Gale Baker Titles
Above - some brief samples of plays and musicals by Gale
During the Covid-19 health crisis, Gale shared her books to readers for free. Her books and plays are now back on the market. Email neondesert1@outlook.com with title and ISBN number for more information.
BEWARE!!!!! Do Not attempt to purchase or download ebooks from the www.ebookmall.com publishing site. There are complaints against this entity and it is possible that it has turned into a phishing site.
Neon Queens: Hard copies are out of print. A few first edition second hand books are available at Amazon.com. Biographical - A perspective of the 20th Century Showgirll from Gale Baker, who liived and worked in las Vegas. It presents a funny and sometimes poignant look into the lives of Las Vegas Showgirls in their own words—with photos. ISBN: 158909-082-9 Neon Queens is out of print. A PDF copy may be obtained through neondesertpublishing@gmail.com.
Ginny & The Hobos: Adventure- Murder Follows Young Ginny Troost as she rides the rails to escape a battered life and help save a friend. ISBN: 158909-111-6
A Crush On You: Romance/Adventure – A chance meeting on an airplane plunges aging jazz star Velma Mason into a whirlwind romance with a younger man and a dangerous adventure. ISBN: 158909-113-2
The Biggest Business: Science Fiction - Somewhere in the universe is an intelligence that finds the human body of earthlings very valuable, and they have found the essence to make it invaluable... ISBN: 158909-108-6
Rough Ride to Hell: Fiction - Aging Mafia Boss & a Black Hillbilly form an unlikely alliance to survive. ISBN 158909-110-8
Lady In Distress: Fiction - US First Lady Ellen Hawkins and first women of the world are kidnapped in a mad plot to thwart their husbands’ war on drugs. ISBN: 158909-118-3
They Own The Night: Adventure - John Caldwell attends a reunion of WWII vets in the Philippines. A devastating hotel fire uncovers corruption and leads to murder. ISBN: 158909-109-4
Reflections in the Verse of Life: A collection of Gale’s Early (age 10-35) Poetry ISBN: 158909-119-1
I’m No Expert - But: One hundred questions are presented in workbook form to the reader who may feel his or her relationship is faltering. The questions help the reader analyze the relationship from their own perspective and expectations as a first step toward relationship counseling. ISBN: 158909-112-4
I Saw a Cloud: A children’s book of imaginings. (c) 2002
Desert Blooms: Adventure - Monikered “The Desert Blooms” by their FBI handler, Pepper, Hyacinth, Jasmine, Iris and Lily, each with her own specific individual talent, fight to thwart terrorism and mayhem in Las Vegas. ISBN: 158909-119-11
FLIGHT PATHS: Four short adventures about people who are willing to risk it all for something they believe in. FREE FLIGHT - A young Air Force Mechanic makes a high ride in a trainer jet without permission to prove a point. WATT’S UP - A Black Woman Astronaut becomes a hero and a victim in the same week. BLACK BESSIE – and her flight from slavery to become a fearsome gun fighter while struggling with faith. THE SOCIAL SECURITY GANG – White haired wisdom wins over aging and obsolescence when a group of elderly friends pull off an unbelievable heist. (c) 1987-2000-2001
Gale Baker’s New Plays [written during the pandemic] What else was there to do?
For information on licensing Gale Baker plays and musicals, contact: neondesert1@outlook.com
Eenie Meenie Miney Murder [Eight characters: 4 men, 4 women, or 5 women, 3 men] A murderous caper set in a kindergarten classroom after the bell rings. A Kindergarten teacher is playing with fire by having an affair with a dapper supply salesman who is scamming the school. The school bookkeeper is in on his scheme, while a football coach is carrying a torch for his teenage sweetheart too long. The first-grade teacher is a busy body and the principal is possisbly in financial trouble. The janitor is always hungry and a little slow on the uptake but always makes sure his story is complete. No one seems to want to identify the victim who is found under the desk with only his shoes showing.
The Real Housewives of the HOA [Nine Characters: 3 Men, 6 Women] At a 55+ community, ambitious HOA President Joy Williams who is worried about HOA fees has the bright idea of producing a series for YouTube called “The Real Housewives Review.” The idea is to have a monthly gab fest of women from the HOA to discuss local businesses and give their stamps of approval on the ones they like the best; and of course, to solicit sponsorships from those businesses. She recruits her nephew Harvey, the wedding photographer, to video the series. But it all falls apart during the hunt for the perfect cast.
