RANCHO MIRAGE — Theatrical staged-reading group Script2Stage2Screen – celebrating its tenth year — has announced its plays for the upcoming season:
Pam Munter is the playwright of the four short plays the group will present in October.
October 5 & 6, 2018 – “That Screwy, Ballyhooey Hollywood,” by Pam Munter. She says: “‘Screwy” consists of four separate plays, all starring women of a certain age as they battle for survival in historical Hollywood.” It was a finalist in the Ruckus Rockwell competition in Hollywood.
Nov. 2 & 3 – “The Red Plaid Shirt,” by Michael G. Wilmot. A comedy about retirement.
Dec. 7 & 8 – “Polly’s Amorous Adventure,” by Denis LaComb. A theatrical comedy asking the age-old question: Can you love more than one person at a time?
Feb. 1 & 2, 2019 – “Seven Bridges Road,” by Marilynn Barner Anselmi. A powerful theatrical drama based on actual events dealing with racism, crime and equality when 11 women are murdered.
March 8 & 9 – “Breakable,” by Vicky Vodrey. Deals with grief and its affect on relationships.
April 5 & 6 – An evening of theatrical one-acts: “Heavenly Bliss,” a comedy about heaven in crisis by John Lordan and “Train Song,” a love story by Christopher Younggren.
May 3 and 4 – “Myrna’s Getting Married,” by Jason Hull. This fast-paced comedy asks: Doesn’t everyone love brides?
All Script2Stage2Screen (S2S2S) staged readings take place at 7:30 p.m. at the Unitarian Universalist Church of Rancho Mirage, 72425 Via Vail. Tickets are $10.
“During our tenth season, I hope people will appreciate that we are the only production company in the Desert that stages a whole season of new and unpublished works,” said Gina Bikales, S2S2S artistic director. “We have stayed with that mission, and lately also have focused on works that promote women and women of color, onstage and off. We don’t do the old ‘chestnuts’ or musicals. We are the best theatrical value in the desert—all tickets are only $10.”
S2S2S is an innovative performing arts organization for the development of original stage productions. Formed in 2010 by a small group of playwrights, S2S2S started as a vehicle to premiere original plays. Since then, it has developed into a diverse performing arts organization in the Coachella Valley with the mission of highlighting social justice, families, sexual equality, the dignity of humankind, and the joy and humor of life. www.script2stage2screen.com.
Playwright information:
- Pam Munter (Coachella Valley) is an author, playwright and singer; her memoir will be published soon. Varnish magazine nominated her for the Pushcart Prize (Pushcart Press). www.pammunter.com
- Michael G. Wilmot (Canada), had a career in radio; he also was a freelance writer for Jay Leno’s monologue and Kevin Nealon for Saturday Night Live’s “Weekend Update.” His plays have been performed in North America, Australia, England and Russia. www.wilmotscripts.com.
- Denis LaComb (Palm Springs/Minn.) calls himself a “storyteller.” He writes plays and novels, and is working on a comic strip about his grandchildren. www.denisjlacomb.com.
- Marilynn Barner Anselmi (N.C.) became a playwright (12 full-length plays) after her son’s accidental death. Her plays are being performed across the country, and have been recognized (examples: Eugene O’Neill Playwrights Conference and Playwrights First in New York City). www.marilynnbarneranselmi.com.
- Vicky Vodrey (Missouri) a theatrical playwright and founding member of the Midwest Dramatists Center in Kansas City. The New York International Fringe Festival selected her dark comedy, “Hard Day’s Night,” to be performed earlier this year. www.vickyvodrey.com.
- John Lordan (Illinois), an actor and playwright, he made his full-time living as an AEA/SAG/AFTRA in all media for more than 32 years in New York, Chicago, Los Angeles and points in between. He is a member of The Dramatists Guild of America. His playwriting has been honored with 35 national awards, honorariums and grants, and his plays have been produced and had readings coast to coast. He is a Life Member at The Players Club, in Edwin Booths’ home in Gramercy Park, New York City.
- Christopher Younggren (Tucson), actor, director, playwright and voice-over artist. He is the author of several short plays, including Gingerbreadcrumbs, an adult sequel to Hänsel and Gretel and Station, a companion piece to Train Song. In Arizona, he is a third-grade teacher by day and a full-time actor by night. In 2017, he won the MAC Award (Tucson Acting Awards) for best actor in a comedy.
- Jason Hull (Palm Springs) – 2017 marks his 20th year in theatre. He moved to the Coachella Valley in 2008, and is thrilled to have found a theatrical home with Script2Stage2Screen for eight consecutive seasons and grateful that the zany characters and warped plots that spring from his head continue to amuse and entertain audiences.
