comedy
    Keyword: superhero, real-life superheroes
    Have you been ignored, insulted, discarded all your life? You may be a Superhero.

    "A touching riff on personal fear"
    Wenzel Jones, Backstage West

    "Levine moves beyond ample laughs to make a poignant point about the everyday courage to be yourself."
    Michael Grossberg, Columbus Dispatch
  • Cabfare For The Common Man by Mark Harvey Levine
    Recommendations: 7
    ·
    Cast: 
    6–13
    ·
    Genre: comedy, romantic comedy
    ·
    Keyword: taxi, cab + 5 more
    Genre: comedy, romantic comedy
    Keyword: taxi, cab, children, Parents, parenthood, growing up, Childhood
    A perfectly ordinary man goes on the cab ride of his life. How will he know when he's arrived?

    "...the writing is crisp, the action is fast-paced... this rollicking, uplifting comedy is the perfect way to end the evening"
    Shirle Gottlieb, Long Beach Press-Telegram
  • A Walk In The Ocean by Mark Harvey Levine
    Recommendations: 2
    ·
    Cast: 
    2
    ·
    Genre: comedy, romantic comedy
    ·
    Keyword: melancholy, ocean + 2 more
    Genre: comedy, romantic comedy
    Keyword: melancholy, ocean, Mobile, Alabama
    Relationships are deep and mysterious, like the sea. Fortunately, there is a place in Mobile, Alabama, where you can take A Walk In The Ocean.

    "These tender moments are well observed...melancholy snapshots of nice guys as their women move on"
    Nelson Pressley, The Washington Post (Washington, DC)

    "My favorite was A Walk In The Ocean....It was beautifully...
    Relationships are deep and mysterious, like the sea. Fortunately, there is a place in Mobile, Alabama, where you can take A Walk In The Ocean.

    "These tender moments are well observed...melancholy snapshots of nice guys as their women move on"
    Nelson Pressley, The Washington Post (Washington, DC)

    "My favorite was A Walk In The Ocean....It was beautifully written — effortlessly so."
    Joan Steinmetz, Kitsap Sun (Washington State)
  • Morning by Mark Harvey Levine
    Recommendations: 4
    ·
    Cast: 
    6–10
    ·
    Genre: comedy
    ·
    Keyword: bathroom, Silent Film + 1 more
    Genre: comedy
    Keyword: bathroom, Silent Film, silent
    "Morning" is a dialogue-free play that takes place in the World's Smallest Bathroom, as an increasing number of people try to get ready for their day.
  • The Heinrich Maneuver by Mark Harvey Levine
    Recommendations: 5
    ·
    Cast: 
    2
    ·
    Genre: comedy
    ·
    Keyword: spies, west hollywood + 3 more
    Genre: comedy
    Keyword: spies, west hollywood, East Germany, Soviet Union, gay
    A thrilling tale of international intrigue, floral fighting, forbidden love and a killer blackberry cobbler.
  • The Remote by Mark Harvey Levine
    Recommendations: 5
    ·
    Cast: 
    2
    ·
    Genre: comedy, experimental + 1 more
    ·
    Keyword: marriage, communication + 2 more
    Genre: comedy, experimental, romantic comedy
    Keyword: marriage, communication, television, remote control
    A married couple becomes possessed by television in this play, designed as a tour de force for the actors.

    "Director Anthony Galleran and especially actors Christina Martinez and Jeremy Gable all deserve some kind of golden, shiny, award thingy for taking on Remote, a crazy-paced piece in which a couch-potato couple suddenly becomes possessed by TV soundbites whenever one holds the clicker....
    A married couple becomes possessed by television in this play, designed as a tour de force for the actors.

    "Director Anthony Galleran and especially actors Christina Martinez and Jeremy Gable all deserve some kind of golden, shiny, award thingy for taking on Remote, a crazy-paced piece in which a couch-potato couple suddenly becomes possessed by TV soundbites whenever one holds the clicker. The rapid-fire delivery breaking up normal conversation just screams lockjaw for them—and a blast for the audience."
    -- Stacy Davies, the OC Weekly, Orange County, California

    "The most impressive story is “The Remote.” Aside from being very funny, the verbal gymnastics as Reimen and Shelton channel the television take incredible talent and concentration."
    --John Belden, Daily Reporter, Greenfield, IN
  • God Forbid by Mark Harvey Levine
    Recommendations: 4
    ·
    Cast: 
    3
    ·
    Genre: comedy, dark comedy + 1 more
    ·
    Keyword: gun control, guns + 2 more
    Genre: comedy, dark comedy, political
    Keyword: gun control, guns, Tiny Play, Two Minute Plays
    A gun control play. Three gun-owners don't *want* to use their guns. God forbid!
  • The Kiss by Mark Harvey Levine
    Recommendations: 5
    ·
    Cast: 
    2
    ·
    Genre: comedy, romantic comedy
    ·
    Keyword: romance, Relationships + 5 more
    Genre: comedy, romantic comedy
    Keyword: romance, Relationships, love, friends, friendzone, Kiss, kissing
    In "The Kiss", Dennis asks his best friend Allison to judge his kissing skills. Can he help it if she has to kiss him to do it?

