Sunday, April 24, 2011

Dinner by Erin Browne

Dinner was originally written for Judson Memorial Church's Bailout Theater night of short plays about and supporting the Living Wage Campaign in NYC. It was planned to take place in Washington Square Park but the night it was planned for ended up being breathtakingly cold and the theater was worried about elderly viewers sitting out in the park in the cold. It's too bad because the playwrights gathered to write were awesome and I was super excited about a night of plays that were political, happening in the place where I was once an overwhelmed 18-year-old watching free Shakespeare. Free Shakespeare! In a park! I knew I was at home.

A living wage instead of a minimum wage is important everywhere - but especially in New York City which is the most expensive city in the United States. If not one of the most expensive cities in the world to try to meet basic needs like shelter and food. It is a constant struggle for almost everyone I know who lives here. Even in cities like London, my friends in their thirties are property owners, and the groceries are significantly cheaper.

So how does a family survive? How does a single parent family survive?
How about single parent families, where the parent doesn't have a college degree?

Here is my living wage short play. Hopefully some day it will be read or produced - but until then, it is here to read.


Living Wage short play.

“Dinner”
Erin Browne




Characters:
Mom, thirties
Ricky, teens, Mom’s son
Norah, teens, Ricky’s girlfriend





1. Mom, Ricky, and Norah sit down to dinner.

                                                            MOM
Hello Norah, it’s nice to meet you.

                                                            NORAH
It’s nice to meet you too Mrs. Lowry.

                                                            RICKY
Thanks for making dinner Mom.

                                                            MOM
Of course Ricky, I’m glad I get to meet Norah.

                                                            RICKY
I’m trying to go by Rick now Mom.

                                                            MOM
Right, sometimes I forget.

                                                            NORAH
Rick and I are like really trying to get our families involved in our relationship early on, because you know, we think it’s gonna last, this one, so we want to like do it right.

                                                            MOM
That’s very nice Norah, I’m glad.

                                                            NORAH
I really love Rick. I want you to know.

                                                            MOM
I love him too Norah, should we eat?

                                                            RICKY
Yeah Mom.

                                                            MOM
Okay, so we have steak tonight. I made steak and some potatoes and some green beans.

                                                            RICKY
Mom.

                                                            MOM
What Ricky, I mean Rick.

                                                            RICKY
Mom.

                                                            MOM
What honey?

                                                            NORAH
This looks beautiful Mrs. Lowry.

                                                            RICKY
You know we don’t have the money for steak.

                                                            MOM           
We do for tonight Ricky. Tonight is a special night.

                                                            NORAH
Thank you Mrs. Lowry.

                                                            RICKY
But what about the ConEd bill? It was so high this month. And I might get laid off if no more work comes in. And-

                                                            MOM
It’s not every night I get to meet your girlfriend Ricky, it’s okay, we can splurge.

                                                            NORAH
Well it looks awesome.

                                                            RICKY
But-

                                                            MOM
No “buts” kiddo. I’ll make it work.

                                                            NORAH
My mom always makes it work too. My mom is an angel. Even though sometimes we don’t get along, you know, like sometimes she likes to tell me how to dress and stuff. Like do you think this skirt is too short Mrs. Lowry?





2. Mom and Ricky are washing dishes. Norah waits in the other room on the couch.


                                                            RICKY
Mom, we didn’t have the money for a dinner like that. What are you doing?

                                                            MOM           
Ricky, we have to have special things every once in a while.

                                                            RICKY
But you’re still paying for Nana’s medical bills from the last time she fell, and the rent is coming up in a week.

                                                            MOM
                                                            (kissing him on the cheek)
You have been such a good son. I’m so glad you’re mine.

                                                            RICKY
Aw, mom, stop it.

                                                            MOM
But I’m gonna lose you to some girl like that in there.

                                                            RICKY           
No you won’t Mom. I’m gonna be here.

                                                            MOM
She’s a really nice girl.

                                                            RICKY
Is she?

                                                            MOM
I like her.

                                                            RICKY
Good mom, I’m glad.

                                                            MOM
But you have to stop worrying all the time baby.

                                                            RICKY
I’m not a baby Mom.

                                                            MOM
You’re my baby. I’m sorry if I put too many troubles on you.

                                                            RICKY
You didn’t Mom.

                                                            MOM
You shouldn’t be worried about losing your job like that, it’s not your fault.

                                                            RICKY
I just want to help us out Mom. I want us to be able to have steak and not even think about it. Steak with a side of steak.

                                                            MOM
I can finish this, you go on out with Norah.

                                                            RICKY
Mom?

                                                            MOM
Go on.

                                                            RICKY
I love you mom.

                                                            MOM
                                                            (giving him a soapy hug.)
Aw, baby that’s all I need.

                                                            RICKY
Aw, mom, stop it.

                                                            MOM           
Go on. (louder) Norah you should get Ricky, Rick I mean, to take you for a walk down by the river. (softer) You want some money to buy her an ice cream?

                                                            RICKY
Naw, Mom, stop.



