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Erik Forrest Jackson

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Erik Forrest Jackson BIO

Raised in Texas and now living in Harlem, Erik’s a playwright, musical bookwriter and novelist. He’s the recipient of residency grants/fellowships at the Helene Wurlitzer Foundation, Monson Arts, the Chulitna Lodge Research Institute, and the Johnny Mercer Writers Grove at Goodspeed Musicals.

Erik's adaptation of the Warner Bros. holiday classic Christmas in Connecticut (with co-bookwriter Patrick Pacheco, composer Jason Howland, and lyricist Amanda Yesnowitz) premieres at Goodspeed Musicals in November 2022. His darkly comic drama Like a Billion Likes premiered at Stage West Theatre. It is the winner of the Robert Chesley/Victor Bumbalo Playwriting Award; the winner of the Southwest Playwriting Contest; and a top 10 finalist for the Woodward/ Newman Drama Award.

A Tony voter and member of the American Theatre Wing’s Advisory Board and the Clive Barnes Foundation awards selection committee, Erik was also part of the writers’ group at the Musical Theatre Factory, where he developed a musical adaptation of Like A Billion Likes titled Misty Makes It Better with composer Brad Alexander and lyricist Jill Abramovitz.

His musical Breaking Up Is Hard to Do, co-written with Ben H. Winters and featuring the songs of Neil Sedaka (arranged by Tom Kitt), was developed at New York’s Capital Rep and the Actors’ Playhouse in Miami; it has since been licensed by Theatrical Rights Worldwide and performed in cities across the globe, from London to Seoul. He also adapted the beloved TV comedy Cheers for a live stage event, which premiered in Boston.

Erik was the Playwright in Residence for the acclaimed troupe Theatre Couture. Their comic adaptation of Stephen King’s Carrie premiered Off Broadway at New York’s P.S. 122, as did Doll, a twisted take on Ibsen’s A Doll’s House; the comic thriller Tell-Tale (transfer to the Cherry Lane Theater, GLAAD nominee for Best Play); and the comedy Charlie!

He is the author of a critically acclaimed humor series for middle-grade readers and adults firmly in touch with their inner kids. Muppets Meet the Classics, published by Penguin Workshop, includes The Phantom of the Opera and Fairy Tales from the Brothers Grimm.

In the publishing world, Erik spent more than a decade as an executive editor at Entertainment Weekly and InStyle. Erik was the editor-in-chief of Show People magazine, published by Time Inc., and an editor and critic at Us Weekly and Time Out New York. His articles as a freelance writer have appeared in Glamour, W, Real Simple, Town & Country, People, LIFE and Out, among others.

Erik Forrest Jackson News


Review: CHRISTMAS IN CONNECTICUT at Pioneer Theatre Company Could Become a Perennial Holiday Favorite


Pioneer Theatre Company’s not-to-be-missed production of the brand-new musical CHRISTMAS IN CONNECTICUT is worthy of becoming a perennial holiday favorite, perfectly delivering feel-good nostalgia in a beautifully wrapped contemporary package. 

Pioneer Theatre Company Presents 2023 US Holiday Exclusive Production Of CHRISTMAS IN CONNECTICUT


Pioneer Theatre Company presents the 2023 US holiday exclusive production of 'Christmas in Connecticut'. Get ready for a festive and heartwarming holiday show.

Photos: First Look at TheatreWorksUSA's CAT KID COMIC CLUB: THE MUSICAL at the Lortel Theatre


TheaterWorksUSA's world premiere of the musical adaptation of Cat Kid Comic Club series by Dav Pilkey opens today, Sunday, July 30, at 3 PM. The limited run is written by the award-winning team of Kevin Del Aguila (book and lyrics) and Brad Alexander(music), with direction and choreography by Marlo Hunter and musical direction by Paul Staroba, and runs through August 27, 2023 at the Lucille Lortel Theatre. Check out photos here!

Cast & Creative Team Set for CAT KID COMIC CLUB: THE MUSICAL World Premiere


Discover the world premiere of CAT KID COMIC CLUB: THE MUSICAL, an enchanting theatrical production based on the popular book. Delight in the adventures of Cat Kid and his friends as they bring laughter and excitement to the stage. Perfect for families and fans of the book, this captivating show is not to be missed. Get your tickets now!

Cast & Creative Team Set for CAT KID COMIC CLUB: THE MUSICAL World Premiere at The Lucille Lortel Theatre


TheaterWorksUSA has revealed the cast and creative team for the upcoming World Premiere of the musical adaptation of #1 bestselling  Cat Kid Comic Club series by Dav Pilkey.

CAT KID COMIC CLUB: THE MUSICAL to be Presented at TheaterWorkUSA This Summer


Following the success of Dog Man: The Musical, TheaterWorkUSA’s new musical adaptation of  Dav Pilkey’s acclaimed and bestselling Cat Kid Comic Club series will debut at the Lucille Lortel Theatre.

