I've been on the run lately and only got to see the first night of the Robert Hinchman New Works Festival at Marshall University, but what a great time it was!
The audience got to hear readings of four plays - three comedies and a drama. All were excellent, entertaining and/or thought-provoking. The plays included:
- the somewhat modified Lunch at the Fork 'n Finger by Jonathan Joy, which tells the story of a young man who tries to come to terms with his mom's new boyfriend, a man who is his polar opposite. It's a funny, touching, slice-of-life story - the sort of thing Jon does extremely well.
- Things Get Done by Paul Deines was the serious entry for the night, and a very thoughtful and intelligent production it was, focusing on a revolution in New York. We were still discussing it long after we'd left the theater.
- Knight-Owl by Clint McElroy offered the very funny story of a scoundrel who tries to get rich by posing as a super-hero, only to find the world of fighting bad guys isn't all it's cracked up to be. It was easy to imagine this as a network sitcom - it was funnier than anything I've seen on TV in years.
- Sandwiched around the other shows was the comedy Stealing Romance by T. Michael Murdock, also very funny and sprinkled with Mike's trademark salty dialogue, which I love to tease him about, which is why I mention it here. It tells the story of an unlikely romance between a would-be crook and a video store employee, and features a hilariously vile character portrayed by Jonathan Joy (in other words, the last guy you'd expect to be, well, vile).
In addition to these terrific readings, the back of the program featured a treat - namely, the schedule for the Marshall University Theatre Department's upcoming season, which will include:
- George M!, which features the music of George M. Cohan;
- The Glass Menagerie by Tennessee Williams;
- Charley's Aunt by Brandon Thomas; and
- Epic Proportions by Larry Coen and David Crane.
Sounds like another great season from MU!
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