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1100 Playwright Interviews
1100 Playwright Interviews A Sean Abley Rob Ackerman E.E. Adams Johnna Adams Liz Duffy Adams Tony Adams David Adjmi Keith Josef Adkins Nicc...
May 1, 2006
COLBERT TAKES ON BUSH
wow. read Chris Durang's comments on Stephen Colbert's fierce and funny criticism at a White House Dinner. The press is ignoring it but if you read it, it's hard to ignore.
http://www.huffingtonpost.com/chris-durang/ignoring-colbert-part-tw_b_20130.html
"Now, I know there's some polls out there saying this man has a 32% approval rating. But guys like us, we don't pay attention to the polls. We know that polls are just a collection of statistics that reflect what people are thinking in "reality." And reality has a well-known liberal bias."
"And as excited as I am to be here with the president, I am appalled to be surrounded by the liberal media that is destroying America, with the exception of Fox News. Fox News gives you both sides of every story, the President's side and the Vice President's side."
"Jesse Jackson is here. I had him on the show. Very interesting and challenging interview. You can ask him anything, but he's going to say what he wants at the pace that he wants. It's like boxing a glacier."
"Enjoy that metaphor, because your grandchildren will have no idea what a glacier is."
Apr 28, 2006
STRESS
I have to admit I'm getting a little stressed out. All this planning for productions and attending writing groups and school while holding down a 9-5 job is getting to be a bit overwhelming. Not that I'm complaining. Because the Nerve rehearsal I attended recently blew me away. It's all the other stuff--these problems that come up that have to be solved one way or another. How am I going to go to rehearsals in DC and when? Because I maay be rehearsing here at the same time or in Vermont. Also I'm expected to show up to work probably. Not to mention that I have to rewrite for these July productions.
and then the idea of getting reviewed is freaking me out a little. and part of this is my belief that the big paper--you know the one I mean--the big paper doesn't get comedy--and of course that's a generalization and there are some good and even great writers working there but I'm afraid I'm going to get squashed if they come at all. Because every play I've seen in the last two years that I loved--everytime I said Fuck I want to make theatre like that--the play got squashed by the big paper.
Apr 26, 2006
From International Herald Tribune
Apr 25, 2006
Come see my play Nerve
from an email my union sent me
Here are some of the reasons UAW members have expressed in opposition to the war....
* The war has killed 2300 US troops -- children, friends and relatives -- and maimed 20,000 more. * The war has killed 100,000 of the Iraqi people. * We're spending billions on war costs instead on job creation, health care and education. * The war is a smokescreen for an assault on working people: tax breaks for the rich, and cutbacks in health care, pensions and jobs for the rest of us. * Millions of our tax dollars have been spent on Bush's corporate cronies. * Iraqi people have been left unemployed, without schools or hospitals, with women's rights and unions under attack. * National Guard and Reserve members have been taken from their jobs and families for indefinite service. * Our civil liberties and labor rights are threatened and the US constitution undermined.
Apr 24, 2006
http://www.madcapplayers.com/
As part of the Capital Fringe Festival Madcap Players presents the world premiere of PRETTY THEFT by Adam Szymkowicz directed by Christopher Snipe
July 23-30, 2006
Canadian Embassy 501 Pennsylvania Avenue NW Washington, DC 20001
ALL TICKETS ARE $15
Capital Fringe Festival Box Office Opens Monday, July 10, 2006
new scene (first draft, mind you)
(Enter ELISE carrying a bag.)
ELISE Im sorry Im late.
CARRIE Oh, thats OK.
ELISE Are you all right?
CARRIE Fine, why do you ask?
ELISE Youre sweating a lot.
CARRIE Im fine.
ELISE Something horribles happened. There was a woman in the building I set on fire. Ive always been very careful. I watch out for my boys, you know and make sure no one gets burned or sprains even a fingertip. Its not easy. Its a dangerous job but so far Ive been successful but then some woman dressed like a banker goes into condemned building Im burning down. What was she doing there?
CARRIE So what youre saying is that you burned down the building? The one on the news where the woman was taken out on a stretcher?
ELISE Are you listening to me?
CARRIE Isnt that what you said?
ELISE Of course thats what I said.
