SECRET ORDER
3 m, 1 f; Two acts; 1 hr, 45 min (without intermission)
SYNOPSIS
William Shumway, a young, idealistic cellular biologist with a brilliant new idea for curing cancer, is recruited from a relative obscurity to Hill-Matheson, a major cancer research institute, by its charismatic director, Bob Brock, with the offer of his own lab and all the resources he will need to pursue that idea. As the pressure to show publishable results begins to build, fueled by unexpected competition from a rival lab at Oxford and the politically agile head of another department who has resentfully seen his own budget slashed to free up more funding for Shumway's lab, his research suddenly hits a snag. He is faced with having to choose between full disclosure of the problem, which would jeopardize the funding he needs, and making the more expedient decision to bend the rules just a little, which will buy him enough additional time to solve the problem.
AWARDS
Outer Critics Circle Award (nominee) for 2007-8
Theatre Scene’s The Ten Best of the Year 2007 in New York Theatre
EST/Alfred P. Sloan Foundation Fellowship Award
Selected as one of 10 featured L.A. Theatre Works for production (five full-cast performances) performance at the Skirball Cultural Center featuring: Angela - Goethals, Will McCormack, Richard Schiff, George Segal – subsequently nominated for Audie Award (best recorded drama) in 2008 – available on Audible.com and Amazon.com
Recipient of an Edgerton Foundation New American Plays Award
Selected a Best Theatre of 2007 Award by New England Entertainment Digest
PRODUCTION REVIEWS
59E59 THEATRE:
'… taut, twist-filled and appealingly cynical drama … Not since “Copenhagen” has a playwright so dramatically portrayed the culture of high-stakes science … for all its theatrical bravado, “Secret Order” doesn’t give short shrift to science, which is not only elegantly woven into the themes of the play but also helps establish the credibility of his dramatic world. - New York Times:
(click for full review)
3 m, 1 f; Two acts; 1 hr, 45 min (without intermission)
SYNOPSIS
William Shumway, a young, idealistic cellular biologist with a brilliant new idea for curing cancer, is recruited from a relative obscurity to Hill-Matheson, a major cancer research institute, by its charismatic director, Bob Brock, with the offer of his own lab and all the resources he will need to pursue that idea. As the pressure to show publishable results begins to build, fueled by unexpected competition from a rival lab at Oxford and the politically agile head of another department who has resentfully seen his own budget slashed to free up more funding for Shumway's lab, his research suddenly hits a snag. He is faced with having to choose between full disclosure of the problem, which would jeopardize the funding he needs, and making the more expedient decision to bend the rules just a little, which will buy him enough additional time to solve the problem.
AWARDS
Outer Critics Circle Award (nominee) for 2007-8
Theatre Scene’s The Ten Best of the Year 2007 in New York Theatre
EST/Alfred P. Sloan Foundation Fellowship Award
Selected as one of 10 featured L.A. Theatre Works for production (five full-cast performances) performance at the Skirball Cultural Center featuring: Angela - Goethals, Will McCormack, Richard Schiff, George Segal – subsequently nominated for Audie Award (best recorded drama) in 2008 – available on Audible.com and Amazon.com
Recipient of an Edgerton Foundation New American Plays Award
Selected a Best Theatre of 2007 Award by New England Entertainment Digest
PRODUCTION REVIEWS
59E59 THEATRE:
'… taut, twist-filled and appealingly cynical drama … Not since “Copenhagen” has a playwright so dramatically portrayed the culture of high-stakes science … for all its theatrical bravado, “Secret Order” doesn’t give short shrift to science, which is not only elegantly woven into the themes of the play but also helps establish the credibility of his dramatic world. - New York Times:
(click for full review)
Dan Colman & Larry Pine in Secret Order
'The other attraction of this play is Clyman's magnificent use of the English language. In his capable hands, lengthy speeches about how cells attack each other become epic dramas and renegade cells are turned into a moral issue. At times Clyman's prose sounds a little like science fiction at its very best. At other times, it has the cutting subtlety of a work by an expert dramatist … Clyman also has a definite flair for biting humor … Despite the precise language, Secret Order is filled with ambiguity …Clyman has the humility and perception to let the audience make up its own mind … just one of his many virtues.' - CurtainUp: click for full review
'… grabs your attention right away and never lets go … It's exhilarating to find a writer equally versed in science, medical intrigue and playwriting. – John Simon, Bloomberg News click for full review
'… a smart and thought-provoking script … a taut, stimulating drama about the moral and ethical dilemmas involved in the high stakes world of medical research. - nytheatre.com review
