Theatre Southwest to Present The Festival of Originals: A Showcase of New Plays
Be captivated by the creativity and innovation of original plays.
By: Chloe Rabinowitz Jul. 17, 2023
Theatre Southwest will present The Festival of Originals - otherwise known as The FOO.
The Festival of Originals is an annual occurrence, in which playwrights all around the world have an opportunity to submit a short play that they've written. There are some requirements that must be met, including that they're supposed to be approximately 20 minutes in length for the performance.
Theatre Southwest selects 5 of these plays from the thousands that we receive each year. These five shows are assigned to different directors. Each of the directors selects their own cast. These 5 plays are then put together in a single show on the stage, and they are all performed back-to-back (with an intermission between shows 3 & 4).
Shows, playwrights, directors, and casts:
The Matchmaker
Written by Mindy Roll of Houston, Tx.
Directed by Vicky McCormick
Carol, an older divorcee, is ready to re-enter the dating scene. Madison, a dating app coach, has built a wildly successful business on matchmaking for Gen Z. When Carol hires Madison to get her back on the scene, all dating hell breaks loose.
CAST:
Madison: Annabelle Evans
Carol: Alice Rhoades
Look, where it comes again!
Written by Johanna Beale Keller of DeWitt, NY
Directed by Steve Carpentier
In this physical comedy send-up of theater's quirks and the magic of Hamlet, the three young actors in the Teensy Weensy Shakespeare Troupe await the arrival of a world famous director who will coach their Hamlet rehearsal. When a Truck Driver appears, they assume it is the director and follow all the instructions.
CAST:
Truck Driver: Cindy Lou Parker
Actor #1: Lisa Caughorn
Actor #2: Alexis Munoz
Actor #3: Keri Wolfe
Imaginary Friends
Written by Fernando Dovalina of Houston, Tx
Directed by Jay Menchaca
A man with a recurring fantasy about his childhood imaginary friend seeks help from a psychic. The psychic may deal in fantasy, but she thinks the customer needs to come to grips with reality. There's a surprise awaiting both in the struggle between fantasy and reality.
CAST:
Psychic: Helen Warwick
Customer #1: Joshua Figuerra
Customer #2: Reijon Liboon
Moonrise
Written by Marla Porter of Austin, Tx
Directed by Justin Holloway
Two squabbling middle-aged brothers are led in death to forgiveness for each other by Lucinda, Goddess of the Moon.
CAST:
Billy: Lance Stodghill
Martin: Shawn Havranek
Lucinda: Pam Pankratz
At Sea, Two Guys in Clerical Guise
Written by Denis Meadows of Brooklyn, NY.
Directed by David Hymel
Two thieves with a bagful of money arey dressed in clerical guise to disguise themselves. They meet up with Megally, a loquacious admirer of the cloth.
CAST:
Tony: Alonso Prusmack
Joey: Reijon Liboon
Megally: Hayley Beiermeister
Performances run from July 28 - August 12. Showtimes are Fridays & Saturdays at 8 pm, and a Sunday matinee (August 6) at 3 pm.
Performances will be held at Theatre Southwest, 8944-A Clarkcrest. Tickets range from $20-$22 and can be purchased through www.tswhouston.com/tickets.
Since its founding in 1957, Theatre Southwest has delivered quality theatre to the Greater Houston community. For more information about upcoming shows, contact Theatre Southwest at 713-661-9505, visit www.tswhouston.com or follow Theatre Southwest on social media: www.facebook.com/TheatreSouthwest and Instagram @tswhouston.
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