Morley Shulman
Playwright, Screenwriter, Audiobook Narrator, General Nuisance
About Me
My Background
Born on the barren plains of Toronto, Canada, I developed my sense of humour early on in life by continuously watching my beloved hockey team, the Toronto Maple Leafs. I attended the Toronto School of Drama from the ages of 7-11 and would constantly annoy my classmates and teachers by doing celebrity impersonations (thank you Rich Little!).
During my high school years, I decided to appear as a stand-up comedian at renowned comedy club Yuk Yuks instead of dating or getting trashed, like most normal teens. After turning down an insultingly bad offer to turn pro, I then focused on my university studies where I graduated with the highest temperature in my class and received an Honours B.A. in Mass Communications and Political Science.
I later focused my creative efforts on writing plays and movies. Many of my plays appear in "A Love Letter to Stephanie- An Anthology of One-Act Plays".
When I'm not writing, I like to read, play mindless games, listen to classic rock (i.e. The Beatles, Badfinger, Klaatu, Paul McCartney and Wings), go shopping with my wife and hang out with my in-laws (yes, you read that right!).
Some of my comedic influences include The Three Stooges, Mel Brooks and Woody Allen, to name but a few.
I can be reached at morley@morleyshulman.com
My writing roots
As a former standup comedian, I missed creating new material - but not the part about being on stage. When I became a Copywriter many years later, I got to write radio commercials that actors had to perform. THAT I liked! It was then I decided that if I ever wrote anything else, it was going to be for me (unless I simply couldn't turn down the money!).
If you had to categorize my writing style, it would be Mel Brooks meets Neil Simon meets Woody Allen with a touch of Morley thrown in.
My style
I believe in an honest approach to writing - that is taking everyday life and looking at some of its absurdities without embellishing too much.
Plays
One-Act Plays
A BEATLE'S STORY (comedy)
Synopsis
John, Paul and George argue about what they should do with their bass player, Stu Sutcliffe.
BENNY & BORIS (comedy)
Synopsis
A park bench on a summer day: this is where we find two old friends Benny & Boris, shooting the breeze over their weekly card game. But today, the usual lighthearted shmoozing evolves into something deeper…
During their usual routine of playing cards and reading the obituaries, a deeply disturbing personal issue is revealed and Benny & Boris find their friendship put to the test.Throughout this heartwarming, humorous one-act play, Benny & Boris discover that while the people closest to you sometimes let you down, family can often be found in the most unexpected places.
CHEEKY! (comedy)
Synopsis
Two butt cheeks try to resolve their differences while getting ready for a date.
LOVE IN THE TIME OF TOURETTE'S (comedy)
Synopsis
Celeste’s parents are desperate to get her married off as soon as possible before her Tourette’s is discovered. They have invited over a young man to meet her in the hopes they they will hit it off. Will he turn out to be Mr Right, or Mr Poopy?
NAKED (comedy)
Synopsis
Marty and Fran are on the WORST blind date of their lives... only they're on the WRONG date!
STREET THEATRE (comedy)
Synopsis
Picture it: A cafe and a typical couple sitting at a table waiting to be served. A beleaguered and bored waitress who wants to take their order. Sounds pretty normal, right? Well – she’s just been to improv theater class and the cafe is about to become her new stage, much to the astonishment of the other diners, the embarrassment of her partner and the confusion of the waitress.
TWO BROTHERS (drama)
Synopsis
Two brothers, Gary and Jeremy, put their relationship to the test while arguing over the care of their dementia-suffering mother.
Musicals
Hang Ups (one-act)
Synopsis
What happens when you have a telemarketing room with a bunch of misfits, managed by someone who is apathetic and is owned by an ex con? You have “Hang Ups”. When the owner threatens to fire everyone and replace the manager with his best employee, panic starts to set in. With a cast of characters including a wannabe standup comedian, a sweet but elderly senior whose best days have long since past, an egomaniac and a hair dresser in training, Martin, the manager, has to turn things around- and FAST! With such catchy songs as “Motivate ‘Em”, “A Chopped Liver Sandwhich”, “Invisible Woman” and of course, “Hang Ups” (written by Hartley Mandel and Dee Long- formerly of Klaatu), “Hang Ups” is a musical comedy that will keep audiences listening!
