The 3rd LabWorks 15-Minute New Play Contest

For its third new play contest, The Valley Repertory Company of Enfield will present 6 moving new dramas and 6 raucous new comedies by playwrights from all over the United States, chosen from 277 submissions.

These 12 semifinalist plays will be presented over two nights: Thursday, February 23rd and Friday, February 24th. Each night, Act One consists of three dramas, and Act Two consists of three comedies. Audience members vote to advance two dramas and two comedies per evening to the finals on Saturday, February 25th. The final night audience then selects a winning drama and a winning comedy, whose authors each receive a prize of $150.

This is an exciting opportunity for theatre lovers to see brand-new plays, most of them having their world premiere with Valley Rep, and to take part in encouraging and developing the careers of playwrights from across the country.

Tickets for any single performance are $10, and a package for both semifinal nights—granting you access to all 12 semifinalists—is just $15. Order tickets, and find out more about each play, online at www.valleyrep.com, or call our Box Office at 860-810-6152. Reserve tickets early, as this event has been known to sell out. Contains adult language and situations.

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THURSDAY FEBRUARY 24
SEMIFINALS NIGHT ONE

ACT I (Dramas)
Directed by Michael May

In the Fort
by Michael Bettencourt

When her young son learns a racial slur, a Mexican-American woman realizes that she can only protect him from the cruel realities of the world for so long.

Paco...Kayden Behan
Luz....Elizabeth Reynolds

Beauty
by Allan Baker

What is the worth of art? A dealer, a buyer, and a collector value a near-priceless painting for very different reasons in this thought-provoking character study.

The Dealer........Christopher Duzak
The Collector...Don Thomas
The Buyer........Keith Giard

Thank Emily
by Richard Manley

When Elizabeth, an English professor and Dickinson expert, is forced to sit alongside homespun Mary Gerard on a train from Boston to New York, she finds herself ill-prepared for their ensuing battle of wit and lit.

Elizabeth...Amy Rucci
Mary..........Virginia Wolf


ACT II (Comedies)
Directed by Josh Guenter

Dead Zone
by Spenser Davis

In this parody of family conflict and our modern addiction to instant communication, a family tears itself apart…over dropped cell-phone coverage.

Blake...Will Matus
Dad......Keith Giard
Mom....Tara Kennedy
Derek...Zach Gray

Ring Them Bells
by Stephen Cedars

In this sharp satire, a priest believes he has made a genuine connection with his new parish’s godless citizens (despite his simple assistant’s doubts); but when they ring the church bells to summon the people, his illusions are put to the test.

Priest..........Christopher Duzak
Simpleton...Will Matus
Boy.............Andy Neild

Saintlike In Repose
by St John Karp

George and Penny and their teenage son Terrence drove across two states to attend great-aunt Isabel’s funeral. So why is Sarah Belaker in the coffin? Or is she?

George...Mark Vogel
Penny.....Tara Kennedy
Terry......Andy Neild
Priest.....Christopher Duzak

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FRIDAY FEBRUARY 24
SEMIFINALS NIGHT TWO

ACT I (Dramas)
Directed by Peter Scibak

The App of Paradise
by August Schulenberg

Jodi and Paco are grieving the loss of their dear friend Peter, when Jodi discovers her work in artificial intelligence might bring Peter, or something like him, back.

Paco...Eric Michaelian
Jodi....Stephanie Maloney

The Nightcap
by Betsy Maguire

A decorated World War II veteran, Christopher just wants a normal adult life, but his famous past can’t seem to let him go.

Chris...........Logan Lopez
Katherine...Amanda Leigh
Man............Wesley Olds

Warm Bodies
by Amanda Pepper

A young couple checks into a hotel room that is said to be haunted and become unwitting pawns in supernatural debate about morals—and the need for them—in the afterlife.

Him..........Logan Lopez
Her...........Stephanie Maloney
Ryan........Eric Michaelian
Lindsay...Amanda Leigh


ACT II (Comedies)
Directed by June Lyons

Smitten
by Mark Harvey Levine

A young woman needs her best friend’s support when she discovers how “almighty” hard it is to break up with her boyfriend.

Barb...Virginia Wolf
Amy....Lisa Eaton

Santa, the Half-Birthday Fairy, and the Breast Fairy
by Matt Hanf

Santa just wants to bring a little girl a teddy bear, but two upstart young fairies think they have a better idea. And what’s the girl’s mother’s ulterior motive?

Santa.........................Waldo Goodermote
Half-Birthday Fairy...Zach Gray
Breast Fairy...............Stephanie Maloney
Mom..........................Virginia Wolf

You Damn Well Can Take It With You
by Tom Moran

The mighty Pharaoh Thutmose, ruler of truth, who pacifies the land and pleases the gods, wants his former spouse to help him prepare for his glorious afterlife. Unfortunately, his spouse is not on the same page.

Tutmose...Mark Vogel
Wife.........Lisa Eaton

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SATURDAY FEBRUARY 25
THE FINALS

ACT I: The 4 dramas that were voted "best" from Thursday and Friday

ACT II: The 4 comedies that were voted "best" from Thursday and Friday