Photo Flash: Acorn Productions Presents The Maine Playwrights Festival

2010 MAINE PLAYWRIGHTS FESTIVAL SCRIPTS

Program 1 - Featured Play (directed by Michael Levine)
Solitary Dancers, by Jan Paetow - See what happens when passion meet apathy in this painful black comedy about three middle-aged people and their eccentric approaches to life.

Program 2 - Short Plays (directed by Julie Goell)
Backseat Driver, by Laura Emack - Two former lovers, one married and one unmarried, relish a chance encounter that just might go too far.
(Living) Will, by John Rizzo - A woman about to be removed from life support fights to be heard
Savannah, by Kathy Hooke - Six characters from different time periods in the history of Savannah, GA tell stories of compassion, struggle and acceptance as a picture gradually emerges as the ancient common heritage of all human beings.
The Brownwater Legend, by Michael Kimball - An historical fantasy of the old west, bringing to life the legend of Consternation "Kid" Brownwater, housepainter, soup-maker, and aspiring gunslinger.
The Nziza, by Delvyn Case - Two young girls, who have experienced the horror of the Rwandan genocide, face the dilemma of revenge or forgiveness

Program 3 - Short Plays (directed by Harlan Baker)
A Topnotch Man, by Hugh Aaron - A college professor calls on his former student, now a successful executive, for a loan to feed his drug habit.
Barter, by Bruce Pratt - A married couple play a dangerous game when the repairman comes to fix their furnace, uncovering in the process the ugly truths about their lives.
Lungfish, by Jefferson Navicky -An aging yet still renowned dance choreographer gives lessons out of his home, but after a strange moment with one of his students, he is forced to confront his relationship and long-present melancholy.
Neighbors, by Blaise Titus - Can any of us really be sure what lurks on the other side of the wall in your apartment building?
now I lay me down to sleep, by Michael Tooher - A young couple starts to come to term with the death of their newborn with the help of a photographer
The Day After the Incident, by Eric Worthley - Two friends discuss the previous nights events, but not with each other.

The Maine Playwrights Festival started in 2001 as a series of dramatic readings in the old Acorn School for the Performing Arts on Congress Street (there was no festival in 2003). Since that time, Acorn has presented 74 plays by 49 different playwrights at a variety of venues, moving to the St. Lawrence in 2005 where the festival continues to make its home each spring. Several plays developed at the MPF have gone on to success in other markets, most notably Carolyn Gage's "The Poorly-Written Play Festival" and Michael Kimball's "Actual Glass," both of which were invited to festivals in NYC after their MPF production. Acorn's commitment to fostering the development of new plays has extended into year-round programming in the Acorn Studio Theater, including a Friday night dramatic reading series that takes place once a month, and a Playwrights Lab taught 3 times a year by Producing Director Michael Levine. Acorn Productions is dedicated to nurturing the performing arts by building collaborations between groups of artists. In addition to the MPF, Acorn annually produces Phyzgig, a vaudeville festival that takes place between Christmas and New Year's Eve, and Naked Shakespeare, an ongoing series of free performances in traditional and non-traditional venues in Greater Portland.

PERFORMANCE CALENDAR

What: The 9th annual Maine Playwrights Festival
Who: Acorn Productions
When: April 15 to May 1, 2010
Where: St. Lawrence Arts Center
How Much: $15 adults, $12 students and seniors
FMI: www.acorn-productions.org or 854-0065

Thursday, April 15th at 7:30 p.m. - Program 2
(performance followed by a talkback with the playwrights)
Friday, April 16th at 7:30 p.m. - Program 3
(performance followed by a talkback with the playwrights)
Saturday, April 17th at 5 p.m. - Program 2
Saturday, April 17th at 8 p.m. - Program 3
Friday, April 23rd at 7:30 p.m. - Program 3
Saturday, April 24th at 5 p.m. - Program 2
Saturday, April 24th at 8 p.m. - "Solitary Dancers"
Thursday, April 29th at 7:30 p.m. - "Solitary Dancers"
Friday, April 30th at 7:30 p.m. - "Solitary Dancers"

Marathon Day - see all 12 plays in one day
Saturday, May 1st at 2 p.m. - Program 2
Saturday, May 1st at 5 p.m. - Program 3
Saturday, May 1st at 8 p.m. - "Solitary Dancers"

Sunday, May 2nd at 7:30 p.m. - 24-hour play festival (free admission)

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