Mark Saltzman
Encyclopedia
Mark Saltzman began his career in New York City
as a script writer and songwriter for Sesame Street
, where he earned seven Emmy awards.
, where he co-wrote the long-running revue A, My Name is Alice.
, a holiday musical movie starring Angela Lansbury
with songs written by Broadway legend Jerry Herman
. His TV movie, The Red Sneakers, directed by and starring Gregory Hines
, aired on Showtime in 2004 and was nominated for a Writers Guild Award. For cable tv's here! network Mark wrote the screenplay for Third Man Out
, based on the novel by Richard Stevenson
. In 2007, Mark served as writer-producer of the Emmy-nominated Disney channel show
"Johnny and the Sprites," starring John Tartaglia.
, Napoleon and 3 Ninjas Kick Back
. He has written also screenplays for Sony
, Universal Studios
, and Disney.
and a young Irving Berlin
. Tin Pan opened at the Pasadena Playhouse
in 1997 and was nominated for five Los Angeles Ovation Awards
, including Best Musical. The show continued on to many US theaters, including Miami's Coconut Grove Playhouse
, Goodspeed Musicals
, and the Cleveland Play House
. In the summer of 2009, it was produced in Off-Broadway by The Roundabout Theatre Company
in a production starring Michael Therriault
and Michael Boatman
in a production described by critics as "tunefully original" and containing "flashes of brilliance."
Saltzman's stage musical Romeo and Bernadette played at the Coconut Grove Playhouse in Miami and New Jersey’s State Theater, The Paper Mill Playhouse. His comedy Mr. Shaw Goes to Hollywood, based on the true story of George Bernard Shaw
's 1933 visit to MGM, premiered at the Laguna Playhouse in April 2003. His play, Clutter, had its world premier at the Colony Theater in Burbank on February 7 of 2004. In 2002 he adapted the musical classic Show Boat
for a Hollywood Bowl
performance.
In May 2009 Saltzman's play "Setup and Punch" premiered at The Blank Theatre in Los Angeles. His play Rocket Cityhttp://www.southernwritersproject.net/SWP_Productions.html had its world premiere in April 2008 as part of the Alabama Shakespeare Festival
's Southern Writers' Project, which has a mandate to encourage "plays that delve into Southern
issues and the African American
experience" and to contribute "nationally significant works to the American theater canon."http://www.southernwritersproject.net/Southern_Writers_Project.html Rocket City is based on the true story of Wernher Von Braun
and his recruitment by the US Government
to work on the U.S. Missile program
and eventually the Saturn V
, the rocket used in the Apollo program. Saltzman's play weaves Von Braun's real-life in Huntsville
, Alabama
, with a fictional plot in which a young Jewish woman in Huntsville becomes aware of Von Braun's Nazi past and tries to inspire awareness and outrage among Huntsville's long-established Jewish community, the town in general, and the country at large.
Young Playwrights’ Festival, held annually in Los Angeles
. He is the president of the Arnold Glassman Fund, a charitable foundation that provides grants for film and theater projects. He is also a graduate of Cornell University's
English and Theater Departments.
New York City
New York is the most populous city in the United States and the center of the New York Metropolitan Area, one of the most populous metropolitan areas in the world. New York exerts a significant impact upon global commerce, finance, media, art, fashion, research, technology, education, and...
as a script writer and songwriter for Sesame Street
Sesame Street
Sesame Street has undergone significant changes in its history. According to writer Michael Davis, by the mid-1970s the show had become "an American institution". The cast and crew expanded during this time, including the hiring of women in the crew and additional minorities in the cast. The...
, where he earned seven Emmy awards.
Early career
Saltzman created the Muppet character of Placido Flamingo for Sesame Street and wrote more than 50 songs, including "Caribbean Amphibian" and "I've Got a New Way to Walk." At that time, Saltzman was also writing cabaret shows and musicals that played at The Ballroom, Soho Rep, 13th Street Theater, and The Village GateThe Village Gate
The Village Gate was a nightclub at the corner of Thompson and Bleecker Street in Greenwich Village, New York.Art D'Lugoff opened the club in 1958, on the ground floor and basement of 158 Bleecker Street. The large 1896 Chicago School structure by architect Ernest Flagg was known at the time as...
