Coming in 2025
"The Moby Dick Blues" will premiere at The Ellen Stewart Theatre at La Mama in NYC—Spring 2025
More Info HERE.
More Info HERE.
PAST PRODUCTIONS / PERFORMANCES / READINGS / EVENTS
A PHANTOM SONG (Film Festival Screening)
(July 20 & 21, 2024) — Maine International Film Festival, Waterville, Maine
A film by The Forty Hour Club
Our short documentary film, A PHANTOM SONG was an official selection of The Maine International Film Festival (MIFF). A Phantom Song follows a theatrical journey intertwining Captain Ahab's mysterious stowaway crew, a blues opera, and the Maine opiate crisis—symbolizing a quest for recovery and inclusion in the Capitol City of Augusta, ME.
Through a cast drawn from the recovery, reentry, and unhoused community, the film confronts stigma and biases, echoing the haunting atmosphere of Moby Dick andThe Blues to illuminate the intersection of past traumas and future hopes in the soul of a long-abandoned theater and its community.
(July 20 & 21, 2024) — Maine International Film Festival, Waterville, Maine
A film by The Forty Hour Club
Our short documentary film, A PHANTOM SONG was an official selection of The Maine International Film Festival (MIFF). A Phantom Song follows a theatrical journey intertwining Captain Ahab's mysterious stowaway crew, a blues opera, and the Maine opiate crisis—symbolizing a quest for recovery and inclusion in the Capitol City of Augusta, ME.
Through a cast drawn from the recovery, reentry, and unhoused community, the film confronts stigma and biases, echoing the haunting atmosphere of Moby Dick andThe Blues to illuminate the intersection of past traumas and future hopes in the soul of a long-abandoned theater and its community.
THE AHAB INSIDE ME—REDUX (Major Production)
(July 20 -23, 2023) — Colonial Theater, Augusta, Maine
Written by Michael Gorman
Directed by Joe John Battista
Assistant Director: Kristy Zornes Beauvais
This exciting blues/rock opera was further developed during a 5-week residency in a defunct, crumbling theater in Augusta, Maine, which served as the perfect backdrop for this fully-realized production about obsession, human rehabilitation, and environmental justice. More...
(July 20 -23, 2023) — Colonial Theater, Augusta, Maine
Written by Michael Gorman
Directed by Joe John Battista
Assistant Director: Kristy Zornes Beauvais
This exciting blues/rock opera was further developed during a 5-week residency in a defunct, crumbling theater in Augusta, Maine, which served as the perfect backdrop for this fully-realized production about obsession, human rehabilitation, and environmental justice. More...
THE AHAB INSIDE ME—A High-Seas Blues Opera (Major Production)
(September 2, 3, 4, 2022) — Colonial Theater, Augusta, Maine
Written by Michael Gorman
Directed by Joe John Battista
Provocative and challenging NEW recitative blues opera/musical theater production that explores the traumatic impact of a fatal overdose on a fishing family and the inspiring efforts of the community to address the destructive roots of addiction. The production garnered major press. More..
(September 2, 3, 4, 2022) — Colonial Theater, Augusta, Maine
Written by Michael Gorman
Directed by Joe John Battista
Provocative and challenging NEW recitative blues opera/musical theater production that explores the traumatic impact of a fatal overdose on a fishing family and the inspiring efforts of the community to address the destructive roots of addiction. The production garnered major press. More..
NEVER LEAVING THIS BOAT—Fragments of a Blues Opera (Environmental Installation & Outdoor Performance)
(September 11 & 12 2021) — Rockland, Maine
Written and Directed by Michael Gorman
Using the power of live performance to address the opioid epidemic, this epic tale incorporated original live music and song (with full band), spoken word, and performance— to restore connections lost or frayed by the compound crises of the opiate epidemic and COVID. More...
(September 11 & 12 2021) — Rockland, Maine
Written and Directed by Michael Gorman
Using the power of live performance to address the opioid epidemic, this epic tale incorporated original live music and song (with full band), spoken word, and performance— to restore connections lost or frayed by the compound crises of the opiate epidemic and COVID. More...
GIVE UP THE SPEAR (Outdoor Performance)
(JUNE 17, 2021) — Portland, Maine
Written by Michael Gorman
Playwright Michael Gorman and The Forty Hour Club presented a selection of songs and scenes from their upcoming performance of “Never Leaving this Boat”—(Fragments of a Blues Opera) at Cove Street Arts (gallery) in Portland. Raw and minimally rehearsed, the performance offered a privileged first glimpse of the upcoming opera, as well as an exciting window into Forty Hour Club’s developmental process. More...
