A One-Person Play About the Life and Times of Al Jolson (Acting Edition)."Play relies on good writing and research by Druxman...." - Daily Variety"Michael B. Druxman has written a fine play which captures the many moods of Jolson." - The Longboat Observer"An exciting, withering portrait...." - Ft. Lauderdale Sun-SentinelAl Jolson was the "world's greatest entertainer". He made immortal such songs as "Swanee" and "April Showers", and starred in THE JAZZ SINGER, the movies' first talkie. He was also one of the most disliked men in show business.Revolving around the making of THE JOLSON STORY in 1946, the play looks in on "Jolie" at the lowest point of his career. He's a wealthy show business "has been," unwanted on the set of his own film biography. As he sits in his dressing room, he recalls the early years: an unloving father, a feud with his older brother, and his four marriages, including one to Ruby Keeler. We see that Jolson was ruthless, both in his career and personal life.JOLSON is the story of a great performer, a "lovable s.o.b." and the most sensational comeback in the history of show business.
About the Author: Michael B. Druxman is a veteran Hollywood screenwriter whose credits include CHEYENNE WARRIOR with Kelly Preston; DILLINGER AND CAPONE starring Martin Sheen and F. Murray Abraham; and THE DOORWAY with Roy Scheider, which he also directed. He is also a prolific playwright, his one-person play, JOLSON, having had numerous productions around the country. Other produced stage credits include one-person plays about Clark Gable, Carole Lombard, Spencer Tracy and Orson Welles. Additionally, Mr. Druxman is the author of thirteen other published books, including several nonfiction works about Hollywood, its movies, and the people who make them (e.g., BASIL RATHBONE: His Life and His Films, MAKE IT AGAIN, SAM: A Survey of Movie Remakes, ONE GOOD FILM DESERVES ANOTHER: A Survey of Movie Sequels, MERV [Griffin] and THE MUSICAL: From Broadway to Hollywood). He has written two novels, NOBODY DROWNS IN MINERAL LAKE and SHADOW WATCHER, plus the humorous revisionist history, ONCE UPON A TIME IN HOLLYWOOD: From the Secret Files of Harry Pennypacker, and FAMILY SECRET, a non-fiction book co-authored with Warren Hull, which reveals the true facts behind the 1947 murder of mobster "Bugsy" Siegel in Beverly Hills. An acknowledged Hollywood historian, he has also written television documentaries and has been interviewed for various retrospective featurettes that have accompanied DVD releases of classic films (e.g. THE MALTESE FALCON, etc.). Mr. Druxman is a former Hollywood publicist of 35 years experience who has represented many film and television stars, as well as noted directors, producers and composers. One of his Academy Award campaigns is often mentioned in books dealing with Oscar's history. He has taught various dramatic writing and film appreciation courses in an adult university and is the author of How to Write a Story...Any Story: THE ART OF STORYTELLING, which has been used as a text in several colleges. A native of Seattle who graduated from Garfield High School and the University of Washington, Mr. Druxman moved with his wife, Sandy, from Los Angeles to Austin, TX in 2009. His memoir, MY FORTY-FIVE YEARS IN HOLLYWOOD AND HOW I ESCAPED ALIVE, is published by Bear Manor Media.