    "There’s a touch of Summer and Smoke in this kiss." -- Jonathan Kruk, The Putnam County News and Recorder

    "The Kiss" is breezy and enjoyable" -- Ted Hadley, The Buffalo News

    "The evening's best...
    In "The Kiss", Dennis asks his best friend Allison to judge his kissing skills. Can he help it if she has to kiss him to do it?

    "There’s a touch of Summer and Smoke in this kiss." -- Jonathan Kruk, The Putnam County News and Recorder

    "The Kiss" is breezy and enjoyable" -- Ted Hadley, The Buffalo News

    "The evening's best play" -- Carl Hoover, The Waco Tribune-Herald

    "What ensues is a cute, lighthearted and thorny romp through young adult longing. " -- William Coyle, Off Off Online

  • Passed Hordes by Mark Harvey Levine
    Recommendations: 1
    ·
    Cast: 
    4–8
    ·
    Genre: comedy, fantasy + 1 more
    ·
    Keyword: perception, lonely + 5 more
    Genre: comedy, fantasy, romantic comedy
    Keyword: perception, lonely, loneliness, shy, shyness, hors d'oeuvres, waiters
    Passed Hordes is a play about perception, connection, and the importance of really good hors d'oeuvres.

    "My vote for the best piece of the night, though, would be for "Passed Hordes," an ingenious little charmer by noted Los Angeles one-act playwright Mark Harvey Levine that takes all of about seven minutes to dress down two nerdly wallflowers and turn them into the life of...
    Passed Hordes is a play about perception, connection, and the importance of really good hors d'oeuvres.

    "My vote for the best piece of the night, though, would be for "Passed Hordes," an ingenious little charmer by noted Los Angeles one-act playwright Mark Harvey Levine that takes all of about seven minutes to dress down two nerdly wallflowers and turn them into the life of the party. " -- Michael C. Moore, Kitsap Sun

  • Howard by Mark Harvey Levine
    Recommendations: 1
    ·
    Cast: 
    3
    ·
    Genre: comedy, fantasy + 2 more
    ·
    Keyword: time travel, science fiction + 2 more
    Genre: comedy, fantasy, romantic comedy, science fiction
    Keyword: time travel, science fiction, regrets, sandwiches
    Howard is about time travel, regrets, and how to make the perfect BLT.

    "another superb Levine comedy" -- Kathleen Kirby, Flint Journal Review
  • The Prodigal Cow by Mark Harvey Levine
    Cast: 
    2
    ·
    Genre: comedy, fable/folktale + 2 more
    ·
    Keyword: Bible, prodigal son + 8 more
    Genre: comedy, fable/folktale, faith-based, young audiences
    Keyword: Bible, prodigal son, cow, food, goat, fate, destiny, biblical, Parables, parable
    A familiar story told from a slightly more bovine point of view.
  • Shakespeare Lives! by Mark Harvey Levine
    Cast: 
    3
    ·
    Genre: comedy, horror
    ·
    Keyword: Shakespeare, zombies + 2 more
    Genre: comedy, horror
    Keyword: Shakespeare, zombies, Sonnet, Raising the dead
    Shakespeare's tomb says "cursed be he that moves my bones". Now you find out why.

    "comically excellent...fast-paced and improbably silly ..."
    -- Kathleen Kirby, The Flint Journal
  • The Big Picture by Mark Harvey Levine
    Recommendations: 1
    ·
    Cast: 
    5–7
    ·
    Genre: comedy, young audiences
    ·
    Keyword: crayons, kindergarten + 5 more
    Genre: comedy, young audiences
    Keyword: crayons, kindergarten, art, drawing, Childhood, bullying, Pictures
    A desk in kindergarten can be a battlefield when the crayons come to life.

    "...the stronger one being The Big Picture, where each crayon in the box worries about being used up by their artist. It drives home the sentiment that your life as an individual is important, but what you leave behind among all of the lives you touch will shine on long after you are gone."
    -- Anne Evans...
    A desk in kindergarten can be a battlefield when the crayons come to life.

    "...the stronger one being The Big Picture, where each crayon in the box worries about being used up by their artist. It drives home the sentiment that your life as an individual is important, but what you leave behind among all of the lives you touch will shine on long after you are gone."
    -- Anne Evans
    Columbus Underground (Columbus, OH)
  • In The Jar by Mark Harvey Levine
    Cast: 
    5–6
    ·
    Genre: comedy, faith-based + 1 more
    ·
    Keyword: insects, bugs + 6 more
    Genre: comedy, faith-based, fantasy
    Keyword: insects, bugs, ladybugs, fireflies, cricket, preying mantis, tap dancing, spider
    Six insects must fight for their lives while they're serving time...in a jar.
  • Drive-Thru by Mark Harvey Levine
    Recommendations: 2
    ·
    Cast: 
    2
    ·
    Genre: comedy
    ·
    Keyword: food, fast food + 4 more
    Genre: comedy
    Keyword: food, fast food, fast food chain, chain restaurant, restaurant, communication
    Ron is looking for a little human contact but gets more than he ordered.
  • Ordained by Mark Harvey Levine
    Recommendations: 1
    ·
    Cast: 
    3
    ·
    Genre: comedy, faith-based + 1 more
    ·
    Keyword: marriage, arranged marriage + 5 more
    Genre: comedy, faith-based, romantic comedy
    Keyword: marriage, arranged marriage, faith, religion, romance, destiny, fate
    She's got a license. And she's not afraid to use it.