CARRIE I just wanted to be sure thats what you said.
ELISE Whats with you?
CARRIE Nothings with me. (Pause) My husband was just here.
ELISE Stop talking about your husband.
CARRIE (Louder) I enjoy talking about my husband. I am fascinated by all topics related to my HUSBAND.
ELISE Can we get back to the session?
CARRIE Yes, I . . . What does a cockatoo sound like?
ELISE I dont think I should come here anymore.
CARRIE You dont?
ELISE I dont think youre helping me.
CARRIE Of course I am. You really dont think Im helping you.
ELISE Well, Im still setting fires.
CARRIE But youre in a relationship now. Thats going well.
ELISE Only because I lie to him when he brings up his arson investigations.
CARRIE Sure, but apart from t hat, its going well isnt it? I mean we all have our secrets. KUH KAW!!
ELISE What are you doing?
CARRIE KAW KAW! COCK A DOODLE DOO!!
ELISE Stop that.
CARRIE Sorry. Im going to go into the hall for a minute.
ELISE Whats goin on?
CARRIE Nothing.
ELISE The cops are out there, arent they?
CARRIE I told you to stop setting fires. I warned you. I told you someone would get hurt.
ELISE You bitch!
(ELISE slaps CARRIE.)
CARRIE Ow. Help!
ELISE Where are they? In the hallway? You cant hear anything in the hallway. Otherwise all your patients would know all the other patients secrets.
CARRIE I know, but, HELP!
ELISE Stop that.
CARRIE Someone has to stop you.
ELISE Well, it wont be you.
(ELISE takes a gas can from her bag and starts pouring gas in a line on the floor.)
CARRIE My rug! What are you doing?
ELISE What do you think Im doing?
CARRIE This is my office.
ELISE Youre fired.
(ELISE lights a match and throw it on the ground which goes up in flames*)
(CARRIE stands there a moment in shock while ELISE climbs out the window.)
(CARRIE then runs into the hall screaming. A few seconds later GARY TOMMY and JIMMY burst into the room followed by CARRIE. GARY has an extinguisher and puts out the fire.)
GARY Whered she go?
CARRIE Down the fire escape.
Apr 23, 2006
Apr 21, 2006
Mon the 24th in LosAngeles my short play "America at War"
PARTY TO FAVOR
Got a case of the Mondays? Or is it the incessant stupidity and arrogance of our leaders that's bringing you down? In either case, you need some cheering, and doubtless a drink. Fortunately, tonight radical troupers Third Man Productions have teamed up with the Young Progressive Majority organization to entertain, enliven, and inebriate you with "The Political Party," which includes a live theater show with plenty of political satire, plus music, dancing, and drinking. "It doesn't matter if you're a part of the Democratic or Republican party; the bottom line is, our party serves tequila," say producer Jonathan Caren. Billed as "a benefit for your benefit," this party wants YOU! 8 p.m. $8. The Derby, 4500 Los Feliz Blvd., Los Feliz. Info: Thirdmanproductions.com or Goypm.org.
Apr 20, 2006
A play in Boston
MissMadMad
Last night I saw the Naked Angels show, Mistakes Madeline Made and was blown away. You need to see it. I was extremely impressed with Evan Cabnet's direction and hope I get to work with him again soon.
The actors were incredible, especially Laura Heisler, but really all of them are just outstanding and funny and sympathetic.
But the play, god, the play is really really good. It made me rexamine my own work, which I'm still doing. It was humbling. I hope Liz Meriwether is proud.
But seriously, go see this show while it's running. It's an example of where I hope theatre is going.
Apr 19, 2006
this Wed
I took a workshop with P Vogel at the Flea a month or two ago and it was very inspirational in many ways but one thing that she said that I'm thinking about a great deal was that we have to stick together as playwrights. We have to form groups and support each other and I think that's partially what this blog thing is about for me.
It's about getting angry and about getting excited about things going on in our theatre world and then sharing it with one another and talking about it incessantly.
I do most of my talking (ranting) offline with theatre friends and in my playwright groups but I just wanted to say I appreciate the intelligent talk and the outrage and the joy expressed here in the blogworld.
That's all. Thanks.
