New Works Get Their First Audiences
By Nanciann Cherry, The Blade, Toledo, Ohio
Jun. 5–For the second year, the Village Players and the Aural Stage have gotten together for the First Look Series, presenting new works by six local playwrights over the next two weekends.
“Last year went very well,” said David DeChristopher, who returns as director, with Debbie Marinek as assistant director. “The audiences weren’t huge, but those who were there got to enjoy a lovely, offbeat evening.”
The plays will be presented in expanded readings. “There may be a whiff of staging,” DeChristopher said, especially if the situation calls for a little extra help. One play, he explained, has a silent character, so a performer will be on stage to act out the dialogue.
All readings begin at 7 p.m. and are free to the public.
Opening the proceedings Saturday will be Bill Lancz’s Chasing the Dragon, about a dysfunctional family. DeChristopher called it dark but funny.
Christine Child’s A Duck for Mrs. Bienstock is scheduled Sunday. “It’s a little edgy but very sweet; pretty typical of Christine’s comedy in that it is just off-center enough to keep us laughing.”
June 14 will bring three one-act plays: Zona Gale’s Walking, about a maternity ward run by an authoritarian nurse; Kate Argow’s Criss Cross, a murder mystery; and Robert James’ Brutes, a comedy about wrestlers.
The First Look Series ends on June 15 with Hunting High by Eric Pfeffinger, a comedy about a high school reunion. DeChristopher called it “very funny and very strange.”
Presenting the readings and participating in the stagings will be Argow, Ernie Brown, Clara Engel, Larry Farley, Richard Furlong, Michael Gavin, Matt Gretzinger, John Jennens, Pam Kelso, Tim Keogh, Joy Lempke, Madge Levinson, Andrew McSweeney, Jean Mills, Corrinne Natyshak, Maureen O’Malley, Sherri Siniff, Tiffany Taylor, Jo Ann Toth, Don Weber, and Kathy Weber.
The Village Players’ First Look series runs at 7 p.m. Saturdays and Sundays through June 15 in the theater at 2740 Upton Ave. Performances are free. Information: 419-434-5335.
Contact Nanciann Cherry at: ncherry@theblade.com or 419-472-6817.
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