Marta,
Play On! is about a community theatre that decides to produce a local woman's first playwriting attempt because it will be cheaper. (Can we relate?) Unfortunately, the writer, and I use that term loosely, keeps tweaking the play during rehearsal. Tensions within the cast are exacerbated by tensions with the writer and the production careens toward opening night--which is a disaster of epic proportions.
Unlike
Noises Off, this script does not require a revolving set. It needs a simple box set that gets things added as the "rehearsals" progress. For instance, we went from folding chairs for the first rehearsal to a couch and chair for the "performance." The stagehand character added curtains, plants, other furniture, etc.
We found plenty of room for creative ideas beyond what was suggested on the script pages. Some of my students had been asking to do a show in British accents--egad!--so I let them use British accents for the play within the play. Were the accents bad? Of course! Did it matter? Not a whit! The opportunities for physical comedy in the latter part of the play are boundless. A gun is required for the play within a play, but we used one we cut out of wood, and it looked hilarious.
In short, we had a great time with the play.
------------------------------
CJ Breland
Retired Theatre Arts Educator
NC
------------------------------
Original Message:
Sent: 10-01-2021 04:10
From: Marta Carvalho
Subject: Neil Simon
After reading your post, I read Fools! and I loved it...but I think admin wouldn't be happy if I did one more Neil Simon play... I read briefly about Play On!, and I was wondering if there is enough of a plot...
------------------------------
Marta Carvalho
Original Message:
Sent: 09-29-2021 17:02
From: CJ Breland
Subject: Neil Simon
My students thoroughly enjoyed
Play On! by Rick Abbot. The opportunities for physical comedy reminded me of Neil Simon's
Fools! It was published by Samuel French, so Concord Theatricals has the rights now. 7F/3M
Original Message:
Sent: 9/28/2021 6:47:00 AM
From: Marta Carvalho
Subject: Neil Simon
Greetings!
I am a Neil Simon fan and over the past few years my HS students performed Rumors and The Odd Couple. I am looking for something in the same lines...fast-paced...great dialogue... any suggestions besides another Neil Simon play?
Thank you! :)
Marta Carvalho
Secondary Drama and Musical Theatre Director
Carlucci American International School of Lisbon, Portugal
------------------------------
Marta Carvalho
------------------------------