actorcat
Rookie Author
Illinois
Posts:32
Points:32,550
Joined:May 2007
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Message Posted: May 24, 2008 12:13:17 PM
I actually traveled this past week (which I have been avoiding thanks to the price of gas).
I attended the Ohio University Playwright's Festival. I was only able to attend for one day, but I saw three shows debut in that time frame.
One was a very interesting premise about "reality" TV and turning the tables on that genre. It was titled "Gestalt" by David Mitchell Robinson. I could have used a bit more character development and the author needs to hone his skills at conversational writing (hard to listen to and the actors where having problems as well).
The second show was called "New York City 523" by Joseph Galio. Although Mr. Galio appears to be very accomplished (via his bio) the show was incredibly unoriginal, presenting a premise that had not only been done several times before, but done better. It's basically about a girl from the Midwest who wants to find a life and become a "New Yorker". Sadly the city is too much for her and it all ends in tragedy. Mr. Galio's character development is good and his words flow well and there is a sense of humor, but not enough to spark something new out of a terribly "familiar" story.
Finally the evening was saved by the final production titled " 'round here" by G. William Zorn. Mr. Zorn claims this to be a working title and I believe he is right in that, as the title doesn't do the show justice. It's basically about a young man who's life, unconstrained by the concept of time, comes full circle to the final point where He's knocking on the door of the house in which he is also dying from a heart attack in as a sixty some year old man. Without giving anything else away, I would suggest anyone who gets a chance to see this gentleman's work, do it! He's hilariously funny and his work just TOTALLY draws you in.
Even though the most expensive part of the trip was the gas, in this case it was worth it. Bravo to all the playwrites for braving their work in front of an audience and incredible kudos to Mr. Zorn. A talent I'm sure we will be hearing from in the very near future...
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