"RED JASPER"

• San Diego CA Production 

 "Red Jasper" had a successful world premiere, month-long run at the Lamplighter's Theatre in La Mesa, CA from 5/27/22 through 6/19/22 

Interview on San Diego's NPR station, KPBS, about the play.

https://www.kpbs.org/news/local/2022/05/23/new-red-jasper-play-shines-light-on-cancer-patients-and-survivors

Article in the San Diego Union Tribune about the play. May 24, 2022

https://www.sandiegouniontribune.com/entertainment/theater/story/2022-05-24/theater-notebook-new-romantic-comedy-at-lamplighters-about-what-not-to-say-to-breast-cancer-patients

San Diego Union Tribune Review, June 21, 2022

https://www.sandiegouniontribune.com/entertainment/theater/story/2022-06-21/review-local-playwrights-red-jasper-takes-intimate-and-honest-look-at-life-love-and-cancer

Some recent reviews posted on Facebook:

Steve D.

"We go to quite a few plays and the world premiere production of Red Jasper is the best of the many we've seen since live productions have resumed.  What a delectable emotional journey - from laughter, suspense, tears, back to laughter... oh my, does it ever deliver!  Masterfully directed and perfectly cast, each character is "in the zone" and genuine... even while navigating through some difficult topics many of us think about but are reluctant to discuss.  It's a must-see... if you live in the San Diego area, pick up your tix and see it before it wraps up June 19.  If you're not local, keep an eye out... I think this one has legs and will be coming to a playhouse near you."

Jo-Darlene R.

 "I have been to many plays and many productions and I'm always analyzing  something. On Saturday I saw the Premier of Micheal Madden's play "Red Jasper". It was wonderful. It is well written,the relations are real and the cast is outstanding. Michael's written ,directed and produced this play, now at Lamplighters in La Mesa, thru June 19th. Please if you get a chance see this beautiful, funny and moving play."

Christine M.

"Don't miss this World Premiere play by a talented local playwright, Michael Madden, with a standout performance by Lana Hartwell. An honest, funny, heartbreaking portrait of a woman embracing love and life, while accepting mortality."

Janet R.

DON'T MISS THIS PLAY! Only one more week!! I saw "Red Jasper" for the 2nd time! I didn't think it could get any better but it was! I thought I was prepared with tissue but one tissue wasn't enough! Thank you Michael Madden for this heartwarming play. 

Jody C.

Red Jasper, by Michael Madden, at Lamplighter's in La Mesa thru June 19th is a must-see. A heart-warming, funny, sad, thoughtful and inspiring production in all ways. The cast all made this crazy world a better place. As I made my way home, the night sky sparkled more, the fragrance of the jasmine was more intense and I felt uplifted.

Betty Z.

Just got home from seeing one of The Best Plays I've ever seen in my life!! Everyone in th 5 person cast was outstanding. This play is a love story between a breast cancer patient and a man who lost his wife to Alzheimer's. It's funny, heart-warming and smacks you in the face with reality. I'm thoroughly spent from my emotions being tugged as tight as a piano string! The tears were definitely flowing by the end. The gist of the story is to not ever let it be too late to tell people you love them. So before I cry my eyes out on my pillow, I just want to tell you all how much I Love You!! Goodnight.

Rachelle K.

And so, I reach over and grab a tissue from my purse to mop up the tears before they stream onto my mask--before anyone sees. And I applaud, thinking that's the best play I have ever attended. And it was. It was so beautifully written. Thank you for sharing it with the world.

______________________________________________________________________________

In interviewing dozens of women who have undergone cancer treatment, I realized that most people often say or do the wrong thing or don't say or do anything at all to family and friends who have cancer. My sister Maureen is a breast cancer survivor and this play is dedicated to her.  My goal is to have cancer survivors look onstage and say, "that's right, that's just how I felt" or "that happened to me". I want the audience to laugh and be moved while they maybe learn some things that themselves, friends and family may benefit by in the future.

Synopsis 

How come people don’t know the right thing to do or say when someone has Cancer? Isadora's an indelicate, sarcastic survivor with a hidden vulnerability, whose breast cancer has returned and who doesn't hesitate to educate people on how to act around her. During her treatment, she meets Tom, an affable, attractive man who regularly manages to disappoint, anger and intrigue her. Will the secrets of Tom’s past prevent a blossoming relationship? How to adapt to and deal with Cancer and Love later in life are demonstrated and rewarded. Written with the help of dozens of breast cancer survivors, this comedy-drama is an emotional ride that’s full of laughter and tears, while reminding us what’s important in life.  ​​ 

This production of “Red Jasper” was also being promoted by the Susan G. Komen Breast Cancer Foundation.

• Alton IL Production

"Red Jasper" was produced at the Alton Little Theater January 18-21, 2024

https://altonlittletheater.org/extra-extra-entertainment-series/

Article from the Alton Telegraph newspaper about the production.