, where he co-wrote the long-running revue A, My Name is Alice.
Other TV work
For CBS, Saltzman wrote Mrs. Santa ClausMrs. Santa Claus
Mrs. Santa Claus is a 1996 television musical starring Angela Lansbury as the wife of Santa Claus. The musical score for Mrs. Santa Claus was written by Jerry Herman, the composer of such hit Broadway musicals as Hello, Dolly! and La Cage aux Folles.-Synopsis:The movie is set in December, 1910. Mrs...
, a holiday musical movie starring Angela Lansbury
Angela Lansbury
Angela Brigid Lansbury CBE is an English actress and singer in theatre, television and motion pictures, whose career has spanned eight decades and earned her more performance Tony Awards than any other individual , with five wins...
with songs written by Broadway legend Jerry Herman
Jerry Herman
Jerry Herman is an American composer and lyricist, known for his work in Broadway musical theater. He composed the scores for the hit Broadway musicals Hello, Dolly!, Mame, and La Cage aux Folles. He has been nominated for the Tony Award five times, and won twice, for Hello, Dolly! and La Cage...
. His TV movie, The Red Sneakers, directed by and starring Gregory Hines
Gregory Hines
Gregory Oliver Hines was an American actor, singer, dancer and choreographer.-Early years:Born in New York City, Hines and his older brother Maurice started dancing at an early age, studying with choreographer Henry LeTang...
, aired on Showtime in 2004 and was nominated for a Writers Guild Award. For cable tv's here! network Mark wrote the screenplay for Third Man Out
Third Man Out (film)
Third Man Out is a 2005 gay-themed mystery film. It is the first film adaptation of a Richard Stevenson novel featuring fictional detective Donald Strachey.-Cast:-Synopsis:...
, based on the novel by Richard Stevenson
Richard Lipez
Richard Lipez is an openly gay American journalist and mystery author. Richard currently resides in Massachusetts...
. In 2007, Mark served as writer-producer of the Emmy-nominated Disney channel show
"Johnny and the Sprites," starring John Tartaglia.
Film
Saltzman wrote The Adventures of Milo and OtisThe Adventures of Milo and Otis
The Adventures of Milo and Otis is a live action Japanese film about an orange tabby cat named Milo and a fawn pug named Otis.The original Japanese version was released on June 27, 1986, and the reworked English language version was released on August 25, 1989.Initially filmed as Koneko Monogatari...
, Napoleon and 3 Ninjas Kick Back
3 Ninjas Kick Back
3 Ninjas Kick Back is a 1994 American sequel to the film 3 Ninjas. It received mostly negative reviews from critics. This is the only 3 Ninjas film with a video game adaptation...
. He has written also screenplays for Sony
Sony
, commonly referred to as Sony, is a Japanese multinational conglomerate corporation headquartered in Minato, Tokyo, Japan and the world's fifth largest media conglomerate measured by revenues....
, Universal Studios
Universal Studios
Universal Pictures , a subsidiary of NBCUniversal, is one of the six major movie studios....
, and Disney.
Theater
Saltzman's musical play The Tin Pan Alley Rag tells the story of a fictional meeting in 1915 between Scott JoplinScott Joplin
Scott Joplin was an American composer and pianist. Joplin achieved fame for his ragtime compositions, and was later dubbed "The King of Ragtime". During his brief career, Joplin wrote 44 original ragtime pieces, one ragtime ballet, and two operas...
and a young Irving Berlin
Irving Berlin
Irving Berlin was an American composer and lyricist of Jewish heritage, widely considered one of the greatest songwriters in American history.His first hit song, "Alexander's Ragtime Band", became world famous...