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'… grabs your attention right away and never lets go … It's exhilarating to find a writer equally versed in science, medical intrigue and playwriting. – John Simon, Bloomberg News click for full review
'… a smart and thought-provoking script … a taut, stimulating drama about the moral and ethical dilemmas involved in the high stakes world of medical research. - nytheatre.com review
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'… memorable characters… plenty of juicy moments and snappily entertaining dialogue …' - New York Post:
Clyman’s plot moves at a brisk clip, and the dialogue, especially for Pine’s tremendously entertaining Dr. Brock, keeps things lively throughout.’ - The New Yorker
‘The playwright tackles some provocative territory with style and wit while crafting a timely tale about cancer research… the thought provoking play demonstrates Mr. Clyman is a playwright of considerable merit and much talent. Secret Order is a stimulating reminder of the power of theater.’ - Dan’s Papers
‘ … fast moving and exciting play … the edge-of-your set outcome is as forceful as it is unexpected’ - The Epoch Times
‘Perceptive and knowing … ingenious plotting and dialogue … a gripping medical drama … takes an endlessly fascinating issue – the ongoing search for a cancer cure – and brilliiantly uses it as a MacGuffin to propel his twisting, turning drama forward.' - Times Square
THE ALLEY THEATRE
'… a smart, tightly constructed and surprisingly humorous play … As a playwright, Clyman seldom puts a foot wrong. The plotting is tight and involving. The dialogue is smart, punchy, full of meaningful observation and wry humor. It always sounds right — true to the characters he is developing.' – The Houston Chronicle click for full review
‘Spotlight on … Snappy Dialogue Speaks to Audience in Secret Order … Bob Clyman has filled Secret Order with the sort of snappy talk that makes you think: a) I wish I could express myself so felicitously; and b) I’m glad I’m at the theater tonight.’ –feature article in The Houston Chronicle click for full article
'All four of the characters shape a terrifically tight plot ... a high-stakes world that will keep you on the edge of your seat. — The Houston Press click for full review
LAGUNA PLAYHOUSE
‘… provocative … compellingly sharp tongued ... deftly structured’ - Los Angeles Times
‘ … engaging … crisp and frequently funny …’ – Talkin’ Broadway ‘… remarkable drama … fascinating … moving, intellectual yet accessible, funny yet deadly serious.’ - Entertainment Today
‘… immediately plunges us into the story and never relents.’ – Backstage West
‘an outstanding play … provides a profound exploration of a searing dilemma.’ – Orange County Sun
REPERTORY THEATRE OF ST. LOUIS
'… a burst of heady theatrical pleasure, courtesy of playwright Bob Clyman and his drama "Secret Order" … brainy, taut and psychologically complex …Clyman crafts the dialogue so subtly - - that it's impossible to label anyone as good or bad, honest or dishonest. They're both.' - St. Louis Post-Dispatch click for full review
Clyman’s plot moves at a brisk clip, and the dialogue, especially for Pine’s tremendously entertaining Dr. Brock, keeps things lively throughout.’ - The New Yorker
‘The playwright tackles some provocative territory with style and wit while crafting a timely tale about cancer research… the thought provoking play demonstrates Mr. Clyman is a playwright of considerable merit and much talent. Secret Order is a stimulating reminder of the power of theater.’ - Dan’s Papers
‘ … fast moving and exciting play … the edge-of-your set outcome is as forceful as it is unexpected’ - The Epoch Times
‘Perceptive and knowing … ingenious plotting and dialogue … a gripping medical drama … takes an endlessly fascinating issue – the ongoing search for a cancer cure – and brilliiantly uses it as a MacGuffin to propel his twisting, turning drama forward.' - Times Square
THE ALLEY THEATRE
'… a smart, tightly constructed and surprisingly humorous play … As a playwright, Clyman seldom puts a foot wrong. The plotting is tight and involving. The dialogue is smart, punchy, full of meaningful observation and wry humor. It always sounds right — true to the characters he is developing.' – The Houston Chronicle click for full review
‘Spotlight on … Snappy Dialogue Speaks to Audience in Secret Order … Bob Clyman has filled Secret Order with the sort of snappy talk that makes you think: a) I wish I could express myself so felicitously; and b) I’m glad I’m at the theater tonight.’ –feature article in The Houston Chronicle click for full article
'All four of the characters shape a terrifically tight plot ... a high-stakes world that will keep you on the edge of your seat. — The Houston Press click for full review
LAGUNA PLAYHOUSE
‘… provocative … compellingly sharp tongued ... deftly structured’ - Los Angeles Times
‘ … engaging … crisp and frequently funny …’ – Talkin’ Broadway ‘… remarkable drama … fascinating … moving, intellectual yet accessible, funny yet deadly serious.’ - Entertainment Today
‘… immediately plunges us into the story and never relents.’ – Backstage West
‘an outstanding play … provides a profound exploration of a searing dilemma.’ – Orange County Sun
REPERTORY THEATRE OF ST. LOUIS