Apr 17, 2006
pulitzer part 3
I'm changing my name to "No Winner" and putting this year's pulitzer on my resume. or do they name the play. I could write a play called "No Winner."
Double P
Today they announce the Pulitzer. Normally I wouldn't know this but it's taking place in the building in which I work as an indentured photocopier/mail merger.
I am excited to find out who won and also at the same time entirely jaded about it. I imagine it will go to a naturalistic domestic drama type play about an important topic that is touched on in an unimportant way.
Not to say that recent winners aren't good plays--because they are...it's just that they're all a certain kind of play...a certain kind of play I can't really get excited about.
I don't know who is up for the award and can't think of a play that should get it. Who do you think should get it? (Of course by the time you comment, everyone will know who won.)
Apr 14, 2006
from an email I received
I'm passing along a belated announcement about Youngblood's TRUE LIFE STORY OF [YOUR NAME HERE] - we're currently holding on auction on eBay, the winner of which will have their life story written up by the Youngblood playwrights, to be performed at the Brick Theater's $ELLOUT FESTIVAL this June. The auction ends on Monday at 9:00am and the bidding is already up to $260. If you know anyone with disposable income and a burning desire to see their life played out on stage, please pass it along! http://cgi.ebay.com/ws/eBayISAPI.dll?ViewItem&item=6620300570
Apr 13, 2006
I'm working under these assumptions
It's about continuing, isn't it, this playwriting thing. Not stopping and persevering and keeping on and not stopping and sending out and talking up and hiring pr and writing and writing and writing.
And then eventually stuff works out, right? not necessarily the stuff you think will work out or the stuff you want really badly but stuff all the same and sometimes if you keep it up you get somewhere you've been wanting to get, right?
Apr 12, 2006
Apr 11, 2006
first draft of a new scene for tuesday
(Bedroom. Night. JAKE snores in bed. ELISE is partially dressed.)
ELISE I could stay. I could stay. Oh, but the light and the heat and the smell, oh the smell. But I could stay. He has smells. He has heat. He has other fine attributes.
The light. The sound of a scraping match. Acetone. Gasoline. Kerosene. The dripping. The pain in the eyes. The light. The heat. The billows of smoke. We have too many buildings, dont you think? Too many construction sites, empty warehouses, all so much fuel. Its a service to take away these extra dangerous buildings. They are in the way, they are dry and cracked and falling down and they need a good match, a good flame a cleansing of the palate, a cleansing of the city.
But I could stay and climb into his arms and breathe his foul comfort of a breath. I could cling to his beliefs in right and wrong and the law. I could warm myself on his broad back, lick the back of his neck, put my small hand around his trigger finger.
But theres the light. Theres the heat. There is love and there is love and there are things that I need. And I . . .
(ELISE starts to leave, stops, kisses him on the forehead.)
ELISE Good night.
(JAKE stops snoring. ELISE exits.)
JAKE Elise?
Apr 10, 2006
How theatre should be
This is from my fellow playwright and pal, Larry Kunofsky
PLAYWRIGHTS IN BIZZARRO-WORLD a dialogue from the obscure and cultually irrelevant Adam Szymkowicz and Larry Kunofsky
-Szymkowicz, dear boy, I read the first four of the six plays you've written this week and I'll produce two of them. Will read the others after my nine shows close.
-I do believe you're cracking wise again, Kunofsky, old man. Your shows will NEVER close. Just like mine. Pavers of the new theatrical rennaissance that we are. So. How goes it?
-Spielberg keeps calling about that screenplay he's begging me for. But why take the pay cut? The masses are begging for more plays.
-How tiresome! Supposedly I've been nominated by someone named "Oscar?" for some award by some academy for some film I wrote as a kind of charity thing. It was almost pro-bono, relatively speaking. I can't take time away from my work for any award unless it's another one of those Obies we keep winning.
-L.A. is bad for one's health anyway. Not that it matters, since we both have health insurance, of course.
-Oh speaking of work, wait: Let me go fill out my time sheet. Oh, wait yet again, I don't have to, since I MAKE A LIVING AS A PLAYWRIGHT hahahahaha!!! Say hello to Natalie Portman for me.
-I will. She's in the hot tub, waiting for me right now. Cheerio. l