Playwrights Fest

Debbi Fincher, Luke Fincher, Elsedora Arendt, Elizabeth Anderson (subbing for MacAlister Arendt), Scott Dow (Child’s Play) – Contributed photo

Dorian and Lynda:  Dorian Oliver and Lynda Guernsey( Out of Area)

(Almost) Anything Goes in Annual Playwrights Fest

Marcy Hahn  (Revenge of the Leaf Blower) – Contributed photo

“Come play with us!” urged Playwrights “On the Fringe” coordinator Julie Laidlaw—a plea that helped inspire 10 short plays and monologues that will be presented on San Juan Community Theatre’s Whittier stage Tuesday through Saturday, September 22-26 at 7:30 p.m. and Sunday, September 27 at 2:00 p.m.

Laidlaw’s goal for Playwrights “On the Fringe” is for island writers to have their voice heard and for director, actor and tech “newbies” to take the plunge and get involved. She says the variety of ages and skill levels has been impressive and noted a common theme of life, death and technology among several of the plays. “What writers are saying has a lot to do with modern technology, the direction society is heading and how we’re dealing with that,” said Laidlaw.

The festival has been divided into two acts in the six days it will be presented.

ACT I – September 22, 24, 26 features these entries:

Dorian Oliver and Lynda Guernsey( Out of Area) – Contributed photo

OUT OF AREA
Written by Stan Matthews    Directed by Julie Laidlaw
A couple’s attempt to discourage telemarketing calls helps them reconnect with each other.
Cast: Dorian Oliver, Lynda Guernsey

REVENGE OF THE LEAF BLOWER
Written by Suzie F. Hale    Directed by Elizabeth Anderson
Neatnik Celeste, empowered with a leaf blower, learns a divine truth.
Cast: Marcy Hahn

CHILD’S PLAY
Written by Mike Beuttell      Directed by Elizabeth Tarte
The outcome is unexpected when two Friday Harbor parents take away all electronic hand-held devices from their three children for an afternoon.
Cast: Debbi Fincher, Scott Dow, MacAlister Arendt, Elsedora Arendt, Luke Fincher

ROAD KILL (Presented as Readers Theatre)
Written by Lyne McPherson    Directed by Dorian Oliver
Two women on the road, gathering data for fun and profit
Cast: Cori Morrell, Shannon Kelley, Vanessa Johnson, John Cornell

MONA THE CAMEL
Written by Kevin Hillstrom      Directed by Debbie Fincher
Kyle reaches his tipping point about island change when he catches a woman feeding Mona the Camel.
Cast: Floyd Bourne, Cris DuVall, Elizabeth Tarte

ACT II – September 23, 25, 27

COME DANCE WITH ME
Written by Jim and Jan Zurcher Directed by Jim Zurcher
A father’s love helps his daughter discover what’s important in life.
Cast: Duvie Dow, Greg Swinford, MacAlister Arendt, Stephen Moore

NO REDO
Written by Cinda Pierce Directed by Julie Laidlaw
A monologue in which a grandmother muses on a serious conversation she had with her young grandson and the influence of social media on children.
Cast: Maureen See

HEART SONG
Written by Patricia Hansen Directed by Bobby Ryan
It was love at first sight. Seventy-five years later, he writes her a song to tell her he wouldn’t hesitate for a moment to “do all the good times, all over again.”
Cast: Patricia Hansen, Bobby Ryan, Dennis Busse, Madelyn Busse

VAN
Written by Dorian Oliver Directed by Stan Matthews
A mysterious man shows a single mother and her son that even familiar things may not be what they appear to be.
Cast: Cori Morrell, Scott Mapstead, Zach Fincher, Floyd Bourne

THE SEA COW SOCIETY (Presented as Readers Theatre)
Written by Wendy E. Shepard Directed by Fiona Small
In a dream, an extinct sea cow visits three people from different centuries to help human society remember how to evolve in a positive manner.
Cast: Elizabeth Anderson, Fiona Small, Josh Boland, Tyler Strasser

The Business Partner for the 2015 “On the Fringe” is Islanders Bank. Tickets are $10 for adults and $5 for students for each performance (there is a 10% discount when purchasing tickets for both acts at the box office). The SJCT box office is open Tuesdays through Fridays from 11 a.m. to 4 p.m. and Saturdays from 11 a.m. to 2 p.m. 378-3210 or www.sjctheatre.org.

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