'… a burst of heady theatrical pleasure, courtesy of playwright Bob Clyman and his drama "Secret Order" … brainy, taut and psychologically complex …Clyman crafts the dialogue so subtly - - that it's impossible to label anyone as good or bad, honest or dishonest. They're both.' - St. Louis Post-Dispatch click for full review
'... filled with keen observations on the ways in which ambitious people can deceive themselves and others without ever consciously intending to do so ... a deep understanding here of the malleability of human memory … All this is wrapped up in dialog that sizzles with intelligence and energy. … an enthralling and timely seriocomic examination of the conflict between the objective discipline of science and the subjective world of the minds that practice it. … belongs on the "must see" list of anyone looking for an evening at the theatre that will give them plenty to discuss over drinks afterwards and ponder for some time after that.' - KDHX
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Richmond Hoxie in Secret Order
'… significant, exciting theatre … the competitive, complicated and vital world of medical research to cure cancer is displayed in bitingly hman terms.’ -- KMOX
'… brilliant and compelling ...' – stlouis.broadwayworld.com
MERRIMACK REPERTORY THEATRE
'… theatre of the highest order … a first-rate work of substance that is not afraid to turn over some pretty big rocks and examine what lies beneath … doesn’t let go until the last word is spoken … the dialogue is crisp and clear.' - Broadwayworld.com
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‘… sparkles with sophisticated wit and life … It’s a rare experience to see a play that’s so sophisticated, deals with profound issues, and yet is humorous and thoroughly engaging all at the same time …’ - Metro North
‘… absorbing drama …’ – Boston Globe
‘… a smart play about such big ideas as ethics, power and ambition … a fascinating medical drama … not only gripping as a story, but includes funny and heartfelt moments … This play does what many great plays do. It makes you think.’ - The Metro North
'… brilliant and compelling ...' – stlouis.broadwayworld.com
MERRIMACK REPERTORY THEATRE
'… theatre of the highest order … a first-rate work of substance that is not afraid to turn over some pretty big rocks and examine what lies beneath … doesn’t let go until the last word is spoken … the dialogue is crisp and clear.' - Broadwayworld.com
click for full review
‘… sparkles with sophisticated wit and life … It’s a rare experience to see a play that’s so sophisticated, deals with profound issues, and yet is humorous and thoroughly engaging all at the same time …’ - Metro North
‘… absorbing drama …’ – Boston Globe
‘… a smart play about such big ideas as ethics, power and ambition … a fascinating medical drama … not only gripping as a story, but includes funny and heartfelt moments … This play does what many great plays do. It makes you think.’ - The Metro North
Geoff Pierson and Davis Duffield
‘… a smart play about such big ideas as ethics, power and ambition … a fascinating medical drama … not only gripping as a story, but includes funny and heartfelt moments … This play does what many great plays do. It makes you think.’ - The Eagle-Tribune
SAN JOSE REPERTORY THEATRE
‘Clyman mines the material to create a taut, crisp and appealingly cynical drama that explores moral ambiguity … has wit and insight … his ability to present big ideas wrapped in entertaining dialogue makes for a good night of theatre.’ - The Mercury News
click for full review
SAN JOSE REPERTORY THEATRE
‘Clyman mines the material to create a taut, crisp and appealingly cynical drama that explores moral ambiguity … has wit and insight … his ability to present big ideas wrapped in entertaining dialogue makes for a good night of theatre.’ - The Mercury News
click for full review
‘ … rich with dramatic irony and well crafted dialogue: lines you can only wish you could have thought of or remembered for future use at the punchbowl.’ – San Francisco Baby Area Theatre Critics Circle
‘If you want drama so real it feels as if you are eavesdropping on people you know and have seen too many times before, don’t miss this amazing production now playing at San Jose Repertory Theatre. … a modern moral drama perfectly crafted … The veracity of this dialogue is unmistakable. There is not an artificial phrase, a false sequence in the speech of every character. … The audience is right there feeling the push of ambition, the heady excitement of discovery, and terrible loss that failure might bring …’ Lynnruthmiller.net
‘Clyman invents a brilliant behind-the scenes exploration of the business of science.’ - Broadway World
ENSEMBLE STUDIO THEATRE:
'… a very entertaining two hours thanks … much sparking dialogue … full of dazzling moments – New York Times
‘... A fast-paced, entertaining psychological drama’ – CurtainUp
THE KITCHEN THEATRE
' ... In Bob Clyman's arresting play, medical research is more than a full-contact sport; it's a Darwinian struggle for survival ... '
- Ithica Journal
'... One can't help but surrender to that emotional roller coaster hurtling at break-neck speed ... menacing lines, ominous portents and unbelievable twists worked quite brilliantly.'