CHRISTMAS IN CONNECTICUT & More Set for Pioneer Theatre Company 2023-24 Season


Pioneer Theatre Company has announced its 2023-2024 season lineup, marking the theatre company’s 62nd season. See full programming, and learn how to purchase tickets!

Cast and Creative Team Announced for DOG MAN: THE MUSICAL At New World Stages


TheaterWorksUSA has announced the cast and creative team for Dog Man: The Musical  as its returns to New York.  See how to purchase tickets!

DOG MAN: THE MUSICAL Limited Run to Open at New World Stages in March


TheaterWorksUSA  will bring  Dog Man: The Musical  back to New York, beginning its limited eight-week run on  March 4  through April 30 at New World Stages.

Video: First Look at CHRISTMAS IN CONNECTICUT World Premiere at Goodspeed Musicals


Get a first look at the world premiere of Christmas in Connecticut - A New Musical, running now through December 30 at The Goodspeed in East Haddam, Conn.

Goodspeed & The Garde to Present CHRISTMAS IN CONNECTICUT Holiday Celebration


Two of Connecticut’s major non-profit arts organizations, the Garde Arts Center and Goodspeed Musicals, are collaborating to present a free regional event based on the Warner Bros. movie Christmas in Connecticut on Wednesday, November 9 at 7:30 p.m. at the Garde Arts Center in downtown New London. 

Audrey Cardwell, Ed Dixon & More to Star in CHRISTMAS IN CONNECTICUT World Premiere at Goodspeed Musicals


Goodspeed Musicals has announced the cast for the world premiere of Christmas in Connecticut – A New Musical. The holiday-themed musical comedy that is sure to delight audiences will run from Nov. 18 – Dec. 30 at The Goodspeed.

Justin Cooley and Mira Nadon Win Clive Barnes Awards


The Clive Barnes Foundation, under the leadership of Holly Jones and Lloyd Mayor, announced the winners of the 12th Annual Clive Barnes Awards.

Finalists Announced for Twelfth Annual Clive Barnes Awards


The Clive & Valerie Barnes Foundation has announced the date for the 12th Annual Clive Barnes Awards. Hosted by New York 1's Frank DiLella, the presentation of the awards recognizing excellence in theater and dance will take place on Sunday, September 18th, 2022 at 3pm at the Westbeth Studio.

Goodspeed Musicals Announces World Premiere of CHRISTMAS IN CONNECTICUT


Goodspeed Musicals announced today that it will produce the world premiere of Christmas in Connecticut – A New Musical this holiday season at the Goodspeed Opera House in East Haddam, Conn.

Celia Rose Gooding, Sophia Anne Caruso, Andrew Burnap & More Named Finalists for Clive Barnes Awards


The Clive Barnes Foundation, today announced finalists for the 10th Annual Clive Barnes Awards, recognizing excellence in Theater and Dance. According to the New York Times, the list includes Celia Rose Gooding (Jagged Little Pill), Sophia Anne Caruso (Beetlejuice), Andrew Burnap (The Inheritance), and Christopher Livingston (The Great Society) in the theatre category, and India Bradley, Roman Mejia, Kellie Drobnick, and Aran Bell in the dance category.

Edmund Donovan And Zoey Anderson Take Home Clive Barnes Awards


The Clive Barnes Foundation, under the leadership of former Royal Ballet soloist Valerie Taylor-Barnes, awarded its prizes today for the 9th Annual Clive Barnes Awards, recognizing excellence in Theater and Dance, to Edmund Donovan (Theater, Lewiston/Clarkston) and Zoey Anderson (Dance, Parsons Dance). The awards were presented by Michael Novak, artistic director of Paul Taylor Dance Company and Tony-winner Beth Leavel, currently starring in Broadway's The Prom. The event, hosted by New York Post columnist and WOR radio personality Michael Riedel was held at the Walter Reade Theater at Lincoln Center.

TheaterWorksUSA to Adapt DOG MAN Series Into Family Musical


TheaterWorksUSA announces their newest partnership with Writers House and Scholastic, the global children's publishing, education, and media company, by securing the rights to adapt the worldwide bestseller DOG MAN by Dav Pilkey for the stage.

34 Participants Announced For 7th Annual Johnny Mercer Foundation Writers Colony At Goodspeed


In what has become an annual ritual, a total of 34 established and emerging composers, lyricists, and librettists will converge on the Goodspeed campus from mid-January through mid-February 2019 to participate in the Johnny Mercer Foundation Writers Colony at Goodspeed Musicals. The writing teams, representing 21 new musicals, will populate the campus, creating a truly exciting environment for discovery and inspiration.

Will Roland, Ana Villafane & More Named Clive Barnes Awards Finalists


The Clive Barnes Foundation, under the leadership of former Royal Ballet soloist Valerie Taylor-Barnes, announced today the finalists and date for the 9th Annual Clive Barnes Awards. Hosted by New York Post columnist and WOR radio personality Michael Riedel, the presentation of the annual awards recognizing excellence in theater and dance will take place on Monday, February 11, 2019 at 3:00pm at the Walter Reade Theater at Lincoln Center (165 West 65th Street).

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