THE PORCH is a comedy. Laughs abound from the very first scene and rarely let up. But then, since it's a comedy about real people, life steps in, plots twist, and lives change. It's a play about the challenge of enduring friendships, and has been compared, by Broadway World, to STEEL MAGNOLIAS. Noted Boston television commentator and Emmy Winner Dick Flavin writes, "Jack Neary's THE PORCH is everything theatre should be. It is endearing, drop-dead funny, heartbreaking and, in the end, triumphant. I left the theater thinking to myself, Gee, I wish I'd written that."
About the Author: JACK NEARY's plays have been produced all over the United States and in Canada. His most recent plays are AULD LANG SYNE, produced by the Peterborough Players and featuring Emmy Winner Gordon Clapp, and by New Century Theatre at Smith College; THE PORCH, produced by the Lyric Stage Company of Boston, CityStage in Springfield, the Stoneham (MA) Theatre and the Majestic Theater in West Springfield, Massachusetts, and KONG'S NIGHT OUT, presented at the Lyric Stage in Boston, New Century Theatre at Smith College and the Meadow Brook Theatre in Michigan, featuring TV's Cindy Williams. His romantic comedy FIRST NIGHT, debuted professionally at the Merrimack Repertory Theatre, subsequently enjoyed a long run at the Theatre Lobby in Boston, and was produced off-Broadway. TO FORGIVE, DIVINE, which also debuted professionally at the MRT, was purchased for film by Walt Disney Pictures after a run at the Colony Theatre in Los Angeles. JERRY FINNEGAN'S SISTER has played in various United States theatres and has successfully launched five theatre companies. In 2006-7, JERRY FINNEGAN'S SISTER was produced in Paris under the title LA SOUER DE JERRY KING, featuring Arthur Jugnot and Ceclila Cara, who subsequently toured France with the play. Jack's adaptation of FRANKENSTEIN debuted at the Summer Theatre at Mount Holyoke College, and was produced at Radford University in Virginia, and his adaptation of THE FALL OF THE HOUSE OF USHER was staged at Mount Holyoke and Radford Colleges, and is published by Baker's Plays/Samuel French, Inc. Another recently-published play, FIVE NICKELS, was produced professionally at St. Vincent College, and his adaptation of THE TURN OF THE SCREW was introduced by the Stratton Players, produced professionally at New Century Theatre, and is published by Playscripts in New York. He has written a number of produced plays for young audiences, including the series "THE MISDIRECTED THEATRE PRESENTS..." which features adaptations of ROBIN HOOD, THE UGLY DUCKLING, SNOW WHITE AND THE SEVEN DWARFS and RUMPLESTILTSKIN. His published work for young audiences are ALADDIN AND THE WONDERFUL LAMP and THE LITTLE MATCH GIRL. His short story, THE BOSS, was named Best Short Story of 2006 by the Catholic Press Association. He is a member of the Dramatists Guild, Actors Equity and the Screen Actors Guild. He is the creator and manager of the web site STAGEADAPTATIONS.COM. His own web site is JACKNEARYONLINE.COM.