Ted Johnson
Attorney, Author, and Playwright Ted Johnson
Author Ted Johnson’s muse is his law practice in downtown Atlanta. He is a criminal defense attorney who defends the rights of those who many people think don’t deserve rights. The diary he keeps is his catharsis. “Faces I have Seen — A Memoir of Murder” is a collection of 25 short stories about the murder cases Johnson has tried — taken directly from Johnson’s diary.
“You think you’ve seen evil?,” Johnson asks. “Wait until you’re sitting next to it. You'd want to run home and take a shower.”
| Galo Entertainment
Here Comes The Sun
Five men estranged from their respective families live together in a group home for disabled veterans. The men are confined to a life of pain and depression, when change comes. This change comes in the form of a kind spirit, unassuming and gentle, but present. After being touched by this spirit, these men life change forever.
THE CAST OF CHARACTERS
Danielle Maner - Yolanda
ACT I SCENE I: BREAKFAST
EVAN GREENE – RAY
SCENE II: TOO HAPPY
WES LEE – JEB
SCENEII: BOX OF TWINKIES
STANLEY DRINKS – HANK
ACT II SCENE I: SISSY V. GAY MAN
AL DOLLAR – PHIL
SCENE II: EVERY TWO MONTHS
SWIFT RICE – PETER
SCENE III: CHOICES
JOHN DOE – HANK JR.
ACT III SCENE I: PHIL’S CONFESSION
SCENE II: HANKS’ MOMENT
SCENE III: NORMAL
The Boy with The Pink Bear
Uncle Buck the patriarch of the Thomas family attempts to hold the family together after issues of sexual orientation threatens to tear them apart. Adam the five year old son of Jake is seen playing with a pink bear when the Thomas clan begins to fall apart. Issues of divorce, abandonment, teen suicide and family are explored that challenges the very fibers of love that once held this family together.
ACT I
The play opens up with Jake sitting with his brother Bill, Uncle Buck and a co-worker, Dan Williams’s playing cards. Adam the five-year old son of Jake walked into the room clutching a pink bear. At the time Adam entered the room Jake becomes angry but holds his anger inside until his guests leaves. Adam having the pink bear sets in motion a ripple effect in Jake’s relationship with his older brother Bill, the co-worker Dan Williams and Uncle Buck the patriarch of the family. Bill learns that his son Patrick, an All-American high school football player has a secret of which Bill is very keen on keeping that secret hidden.
ACT II
Jake learned that Adam may have cancer. But, continues not to show any real emotions as he holds his feelings within. Uncle Buck senses Jake’s emotional instability intervenes and consoles Jake. Patrick and Jason discuss the extent of their relationship, homosexuality and their future. Jason will share insight on his depressed, lonely life and the significance of his friendship with Patrick. Jason’s attempt to communicate the seriousness of his depression to Patrick fails. Patrick is more concerned about his dad’s feelings and his future. Bill will attempt to share his concerns about Patrick to Jake but Jake is none to concern with anything Bill has to say.
ACT III
Bill feeling alienated from his wife, Thelma and Patrick seeks advice from Uncle Buck, the only father he has ever really known. Uncle Buck tolerates Bill but is unsympathetic to the predicament that Bill finds himself. However, Uncle provides a steady hand for Patrick, who confided in him. Jake learns of secrets Gail, his wife has kept from him as she contemplates divorce and taking Adam. The Thomas clan is on the brink of falling apart, when the clan meets by chance at the hospital to visit Adam.
Sunday Worshiper
Originally from Indianapolis Indiana, with stops in Houston Texas and Chicago before settling in Atlanta, by all accounts one would find Ted to be a colorful character still full of optimism and hope for the less fortunate. Ted‘s humor is quick and subtle and usually funny. His honesty about his observations is usually spot on but doesn’t seem judgmental. I don’t know if his lack of judgment of others is based on what he has experienced as a child or what he has seen as a man but Ted keeps a steady hand and friendly attitude if he finds you friendly.
What I like most about Ted is his childlike curiosity and his ability to tell an engaging story. His first play “Sunday Worshiper” A Morality Play opened to excellent reviews in Atlanta and Indianapolis, Indiana. People left the theatre with stunned looks on their faces as Ted was able to touch many people with this well crafted story of a dysfunctional family loosely based on the biblical story of Noah. Sunday Worshiper, A Morality Play is scheduled to tour the U.S in 2013 and Europe as early as 2014.
Ted‘s sophomore play “The Boy and the Pink Bear” is in preproduction and is scheduled to debut in 2013. Ted confronts various issues of unconditional love and stereotypes between a father and his five year old son diagnosed with cancer. The dying boy’s choice of toy will have a ripple effect within the family and relationships become not only stained but problematic as lifestyles and sexual orientations are revealed. We will watch as this simple stuffed bear causes a family to unravel and confront itself.
I hope that one day you will get to meet Ted and I warn you, he will say something absolutely funny but you will think about it before you laugh. Then, you will laugh again when you’re alone driving home or sipping on some wine. Thereafter, when you encounter Ted you’ll be ready for another laugh or at minimum be amused by one of his many stories.
