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Eric Zaccar
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EMail: myhome@ericzaccar.com
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Please explore this mostly inclusive page for Playwright, Lyricist, Social Satirist and WGA Screenwriter Eric Zaccar, who currently has active and diverse projects in Film, Theater and Music.
To lead with an explosive aperitif, please click the link below to experience Eric's hard rock powerhouse political anthem, TURN AROUND. The music video has close to fifty thousand unsolicited Youtube hits and rave reviews from a forever growing fan base. The song is on a compilation CD, it was slated for the soundtrack of an independent film and it's been covered by an assortment of artists at events and shows. Stick around until the end of this page and you'll find links to a couple of those live performances.
Veering to the present day, Eric wrote the book and lyrics for what is about to become a sharp, funny, touching and outrageous Musical Comedy for the Stage. TOPPER was a hit in virtually every aspect of media for nearly a century and is still one of the most revered comedic films of all time. Numerous songs were put to music by a rather gifted collaborator and masterfully recorded in recent months by exquisite, accredited, professional singers. Angels and Producers are actively being brought on board to aid in moving the project forward. More information, including fully orchestrated songs and accompanying lyric videos can be found at www.topperthemusical.com
After being literally drafted into the middle of a true headline story of a hate crime that wasn't a hate crime, Eric wrote the screenplay for the urban drama, WITHOUT HATE. The projected independent feature film was in pre-production, with an award winning indie director, well known actors, several accomplished producers and experienced crew members attached. Business problems put the project on temporary hold but industry insiders have suggested that it would be ideal for Netflix or HBO. Until recently, Eric was committed to making Without Hate as a total independent but, after seeing how difficult and financially draining that could be, even with what was a considerable start up budget, he is now ready to relinquish control. For critique and comments about the screenplay and proposed feature film, Click Here. Detailed information about Without Hate and those involved, along with some press, can be found at www.without-hate.com
Eric produced and wrote four of the song lyrics for different singers and bands on EMPTY SKYLINE, a CD of September 11th related music that was written and recorded in the days after the attacks. The compilation disk, that includes the work of several celebrated singers, musicians and artists, is currently part of the Lincoln Center Library's permanent collection. It can also be found at the New York Fire Museum, the National Lighthouse Museum and a few other comparable places. Songs from the CD have been performed at numerous benefits, events and memorials through the years. Eric's title piece was the soundtrack of a festival favorite and award nominated short film and was used to promote a book of September 11th related poems, stories and images. Audio clips, music videos, event pictures and additional details can be found at www.emptyskyline.com
STARR'S ON BROADWAY, Eric's socially significant, insightful and hilarious political satire, was produced in a small theater, steps from Broadway and on video for local cable. Written and staged during the last days of the mock impeachment, the play has been called the definitive depiction of the Starr-Clinton-Lewinsky absurdities. Several celebrated performers have expressed interest in being part of the three person, limited set play in future productions for stage or TV. Video, audio, pictures, summaries and a significant amount of press can be found at www.starrplay.com
A month after Eric graduated from the NYU Tisch Dramatic Writing Program, his first short musical, THE OEDIPUS COMPLEX, was optioned by Joseph Papp and slated to be directed and choreographed by a Tony Winning team. Though beyond control circumstances prevented the piece from seeing the light of a stage, the original recording was donated by Gail Merrifield Papp and the Public Theater to the permanent collection of the Lincoln Center Library. The campy, animated video of the theatrical interpretation, below, has developed a considerable following on Youtube. Our shorter, original rock mini-opera version, with slightly altered animation also has it's share of enthusiasts.
Eric co-produced, co-created and starred in PARKING MADNESS IN NEW YORK, a furious, fast and outrageous documentary for German primetime network television.