(JUNE 17, 2021) — Portland, Maine
Written by Michael Gorman
Playwright Michael Gorman and The Forty Hour Club presented a selection of songs and scenes from their upcoming performance of “Never Leaving this Boat”—(Fragments of a Blues Opera) at Cove Street Arts (gallery) in Portland. Raw and minimally rehearsed, the performance offered a privileged first glimpse of the upcoming opera, as well as an exciting window into Forty Hour Club’s developmental process. More...
BIFFING MUSSELS (Outdoor Performance)
(OCT 31, 2020) — Rockland, Maine
Written by Michael Gorman. Directed by Tara Elliott
Performed outdoors during the COVID pandemic, Michael Gorman's classic short absurd comedy was presented on the waterfront at The Steel House in Rockland, Maine. The play was a welcome respite from the social isolation and uncertainty that many of us were feeling at this time, and offered everyone a good opportunity to just...laugh. More...
(OCT 31, 2020) — Rockland, Maine
Written by Michael Gorman. Directed by Tara Elliott
Performed outdoors during the COVID pandemic, Michael Gorman's classic short absurd comedy was presented on the waterfront at The Steel House in Rockland, Maine. The play was a welcome respite from the social isolation and uncertainty that many of us were feeling at this time, and offered everyone a good opportunity to just...laugh. More...
IN AHAB'S HEAD—CHASING PHANTOMS (Community Performance & Outreach Event)
(Nov 1, 2019) — Belfast, Maine
Created by Michael Gorman and the Forty Hour Club
A collaborative community performance in association with "What’s Art Got To Do With It?"— A 3-day conference about the power of art to address our opioid epidemic. This short and powerful piece featured R.A.W. Players (Restorative Art Works) & members of the Maine Coastal Regional Re-Entry Center/Restorative Justice Program (all non-actors), in the roles of The Phantom's, and incorporated monologues about their lives and experiences dealing with addiction, incarceration, re-entry, and healing. More...
(Nov 1, 2019) — Belfast, Maine
Created by Michael Gorman and the Forty Hour Club
A collaborative community performance in association with "What’s Art Got To Do With It?"— A 3-day conference about the power of art to address our opioid epidemic. This short and powerful piece featured R.A.W. Players (Restorative Art Works) & members of the Maine Coastal Regional Re-Entry Center/Restorative Justice Program (all non-actors), in the roles of The Phantom's, and incorporated monologues about their lives and experiences dealing with addiction, incarceration, re-entry, and healing. More...
THE HUNGRY GHOST (Community Performance)
(April 1, 2019)
Created by Michael Gorman and the Forty Hour Club
A community outreach event and performance/presentation at North Haven Community School & Waterman's Community Center. Island of North Haven, Maine. More...
(April 1, 2019)
Created by Michael Gorman and the Forty Hour Club
A community outreach event and performance/presentation at North Haven Community School & Waterman's Community Center. Island of North Haven, Maine. More...
CHASING THE NEW WHITE WHALE (Major Production)
(November 24 - December 9, 2018)
Created by Michael Gorman and the Forty Hour Club
Directed by Arthur Adair
Mike Gorman's epic production uses Melville’s 19th-century monster as a metaphor for the modern plague of opioid addiction. The play premiered at The Ellen stewart Theatre at La MaMa in New York City. More...
(November 24 - December 9, 2018)
Created by Michael Gorman and the Forty Hour Club
Directed by Arthur Adair
Mike Gorman's epic production uses Melville’s 19th-century monster as a metaphor for the modern plague of opioid addiction. The play premiered at The Ellen stewart Theatre at La MaMa in New York City. More...
AMBERGRIS— Mining the Net Yard for the Roots of Addiction And New Models of Sustainable Fishing. (Environmental Installation & Outdoor Production)
(October 20, 2018)
Created by Michael Gorman and the Forty Hour Club
This installation & performance took place on the working waterfront at Portland's Fish Exchange/Net Yard, and explored the roots of the disease of addiction and the economic devastation being caused by the ongoing opiate epidemic within the commercial fishing community. More...
(October 20, 2018)
Created by Michael Gorman and the Forty Hour Club
This installation & performance took place on the working waterfront at Portland's Fish Exchange/Net Yard, and explored the roots of the disease of addiction and the economic devastation being caused by the ongoing opiate epidemic within the commercial fishing community. More...
GOIN' WEST (Staged Reading)
(April 2018)
Created by Michael Gorman
From Gorman's original 1987 play. An abandoned school bus sets the stage for a 21st century cross-country mythical adventure of the imagination. More...
(April 2018)
Created by Michael Gorman
From Gorman's original 1987 play. An abandoned school bus sets the stage for a 21st century cross-country mythical adventure of the imagination. More...
