MARC ACITO wrote the book of the Broadway musical ALLEGIANCE, which New York Newsday called “ambitious,” recognizing its “well-structured book” and “fully developed characters.” The New York Observer hailed it for its “fresh, original ideas.” ALLEGIANCE also won Outstanding New Musical for its run at the Old Globe in San Diego, where it broke the all-time box-office record.
Acito made his directing debut in 2017 with the inaugural production of BASTARD JONES, for which he also provided the book and co-wrote the lyrics. The New York Times called the show “High-spirited…its nonjudgmental approach to sex and disability, and its brash desire to entertain, are winning” while Talkin’ Broadway said, “"Acito’s resourceful direction is the production’s strong suit…the impression is that of Nicholas Nickelby in miniature.”
In 2016, Acito had two world premieres, both catalogue musicals. CHASING RAINBOWS at Goodspeed Musicals uses music associated with Judy Garland in an innovative way to tell the story of Garland’s dramatic adolescence. And for Broadway Asia, Acito wrote IT’S A SECRET, using the music of Jay Chou, the “Chinese King of Pop” which will premiere in China (in Mandarin), directed by Tony Award-winning director John Rando.
Acito won the Helen Hayes Award for Best New Play with his comedy BIRDS OF A FEATHER at his artistic home, the Hub Theater in Fairfax, Virginia. BIRDS has been produced around the U.S. and in Japan. The Hub also debuted the one-man musical version of his first novel HOW I PAID FOR COLLEGE. The novel itself won the Ken Kesey Award for Fiction and was an Editors' Choice for The New York Times. Translated into five languages the author cannot read, it also inspired a sequel, ATTACK OF THE THEATER PEOPLE.
Acito also adapted Alan Jay Lerner’s script for PAINT YOUR WAGON at City Center Encores. Additionally, he wrote the book to A ROOM WITH A VIEW, which played at the Old Globe and the 5th Avenue Theatre in Seattle, which then commissioned DUTCH MASTER, about the most notorious art swindle of the 20th century.
Other projects in development include a new play about the relationship between Albert Einstein and Marian Anderson, part of a trilogy on science and ethics that includes a Sloan Foundation commission from Ensemble Studio Theater. Because the majority of his work now focuses on historical subjects, Acito is the head writer of Talking Statues, a project with the New York City Department of Parks and Recreation in which he’s created mobile monologues for statues of historical figures.
Acito began writing at 32, first with a humor column, The Gospel According to Marc, which ran in 20 gay newspapers around the country, earning him the title, “the gay Dave Barry.” For several years, 12 million listeners heard Marc’s commentaries on NPR’s All Things Considered. A contributor to Playbill, The New York Times and American Theatre, he has taught Story Structure to hundreds of writers of all mediums.
A proud member of the Dramatists Guild, MENSA and Weight Watchers, Acito lives in New York City with his husband, Floyd Sklaver, with whom he has “adopted” LaGuardia High School of Music & Art and Performing Arts as their heirs.