More than thirty singers, musicians and bands have put Eric's song lyrics to music and have recorded them, in a wide variety of styles. Please click on their titles to hear some of these songs. No More Kamikazes (New Wave)* Is This Our Moment (Ballad)* Ode to the Persian Gulf (Sixties Themed Protest Folk)* Play it Again (Jazz)* Forever in Her Grace (Blues)* The Legend of Tiny Tim (Country Western)* The Lost Legend of Saran Wrap Man (Biographical)* The Ballad of Hymie Eingelfat (Hassidic Rap)* Lamb & Eggs (Musical Theater)* Lifeguard (Bubble Gum Rock)* Talkin Bout Connie (Fifties Pop with Big Words)* Maggie was Her Name (Progressive Rock)* Nicola (Classic Rock)* On the Night Stacy Died (Psychedelic Dirge)* One of New York's more renowned and popular blues singers, along with a favorite at cabaret clubs and piano bars, perform Eric's later in life blues piece, on the video,
The controversy surrounding Eric's play, HOUSING, made its way to the New York Times and was responsible for a Law being added to the New York City books. Eric was asked to speak before groups of housing activists and on the radio. The play was briefly staged in Manhattan's East Village. It's still rather contentious, it's more topical than it's ever been and it can easily be revisited for stage, film or television. Though the play touches on many aspects of housing, in New York, it includes a series of arguably hilarious, socially poignant, nostalgic, irreverent and less than politically correct radio show sequences. Click below to listen to these radio shows from the play. The third clip is said to be the strongest but if you want to get a true feel for the play, you might want to experience them all, in order. 2. You Ain't Supposed to Be Here* 3. Nobody's Right When Everybody's Wrong* 6. The Exodus* 6B. Studio Chatter During Break* 7. Seal with a Righteous Kiss* 7B. Off Air Trauma*
THE ONLY TRACE, Eric's reincarnation themed romantic comedy for the screen, was optioned by an independent producer who never quite got it off the ground. The project had quite a bit of traction when it was first created, a half dozen original songs were recorded specifically for the soundtrack and it could be revived, with a blink. Click below to listen to two of projected film's soundtrack songs.
Eric was commissioned to adapt an East Indian film into the screenplay, INDIAN SUPERSTAR, and an East Indian screenplay into the initial script for the Bollywood film, ON THE OTHER SIDE.
Eric's old school screwball comedy for the stage, THE ASSASSINATION THAT SAVED JOHN'S PIZZERIA and his Sartre inspired political drama, I'LL SEE YOU IN HELL, were produced at the Bank Street Theater in downtown Manhattan. For a detailed list of Eric's past optioned and staged theatrical plays, Click Here!
Eric's written numerous sketches, treatments, speculative teleplays and even a few lost screenplays and plays that can easily be found again.
Eric co-produced, wrote speeches and coordinated talent for several large scale, celebrity filled charity events in New York, at venues like City Center and the Grand Ballroom of the Marriott Marquis.
Eric was a recurring guest on Howard Stern's radio show, back in the day, and he created two separate hour long classic segments that have been repeated, through the years. He was a featured guest on the Joe Franklin Show and had an open invitation to return. He was also interviewed on the Joey Reynolds Show, the Artist First Radio Network and on numerous other radio and cable programs. Eric's various projects have been written about in Cindy Adams' New York Post column, Liz Smith's nationally syndicated page, The New York Times (we saw this one), Broadway Now, Brooklyn Skyline, Backstage, Time Out New York, Newsday (we saw this one too), Brooklyn Graphic and Hamptons dot com.
In case you didn't get a chance to explore the site above for Eric's new musical comedy for the stage, TOPPER, here are a few of the recently recorded songs and accompanying lyric videos. Clara's Climax (Rated R)*
And if you didn't hear all the songs on EMPTY SKYLINE, our CD of the most passionate and diverse music created in the wake of September 11, here are the studio recordings and live performances of some of Eric's pieces. The Last Radical (Studio Audio Recording)* Empty Skyline (Studio Music Video)* You Won't Be Here (Studio Audio Recording)* Empty Skyline (Performance Video)* You Won't Be Here (Performance Video)* The Last Radical (Performance Video with Intros, Governors & Planes)*
To wrap up this page where it began, please click below to watch two brilliant and accomplished though rather different artists, each perform unique live acoustic interpretations of Eric's rock anthem and internet hit song.