A PLAYWRIGHT'S JOURNEY (Multi-Media Community Performance)
(March 2018)
Created by Michael Gorman
As part of his Ellis-Beauregard Foundation Artist in Residency, Gorman presented a multi-media performance time-line of the history and development of his epic trilogy of plays "The Honor and Glory of Whaling". More..
(March 2018)
Created by Michael Gorman
As part of his Ellis-Beauregard Foundation Artist in Residency, Gorman presented a multi-media performance time-line of the history and development of his epic trilogy of plays "The Honor and Glory of Whaling". More..
THE CHASE (Staged Reading Series)
(2107)
Created by Michael Gorman
Development of the newest work by Gorman and the culmination of his trilogy of plays, "The Honor and Glory of Whaling" . More..
(2107)
Created by Michael Gorman
Development of the newest work by Gorman and the culmination of his trilogy of plays, "The Honor and Glory of Whaling" . More..
IF COLORADO HAD AN OCEAN (Major Production)
(2014)
Written by Michael Gorman | Directed by David Bennett
Part I (Loomings) in Gorman’s "The Honor and Glory of Whaling" trilogy about commercial fishing, opiate addiction, and Moby Dick. More..
(2014)
Written by Michael Gorman | Directed by David Bennett
Part I (Loomings) in Gorman’s "The Honor and Glory of Whaling" trilogy about commercial fishing, opiate addiction, and Moby Dick. More..
FISHING FOR PARADISE (Multimedia Gallery Installation)
(2014)
A deconstruction of the creative process by Mike Gorman for his trilogy of plays, “"The Honor and Glory of Whaling". More..
(2014)
A deconstruction of the creative process by Mike Gorman for his trilogy of plays, “"The Honor and Glory of Whaling". More..
HOW AND WHY I ROBBED MY FIRST CHEESE STORE (Short Play)
(2011)
Written by Michael Gorman
Directed by David Bennett | Installation by Gregory De La Haba
A highly humorous look at the pretentious, ego-ridden world of downtown New York City Theater. More..
(2011)
Written by Michael Gorman
Directed by David Bennett | Installation by Gregory De La Haba
A highly humorous look at the pretentious, ego-ridden world of downtown New York City Theater. More..
THE POET AND THE LUMBERJACK (Short Play)
(2009)
Written by Michael Gorman
Directed by Michael Gorman
A playwright and a logger share a jail cell in the North Woods of Maine. More..
(2009)
Written by Michael Gorman
Directed by Michael Gorman
A playwright and a logger share a jail cell in the North Woods of Maine. More..
THE HONOR & GLORY OF WHALING (Major Production)
(2007-2008)
Written by Michael Gorman
Co-directed by Michael Gorman and Dave Bennet | Staged by George Ferencz
Part II (The Chase) in Gorman’s epic trilogy exploring heroin addiction and commercial fishing. More..
(2007-2008)
Written by Michael Gorman
Co-directed by Michael Gorman and Dave Bennet | Staged by George Ferencz
Part II (The Chase) in Gorman’s epic trilogy exploring heroin addiction and commercial fishing. More..
DEATH BY JOINERY (Short Play)
(2006)
Written and directed by Michael Gorman
Two carpenters stumble upon the occult publishing world of "how-to" books. More..
(2006)
Written and directed by Michael Gorman
Two carpenters stumble upon the occult publishing world of "how-to" books. More..
COUNTING COUP (Major Production)
(2002)
Written by Michael Gorman
Directed by Simon Hammerstein | Starring Jerry Thundercloud
American Indian myth and the game of soccer form the connection between ritual and performance. More..
(2002)
Written by Michael Gorman
Directed by Simon Hammerstein | Starring Jerry Thundercloud
American Indian myth and the game of soccer form the connection between ritual and performance. More..
INTERVIEW (Short Play)
(2002)
Written and directed by Michael Gorman
It's just another day at the office in the well-ordered life of Bill McVort, until Al Holiday shows up. He's got nothing to hide, but Bill's got a few things locked away in the closet. Gowns and wigs? Nope. Wrong closet.. More...
(2002)
Written and directed by Michael Gorman
It's just another day at the office in the well-ordered life of Bill McVort, until Al Holiday shows up. He's got nothing to hide, but Bill's got a few things locked away in the closet. Gowns and wigs? Nope. Wrong closet.. More...
SINGLE ACTION SHOTGUN (Short Play)
(2001)
Written by Michael Gorman
Directed by Michael Gorman and Rick Gomez
A beloved local swamp is threatened by a real-estate developer from Poughkeepsie. More..