Murder at 11: [Seven Characters: 4 men, 3 women] A comedy murder mystery set in a newsroom before and after the eleven o’clock news. The cast and crew throw in absurd commercials and a ditsy weather girl to cover time when an anchor drops dead on the set. Then a by the book detective investigates the murder that was impossible to commit.
Intermission: A Two Act [Seven Characters: 4 women 3 men] Comedy Murder Mystery. It is the longest intermission in history when by the book Sergeant Haley handles the case where two aging actresses, a leading man, the stage manager, an ingénue and her understudy become suspects when the director is killed on opening night of a new play.
Made Maids: A two act [Five Characters: 3 women 2 men] Comedy Mystery. Three women with secrets are thrust together working in a small flower shop & motel in the mid west. These three strangers find common ground and survive plots by a crooked U.S. Marshal to do away with all of them. Made Maids premiered at the Treasure Coast Theatre on October 18, 2024.
Libby and the Would Be King: Two Characters: 1 white female, 1 black male] This two character play confronts prejudice and communication when a disillusioned woman writer who has just won an Oscar meets a mysterious black man on a supposedly abandoned cabin cruiser. Our leading lady must decide if the stranger is who he says, or perhaps a criminal looking for an escape. The play is filled with pathos, humor and finally understanding. Sadly, the friendship forged between the two strangers ends in tragedy.
Gale’s Tried and True Plays & Musicals
Waterin' Hole: [8 Characters - 2 are musicians.] A visit to a local Nashville Saloon on a Labor Day weekend with hilarious and poignant moments among the customers including Horace Earl the local car salesman and Hazel his long suffering dieting wife, Loretta the local gal who went to Hollywood and struggles with addiction, Wanda the hairdresser who fended off suitors while touring with Dolly Parton, Croc the guitar man who longs for country stardom but knows he is just a troubadour playing for tips, bar owner Dixie still dreaming of a dead piano player named Carl (the ghost) who interacts with the audience, and her son Willie who wants to be anywhere but at the bar serving pickled pig feet and designer beer. Winner of Three Dramalogue Awards for writing, direction and musical direction. A down home country musical with an ensemble of 8 singers, dancers and musicians whose lives are as screwed up as the ghost who plays in the bar at night. CD accompaniments available. "Funky, Ghostly, knee slapping musical. You can hate country western and still admire the work." LA TIMES; "A happy show with meat on its bones." DRAMA-LOGUE - LA; "Able handed writing, creating a varied mix of styles." VARIETY; "sentimental, spunky, good-hearted and nostalgic... I went out singing." LA WEEKLY TRAX AVAILABLE
Pin Curls: [4 women and 1 male.] This three Act transitional comedy is set in the 1940’s when men went off to war and women stayed home. Or did they? Licensing according to venue & number of performances. "One beauty of a show." TREASURE COAST NEWS, "That's a good writer." LA TIMES
207—My Own Space: Healing comes in this 5 character play [1 male who doubles and 3 females] about protagonist Ruth Madison and her desire to move out of the home she now shares with her daughter and grandchildren and into her cemetery plot. "A Mother's Day Treat..Baker is a wordsmith who uses her talents to make us think compassionately about our own space to others, especially the elderly." THE LINK - CHERAW SC
Intimate Space - The Last Frontier: Set in a basement or hell? A two act play set in a basement workout room during an explosion, leaving the [3 male and 3 female cast of characters] to come to grips with their ability to cope with others and the fact that they may be the last people on earth. Is it really a basement, or is it hell? That is what they must find out when the lights go out and secrets are revealed. All must find a way to walk into the daylight of an atomic age. "After the first mesmerizing 10 minutes, what follows is even more mesmerizing." LA TIMES "The inner mind vaster, wilder and infinitely more dangerous than outer space." LA BREA NEWS
Love Killers: Two act, [six character- three women and three men] play set in the backwoods of Tennessee where a generation of secrets and lies prevent a talented artist from realizing his dream. "The Elders are anything but dull." VARIETY, "Sins and redemption like spices in a stew." LA WEEKLY
