David Newcomb
he, him, his
Aurora, IL
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Plays

The Maestra
by David C. Newcomb, book, music and lyrics.

The Maestra, a musical in two acts, dramatizes related questions, the first being:  "how would we know if Christ came back?" and its corollary, the second, being:  "how do we know that she hasn't?" Those two questions, together, underscore the premise that there is never a time that Christ is not present on earth.  The play's dramatic action tugs at such a premise, with Maestra, the protagonist, pulling one way; Juan, her antagonist, pulling another; and  Maggie, the pivotal character, pulled apart in between.

Cast:
The Maestra, an Indian women and the choir director. Pastor Juan Betances, her antagonist. Maggie Shepherd, who sings in the choir. Choir members. Maggie's family. Jesus and the Heavenly Host.
Hercules, Martha and George
by David C. Newcomb

This history play delves into the relationships between and among Hercules Posey, a slave who served as the presidential chef to our first president; George Washington, who, in turn, functioned as his foil; and first lady, Martha Washington, who tended to mediate between them. The drama centers on the pull of fame, which Hercules enjoyed because he was the presidential chef, and the pull of freedom, which tempted him to eschew that fame. The question throughout is what will Hercules do, and, then, at the end, why did he do it.  

Cast:
In order of appearance: Martha Washington, White, age 60 at the outset of the play. Tobias Lear, White, the president's young counsel, age 26. Sarah Collier, Black, a Quaker cook and former slave, age 41. The Reverend Richard Allen, Black, an entrepreneur, age 47. Michael Eanes, White, a Quaker abolitionist, age 25. Hercules Posey, Black, George Washington's enslaved chef, age 36. George Washington, White, first president of the United States, age 59. Ona Judge, Black, a dower slave attending to Martha Washington, age 23. Genevieve Lafarge, White, secretary to Louis-Philippe d'Orleans de Bourbon, age 32. Louis-Philippe d'Orleans de Bourbon, White, the future King of the French, age 24. Christopher Sheels, Black, a dower slave, age 24. (Some role doubling is possible)

Successes

My first play, Doogan, was produced in Washington, DC, in 1972; followed by Gwendolyn, a WWII romance in 1974, running for 3 weeks with excellent reviews; and my third play, The Passion of Remo Russo, staged in Ohio in 1981.  The Maestra, 2014, is my first musical.