Wednesday, August 13, 2003

 

I don't know how they've managed to get through even one performance of the Henry V production in Central Park this year, what with the wrath-of-God level of rain we've had. Girl in Gotham gives a first-hand account of another cancellation.

I once saw a production of Henry IV Part II in an outdoor theater during a lightning storm. The moment where Henry IV died was followed by a silence, then the thunder cracked right on cue. Fantastic. It was inspiring to see actors and audiences carry on in spite of the weather, too. But perhaps we all stayed just to see if someone would get fried.

posted by Dan 1:44 PM
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There's an informal one-minute play fest going on at this message board. Stop by if you like them quick. My contribution is below.

I have a writing teacher who objects to time-specific play criteria. "Why ten minute plays? Why not four minutes? Why not twenty-seven and one-third minutes?" I see his point. Still, I find that the time constraints challenge me to write sharply and to the point, without resorting to cliches. And I can always use the lesson in brevity. And humility. And shooting a basketball.

Less talk, more script.

Do You Think We Could...? Out Back?

(An alley, near some garbage cans.

DAR and MALA are making love against the wall. MALA faces us, DAR away from us, so we can’t see his face. MALA’s skirt is hiked up, DAR’s pants are around his knees.)

MALA
But it makes it better.

DAR
Ngh...no...it makes it like...like difficult to concentrate.

MALA
It’s fine.

DAR
I’m trying to concentrate.

MALA
You’re great. You’re so good. But it makes it hotter...me hot.

DAR
Ngh...you’re gonna tell people.

MALA
No.

DAR
You’ll tell them and I’ll be like humiliated.

MALA
Sh...no, baby, no, I’ll never tell. C’mon baby.

DAR
It’s wrong, I know it...I’m wrong...ngh. You won’t tell anyone?

MALA
‘Course not. Tell me, please. The worst one, tell me.

DAR
‘Kay...’kay...men make the world, women make the kids.

MALA
Uh-huh...

DAR
Women don’t have minds, they can’t think.

MALA
Give me the worst one, the absolute worst one.

DAR
A gay child is like a broken child. I imagine race wars where whites emerge triumphant...ngh...hanging all from oaks...ngh...I imagine you with him...you banging him...me with a gun to your ear...ngh...
(MALA wraps her arms around DAR.)

MALA
Yeah, baby, that’s right...yeah...
(She is in ecstasy. Blackout.)

posted by Dan 10:53 AM
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Monday, August 11, 2003

 

Comfort or Style

(A playground, mid-summer. Humid humid humid.

ANNA and HATTIE, two white women in their thirties. Both wear tank-tops, shorts and sandals. ANNA sits on a bench. She has a large diaper bag with her, and an empty umbrella stroller. HATTIE has a larger pram, which she gently pushes back and forth. Both women are watching people offstage.)

HATTIE
They always wear such nice outfits. So colorful.

ANNA
Feminine.

HATTIE
Yeah right? What’s wrong with us? Why can’t we dress that nice?

ANNA
How is she?
(HATTIE checks the pram.)

HATTIE
She’s sleeping. Thank God.

ANNA
Hm.

HATTIE
We should go and -- you know up there on Roosevelt Avenue? That’s where they shop. We should like go up there and get some clothes.

ANNA
Can you imagine?
(ANNA pulls a large box out from behind the bench, marked “Roosevelt Ave.” During the following, ANNA and HATTIE pull saris, salwars, scarves and jewelry from the box, and adorn themselves.)

MORE...

CNN, Aug. 11, 2003: US Tech Workers Training Their Replacements

posted by Dan 1:50 PM
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