ALT set for new studio series

Original plays offer themes of hope

By Jill Moon
STAFF WRITER

ALTON — Alton Little Theater (ALT) is kicking off the new year with its new Studio Series featuring three original plays.

First up will be “Two Rooms,” written by Lee Blessing, directed by Kristy Doering and on stage from Jan. 11-13. Then taking to the stage will be “Red Jasper” by Michael Madden, directed by Brant McCance, from Jan.18-21; and finally, “Elephant’s Graveyard” by George Brant, directed by Shea Maples, will run from Jan. 26-28.

Blessing and Brant were prolific playwrights in their lifetimes, known for writing short, poignant pieces as well as historical and sensitive pieces about true-life events. Madden, a relatively new playwright, is formerly of St. Louis and now lives in San Diego. He'll be at all four performances of “Red Jasper,” with a question-and-answer session after each one with him and the cast. Tickets per show cost $10, but a combo ticket for all three shows costs $25. Madden is helping underwrite the costs of the production so that ALT can afford to host the series and also benefit Riverbend charities.

‘ It gave them hope ’

This will be Madden’s second play to come to the ALT Showplace stage. His first play, “Maybe This Time,” ran in St. Louis in 2018, then at ALT in February 2019. Four of ALT’s season directors previously appeared in Madden’s first play.

“Maybe This Time” was about four different people on four different blind dates, but with their brains also on stage, more of a romantic comedy, but “Red Jasper” takes on a more serious subject, though not without a lot of humor. 

For “Red Jasper,” Madden interviewed 45 to 50 breast cancer survivors. His own sister is a cancer survivor. “Humor is juxtaposed with the more serious stuff,” said Madden, who also includes a perspective on Alzheimer’s in the play. “But at its’ heart, it’s an old-fashioned love story.”

“In a month-long run in San Diego, two kinds of things were repeatedly said,” he recalled. “A female volunteer usher said, ‘I hope you don’t mind but I’m not going to stay and watch the play after I finish seating people.’ She said she had just lost someone to cancer and wouldn’t feel comfortable.” He asked her to do him a favor and just watch the beginning and at any time it made her feel uncomfortable to leave then.

“She stayed for the whole thing and later said with tears in her eyes, ‘I’m so glad I saw it but I wish I’d seen it sooner, I think I could have been a better friend to her.” Madden said. “That gave me such an overwhelming fulfilling feeling, way above my wildest dreams. Other people said it gave them hope. “It’s so cathartic to see that many people laugh and cry in the audience,” he said. “They’ll hug me and generally say they wished they saw my play sooner, when their loved ones had cancer. The cancer survivors who see it, especially say that, so that their caregivers could know more what to do and say or not to do or say."

Ticket sales aid programs

The women he interviewed talked about how they were treated when they were going through care, how things did or did not go and what was or was not said.

“I wrote that into the script and took it to the Susan G. Komen organization in San Diego,” Madden said. “Because they felt it so accurately mirrored what so many of their clients have complained about, they wanted to co-promote it when it ran there for a month.” He was interviewed about the play on his local NPR station and had two newspaper reviews. 

A retired chiropractor, he started acting later in life. “I really liked it; then I  liked directing even more, then writing even more than that,” he said. “When you move people with your words and hear them speaking those words on stage, that was better than me acting on stage. And I just love Lee Cox and all who are involved, so I sent her this script.” ALT Executive Director Lee Cox was eager to explore the “Two Room” script and its focus on relationships.

“I’m sure that audiences will be inspired and eager to participate in the Q and A that will follow each performance,” Cox said. Also, 25% of the ticket revenue from the Studio Series will be donated to the Alton High School drama program, the “Ribbons of Strength” Cancer patient program at Alton Memorial Hospital, and the TreeHouse Wildlife Center in Dow.

If you would like to watch an interview by Lee Cox, the Executive Director/Artistic Director of Alton Little Theater with the "Red Jasper" playwright, Michael Madden, about the play and this production, here is the YouTube link.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=o8HlnDUpoNM&t=5s

• St. Louis MO Production

"Red Jasper" will be at the Gaslight Theater in St. Louis MO the first two weekends in October, 2024. Performances October 4th, 5th, 6th, 10th, 11th, 12th and 13th. Thursday, Friday and Saturday shows will be @ 7:30pm. Sunday shows will be @ 3:00pm.

Tickets information:

http://www.gaslighttheater.net

See poster below 

This will be a non-profit production with proceeds going to the Siteman Cancer Center at Washington University in St. Louis and the St. Louis Alzheimer's Association.

If you would like to watch a recording of the San Diego production of "Red Jasper", contact me at docmmm2@gmail.com

If anyone has undergone cancer treatment or been involved with someone who has, I am always happy and appreciative to discuss their experience. They can always contact me at docmmm2@gmail.com if they're interested.