3. Norah and Ricky on a bench by the river.


                                                            NORAH
Your Mom is real nice Rick.

                                                            RICKY
Yeah, sometimes.

                                                            NORAH
She is.

                                                            RICKY
I know.

                                                            NORAH
She is a really good cook too.

                                                            RICKY
I know.

                                                            NORAH
She teach you?

                                                            RICKY
Some.

                                                            NORAH
I love a man who can cook.

                                                            RICKY
Norah.

                                                            NORAH
What?

                                                            RICKY
Nothing.

                                                            NORAH
You shouldn’t have embarrassed her, saying you guys couldn’t afford the steak.

                                                            RICKY
I just, you know, I just worry.

                                                            NORAH
But she already bought it and made it.

                                                            RICKY
I know.

                                                            NORAH
She was just trying to impress me.  Impress your girlfriend.

                                                            RICKY
I know, we just can’t afford it really.

                                                            NORAH
I know. Half the time my family can’t even afford enough food for all of us, with three brothers I spent years practically starving until we all got jobs, but you know my mom – she tries so hard – and sometimes she needs, she just needs to feel like a mom. Like she can give us the best. Or something, I don’t know. Sometimes we get so sick of struggling you just want to give up but we got little moments you know, that was your mom’s little moment.

                                                            RICKY
I know.

                                                            NORAH
When we live together it won’t be like that. We won’t be struggling all the time.

                                                            RICKY
When we’re married?

                                                            NORAH
Yeah, maybe.

                                                            RICKY
Maybe?

                                                            NORAH
We could live together first. I think I gotta live with a guy first.

                                                            RICKY
Don’t tell my mom that.

                                                            NORAH
Don’t tell my mom either.

                                                            RICKY
You have such pretty eyes.

                                                            NORAH
I like you, Ricky.

                                                            RICKY
Aw, don’t call me that. It’s a baby name.

                                                            NORAH
I like it.

                                                            RICKY
Aw, stop.

                                                            NORAH
Kiss me.




Wednesday, April 13, 2011

Wonderful You! by George Soete


After a long long long pause (which is apropos if you read the play), I am posting a great play by George Soete called Wonderful You!

This play reminds me of both the amazing world of vaudeville and how it still informs our sense of performed comedy, and also of Waiting For Godot and the brilliant tragicomic work Samuel Beckett. The best thing about thing about this type of work is how open it is for actors to play and how fun it is to perform - and then to see.

If you end up wanting to perform it or have any comments or questions for George, please email me at erinkellyb@hotmail.com and I will pass it on. 
   




Here is a little bit about George:
George Soete lives in San Diego.  He has been involved in the theater as an actor, director, playwright and producer for many years.  From 2004 to 2007, he was Associate Director, then Artistic Director of the San Diego Actors Festival.  His play Wonderful You won a place in the Southern SlamFest a few years ago.  It was also a juried prize-winner in the San Diego Actors Festival in 2007  


And please, submit plays! Tell your friends! I love being introduced to new playwrights and plays - and George who lives across the U.S. found the blog and decided to submit - and now I have had the delight of both reading and sharing his work you. 

I hope you enjoy it, as I did. 




Wonderful You!
(Two men meet on the street.) 

ALSOP
Hey there! Look at you!


BLALOCK
How are you? How are you?

ALSOP 
Wonderful! You look wonderful!

BLALOCK 
You’re the wonderful one! Look at you!

ALSOP 
You’ve made so much progress!

BLALOCK
And you!

ALSOP 
But especially you. You’ve really turned it around.

BLALOCK
Was it difficult?

ALSOP
What?

BLALOCK 
Was your. . .uh. . .renaissance. . .uh. . .?

ALSOP 
Oh, that. That pales into insignificance. . . .

BLALOCK
Surely not.

ALSOP 
But you. . .! What bravery! What shrewdness! What. . .balls!

(Pause.) 

BLALOCK
You’ve lost weight. Nice.

ALSOP
You’re being kind. You, however. You have a new. . .what? Something different. Very striking. What have you done?

BLALOCK
Nothing, really.

ALSOP 
No. What is it. . .you’ve done?

BLALOCK
Oh.

ALSOP
Something.

BLALOCK
Really nothing.

ALSOP
You’re teasing. What is it?

BLALOCK 
(Shrugs. Pause.)

ALSOP 
Last time. . . .You were going to buy a new automobile.

BLALOCK 
You have an excellent memory.

ALSOP 
You’re too kind. . . . Did you?

BLALOCK 
(Regards him blankly.)

ALSOP
Buy a new automobile?

BLALOCK
Well, you know. . .

ALSOP
Ah! Right!

(Pause.)


BLALOCK
Are you still adventurous?

ALSOP
Adventurous?

BLALOCK 
Plucky. Daring. Ready for anything. That was you.

ALSOP 
Guess! You were always good at guessing.

BLALOCK 
Yes. Ummmmm. . . . You’re still adventurous!

ALSOP 
(Triumphantly.)
You see!

BLALOCK 
Yes.