EMail: myhome@ericzaccar.com
CREDITS FOR AUDIO & VIDEO LINKS: All Lyrics & Scripted Pieces by Eric Zaccar Turn Around Studio Recording: Music & Performance by Mike Boldt Topper songs: Music by G. H. Brown; Performed by Samantha Echo, Mike Messer, D.C. Anderson, Carl J. Danielsen & Nina Berman Starr's on Broadway Audio & Video: Performed by Tom Shillue, Carl Kissin, Natalie Blalock, Christie Klein & Michelle Peters The Oedipus Complex, Mini-Opera: Music & Performance by Linda Edlund The Oedipus Complex, Theatrical Interpretation: Music by Linda Edlund; Performed by Mike Messer, Clare Cooper, Larry Purifory & Bob Fucaloro Empty Skyline Songs: Music & Performances by James Raddock, Grace Clark, Mike Boldt & Carolynn Black No More Kamikazes: Music & Performance by Rod Rodkin Is This Our Moment: Music by Linda Edlund; Performed by Marleah Martin Ode to the Persian Gulf: Music & Performance by Linda Edlund Play it Again: Music & Performance by Mike Boldt Forever in Her Grace: Music by Rod Rodkin; Performed by Gregory Rahming The Legend of Tiny Tim: Music by Clare Cooper; Performed by Ron Rodkin & Clare Cooper The Lost Legend of Saran Wrap Man: Performed by Mike Messer The Ballad of Hymie Eingelfat: Performed by Hymie Eingelfat Lamb & Eggs: Music by G. H. Brown; Performed by Samantha Echo, Mike Messer & D.C. Anderson Lifeguard: Music & Performance by Clare Cooper Talkin Bout Connie: Performed by Anonymous Maggie was Her Name: Music & Performance by Mike Boldt Nicola: Music & Performance by Mike Butler On the Night Stacy Died: Music & Performance by Mike Boldt We Never Had Our Dance: Music by Mark Shamrakov; Performed by Amy Coleman & Clare Cooper Radio Sequences from the play, Housing: Starring Marc Coppola, Claire Carter, Michael Matassa, Sunda Croonquist & Tyrus The Only Trace: Music by Jeff Bialer; Performed by Grace Clark Love Gone Bye: Music, Performance & Additional Lyrics by Jeff Bialer Lana was Her Name: Music by Mike Boldt; Performed by Grace Clark One Minute Shower: Music by G. H. Brown; Performed by D.C. Anderson, Carl J. Danielsen & Nina Berman When We Hear the Trumpets: Music by G. H. Brown; Performed by Samantha Echo & Mike Messer Old Man Topper: Music by G. H. Brown; Performed by Samantha Echo & Mike Messer Clara's Climax: Music by G.H. Brown; Modeling by Breona Conrad; Performed by Anonymous Empty Skyline: Music & Performance by Carolynn Black; Short film by H. Scott Bayer The Last Radical: Music & Performance by James Raddock You Won't Be Here: Musical Riffs by Mark Shamrakov; Performed by Grace Clark Empty Skyline Live: Music by Carolynn Black; Performed by Jensen Keets You Won't Be Here Live: Performed by Samantha Echo The Last Radical: Music by James Raddock; Performed by Samantha Echo Turn Around Live Acoustic I: Music by Mike Boldt; Performed by Cathy DaPrato Turn Around Live Acoustic II: Music by Mike Boldt; Performed by Mike Butler
Photos by Mumbo Lenny & the Cascal (c) 2022 by Eric Zaccar EMail: myhome@ericzaccar.com
"topper the musical" "without hate" "the oedipus complex" |
