Plays and Playwrights 2002

The Death of King Arthur by Matthew Freeman

The classic legend brought to the stage with a contemporary sensibility in an epic verse drama of adventure, romance, and ambiguous nobility. Originally produced by Gorilla Repertory Theatre in Central Park in October 2001.  Matthew Freeman is an actor, director, and playwright. He has appeared in numerous plays for Gorilla Repertory Theatre. He directed several of the one-acts comprising Washington Square Dreams, which was published in Plays and Playwrights 2001.

Match by Marc Chun

In this exquisite one act play, random chance brings five ordinary people together on a bright blue May afternoon, with extraordinary results. Produced at the Cherry Lane Alternative in July 2001, and as part of the Vital Signs festival of new works at the Vital Theatre in November 2001.  Marc Chun is a native of the San Francisco Bay area. Match is his first play.

Woman Killer by Chiori Miyagawa
Two Brooklyn families are torn apart in this startling new drama about the nature and origin of evil, inspired by a 1721 Bunraku puppet play from Japan. Premiered at HERE in a production by Crossing Jamaica Avenue, in September 2001. Chiori Miyagawa was born in Japan. She is the author of several plays, including Awakening and Jamaica Avenue. She divides her time between managing the Playwriting Fellowship program for New York Theatre Workshop, teaching at Bard College (where she manages the undergraduate playwriting program), and directing the theatre company Crossing Jamaica Avenue.

The Wild Ass’s Skin by J. Scott Reynolds

A spare, elegant, intensely theatrical realization of Balzac’s novel about a destitute young man and the magic animal skin that may bring him his heart’s desires. Originally produced by Handcart Ensemble at the American Theatre of Actors in August 2000.  J. Scott Reynolds is originally from Washington State. He is the co-founder and artistic director of Handcart Ensemble, where he directed his own translation of Racine’s Andromaque, Goldoni’s The Mistress of the Inn (also acted), and his most recent work, David and Bathsheba.

Halo by Ken Urban

Tales of life and love squandered in late twentieth century New Jersey are intertwined in this provocative and challenging dramatic pageant. Premiered at the 2001 New York International Fringe Festival at The Present Company Theatorium, produced by Screaming Venus.  Ken Urban teaches English at Rutgers University. His other plays include I ? KANT, Bodies Are Floors, and Burners, which have been presented by theatres in New York, New Jersey, and California. He also writes scholarly articles on theatre for journals such as PAJ, and he frequently reviews theatre for nytheatre.com.

Shyness Is Nice by Marc Spitz

A hilarious and profane farce about two 30-year-old virgins, their supposedly cool heroin-addicted pal, an Australian prostitute, and her pimp. Originally produced in May 2001 at Westbeth Theatre Center.  Marc Spitz is the author of several plays, including I Wanna Be Adored, Retail Sluts, and “…Worry, Baby.”  He is the co-author of We Got the Neutron Bomb: An Oral History of Los Angeles Punk Rock (Three Rivers Press, 2001). He is a Senior Contributing Writer at Spin Magazine.

Reality by Curtiss I’ Cook

A thought-provoking comedy/murder mystery set in a world where not even the playwright can be sure of getting out alive. Originally presented by Tupu Kweli Theatre Company at the Grove Street Playhouse in March 2001.  Curtiss I’ Cook,  is an actor, director, and playwright. He has appeared on Broadway in Miss Saigon and is currently featured as Banzai the Hyena in The Lion King. His most recent play was Greenwood, which he directed at The Present Company in New York City

The Resurrectionist     Kate Chell

An exciting drama of seventeenth century England about a strong-willed young woman caught up in a web of grave robbing and murder. Originally produced by Yazoo City at The Gershwin Hotel in June 2001.  Kate Chell is originally from Annapolis, Maryland. The Resurrectionist is her first play.

Bunny’s Last Night in Limbo by Peter S. Petralia

A boy discovers his sexuality in this quirky and innovative one act: coming of age in suburbia has never been quite like this. The original production was by proto-type at HERE in March 2001. 

Peter S. Petralia has been involved in virtually all facets of the theatre during the past eight years, as a writer, performer, director, designer, and administrator.  He is a co-founder of proto-type, which will produce his upcoming play Cheap Thrills in April 2002.

Summerland by Brian Thorstenson

A lonely young man and his mother search for happiness, and for their destinies, in this stunning play about an America where everything still seems possible. Premiered in San Francisco in 2000 and in New York City at Wings Theatre in January 2001.  Brian Thorstenson is an actor, poet, and playwright who lives in San Francisco, California. His previous plays include The Trick, Cul-de-Sac, and Heading South.