Unique & Entertaining Original Dramas to be Staged by Playwrights @ Work

This weekend, Village Players of Birmingham staged unique and entertaining original dramas by local playwrights as part of its Playwrights @ Work Festival. The creative energy and theatrical execution of each work was amazing. One of the plays about contemplating suicide was so moving it brought tears to my eyes.

The most poignant and sophisticated work presented was Appeasement by Laura Bradshaw. Directed by Stephen Sussman, this parable explores the dilemma of fighting against evil, juxtaposed with appeasing the seneschals of evil and succumbing to dramatic and unmitigated defeat.

Each performance comprised four original one-act plays, a short sketch and intermission. The plays were:

Unpacking the Past by Ann Forsaith
A young woman's plans for digging herself out of debt are derailed when a family secret is revealed.

Twilight by Barbara Schmitt
Elderly Marjorie Bates is being forced to move out of her home of 60 years by her son, Alan, when an unexpected visitor from the Twilight Zone causes profound changes in both.

Down at the Laundromat a 10-minute play, by Myron Stein
It's love among the suds in this comic salute to silent movies, with music provided by pianist Matthew Ball.

Appeasement by Laura Bradshaw
The Czech Straka family must decide what price they will pay for food in this emotionally powerful drama set in WWII.

Chess Match 365 by Arthur E. Tucker
In this original comedy, life-long friends and chess-addicts Buddy and Allen make a bet: play once a day for a year, from New Year's to New Year's, and whoever wins the most games wins the wager-and the stakes are high.

The 2013 Playwrights@Work One-Act Festival Cast and Creative Teams:

Unpacking the Past by Ann Forsaith

Directed by Eileen White

Asst. Director - Drew McGee

Cast:
Maureen Cook (Gigi)

Janie Burkey (Trudy)

Sandra Deering (Louise)

Sarah Lovy (Susan)

Twilight by Barbara Schmitt

Directed by Tony Kruzman

Asst. Director - Todd Lipphardt

Cast:
Gertrude Fox (Marjorie Bates)

Gary Mach (Alan Bates)

Todd Lipphardt (Rod Serling)

Down at the Laundromat (short skit) by Myron Stein

Directed by Laura Bradshaw

Cast:

Rob Grodin (Man 1)

Jennifer Ward (Woman 1)

Chris Peterson (Man 2)

Briana Fogleman (Woman 2)

Appeasement by Laura Bradshaw

Directed by Stephen Sussman

Asst. Director - Chris Peterson

Cast:

Cathie Badalamenti (Alena)

Marc Rosati (Radek)

Zack Kozlow (Karel)

Sarah Lovy (Lida)

Chess Match 365 by Arthur E. Tucker Jr.

Directed by Chris Polhill

Asst. Director - Joe Gadon

Cast:

Tony Semanik (Allen Simms)

Ralph Rosati (Buddy Parker)

Stella Woitulewicz (Margaret Simms)

Laura Bradshaw (Nurse)

Please vote for your favorite Theatre Group (Best in Class) at TV 4 Click On Detroit : http://4thebest.clickondetroit.com/arts-and-entertainment/theatre-group

Playwrights @ Work in association with the Village Players of Birmingham

Playwrights @ Work in association with the Village Players of Birmingham

Playwrights @ Work in association with the Village Players of Birmingham

Playwrights @ Work in association with the Village Players of Birmingham

Playwrights @ Work in association with the Village Players of Birmingham

Playwrights @ Work in association with the Village Players of Birmingham

Playwrights @ Work in association with the Village Players of Birmingham

Playwrights @ Work in association with the Village Players of Birmingham

Playwrights @ Work in association with the Village Players of Birmingham