Warren Manzi

       Biography of   Warren M. Manzi as Playwright and Stage Director

  -   -   -   -   -   -   -   -   -   -   -   -   -   -   -   -   -   -   -   -   -   -   -   -   -   -   -   -   -   -   -   -   -   -   -   -   -   -   -   Warren Manzi, a 1980 graduate of   the Yale School of Drama , has authored Off-Broadway's most successful and enduring non-musical play, PERFECT CRIME . What follows is a brief   biographical sketch of   Mr. Manzi's other accomplishments as an author and a director.

In 1980, while playing Mozart on Broadway in AMADEUS ,   Warren Manzi wrote his first full-length play, the original version of   PERFECT CRIME .    The play was optioned for Broadway that same year, making Warren---then, age twenty-five--- the youngest American ever to have a play optioned for Broadway.

Within a year, Mr. Manzi was hired by   Universal   Studios   to write the screenplay for its film project, CLUE , and was paid what was believed to be then (1981) among the largest amounts ever paid for a first screenplay.   Mr. Manzi wrote two separate and distinct original screenplays,   under an arrangement in which the CLUE   project was assumed by   Paramount   Pictures    in a "turnaround" deal   that gave creative control --- unfortunately, for all parties concerned --- to John Landis. Consequently, Mr. Manzi takes no responsibility or credit for the finished product that was released ultimately.

As for Warren's plays that have been presented on stage in New York, PERFECT CRIME has played Off-Broadway since April 18, 1987, making it the longest-running play in the history of New York theatre.   In addition, he has written CLEO LIBERMAN'S ALL GIRL REVUE,     THE AWARD AND OTHER PLAYS   and   STAGES ,   all of which have been produced in New York.

Mr. Manzi has also written four original screenplays, as yet unproduced: TRIAL BY FIRE ,   THE DAVID SHOW ,  JEALOUSY   and   DISGUISE ; as well as several other stage plays, including     MODEL HOME ,   NON COMPIS MENTIS , FOUR TO GO and four thrillers: THE MURDER GAME,  QUEEN'S GAMBIT DECLINED,  WHAT DO DOGS DO WHEN YOU LEAVE THE HOUSE  and  MURDERS .

As a director, Mr. Manzi   is a five-time winner of the Best Director Award   at the NEW ENGLAND THEATRE CONFERENCE , an unprecedented feat, yet unequalled.  He has directed his own dramatic works in   New York City:   STAGES (at The Courtyard Playhouse ), THE AWARD AND OTHER PLAYS (at Theater Four ) and CLEO LIBERMAN'S ALL GIRL REVUE (at The Ballroom ).

 In New York, Mr. Manzi has also directed Matt Cutugno's INCOMMUNICADO , THREE SISTERS , the world premieres of Kurt Vonnegut, Jr.'s BETWEEN TIME AND TIMBUKTU   and   Samm-Art Williams'  CORK ,   as well as Ionesco's RHINOCEROS , George Kaiser's FROM MORNING TO MIDNIGHT , Keith Reddin's RUM   & COKE , Heathcote Williams'   THE LOCAL STIGMATIC and Durrenmatt's  THE VISIT .

.Warren M. Manzi .   c/o   Attorney Armand M. Hyatt , HYATT  &   HYATT   LAW   OFFICE

                                                                                               8 Jackson Court, Lawrence, MA 01840  

  amhyatt@adelphia.net                                                 Tel .(978) 689-9393    Fax (978) 689-8977

Armand Hyatt

Armand Michael Hyatt

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This first-time producer from Massachusetts introduces himself as the oldest of seven children and the father of four.     Following his graduation from Boston College (1973) and University of San Diego School of Law (1976), Armand has worked in private law practice in the immigrant City of Lawrence, where all four of his grandparents had come (two from Italy, two from Syria) to work in the riverfront textile mills around the time of   the historic labor strike (dubbed "Bread and Roses").    His work as a lawyer has focused on the struggles of the disenfranchised, particularly in the area of affordable housing.  

As a rookie executive producer, Armand has succeeded in producing affordable theatre in Manhattan, with PERFECT CRIME having become the longest-running play in New York theatre history, ever [click on " HISTORY" to read about how that success story unfolded].   Armand is the first to admit that his participation in this historic accomplishment may be blessed with some beginner's luck---connecting with teammates like Warren Manzi, Jay Stone, Jeffrey Hyatt and Catherine Russell.    While Armand acknowledges the benefit of his own instincts and judgment in assessing dramatic material, he gives the lion's share of the credit to the adaptability of the artistic team in making the historic run possible.   With author Warren Manzi's openness to a collaborative approach with Armand about ongoing creative aspects, Armand has worked with Warren on other projects in the realms of both theatre and film.    As Warren's legal counsel, Armand is equipped with various dramatic works authored by Warren to present at the right time for the right deal.  

Armand makes it clear to all that he doesn't consider himself an "executive" anything.   What matters is the work, and Armand remains diversified in his output of work product. Without offering a professional resume, Armand tells of his enthusiasm for community development issues, beginning with his efforts in 1980 to fight for site-control and build affordable housing in a demolished urban renewal neighborhood where he grew up, that culminated in his co-founding of the now-thriving Lawrence CommunityWorks   C. D. C. [please feel welcomed to visit the LCW website at www.lawrencecommunityworks.org ].

That particular fight involved a litigation strategy and Armand admits his attraction to be embroiled in a courtroom trial from time to time, especially when issues of social justice are at stake.

Family life, coaching, teaching religious education (Catholic) and volunteering have been tough for Armand to balance with his long-distance theatre producing and his busy law practice---but he manages to do so effectively, and finds some time for his favorite forms of relaxation:   writing, playing basketball, surfing, sudoku and crosswords.