News / Media

In Focus Magazine: Volume 14, Number 10

Tending her orphans: UWM English alum publishes her plays and garners Fellow Award

Marie Kohler is having a banner year. In July, she finally, formally published her play “Boswell” with Dramatic Publishing, and followed that success with the publication of her play “Midnight and Moll Flanders” in August. In March, she was chosen for a 2024 Fellows Award by the Wisconsin Academy of Sciences, Arts & Letters, one of just 16 individuals across the state who received the honor for their lifelong commitment to intellectual discourse and public service. (UWM Professor of English Anne Basting was also inducted in the 2024 Fellows class.)

Shepherd Express' Her Story

Milwaukee Playwright Marie Kohler Finds New Audiences

Plays by Milwaukee’s Marie Kohler have been performed locally by Renaissance Theaterworks as well as off-Broadway and at Scotland’s Edinburgh Festival Fringe. At least two of those plays might be staged more often after their publication this summer by Dramatic Publishing. A prominent provider of material for theater companies nationwide, Dramatic Publishing is offering Kohler’s BOSWELL and MIDNIGHT AND MOLL FLANDERS digitally with hardcover copies to follow.

Boswell by Marie Kohler

BOSWELL is Officially Published

BOSWELL has taken me on quite the journey! From first reading James Boswell’s journals as a little girl, to its premiere production at Renaissance Theaterworks (as BOSWELL’S DREAMS), to the unforgettable trip to the Festival Fringe, to my first Off-Broadway production (a sellout no less!). And, now, BOSWELL has been published by Dramatic Publishing, setting the stage for many others to enjoy this journey!

THANK YOU, WISCONSIN ACADEMY

I am incredibly honored to have been elected a Fellow by the Wisconsin Academy of Sciences, Arts & Letters. To be included in this year’s group of 15 remarkable individuals leaves me grateful and humbled. A huge thank you to those colleagues and friends who recommended me. I am amazed.

Marie Kohler sitting on a couch writing

TWO OF MY PLAYS RECEIVE PUBLISHING CONTRACT

In winter 2022 we opened and ran my play BOSWELL Off-Broadway at 59E59 Theaters. The success of that sold-out run led to many opportunities, including a publishing contract. BOSWELL is about to be published by Dramatic Publishing, along with MIDNIGHT & MOLL FLANDERS. I am thrilled.

More information on the availability of electronic and print scripts will be shared soon!

The Burlington Players presents MIDNIGHT AND MOLL FLANDERS

NEW PRODUCTION OF MIDNIGHT AND MOLL FLANDERS!

My play MIDNIGHT AND MOLL FLANDERS was performed by the Burlington Players in Massachusetts this past November 3-18, 2023. They invited me to come and witness, and I was impressed and inspired!

BOSWELL: The Official Trailer

To learn more about producing this two-period dramedy about friendship, travel, and the written word, contact me at writer.mariekohler@gmail.com.

BOSWELL: A CHAT AND SCENE READING

In September 2022 Boswell Book Company hosted me at their store for a special evening. I shared stories about the journey of my play BOSWELL from my discovery of Boswell's Journals in the family library, to the first version being performed at Renaissance Theaterworks, to its successful run at the prestigious Edinburgh Fringe Festival... and now to its exciting opening Off-Broadway this fall. BOSWELL director Laura Gordon and accomplished actors Brian Mani and Ty Fanning also performed scene readings from the play.

The Plays that Stay

In January 2022 I participated in Forward Theater's wonderful "The Plays That Stay" podcast. I credited seeing CLOUD 9 in New York City in 1982 as having rocked my world. Two years later, Sharon McQueen of Clavis Theatre asked me to be a part of their production of CLOUD 9. Turns out that playing Mrs. Saunders (whip in hand), and Betty, struggling for her equilibrium/independence, was a peak personal experience and the start of my professional theater career.

THE FIRST REHEARSAL

I'm excited to share “The First Rehearsal”! This childhood memory was key in forming my career as a theater maker. Thank you to local filmmaker Ellen Suhr for her great visuals and music, and thank you to Next Act Theatre and Renaissance Theaterworks for the use of their space.