(Pause.)

ALSOP
Do you need any money?

BLALOCK
What for?


ALSOP 
Anything. A new automobile. Surely you need a new automobile.

BLALOCK 
You think so? A new automobile?

ALSOP 
You’ll need a great deal of money for that.

BLALOCK 
You’ve always been a whiz at math. So analytical.

ALSOP 
And you. You know exactly what you want. So. . .certain of things.

BLALOCK
How so?

ALSOP
The new automobile.

BLALOCK
Ah!

(Pause.)

ALSOP
That tree over there.

(Brief pause.)

BLALOCK
A tree. Yes.

ALSOP
Trunk.

BLALOCK
Yes.

ALSOP
Limbs, branches.

BLALOCK
Twigs, leaves.

ALSOP
Birds.

BLALOCK 
Hmmmmm. Twittering. Hopping..

ALSOP
Bees.

BLALOCK 
Bees?

ALSOP
Probably.

BLALOCK 
Birds and bees. Go together.

ALSOP
What?

BLALOCK 
The birds. The bees.

ALSOP
What. . .bees?

BLALOCK
Exactly.

(Pause.)

BLALOCK
You have a sack.

ALSOP
And you a backpack.

BLALOCK 
It must be something important.

ALSOP
Yes?

BLALOCK
In your sack.

ALSOP
(He peers into his sack. Holds it out to Blalock, who also peers into it intently.)

BLALOCK
(He offers his backpack. Alsop examines it inside and out.)


BOTH
Empty.

(Pause.)


ALSOP
You’re still living in the same place?

BLALOCK
Alas!

ALSOP
No improvement there?

BLALOCK
Well.... and you?

ALSOP
Same.

BLALOCK
God! Plus ca change!

ALSOP
Beg your pardon?

BLALOCK 
The more you change, the more you remain the same.

ALSOP
You said it.

BLALOCK
Actually, the French said it.

ALSOP
Said what?

BLALOCK
It’s not important.

(Pause.)

ALSOP
None of it is, really.

BLALOCK
How’s that?

ALSOP
Important.

BLALOCK
You’re getting philosophical.

ALSOP
It’s just that. . . .

BLALOCK
Yes?

ALSOP
So many disappointments.

BLALOCK
So many failures.

ALSOP
Everything diminishes.

BLALOCK
Gets smaller.

ALSOP
Becomes. . .unimportant.

(Long pause.)

BLALOCK
Of no import.

(Pause.)

Worthless.

(Pause.)

ALSOP
Well, not entirely. Not necessarily. 

BLALOCK
No?

ALSOP 
Something can be unimportant but not completely worthless.

BLALOCK
Partially worthless?

ALSOP 
So lacking in worth as to be unimportant.

BLALOCK
But not completely worthless.

(Pause.) 

ALSOP
God! You are becoming philosophical. 

(Pause.)

BLALOCK
Tell me about your goals.

ALSOP
Your objectives

BLALOCK
Your aims.

ALSOP
Your dreams.

(They look at -- stare at -- each other intently. Almost a contest. They break. Pause.)

You know. . . .

BLALOCK
Yes?

ALSOP 
Did you find it easier when there weren’t so many choices?

BLALOCK
So many options?

ALSOP
Don’t do that.

BLALOCK
What?

ALSOP
That irritating synonym thing. Choices. Options. Goals. Objectives. Aims. Dreams. Don’t do that.

BLALOCK
Don’t dream? Goodness.

ALSOP 
You may dream, of course. Just don’t do that. . . .

BLALOCK
Cinnamon thing?

ALSOP
Forget it.

BLALOCK
It’s unimportant?

(Longish pause.) 

ALSOP
Don’t do that either. That pause thing. It gets on people’s nerves after a while. 

BLALOCK
Your nerves?

ALSOP
Who else is here?

BLALOCK
Right.

(Pause.)

You’re right.

(Pause.)

BLALOCK
It was always you. Wonderful you. “It had to be you. It had to be you.” So boring.

ALSOP
For you?

BLALOCK
Beg. . . .

ALSOP
Boring for you?

BLALOCK
Certainly not.

ALSOP
For others?

BLALOCK
Certainly not.

ALSOP
For who?

BLALOCK
Whom.

ALSOP
Right.

(Pause.)

It’s been a pleasure! Wonderful! 

BLALOCK
For whom-m-m?

ALSOP
Well. . .for you. . .for one. . . .

BLALOCK 
And for you. Wonderful You.

ALSOP 
Wonderful You! You’ve made so much progress!

BLALOCK
And you!

ALSOP 
Don’t do that! That loop thing. Don’t do that loop thing.

BLALOCK
What loop thing?

ALSOP 
That da capo thing. Where you go back to the beginning and start all over.

BLALOCK
You started it.

ALSOP 
Yes.

(Pause. They hug spontaneously.)

BLALOCK
You stay in touch.

ALSOP
You too.

BLALOCK
Be well!

ALSOP
Well. . . .

(They take each other’s bags and leave.) 

END