A New Play…All About Somerville!

[ron_newman]

[I received this post as a moderator of Somerville Voices and decided that people here would also be interested in it. I am a bit surprised that the play will be performed at First Church, since I thought it no longer had a usable stage.]

An elected official is accused of sexually assaulting teen-aged boys in his home while his wife is at work. Warring restaurant owners may come face to face in court as tempers flare. A young girl realizes “cutting,” is not the answer. And a mayor tries to hold it all together, as racism, teeming hatred and long buried secrets, boil beneath the surface of gentrification, threatening to erupt at any moment. Where? Somerville, Massachuestts, of course. The city that has it all!

Come see the play all your friends will be talking about:
WELCOME TO SOMERVILLE: Permit Parking Only

Friday and Saturday, Nov. 19-20, 7:00pm. First Church Somerville UCC, 89 College Avenue, Somerville, MA 02144. All seats- $15.00. Who knows, you may see someone you know.

For more information, or to purchase tickets, please visit http://www.playsbyshea.com

Comments

[spatch]

First Church doesn't have a stage anymore, but the basement still has enough space that shows can be performed in 3/4 round. Heck, Theatre@First once performed up in the sanctuary and held readings in the upstairs parlor, so I guess anything's possible.

EDIT: The website mentions it will be "concert-style", which sounds like a staged reading.

[ron_newman]

On this page the playwright says: "This play has 17, yes SEVEN-TEEN characters, which I know will never be produced, but it was a hell of a good time writing it. It actually includes the entire text of 'Aberdeen', so when I break it up into two plays, it will only have 10 charcaters...you know, another easy one to get produced!"

[spatch]

Hopefully they're doubling or tripling up on roles, then.

[gruene.livejournal.com]

Perfect for a High School drama!

Seriously, the problem with school plays is that there are usually more people interested than there are interesting roles to give them. Plays with dozens of characters are perfect for them.

High School Drama

[johnny-wingtips.livejournal.com]

I would like to think what I write could be performed in a high school, but the script contains some harsh language, profanity, and some off stage violence that would probably not be suitable to be performed in a high school, though, yes, a large cast like this would be ideal. unfortunately, it woiuld never pass the administrators and school officials. But I lke the way you think and I wish there was more accessible non-musical plays for large drama groups.

[ron_newman]

I heard back from the playwright about this. He told me that the reading will occur in the cafeteria (the Duhamel room).

"Concert Style Reading."

[johnny-wingtips.livejournal.com]

Thanks for your post. What I am presenting is not a staged reading in the true sense. A staged reading consists of some blocking, maybe suggestive set pieces, slight lighting design and yes, script in hand. A cold reading, or rehearsed reading, requires a narrator to read stage directions and no props, light design or sound cues. I am somewhere in the middle...script in hand, at music stands, some minor costuming, a few sound cues, as few props as possible and no lighting design. So, I opted for the somewhat more formal sounding, "concert style...' Also, there will be no doubling, it's impossible with the structure of the script, so I will have 17 actors, (what the hell was I THINKING?) It will be tight, but it is a good space for this particular reading (and cheaper than the beautiful sanctuary...which I'd be nervous about having performers in...Catholic guilt, maybe? Hmmmmmm.) Thanks for reading. John Shea

Re: "Concert Style Reading."

[ron_newman]

Since you have not yet finished casting, are you planning to hold an audition?

Re: "Concert Style Reading."

[johnny-wingtips.livejournal.com]

I have already cast 9 of the 17...more than halfway! I am waiting to hear from a few more people, but it looks like I will need male readers, 40 and over (maybe two or three.) If you know anybody off the top of your head, let me know...

[oneagain.livejournal.com]

Is there a FB event for this?

[ron_newman]

I have no idea. You'll have to ask the playwright, John Shea. His e-mail address is page2stage@hotmail.com .