Local companies to produce world premieres of one-act plays

The Pittsburgh New Works Festival is partnering with local theater companies to present the world premieres of one-act plays during the festivals’ 33rd season at the Genesius Theater on the campus of Duquesne University.

The season runs for five weekends, Aug. 22- Sept. 22, with performances on Thursday, Friday, and Saturday evenings at 8 pm and matinees at 2 pm on Saturdays and Sundays. Three new one-act plays will be presented during each of the five-weekend programs.

Program A – August 22-25

Program A leads off with Evie and Frannie Take a Detour, by Scott Gibson of Evergreen, Col., produced by Stray Cat Theatre Company and directed by Barbara Burgess-LeFebrvre. Evie and Frannie’s trip to the theater is interrupted when a prison escapee jumps into the back of their car. The cast includes Chelsea Kikel, Sarah Orbin, and Audrey Wells.

Next, in They Said, They Said, by Brenda Kenworthy of Garden Grove, Calif., parents are summoned to their temple to discuss their twin sons’ behavior at Hebrew school. Patrick Daniels directs for McKeesport Little Theater. The cast includes Nancy Caronia, Daniel Lamond, Alex Naglich, and Jess Uhler.

Finally, in I Do?, by F.J. Hartland of Johnstown, Pa., we are at a wedding venue, witnessing the interactions of the wedding party just before the ceremony. Produced by Glass Fox Productions and directed by Jackie Mishol, the cast includes Emma Baker, Todd Ballenger, Andy Coleman, Sarah Deasy, Michelle Gibson, Maddy Rice, Chris Russell, and Parker Stephens.

Program B – August 29 – September 1

Storm of the Century by Joe Carlisle of Croton on Hudson, NY
produced by Pittsburgh Savoyards

Once Upon a Human by Amy Tofte of Los Angeles, CA
produced by Red Masquers

Kindergrad by Deanna Sparrow of Slippery Rock, PA
produced by Heritage Players

Program C – September 5 – 8

Hip Replacement by Stephen LaRocque of Bethesda, MD
produced by Prime Stage Theatre

Past Tense by Robert Moulthrop of New York. NY
produced by The South Hills Players

Unexpected Baggage by Susan Cain McQuilkin of Moorestown, NJ
produced by Iron Horse Theatre Company

Program D -September 12 – 15

Happy by Marjorie Williamson of St. Louis, MO
produced by Summer Company

January by Sarah Schreck of New Haven, CT
produced by R-ACT Theatre Productions

Ahimsa by Matt Thekkethala of Austin, TX
produced by The Bobcat Players

Program E – September 19 – 22

Check, Mate by Cody Goulder of Phoenix, AZ
produced by Split Stage Productions

Yahweh the Floorwalker by David Haddad of San Miguel de Allende, Guanajuato, Mexico
produced by The Jesters’ Guild

Lemon, Water, Sugar by Barry Eitel of New York, NY
produced by Pittsburgh New Works

The plays were selected from more than 300 submitted anonymously earlier this year. Each submitted play was evaluated, and the companies chose the 15 to be produced from among the highest scorers. The playwrights of the plays being presented are from states coast to coast, and one playwright is from Mexico. 

TICKETS AND DETAILS

Tickets for each performance cost $17 in advance or $20 at the door, with a Festival Pass for all five weeks of the Festival for just $60. Student tickets are $15. The low ticket prices reflect the Festival’s mission to make theater accessible to diverse audiences. For tickets, visit https://pittsburghnewworks.org

Categories: Arts and Ideas, Show Previews

Tags: Pittsburgh New Works Festival