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Jerome Bixby's The Man From Earth

Full-Length Play, Drama  /  3w, 6m

Jerome Bixby, Richard Schenkman

Based on the book "The Man From Earth" by Jerome Bixby

After history professor John Oldman unexpectedly resigns from the University, his startled colleagues impulsively invite themselves to his home, pressing him for an explanation. But they're shocked to hear his reason for premature retirement: John claims he must move on because he is immortal, and c…

Jerome Bixby's The Man From Earth

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  • Cast Size
    Cast Size
    3w, 6m
  • Duration
    Duration
    90 minutes
  • SubGenre
    Subgenre
    Fantasy, Adaptations (Stage & Screen), Theatre for Young Audiences, Fables/Folktales, Science Fiction, Docudrama/Historic, Faith-based
  • Audience
    Target Audience
    Appropriate for all audiences, Adult, Teen (Age 14 - 18)

Details

Summary
After history professor John Oldman unexpectedly resigns from the University, his startled colleagues impulsively invite themselves to his home, pressing him for an explanation. But they're shocked to hear his reason for premature retirement: John claims he must move on because he is immortal, and cannot stay in one place for more than ten years without his secret being discovered. Tempers rise and emotions flow as John's fellow professors attempt to poke holes in his story, but it soon becomes clear that his tale is as impossible to disprove as it is to verify. What starts out as a friendly gathering soon builds to an unexpected and shattering climax. Acclaimed science fiction writer Jerome Bixby, writer of the original 'Star Trek' and 'The Twilight Zone', originally conceived this story back in the early 1960's. It would come to be his last great work.
History
Originally presented as a motion picture in 2007, Jerome Bixby's The Man From Earth has been produced on stages around the world since 2008.
Keywords
Performing Groups
JOHN OLDMAN – About 35, good looking, competent, easygoing history professor
DAN – 60-ish professor of anthropology; big, fit
HARRY – 50’s professor of biology; stocky, likable
EDITH – 50’s, art history professor; a hint of the spinster about her
SANDY – Late 20’s; fiercely intelligent, but reticent
ART – 50’s, but holding desperately onto youth; archeology professor
LINDA – Very pretty young student; wide-eyed, yet smart
WILL GRUBER – 75, large, mustachioed, bluff
MOVING MAN #1 – Burly, uniformed mover from “Charity Now”
MOVING MAN #2 – Another uniformed mover from “Charity Now”
PARAMEDIC – Uniformed EMS worker (can be played by a Moving Man)
COP – Young uniformed officer (can be played by a Moving Man)
  • Time Period Contemporary, Present Day
  • Setting A cabin in the California desert. The present. 
  • Features Contemporary Costumes / Street Clothes
  • Additional Features No intermission
  • Duration 90 minutes
  • Cautions
    • No Special Cautions

Media

Praise for the original motion picture, "Jerome Bixby's The Man From Earth":

"Jerome Bixby's The Man From Earth really has a chance of being the single best piece of screenwriting you will see on a screen large or small this year (really!)."  - Late Film

“A considerable achievement… a picture which deserves wide exposure… The Man From Earth gradually and stimulatingly builds to a pitch of near hypnotic intensity.” – Neil Young, The Hollywood Reporter

“The Man From Earth restores dignity to science fiction of the mind." - Michael Guillen, Twitch (www.twitch.com)

"A tall tale... that ends with a devastatingly clever twist." - Michael Janusonis, The Providence Journal

"An intelligent fantasy." – Ed Grant, Video Business

“One film has taken us back to the good old days of classic sci-fi; The Man From Earth… If you love science fiction, this is a must for you.” – Doug MacLean, Home Theater Info (www.hometheaterinfo.com)

“The Man From Earth is an interesting and highly intense film… full of good actors and actresses that rarely get the attention they so rightfully deserve… Richard Schenkman directs with a careful hand.” – Charlie K, Associated Content (www.associatedcontent.com)

“The Man From Earth is very much a labor of love from all involved… it’s well worth the effort. The final work from the writer responsible for some of the finest episodes of “The Twilight Zone” and the original “Star Trek” gets a thoughtful, low-budget treatment.” – Ian Spelling, Sci Fi.com

“The Man From Earth is one of the best movies I’ve seen all year…  Director Richard Schenkman has cast the film brilliantly… the premise and follow through of Schenkman’s film is simply irresistible.” – Nix, Beyond Hollywood (www.beyondhollywood.com)

Music

  • Musical Style N/A (Not a musical)
  • Vocal DemandsN/A (Not a musical)
  • Chorus Size N/A (Not a musical)

Licensing & Materials

  • Minimum Fee: $130 per performance

Scripts

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Authors

Author

Jerome Bixby

Richard Schenkman

Richard Schenkman

Richard Schenkman is a prolific writer, director & producer. His first feature film was The Pompatus of Love, which he wrote with Jon Cryer & Adam Oliensis. Rapturously reviewed, it enjoyed a successful theatrical release in 1995. He then directed the action/drama October 22  ...

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