Performer

Like many African-American vocalists, Jimmer Bolden started singing in church – but not until he was 30! He then began singing jazz in nightclubs in DC with the James Horowitz Trio. Jimmer has since appeared regularly at jazz venues in Aspen, San Diego, and in Los Angeles where he is based. He has made multiple appearances at Jazz Aspen Snowmass and its sister festival, Jazz in Marciac, France, and was invited to perform at the 1st Annual Sonoma Jazz Plus. Jimmer has two jazz recordings to his credit (The Hippest Cat in Hollywood and I’m Glad I Thought About You), along with a recording of inspirational music (Leap of Faith).

Jimmer ventured into the musical theater world and has performed in several productions with major regional theater companies in San Diego and Los Angeles, including as Booker T. Washington in three productions of Ragtime, The Musical, and as the voice of Audrey II, the man eating plant in Little Shop of Horrors. His latest pursuits have led to him appearing in several TV and internet commercials, and as the soloist with the 150-voice Angel City Chorale on their “Golden Buzzer” performance on America’s Got Talent in 2018. www.jimmerjazz.com

“Geoff Davis’s story really resonated with me because I am drawn to the stories of redemption of everyday people. I have my own story with addiction, and although I did not descend to the same depths, I also “ran from myself” – and like Geoff, I never gave up. He could have easily given up on himself and simply faded away, but instead he faced his fears and his past and became a marvelous example for those in despair and a great contributor to his community. I am in awe of the way that despite considerable medical problems, he’s continued to do so – now, that’s a real hero. Geoff’s story is so compelling and I am grateful for the opportunity to help share it.”

Book and Dramaturgy

Doug’s first play, a college comedy called, HELLO, THIS IS THE BOTTOM DRAWER, opened in Los Angeles in 1980 and was a surprise—award-winning—hit, garnering the attention of Miss Audrey Wood in New York. She subsequently signed him to her stable of playwrights at ICM. The Los Angeles Herald Examiner dubbed him, “… the Frank Capra of the ‘Me’ Generation.”

Doug was commissioned by Access Theatre of Santa Barbara to write the libretto for a musical fantasy that incorporates sign language into and throughout the story; THE LEGEND OF THE CRYSTAL WATERS toured the South/West and garnered Haverty a playwriting award at the American Deaf Drama Festival.

A new musical (co-written with Adryan Russ) developed at The Lehman Engel Musical Theatre Workshop — NMI — was produced and scheduled for five week run at the Group Rep, but it was so popular that it ran five months, was picked up regionally and eventually opened Off Broadway at The Cherry Lane Theatre. That musical, INSIDE OUT, (about five women in group therapy), has enjoyed productions all over the world for many years. The New York Times said, “A bright, witty and wise musical about the way we live now … A smart, spunky musical. Characters seem like real people, even when they sing and dance.” Most recently, it was translated into Serbian. It opened in Belgrade in October 2018 and was very successful and ran continuously until the worldwide pandemic shutdown all theater in March 2020.

Doug also wrote the libretto for another musical commissioned by Access Theatre which opened in November of 1991, FLAVIA AND THE DREAM MAKER. This family musical is based on the popular author/poet/painter’s autobiography (with songs by Shelley Markham and Bob Garrett). Published by The Dramatic Publishing Company.

Also co-written with Adrayn Russ, iGHOST is inspired by Oscar Wilde’s “The Canterville Ghost.” This musical is contemporary spin on the classic tale and compares and contrasts the similarities between ghosts and Bluetooth, wireless wizardry. World premiered in May 2011 at The Lyric Theatre.

In 2012, Doug was commissioned to write the book (and some lyrics) for a new musical called THE GHOST OF GERSHWIN with all new music by Wayland Pickard written in the style of George & Ira Gershwin. This opened at The Group Rep in May 2014 and played to nearly sold-out houses for seven weeks making it their highest-grossing, most attended production.

Developed under the guidance of the late Betty Garrett, Doug’s musical LOVE AGAIN (again co-written with Adryan Russ) was developed at Theatre West and at The Group Rep and opened in May 2015, directed by A CHORUS LINE original cast member, Kay Cole.

His female-centric, contemporary spin of “A Christmas Carol” called A CAROL CHRISTMAS (written with Bruce Kimmel) opened at The Group Rep and has just been published by StageRights.

Haverty’s many straight plays have also met with success, most notably, COULD I HAVE THIS DANCE, which was selected by the American Theatre Critics’ Association as the Best New Play of 1991 (produced outside of New York City) and was subsequently included in the Otis-Gurnsey Best Plays of 1991-92. Other regional successes include: IN MY MIND’S EYE, DEATH DEFYING ACTS, AFTERSHOCKS, and NEXT WINDOW PLEASE.

Doug co-moderates the Writers Workshop at Theatre West while concurrently serving as the Artistic Director of 48 year-old Group Rep.

“I loved meeting and experiencing Geoff, I loved collaborating with James A. Goins and I am now a huge fan of Jimmer Bolden. This was a lovely and rewarding experience. I am honored to help in the telling of this tale and the helping to illustrate the wonder of this man.”