Shining the Spotlight on Original Works at Elmwood Playhouse

This past weekend, six original One Act plays were presented at Elmwood Playhouse. This event brought together playwrights, directors, crew and actors from all over Rockland and beyond as they came together to give playwrights an opportunity to see their original work  up on stage. According to producer Steve Bermack an event such as this has not happened in over 20 years.

For several of the playwrights, these plays were also years in the making. For Richard Fulco, Rockland local and owner of Nyack’s Big Red Books, it started 20 years ago during his teaching career. After assigning his students the prompt “Imagine a world in which there is no…”, he then took it upon himself to answer with “Imagine a world in which you have to pay to speak”. This prompt was displayed on its feet to full houses this weekend. Fulco’s favorite part? “It’s been really exciting to go back to collaborating with actors”. 

That collaborative spirit was the red thread running through the night. Cast and crew were in charge of their own rehearsals, costumes, sets, sound cues and more, and audiences could tell that each showcase was a labor of love. Many of the performers and artists in attendance came from outside of the county as Elmwood continues to attract interest in talent from all around the Tri State area. 

One such example includes father and son duo Brian C. Petti and Mychal Petti of Warwick NY. After having this play in the works for several years, this event was their “reunion tour”. Mychal convinced his father to submit the show to Elmwood Playhouse and the two told a “moo-ving” story featuring two bovine besties as they navigate their own mortality. Although Brian first got involved with Elmwood in the 1990s and is no stranger to the stage, this was Mychal’s debut night of acting. 

 With over 83 plays submitted to the play selection committee this year, competition was stiff. However, producer Steve Bermack emphasized that this festival is not the only opportunity Elmwood provides to have original works workshopped. While they plan on doing a similar festival next year, Elmwood also has membership meetings the first Monday of every month. Community members interested are welcome to attend and are encouraged to submit works to potentially be presented after meetings. And as for those unsure of their artistic capabilities or dealing with some “stage fright”, playwright Michael Edan says “It’s never too late to start something new”. Edan first got involved with writing at 59 and shares that he never realized that writing would “open a door to another part of me that finds…a type of fulfillment creatively through writing”. 

So what comes next for Elmwood Playhouse? On August 26th and 27th auditions will be held for Stephen Karam’s The Humans, directed by Lisa Spielman. For those who prefer to be patrons of the arts, Mel Brooks and Thomas Meehan’s musical Young Frankenstein directed by Jason Summers opens September 6th and runs through the 28th. Visit elmwoodplayhouse.com for more information.