The Corpse Bride is produced, adapted, and directed by Mike Sears and stars Kelly Eubanks, Amir Khastoo, Juan Manzo, Sandra Ruiz, and Lisa Berger. Jason Johnson wrote and performed the musical accompaniment. It's a terrifying old story of a poor farmer off to be wed to a beauty when he playfully practices his vows to a tree and puts the ring on a small branch. Alas and alack, he has just wed a long dead corpse. Sears' adaptation is a delight. The cast bemasked, delightfully costumed takes us a matrimonial trip with gusto and occasional song backed up by Johnson's accordion. What fun! Now we wait three months to see what Tim Burton does with his animated version starring Johnny Depp.
Remote is produced by Jonathan and Julie Sachs (who also star in it) and is directed by playwright George Soete. It is a God-given right and obligation that man shall rule the remote. To think otherwise is sacrilegious. Yet Julie Sachs (Woman) thinks otherwise. Bah! Humbug! Jonathan Sachs (Man) knows the rules, arrives home first and rules. What transpires after Woman comes homes is one of the funniest little bits to come along in quite a while. The end, though, is an excellent reason why Remote stars a married couple. There are even better diversions than absolute control of the remote.
The Glittering Gate is produced by Francis Thumm, written by Lord Dunsany in 1909, and directed by Bret Young. It stars Francis Thumm and Mark Petrich. Two former burglars are at the gates of Heaven floundering. One does, however, bring a tool to pry the golden obstruction open. They discover a little of themselves and the mystery of heaven. Thumm and Petrich are a delight.
The End of the World Cafe is produced by playwright Leslie Ridgeway and directed by Angela D. Miller. The cast includes George Blum, Volt Francisco, Holden Moll, Toni Perkins, and Leslie Ridgeway. What would you do if an airplane hit a nearby nuclear power plant, fracturing the protective container? According to the playwright, an AA member will fall off the wagon, a vegan will eat meat, at dieter will scarf down chocolate cake and ice cream, and a reformed smoker would have a last cigarette or two. Oh, and just maybe, compatibility being what it would be, the young male vegan would be seduced by the older female former smoker. It's only natural that the gin swiller and dieter will have a bit of a fling behind the counter of the cafe. What a romp. Fun by one and all on the last day of their lives.
Hello and Goodbye is produced and directed by playwright James Anthony Ellis and stars Dave Park (Man), Lori Pennington (Woman) and Julie Sachs (Hot Babe). It is the evening's One-Page Play. Ellis was limited to just the words of the title. A definite challenge ably met by this cast. Man is on the beach working in his notebook when Woman tries to distract him. She succeeds only to have the Hot Babe enter the scene. Maybe 'tis true that blonds have more fun.
Correct Address is produced and directed by Erin Cronican and is written by Judd Lear Silverman. It stars Matt Schott (Adam) and Joey Landwehr (Jeff). Jeff dies of AIDS, Adam is left with shipping off his partner's memorabilia to a mother that blames her son's death on him. We could see the pain and hurt on both of them. Jeff is always on his mind; Adam just can't let go. This is an extremely sensitive selection. Many of us have dealt with the death of a loved one, but when you are young it is much, much harder. The audience felt the reality of the situation. A perfect collaboration between actors and director.
