BUCKINGHAM – Every year Town and Country Players gives local directorial talent a chance to direct a one-act play on its unique, theater-in-the-round stage. The One Act Festival is a creative challenge for the directors and a chance for T&C to find new talent. But, more importantly, this show is very entertaining for audiences.
This year’s One Act Festival features three comedies. Sheldon Bruce Zeff directs “DuneLawn” by Terrence McNally. This play takes a comedic look at the dysfunctional relationships of three couples on a country-club retreat with their marriage counselor. At the end of the day, they are encouraged to do whatever feels good.
Local high school Director of Theater, Lorie Baldwin, directs “For Whom the Southern Belle Tolls.” This parody of “The Glass Menagerie” is one of Christopher Durang’s most popular one-act plays. It is a witty send-up featuring eccentric southern characters: a fading southern belle; her hyper-sensitive, hypochondriac son; the feminine caller; and Brother Tom who keeps meeting sailors at the movies.
Alan Packard directs the romantic comedy, “A Sunny Morning” by Joaquin Alvarez Quintero, and Serafin Quintero. This Spanish play is about an elderly couple reunited after many years. While sitting in a park sitting in a park they realize they were young lovers. After some comedic banter, they part ways promising to return, both knowing that they will not.
Audiences will enjoy the variety these three funny plays offer up. And as Stage Manager, Rob Rosiello, points out, “McNally and Durang are really hot right now.” Fans of their longer plays will have a chance to enjoy these two playwrights in one evening’s entertainment.
The three directors are excited to be a part of the One Act Festival. Says Baldwin, “I was inspired to direct for T&C this year by last year’s festival. It’s been really exciting for me to work with the people at T&C and to have so much support.”
Packard, who traveled from Flourtown for every rehearsal felt strongly that the amount of time he spent commuting for this special event had to be worth it for him. He states, “I really wanted to [direct at T&C.] I love the show.”
Zeff, who was part of last year’s festival, adds, “It is just a nice night, a fun night.”
T&C’s One Act Festival runs for one weekend only, June 12 and 13 at 8:00 pm and June 14 at 2:00 pm. Tickets are $10 and are available by calling 800-838-3006 or through the T&C website, www.townandcountryplayers.org.
Photo (by Jean McKenna): (from left to right) Directors Alan Packard, Laurie Baldwin and Sheldon Bruce Zeff
Theater/Organization Town and Country Players
Theater/Organization Website: http://www.townandcountryplayers.org
Theater/Organization Address: 4158 York Rd Buckingham, Pennsylvania 18901 (Map It)
Theater/Organization Phone: (215) 348-7566