ULTRALIGHT (Major Production)
(2000 & 2003)
Written by Michael Gorman
Part III (Epilogue) in Gorman’s "The Honor and Glory of Whaling" trilogy, Ultralight is a mythical story about brotherhood, wilderness, and addiction. More..
(2000 & 2003)
Written by Michael Gorman
Part III (Epilogue) in Gorman’s "The Honor and Glory of Whaling" trilogy, Ultralight is a mythical story about brotherhood, wilderness, and addiction. More..
BIFFING MUSSELS (Short Play)
(1994)
Written by Michael Gorman
The Fabulous Giggin’ Brothers classic short comedy. More..
(1994)
Written by Michael Gorman
The Fabulous Giggin’ Brothers classic short comedy. More..
EARLIER PRODUCTIONS AND PERFORMANCES
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A Funny Old Bird (1998)
A Funny Old Bird celebrates the survival of character, family and neighborhood in the face of the conforming forces of contemporary American culture. A Serviceman arrives at the door of the Dupelle residence to "groom" the family parakeet. It soon becomes clear, however, that the Serviceman has been sent for more serious purposes than the grooming of a small bird. More.. The Paradox of Professionalism (1996) In this absurd comedy, featuring a tortuous “pant-horn”, the Chairman of The School of Landscape Architecture gives an introductory lecture on how to be a “professional”. Arguing that it’s “appearance” not expertise that makes one a “professional”, the Professors in attendance (dressed in too-tight light blue polyester suits) nod in agreement. The goal: choose a suit that is so restrictive as to incapacitate the wearer—a suit that states unequivocally that its wearer performs a function so inconceivably important that he or she can’t be bothered with trivialities. Herein again lies the Paradox of Professionalism: it’s not so much what you can do that matters, but what you can’t do. More.. An Evening of Good Clean Fun (1996) “An Evening of Good Clean Fun” featured some of The Fabulous Giggin’ Brothers’ early comedy works, and included: the short play “The Paradox of Professionalism”; video performances “Willy Do My Pigs”, “Stalkers”, and “The Pedestrian”; and the live music of “Bush Rookie and The Plywood Bellbottom’s”. More.. Chores, or The Big Man in the Orange Rubber Rain Suit (1994) A series of comic turns for four "regular" folks—a one-armed mechanic, a fundamentalist cleaning lady, a thirty-five year old paperboy and a paranoid logger—whose path to salvation is through their daily chores. "Albees wrenching "The Zoo Story," and Friedman's slapstick "The Temp" are indeed off the beaten path, but they are not even close to being as obscure as "Chores." As a result, "Chores" is the one that sticks out in the memory. -- DAN TAPPER. More.. NYC 123 (1994) March 1994 Mike's NYC premier with The Fabulous Giggin' Bros' featuring two short absurd plays written by Mike, Biffing Mussels and Conversation Pieces, and a third, A Random Act of Violence, co-written with his brother. More.. A Random Act of Violence (1994) Written by Michael Gorman & William Gorman. Two rabbits move in next door to Bob Jones, a United States Postal Service worker, whose hand has been disfigured on the job. The rabbits keep up a cynical running commentary on the depressing state of Bob's life as they follow him to work one day where he is promptly fired by his boss who gleefully claims that he "has a reputation to uphold of pushing otherwise normal people into committing unspeakable acts of desperation." Bob goes on a rampage, shooting 19 people, only to be acquitted of all charges following a brilliant courtroom argument for, and demonstration of, the randomness of Bob's actions by the rabbits, turned Defense Attorney and star witness. More.. Island Still Life (1992) "Island Still Life" is the coming of age quest of Raven, an island native from the coast of Maine, to free herself from the desperate boredom and superficiality of the postcard her life has become with her summer friends. After a summer of constant tribute to what a beautiful place they're so blessed to be living in and what wonderful friends they have, dictated by Derrick, a sensitive sailing instructor "from away", Raven has become viciously cynical. She is hungry for action instead of scenery and yearns for the originality of a real adventure. Goin' West (1987) An abandoned school bus, both real and imaginary, is at the center of a debate between the two roommates, who can't agree on whether they should recover the bus, quit college, and head west. The struggle that ensues between them is both profound and wildly comic as the mythical camp cook emerges from the celluloid past to keep the peace between the two headstrong leaders. Unearthed along the t rail, as the roommates fight to determine whether to stay or go, are the thorny issues of student debt and the value of education, literature versus storytelling, the catastrophic clash between Native American and Anglo culture, the power of dreams and the quest ion of what the ideal of “America” really means. In the words of Langston Hughes: “Oh let America be again. The land that has never been and yet must be”. More.. |