“Shadow and Substance: My Time with Charlie Chaplin,” by Gerry Mandel

Gerry Mandel’s debut novel “Shadow and Substance: My Time with Charlie Chaplin” melds the genres of love story, mystery, and time travel while tracing layers of creative process. Most of all, though, Mandel’s novel is an old-fashioned morality tale for this age. With an unassuming style Mandel investigates important life questions. What is the nature…

“Where the Mountain Takes My,” by Ron Gersten with Gerry Mandel

““>Where the Mountain Takes Me,” Gerry Mandel’s biographical novel of Ron Gersten’s life, is a good read. From a severly neglected childhood Ron went on to build character deep, wide, and tall. I find the story of Ron’s severely neglected childhood most compelling and moving. It’s what Ron did with his hardships that makes this…

“Love Song” by John Kolvenbach at STL Actors Studio

STL Actors Studio stages John Kolvenbach’s “Love Song” in its LOVE & HONOR season. It’s a play replete in layers as it examines love: within ourselves, couples, families, and the Platonic ideal of love that lives inside us. The Actors Studio is in my neighborhood so I could walk there and back. A genuine pleasure…

“Audition Piece” by Gerry Mandel: The Genesis of the Play

THE STATS Ten plays selected for reading out of forty submitted. Four plays read chosen for full production. Mandel’s “Audition Piece” made both cuts! Gerry Mandel, playwright THE GENESIS OF “AUDITION PIECE” I started writing this play about a year ago. It began as a result of a comment made by a friend named Harry….

Mandel’s “Audition Piece” at First Run Theatre—two weekends in April, St. Louis

Gerry Mandel’s “Audition Piece” won First Run Theatre’s 2008 6th Annual Reading Festival (four plays out of nine chosen for production). Now “Audition Piece,” directed by Marc Macormic, will grace the First Run Theatre stage April 18-20, and 25-27 (Friday and Saturday nights, and Sunday matinees) at the 233 N. New Ballas Road, DeSmet High…