Award-winning writer, Levy Lee Simon holds an MFA from the University of Iowa Playwright’s Workshop, he is a member of the Actor’s Studio, (Playwright/Directors Unit,) the Tent Playwright’s Collective and the Robey Theatre Company. He has forty-five stage productions to his credit.
New Plays
GENTRIFIED - This play is in development for a full production in New York City directed by Russell G. Jones. Looking for a home.
The play explores the ramifications of the gentrification movement in New York and nationally. African American, and life-long Harlemite, Reggie Green is having a sexual liaison with Shannon Durbin, who is white and recently moved to Harlem. Their secret affair suddenly becomes problematic when Shannon turns up pregnant. The two must decide what to do next while contemplating the opinions of their close friends, all Black on one side and all white on the other. Cyrus, a childhood friend of Reggie, is an entrenched Harlemite who does not embrace the new Harlem. His actions and the consequences lead to major dramatic issues in the play that they all must deal with. Mason the successful attorney friend wants nothing to do with new Harlem or old Harlem. He couldn’t wait to get out because successful people always left. Shannon’s friend, Amber is married to a very successful CEO and is living a dream life but her dream life is shattered by a random violent act by a Harlem resident. Grace, Shannon’s opinionated and politically charged friend has strong thoughts on Shannon’s pregnancy and the fact that the father is Black. Her insight on life are eye opening as she speaks her truth as a white woman living in today’s world. Issues of race, economic status power, and control are explored. As well as the history of Harlem through the life of the old Mr. Jenkins who the landlord is trying to move out after thirty years as a Harlem resident. His refusal to move creates a potentially explosive and volatile situation that can only be solved by powers greater than any we know. Those powers are called to earth by the drums.
FRACTURED - This play is in development for a full production
A play about fractured relationships, hurt people, the old versus the new, secrets and revelations, redemption and healing but most of all, it is a play about identity. A raw examination of honesty, trust, truth, loyalty, sexuality and love.
Charmaine Wilson has left her husband Del after a 32 year marriage, for a woman, Misti. Del who could be described as a functional alcoholic doesn’t understand why and must come to grips with the real reasons for his failed marriage. Misti is a very successful white attorney passionate about having Charmaine, for her own. John Grossman Del’s good friend is in what appears to be a happy marriage of 30 years as well, with Sabrina. He is living a double life however, which will be exposed in the play and causes the dramatic collapse of their marriage. His devastating secret may actually liberate his loyal wife. Another friend, Dean is a committed bachelor and lives his life as such. He’s a lover of life, especially of women, cut from the old school who is having difficulty with the social changes of “Enough,” and “Me Too.” Then there is Sultray, a trans woman who brings her reality to this story, a journey into real identity, truth, and love.
Published Plays
PLAYS & PRODUCTIONS
MECCA IS BURING
Negro Ensemble Company – NYC 2023
ODYSSEY RACE and RACISM
(Solo – written and performed by Levy Lee)
Hollywood Fringe Festival – Los Angeles 2023
A HEATED DISCUSSION REVISTED
The Robey Theatre Company 2023
FRACTURED
New Circle Repertory Theatre – (Workshop Production NYC - 2022)
A HEATED DISCUSSION
The Robey Theatre Company – 2022
THE LAST REVOLUTIONARY
National Black Theatre Festival - 2015
Theatre – Theater (Los Angeles) – 2015
THE MAGNIFICENT DUNBAR HOTEL
LA WEEKLY PIC OF THE WEEK*
National Black Theatre Festival - 2015
The Robey Theatre Company – 2014 (29 Straight sold out performances)
THE BOW WOW CLUB
*Lorraine Hansberry Award – Best Full Length Play
Marietta Theatre – Atlanta, GA. - 2018
Karamu Theatre – Cleveland, Ohio - 2009
Memphis Black Theatre Company - 2009
National Black Theatre Festival – NC - 2007
Stella Adler Theatre – LA - 2006
The Workshop Theatre – NYC - 2004
SMELL THE POWER
Black Spectrum Theatre - NYC - 2013
THE STUTTERING PREACHER
Freedom Theatre – Philadelphia - 2012
The Complex Theatre/NJoy Productions - LA - 2009
New Federal Theater – NYC - 2006
The Workshop Theatre Company – NYC - 2001
Harlem Theatre Ensemble – NYC - 2001
Circle Repertory – NYC - 2001
DAD
Circle Repertory – NYC - 2001
Complex Theatre/NJoy Productions – LA - 2009
Temple University – Philly - 2012
THE GUEST AT CENTRAL PARK WEST
Best Playwright and Dramatic Production of the Year – Audelco Awards
The H.A.D.L.E.Y. Players – 2007*
The Workshop Theatre - 2008
SAME TRAIN
OBRR Award – Best Play
National Black Theatre Festival - 2011
Algonquin Productions - 2009
Horse Trade Theatre Company – 2004*
CASELOAD
The Workshop Theatre - 2009
FOR THE LOVE OF FREEDOM – Christophe – Passion and Glory
The Robey Theatre Company - 2004
Best Playwright Nomination – NAACP Theatre Awards
FOR THE LOVE OF FREEDOM – Dessalines – Blood and Liberation
The Robey Theatre Company and Greenway Arts Alliance - 2002
Best World Premiere Play Nomination – Ovation Awards
FOR THE LOVE OF FREEDOM – Toussaint – Rise and Revolution
The Robey Theatre Company and Greenway Arts Alliance - 2001
Best Playwright Nomination – NAACP
GOD THE CRACKHOUSE & THE DEVIL
LaMama - NYC - 1998
Circle Repertory Theatre Company LAB – NYC - 1994
UNPRODUCED PLAYS
Fractured
Gentrified – Metaphor of the Drums
Pitbulls and Daffodils
Selected Staged Readings
Gentrified – Metaphor of the Drums – The Tent Playwright’s Collective - The Road Theatre Company/LA – Billie Holiday Theatre, NYC - National Black Theatre/NYC
Fractured –New Circle Theatre Company - The Actors Studio PDU
Smell the Power – Greenway Arts Alliance
The Last Revolutionary – The Labyrinth Theatre/Barn Series
Pitbulls and Daffodils – The Geffen Playhouse – LA
CASELOAD – New Jersey Repertory Theatre
The Bow Wow Club – Denver Center for the Performing Arts
For the Love of Freedom Part III – The Skirball Center/LA
For the Love of Freedom Part I - The Robey Theatre Co/Greenway Arts Alliance
God the Crackhouse and the Devil – Stella Adler Theatre/NY – HBO – Circle Repertory Theatre