. Tin Pan opened at the Pasadena Playhouse
Pasadena Playhouse
The Pasadena Playhouse is a historic performing arts venue located 39 S El Molino Avenue in Pasadena, California. The 686-seat auditorium produces a variety of cultural and artistic events, professional shows, and community engagements each year.-History:...
in 1997 and was nominated for five Los Angeles Ovation Awards
Ovation Awards
The Ovation Awards are a Southern California award for excellence in theatre, established in 1989. They are given out by the Los Angeles Stage Alliance and are the only peer-judged theatre awards in Los Angeles. They have been called the "...highest-profile contest for local theatre..." by the Los...
, including Best Musical. The show continued on to many US theaters, including Miami's Coconut Grove Playhouse
Coconut Grove Playhouse
The Coconut Grove Playhouse was a legitimate theater in the Coconut Grove neighborhood of Miami, Florida, United States.The building was originally constructed as a movie theater called the Player's State Theater. It first opened on January 3, 1927 as a part of the Paramount chain. The movie house...
, Goodspeed Musicals
Goodspeed Musicals
Goodspeed Musicals, a non-profit organization dedicated to the preservation and advancement of musical theater and the creation of new works, was formed in 1959 to restore the Goodspeed Opera House, located in East Haddam, Connecticut, to its original Victorian appearance. Each year, Goodspeed...
, and the Cleveland Play House
Cleveland Play House
The Cleveland Play House is a professional regional theater company located in Cleveland, OH. As of 2005, the artistic director is Michael Bloom, the eighth artistic director since its inception. In 2011 they moved operations to the Allen Theatre in Playhouse Square Center.Founded in 1915,...
. In the summer of 2009, it was produced in Off-Broadway by The Roundabout Theatre Company
Roundabout Theatre Company
The Roundabout Theatre Company is a leading non-profit theatre company based in New York City.-History:The company was founded in 1965 by Gene Feist and Elizabeth Owens and now operates five theatres, all in Manhattan: the American Airlines Theatre ; Studio 54 ; the Stephen Sondheim Theatre The...
in a production starring Michael Therriault
Michael Therriault
Michael Therriault is a Canadian actor. He attended Etobicoke School of the Arts in Toronto, Sheridan College in Oakville, and was a member of the inaugural season of the Birmingham Conservatory for Classical Theatre Training in Stratford, Ontario.After spending seven seasons at the Stratford...
and Michael Boatman
Michael Boatman
Michael Patrick Boatman is an Image Award-nominated American actor and writer. He is best known for his roles as U.S. Army Specialist Samuel Beckett in the ABC drama series China Beach, as New York City mayoral aide Carter Heywood in the ABC sitcom Spin City, and as sports agent Stanley Babson in...
in a production described by critics as "tunefully original" and containing "flashes of brilliance."
Saltzman's stage musical Romeo and Bernadette played at the Coconut Grove Playhouse in Miami and New Jersey’s State Theater, The Paper Mill Playhouse. His comedy Mr. Shaw Goes to Hollywood, based on the true story of George Bernard Shaw
George Bernard Shaw
George Bernard Shaw was an Irish playwright and a co-founder of the London School of Economics. Although his first profitable writing was music and literary criticism, in which capacity he wrote many highly articulate pieces of journalism, his main talent was for drama, and he wrote more than 60...
's 1933 visit to MGM, premiered at the Laguna Playhouse in April 2003. His play, Clutter, had its world premier at the Colony Theater in Burbank on February 7 of 2004. In 2002 he adapted the musical classic Show Boat
Show Boat
Show Boat is a musical in two acts with music by Jerome Kern and book and lyrics by Oscar Hammerstein II. It was originally produced in New York in 1927 and in London in 1928, and was based on the 1926 novel of the same name by Edna Ferber. The plot chronicles the lives of those living and working...
for a Hollywood Bowl
Hollywood Bowl
The Hollywood Bowl is a modern amphitheater in the Hollywood area of Los Angeles, California, United States that is used primarily for music performances...
performance.
