Charles Manson and the Murder of Gary Hinman

I recently finished a play about Charles Manson and the murder that sparked what he and his followers referred to as the 'Helter Skelter.' In researching this play, I found a lot of stage works that deal with the subject of Charles Manson and the people he referred to as 'the family.'

Manson: The Musical developed through improv by members of Annoyance Theater - A dark musical comedy with some funny moments, but not as edgy as the subject matter would imply. This off-off Broadway show was produced at the Kraine Theatre in 2009.

Sneakyville by Christopher Bryant - A full-length play about Charles Manson and his followers that will appeal to any true-crime mavens and conspiracy theorists. A talented and ambitious work, this play previewed at the fortyfivedownstairs theatre in Melbourne, Australia in 2018.

The Manson Family: An Opera based on John Moran’s 1990 play, The Manson Family - This opera was a restructuring of Moran’s work suited for an immersive audience. This theatrical experience not only took audiences on a room-to-room walk-through telling the story of Charles Manson and his followers, it was also produced in Las Vegas in 2019.

22 Years by Robert Sickinger - This play was a freehand compilation of testimony, fiction and actors’ improvisations that posed the question, "Did society created Charles Manson?' The play, billed as a rockumentary, opened in New York's Stage 73 Theatre in 1972.

You Are Perfect by Cyndy A. Marion - This play centers on the life of convicted murderer and Manson 'family member' Susan Atkins. Set in her prison cell during the Manson murder trial, the play was produced by the White Horse Theatre Company in 2016.

Sources:

Internet Source, www.broadwayworld.com, "Manson: The Musical Takes Final Bow At The Kraine Theater Tonight, 12/5" by Gabrielle Sierra.

Internet Source, www.haunting.net, The Manson Family: An Opera Review by Deb Kavis.

Internet Source, www.nytimes.com, "Stage: Rockumentary About Manson" by Mel Gussow.

Internet Source, www.playbill.com, "New Play Explores Life of 'Manson Family Member' Susan Atkins."

Internet Source, www.smh.com, "Ambitious Charles Manson Play Marred by Info-Dumping" by Cameron Woodhead.

Internet Source, www.theasy.com, Manson: The Musical Review by Terra Vetter.

Comments

Murder on Old Topanga Canyon Road

I haven't shared my good news on social media yet, so hear goes! One of my plays, Historical Mutilations, will be produced this summer by Theatre Off the Square in Weatherford, Texas. Along with Mike Byham's play, Arti Doll, my play will be produced on June 7-9, 2024. Both plays were winners of the 2023 New Works Contest, and I am thrilled that such a prestigious venue as Theatre Off the Square will be taking on this project! Historical Mutilations tells the story of the murder of Gary Hinman. A hippie renaissance figure in the 1960s, as well as the Manson Family's "forgotten victim," Hinman was found dead in his home on Old Topanga Canyon Road on July 31, 1969. This was eight days before Sharon Tate and four others were found murdered at Tate's Cielo Drive residence. My play, a biodrama, depicts a possible conversation that Hinman and cult-leader Charles Manson may have had prior to Hinman's murder. In doing so, Manson compares what is happening t

Historical Mutilations/Arti Doll

I'm thrilled to announce that one of my plays, Historical Mutilations, will be produced this summer by Theatre Off the Square in Weatherford, Texas. Along with Mike Byham's play, Arti Doll, my play will be produced on June 7-9, 2024, as both plays were winners of the 2023 New Works Contest. I am so excited that such a prestigious venue as Theatre Off the Square will be producing one of my shows! Historical Mutilations is about the murder of Gary Hinman. A hippie renaissance figure in the 1960s, as well as the Manson Family's "forgotten victim," Hinman was found dead in his home on Old Topanga Canyon Road eight days before Sharon Tate and four others were found murdered at Tate's Cielo Drive residence. My play, a biodrama, depicts a possible conversation that Hinman and cult-leader Charles Manson may have had prior to Hinman's murder. In doing so, Manson compares what is happening to Hinman to famous mutilations of the past, specifically the self-mutil

Stage Plays for Super Bowl Sunday!

With the Super Bowl being played tonight, I thought it'd be cool to look up some plays and musicals that focus on one of American's greatest pastimes. *All American: Written by Mel Brooks, with music by Lee Adams and Charles Strouse, this musical-farce is set on the campus of a fictional Southern Baptist university. When the techniques of an engineering instructor result in a winning football team, the professor finds him-self surrounded by people that want to exploit his fame. The show opened on March 19, 1962, at the Winter Garden Theatre, and it starred Ray Bolger of Wizard of Oz fame. *Colossal: Written by Andrew Hinderaker and set on a college football field in Texas, this poignant work is about a star football player that finds it difficult to move on from a crippling spinal cord injury. In doing so, the play celebrates and attacks football; our nation's most popular form of theatre. The show opened at the Olney Theater in Olney, Maryland in September of 20

Bradley Nies, Playwright

Search This Blog