Diane Uniman is a Phi Beta Kappa graduate of The University of Pennsylvania, writer and criminal justice appeals attorney.
Diane wrote the book and lyrics for the romantic musical comedy TINK! with composer Kevin M. Cotter. Selections from TINK! were performed at “Broadway's Future Songbook Series” - presented by Arts and Artists at St. Paul, directed by John Znidarsic at The New York Public Library for The Performing Arts, Bruno Walter Auditorium, Lincoln Center. TINK! songs directed by Julie Kramer, who directed and adapted “The Best of Everything” (New York Times Critics' Pick) at HERE. Sung by Alicia Sable (“Alpha House” with John Goodman; “Gypsy” with Patti LuPone). Musical director Karl Michael Johnson.
TINK! songs so delighted the producers of this series, the Cotter/Uniman team was commissioned to write an original holiday song for Broadway’s Future @ Lincoln Center “Holiday Songbook,” a concert of holiday music by Broadway composers and lyricists, sung by Broadway vocalists, performed at the Bruno Walter Auditorium, Lincoln Center. Their song, “Holiday Thrills,” was directed by Julie Kramer, sung by Alicia Sable, Musical direction and arrangement by Karl Michael Johnson. Chorus by Metropolitones.
A short concert version of TINK! was performed at Cornelia Street Café theater as part of New George Trunk Show, directed by Julie Kramer, musical direction Karl Michael Jonson. It was so well received, Cornelia Street immediately asked the writers to mount a longer concert version, which was performed in front of a sold out crowd. Director Julie Kramer, musical director Karl Michael Johnson. Tink (Alicia Sable); Hook (Tim Cusak); Margaret (Lindsey Spohler).
A Workshop Production for TINK! was directed by Michael Bobbitt at ADVENTURE THEATRE, MD, 2009.
TINK! won The Indie Gathering - BEST MUSICAL FEATURE; Gloria International Film Festival - BEST SCREENPLAY; The Garden State International Film Festival - BEST MUSIC IN A HOMEGROWN FEATURE; Moondance International Film Festival – WINNER BEST KID’S LIBRETTO; Queens International Film Festival OFFICIAL SELECTION; Beverly Hills International Film Festival - NOMINATION GOLDEN PALM AWARD FOR BEST SCREENPLAY; Buffalo/Niagara International Film Festival - FINALIST BEST SCREENPLAY; Reelheart Toronto International Film festival – NOMINATION BEST SCREENPLAY; Barebones International Film Festival – NOMINATION BEST SCREENPLAY; Action On International Film Festival - NOMINATION BEST SCREENPLAY; Wild Sound International Film Festival – FINALIST BEST SCREENPLAY; Buffalo/Niagara International Film Festival - FINALIST BEST SCORE.
Diane’s screenplay, PYRAMID SCHEME (score by Kevin M. Cotter) won Beverly Hills International Film Festival BEST COMEDY AND FIRST RUNNER UP GOLDEN PALM AWARD FOR BEST SCREENPLAY; Indie Gathering – BEST SCREENPLAY COMEDY; Pocono Mountain International Film Festival – BEST COMEDY AND FIRST RUNNER UP BEST SCREENPLAY; Action On International Film Festival – NOMINATION BEST COMEDY SCENE; Boston International Film Festival – NOMINATION BEST SCREENPLAY; Buffalo/Niagara International Film festival – FINALIST BEST SCREENPLAY; Gloria International Film Festival – NOMINATION BEST SCREENPLAY; Filmakers.Com International Film Awards - FINALIST; Queens International Film Festival – OFFICIAL SELECTION BEST SCREENPLAY; Beaufort International Film Festival – FINALIST BEST SCREENPLAY; Moondance International Film Festival – FINALIST BEST FILM SCORE; Wild Sound nomination – FINALIST.
Diane’s screenplay ADMISSION IMPOSSIBLE, written with Marla Cukor, won LA Film and Script Festival BEST COMEDY SCRIPT; Hollywood Screenplay Contest – FINALIST BEST COMEDY SCRIPT; Beverly Hills International Film Festival OFFICIAL SELECTION; Barebones International Film Festival - OFFICIAL SELECTION.
Her short dramatic stage play “FIREWORKS” won Moondance International Film Festival BEST DRAMATIC STAGE PLAY; was a WINNING SELECTION at “Westplay Dream Tree Playwright’s Project” produced at Westbeth Community Center Theater; and WINNING SELECTION for original reading at The Legacy Playwrights’ Festival, The Producer’s Club, New York City.
Diane is published with Warner/Chappell Music with rock star Glen Burtnik of Styx. Her poetry won the tri-state New Jersey Dramatists’ award, Honorable Mention in The Writer’s Place poetry competition, and she was a featured poet at The Painted Bride Poetry Festival. She is also an opera singer who sang with The New Jersey State Opera Chorus. |