Velma & Jessie: 5 characters [2 males & 3 females] This two act play is about redemption and healing when two sisters come together after the death of their father (who just won’t leave). "Instead of reaching for laughs, this play reaches for understanding and is funnier and the more human for it." BEVERLY PRESS - PARK LA BREA NEWS
Punching Judy: [four principals and 6 chorus with special business] This musical, using puppets for some of the characters, looks at both sides of domestic abuse. Johnny and Judy grew up together but life turned Johnny’s love into obsession and abuse. Judy’s female friends encourage her to be more independent. When they drag her along on a girl’s night out, she becomes the life of the party. Jealous Johnny compares her to a prostitute, but the gals come to her defense, and that of all women with hardships. Johnny’s bitter cry for understanding is juxtaposed with Judy’s cry of desperation. When she has a chance meeting with a stranger in a café; she finds a new perspective that she can take into her new determination to become free from abuse "Thank you for this in depth statement about Domestic Violence and its causes from both sides of the story." CHESTERFIELD COUNTY COORDINATING COUNCIL - TRAX AVAILABLE
Canteen: Musical: [Cast of 16 musical comedy performers-some who double] Cory and Libby are whiz kids of the 80’s and highly successful business partners who are made for each other, but seem to be living in different dimensions. Cory’s poker playing mom, Milly tries to play matchmaker by any means possible. Meanwhile, Charlie a WWII veteran is in charge of guarding the old Hollywood Canteen property. Hard-nosed Cory doesn’t soften until he is magically transported back in time to a different world and an American spirit he never knew existed. When the Whiz Kids buy the property and Cory plans to tear it down, Charlie and the street people he protects protest. An unexpected blast transports Charlie and Cory back to 1944 and the Canteen, where Cory learns about a lot about himself, and about his mom’s lost love. P.S. It was Charlie. TRAX AVAILABLE
Murder at the Café Chat Noir: [Six Principals- 9 Chorus who double and have special business.] Set in prewar Paris, Café owner Marcel waters down the wine to keep the place open, while Mimi the aging chanteuse fights for her place in the spotlight and Lysette the up and comer dreams of New York. Pierre the philanderer (and his doppelganger) is engaged to kleptomaniac Coco the dance captain while courting others including Marcel. Shady Inspector Gerard tries to pin down Andre “Chat Noir” (Black Cat) and collect his graft from Marcel, as the Ugly American Upton on a mission from the White House and his counterpart Arbetrois who is in the service of the Queen work with patrons, entertainers and inept law enforcement trying to solve a murder and expose a Nazi Plot. And of course, there is a can-can. TRAX AVAILABLE
Memorial: [five characters 2 males, three females] A new romantic musical about two old friends with secrets, and their meeting to plan the memorial for another friend who had the biggest secret of all. TRAX AVAILABLE
Gale’s REVUES:
Pharmaceutical - the Revusical: [seven musical comedy performers] presents an irreverent glance at our society and its ravenous appetite for prescription drugs; and for the drug companies that know how to push our buttons with product. TRAX AVAILABLE
LET THE GOOD TIMES ROLL with four entertainers bringing music, laughter and a Twist Contest
Gale's revues include Grande Olde Towne Opree, celebrating country music before country was cool, or Harvest Hootenanny taking the audience back to an era where patriotism began to meld with protests. Doo Wop Daze with great music from the fifties, "Forget the good ole days. Bring back the Doo-Wop Daze." CHERAW CHRONICLE
One Nite Only: [4 character revue, 1 male and 3 females] - Neon Desert Entertainment and its Performing Artists Group presents ONE NITE ONLY exploring the mind of award winning playwright and composer Gale Baker through some of her most popular songs and musicals. From Doo-Wop to Bee-Bop to C&W, audiences laugh, tap their feet, and occasionally share a hanky to her tunes.
20th Century Broadway at the Movies: The best of the Twentieth Century in its shows, movies, stars and comedy.
VIDEO - Not Home Yet: Seen below - A dramatic musical film about a veteran and his family dealing with PTSD. Free DVD available to all veterans. contact: neondesertpublishing@gmail.com
CONTACT NEONDESERTPUBLISHING@GMAIL.COM