In May 2009 Saltzman's play "Setup and Punch" premiered at The Blank Theatre in Los Angeles. His play Rocket Cityhttp://www.southernwritersproject.net/SWP_Productions.html had its world premiere in April 2008 as part of the Alabama Shakespeare Festival
Alabama Shakespeare Festival
The Alabama Shakespeare Festival is the seventh largest Shakespeare festival in the world. Each year, it attracts more than 300,000 visitors from throughout the United States and more than 60 countries, to its home in Montgomery, Alabama....
's Southern Writers' Project, which has a mandate to encourage "plays that delve into Southern
Southern United States
The Southern United States—commonly referred to as the American South, Dixie, or simply the South—constitutes a large distinctive area in the southeastern and south-central United States...
issues and the African American
African American
African Americans are citizens or residents of the United States who have at least partial ancestry from any of the native populations of Sub-Saharan Africa and are the direct descendants of enslaved Africans within the boundaries of the present United States...
experience" and to contribute "nationally significant works to the American theater canon."http://www.southernwritersproject.net/Southern_Writers_Project.html Rocket City is based on the true story of Wernher Von Braun
Wernher von Braun
Wernher Magnus Maximilian, Freiherr von Braun was a German rocket scientist, aerospace engineer, space architect, and one of the leading figures in the development of rocket technology in Nazi Germany during World War II and in the United States after that.A former member of the Nazi party,...
and his recruitment by the US Government
Operation Paperclip
Operation Paperclip was the Office of Strategic Services program used to recruit the scientists of Nazi Germany for employment by the United States in the aftermath of World War II...
to work on the U.S. Missile program
Redstone (rocket)
The PGM-11 Redstone was the first large American ballistic missile. A short-range surface-to-surface rocket, it was in active service with the U.S. Army in West Germany from June 1958 to June 1964 as part of NATO's Cold War defense of Western Europe...
and eventually the Saturn V
Saturn V
The Saturn V was an American human-rated expendable rocket used by NASA's Apollo and Skylab programs from 1967 until 1973. A multistage liquid-fueled launch vehicle, NASA launched 13 Saturn Vs from the Kennedy Space Center, Florida with no loss of crew or payload...
, the rocket used in the Apollo program. Saltzman's play weaves Von Braun's real-life in Huntsville
Huntsville, Alabama
Huntsville is a city located primarily in Madison County in the central part of the far northern region of the U.S. state of Alabama. Huntsville is the county seat of Madison County. The city extends west into neighboring Limestone County. Huntsville's population was 180,105 as of the 2010 Census....
, Alabama
Alabama
Alabama is a state located in the southeastern region of the United States. It is bordered by Tennessee to the north, Georgia to the east, Florida and the Gulf of Mexico to the south, and Mississippi to the west. Alabama ranks 30th in total land area and ranks second in the size of its inland...
, with a fictional plot in which a young Jewish woman in Huntsville becomes aware of Von Braun's Nazi past and tries to inspire awareness and outrage among Huntsville's long-established Jewish community, the town in general, and the country at large.
Affiliations
Saltzman has, for many years, been a mentor in the Blank Theatre Company’sBlank Theatre Company
The Blank Theatre Company is a non-profit theatre company located in Los Angeles, California. It was founded in 1990 by Daniel Henning, who is today the company's Artistic Director/Producer. The Blank’s mission is to produce either premieres or "reinventions" of previously-produced material...
Young Playwrights’ Festival, held annually in Los Angeles
Los Ángeles
Los Ángeles is the capital of the province of Biobío, in the commune of the same name, in Region VIII , in the center-south of Chile. It is located between the Laja and Biobío rivers. The population is 123,445 inhabitants...
. He is the president of the Arnold Glassman Fund, a charitable foundation that provides grants for film and theater projects. He is also a graduate of Cornell University's
Cornell University
Cornell University is an Ivy League university located in Ithaca, New York, United States. It is a private land-grant university, receiving annual funding from the State of New York for certain educational missions...
English and Theater Departments.