- Cornell Daily Sun
'... What David Mamet did for real estate, Bob Clyman has done for cancer research ... ' - Syracuse New Times
‘If you want drama so real it feels as if you are eavesdropping on people you know and have seen too many times before, don’t miss this amazing production now playing at San Jose Repertory Theatre. … a modern moral drama perfectly crafted … The veracity of this dialogue is unmistakable. There is not an artificial phrase, a false sequence in the speech of every character. … The audience is right there feeling the push of ambition, the heady excitement of discovery, and terrible loss that failure might bring …’ Lynnruthmiller.net
‘Clyman invents a brilliant behind-the scenes exploration of the business of science.’ - Broadway World
ENSEMBLE STUDIO THEATRE:
'… a very entertaining two hours thanks … much sparking dialogue … full of dazzling moments – New York Times
‘... A fast-paced, entertaining psychological drama’ – CurtainUp
THE KITCHEN THEATRE
' ... In Bob Clyman's arresting play, medical research is more than a full-contact sport; it's a Darwinian struggle for survival ... '
- Ithica Journal
'... One can't help but surrender to that emotional roller coaster hurtling at break-neck speed ... menacing lines, ominous portents and unbelievable twists worked quite brilliantly.'
- Cornell Daily Sun
'... What David Mamet did for real estate, Bob Clyman has done for cancer research ... ' - Syracuse New Times
THE KAVINOKY THEATRE
‘… witty, fast-paced and incisive … every word is a potential minefield … Clyman’s script crackles with humor and intelligence.
-The Buffalo News click for full review
ACTORS THEATRE OF PHOENIX
' ... an invigorating, intelligent drama about the ethical dilemmas involved in the highly competitive world of medical research. … Secret Order makes its erudite subject matter both accessible and compelling … a taut, stimulating evening of superb theater … delightful humor everywhere in Clyman's superior dialog. … a palpable, mounting tension … By evening's end Secret Order's tragedy is almost Ibsen-like in intensity … makes for truly great theater. This is a first rate, compelling, ironic tragic comedy - The Gilbert Theatre Examiner
'… a fascinating new play … fantastically engaging and thought provoking.'
- Curtain Up Phoenix
‘… a very interesting and entertaining play that makes you feel like you are right in the lab with the scientists. I highly recommend seeing it!’ – Downtown Phoenix Journal
‘… witty, fast-paced and incisive … every word is a potential minefield … Clyman’s script crackles with humor and intelligence.
-The Buffalo News click for full review
ACTORS THEATRE OF PHOENIX
' ... an invigorating, intelligent drama about the ethical dilemmas involved in the highly competitive world of medical research. … Secret Order makes its erudite subject matter both accessible and compelling … a taut, stimulating evening of superb theater … delightful humor everywhere in Clyman's superior dialog. … a palpable, mounting tension … By evening's end Secret Order's tragedy is almost Ibsen-like in intensity … makes for truly great theater. This is a first rate, compelling, ironic tragic comedy - The Gilbert Theatre Examiner
'… a fascinating new play … fantastically engaging and thought provoking.'
- Curtain Up Phoenix
‘… a very interesting and entertaining play that makes you feel like you are right in the lab with the scientists. I highly recommend seeing it!’ – Downtown Phoenix Journal