Full-Length
Ad Hoc (comedy)
Synopsis
Meet Malcolm – feigning work in an advertising agency when he is, in fact, writing a play, also set in an ad agency, in which the characters are becoming more real to him than his own life. He can think of nothing else, not even his partner Charley, who’d give anything if Malcolm knew the color of her eyes. Instead, she spends her days getting him out of trouble whilst he works on his masterpiece. When Malcolm loses his job, and moves to another agency, he finds that the characters in his play are a little more real than even he thought possible…
Screenplays
STREET THEATRE (dramedy)
Synopsis
Malcolm would seem to have it all. A steady job, his own place and plenty of disposable income. He also has a secret- he "moonlights" in the evening as a homeless person.
Through a series of unfortunate circumstances, Malcolm loses it all- his job, his home and even his money. With nowhere to turn, Malcolm is forced to live on the streets. While there, he encounters some less than desirable people that could ultimately cost him his life. Through good fortune and relying on his wits, Malcolm is able to escape certain calamity.
However, as things look bleakest, he comes across a fellow street person named Kiki. Unbeknownst to him, Kiki is an undercover reporter doing an expose on the homeless. As she shows him the ways of the streets and a deadline to write her articles that’s rapidly approaching, Kiki quickly realizes there’s a better story in front of her. Through her prodding, Malcolm goes on a quest to find his father who had abandoned the family years prior to live on the streets himself.
STREET THEATRE is a comedy about a man who is forced to learn the meaning of acceptance through his struggle to survive, his quest to find his long since estranged father and even to win the love of the woman he wants most.
THE REGISTRY (comedy, co-written by Christine Autrand Mitchell)
Synopsis
LARRY DENT is in his late 40's and lives with his GRAN and her hedgehog, and hasn’t had a girlfriend in years. The problem is he’s an accounting clerk who’s spent a small fortune in gifts for weddings he never attends – and may soon lose his job.
In an act of desperation, with the help of his slacker best friend and co-worker, TOMMY BOY, who happens to be boss’ nephew, Larry creates a scheme to recoup the money: he pretends to get married. With invitations sent out to those who once invited him, he registers for gifts all across town. His plan works well as he receives check after check and notifications for presents. But his plans fall awry when RSVPs begin to come in as “attending” the wedding!
Compounding matters is the office bully, JACKIE. In addition to making his every working day a living hell, Jackie torments poor Larry about his impending nuptials, despite losing clients faster than he can bring them on. This, in turn, causes Larry’s boss, FRANCIS, to consider closing the business.
After a series of uneventful dates it appears as though Larry may have found his match in ALLISON, the perfect girl. But after discovering his scheduled marriage, she quickly dumps him and leaves Larry out of options. To make matters worse, his Gran throws him out of the house when she discovers his scheme.
Tommy Boy comes through and miraculously arranges the wedding – but the bride is still missing. When the wedding guests arrive, Larry is ready to admit defeat.
When a skirmish breaks out among the guests – and the reason is revealed for Francis going out of business – cupid shoots his magic arrow to reveal the love of Larry’s life… the man who’s been his biggest champion all along.
THE REGISTRY is a comedy about coming to terms with who you are and celebrating what’s most important.
Uncovered - Vintage Fashion Magazine Review Podcast
Uncovered - Vintage Fashion Magazine Review Podcast
Uncovered Vintage Fashion Magazine Review will discuss your favourite vintage fashion magazines from the 70's, 80's & 90's.
We'll talk about some of the models as well as the layouts and the behind the scenes professionals who helped make these magazines such great pieces of pop culture history.
Past Podcasts
Check back later for previously published podcasts