Quick Facts
Biography
Joseph Simonelli is an American playwright. He began his career as the resident playwright for First Avenue Playhouse in Atlantic Highlands NJ. His most notable published works are Men are Dogs, Ladies in Lingerie & Heaven Help Me.
Simonelli grew up in the Bay Ridge section of Brooklyn, New York, where his father, Phillip,was a local orchestra leader. Joe was exposed to Broadway at an early age as his parents encouraged him and his four siblings to attend the theatre. Starting at the age of seven he saw such stars as Danny Kaye in Two by Two and Katharine Hepburn in Coco. Simonelli appeared on stage as early as the second grade beginning with elementary school productions at St. Patrick's Grammar School until his senior year at Xaverian High School in Brooklyn when he was featured as one of the jets in West Side Story. Forty years later he played the role of Lt. Schrank in an equity production on Staten island.
Simonelli didn't seriously get into theatre until the age of forty when he tried out for a local community theatre production in New Jersey. Shortly thereafter he started writing plays and submitting them around New York City and Los Angeles.
Work
Although known for his popular comedies such as Men are Dogs and Old Ringers, which get performed regularly around the United States and Canada, Simonelli also writes across theatrical genres. He has written a popular musical about internet dating titled Romance.com and his ghost story thriller The Ghost in the Meadow, has had many professional and amateur performances, most notably an extended run at The State Theatre of Virginia, (The Barter) An old line LORT venue.
Mr.Simonelli currently resides in South West Florida where he continues to write and produce/direct his plays. He is a full member of the Dramatist Guild of America and is represented legally by Gary DaSilva in Los Angeles. Mr. DaSilva remarked when asked about his relationship with Mr. Simonelli. "I represent such notable playwrights as Neil Simon, Larry Gelbart and Mart Crowley. I find Joe Simonelli to be in good company with his more famous counterparts." Joe has three children and currently resides in New York City.
For royalty or production rights on any of his titles please contact his literary agent Brian Sherman at Ipex Theatricals, Summit NJ.
List of Plays:
Roommates – (comedy) 2001Publisher:Amazon Books US / Stage Scripts (UK)
Heaven Help Me - (comedy/fantasy) 2002Publisher:Samuel French,
Men Are Dogs – (comedy) 2003Publisher:Samuel French.
Stocks and Blondes – (comedy) 2004Amazon Books,
Romance.com (musical comedy) 2005
Ladies in Lingerie – (comedy) 2006Publisher: Samuel French,
Wretched Asylum – (Drama) 2007
Wake Me at Midnight- (comedy) 2008Publisher:Amazon Books
With This Ring - 2009(dramady)Amazon Books
A Christmas Tail -2010(dramady)Amazon Books
Old Ringers -2011(comedy)Amazon Books
The Ghost in the Meadow - 2012(thriller)Amazon Books (US) - Stage Scripts (UK)
Sicilians in the Basement – 2013(comedy)Amazon Books
Out At Third – 2014(drama)Amazon Books
Where There’s a Will – 2014(comedy/fantasy)Amazon Books (US) / Stage Scripts (Uk)
The Haunting of Billop House (thriller) 2014Amazon Books, A Rainbow Holiday2016Amazon Books
Seven by Simonelli - 2016 (7 comedic one acts) Amazon Books,
Injustice for All- (courtroom drama) 2017
Closing Notices (4 dramatic One Acts) 2018 Amazon Books
The Spirit of Bay Manor - (thriller)2020