Playwrights to Showcase A COLLECTION OF ONE ACT PLAYS

The Local Playwrights Showcase tradition continues in June and this is a unique production that includes numerous original one act plays performed by talented local actors. Don't miss this fun event! The Players Guild of Leonia is thrilled to be presenting its Playwrights Showcase series, a collection of short one-act plays written by "local" playwrights.

Each play was read and discussed by our Play Selection Committee, comprised this year of Honorary Life Member and PGL member of 50+ years Helene Marshall of Teaneck, Marilyn Tavoularis of Fort Lee, and RoBert Klein of Fort Lee. One technique the committee has used these last few years is to read the plays "blind." The committee has no names or identifying information attached to the scripts they are given to read, all that info has been scrubbed away, and they are only left with the playwrights words.

This way no personal feelings, or other thoughts will color, influence or taint their reading of the works. It's not so easy telling a good friend, you didn't select their piece, but using this method, that had no bearing on the selections. This year six plays had that little extra something that separated them from the rest, and made it through round after round until the end. The six plays chosen for this year's showcase were all selected unanimously by the Committee.

It is a nice mix of fun comedies and a couple of powerful dramas, with very special "touch your heart moments". Outstanding casts represent these local works and rehearsals are well along as we prepare for our Opening on Friday, June 9th. The showcase runs for 2 weekends, Friday, Saturday, Sunday, June 9, 10, 11 and Friday, Saturday, June 16, 17.

Our Six Playwrights Showcase 2017 Plays and Playwrights.

HAl Corley, Summit, NJ -- Contemplata Aliis Tradere. A local convent is all abuzz with preparation as the Pope will be visiting Philadelphia shortly, and the convent has been asked to present their "special gift" to His Holiness. Comedy.

Stewart A. Hanley, Leonia, NJ -- Dead Kittens. Two "professionals" accidentally meet in an unusual circumstance and surprisingly find out how much they have in common. Comedy.

Lloyd Pace, New York City, NY -- The Wedding Duel. On the day of her daughter's wedding, Mom, a bit eccentric, wants to share remembrances of her wedding day with her daughter. Comedy.

Joanne Weck, Grew up in rural Pennsylvannie, Lives in New Jersey -- Beyond Redemption; Criminal Neglect. Two dramas from the very talented Ms. Weck, made it into our Showcase this year. Beyond Redemption involves the possible consequences of our actions upon ourselves and others, and Criminal Neglect - a powerful search for kinship and belonging and the painful choices sometimes foisted on us.

William Rini, Teaneck, NJ - The Letter. Bill Rini took up playwriting after his retirement and was an active, involved member in his local theater group, often writing scripts and plays for the group to read. The Letter, an examination of long-ago secrets held and later discovered between friends, was submitted to the Players Guilds and chosen for this year's showcase. Bill was excited to have been chosen and be a part of the Showcase. Unfortunately, after a short-illness, Bill Rini died on May 8, not able to see his last play produced for the public.

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