Mystery Theatre Members in StoFest Shows

Several members of the Mystery Theatre Unlimited ensemble will participate in a one act play festival this week offered through the Independent Theatre Collective. The plays are all original works by local and regional playwrights – most of them only ten minutes long. The performances are slated for 8 pm Thursday, Friday and Saturday and 3 pm on Sunday, September 17 – 20 at the building known as the Historic Second Presbyterian Church, located at 20th and Market streets in Wheeling.

Named “StoFest” in honor of local playwright Tom Stobart, each night will offer a unique line-up of short plays, including one by Stobart. Other playwrights of local interest whose shows will be featured include ITC founder Jeremey Richter, Ned Gallaway, Ron Scott, Jr. and Butch Maxwell.

Mystery Theatre members acting in various shows include Mystery Theatre co-founder Vera Barton Caro, Arlene Merryman, Sean Decker, Bert Furioli, Gretchen Schneider, Valery Staskey-Roeder and Butch Maxwell.
Thursday’s performances are scheduled to include “Next to Nothing” by by T. S. Stobart, “I Endorse This Message” by Huntington native Jonathon Joy, “Dinnertime” by former Huntinton resident Jeffrey Scott Elwell, “Painting Faces” by Ned Gallaway, and “Opposite but Equal” by Ron Scott, Jr.

Friday’s shows will feature “L3” by Jeremy Richter, “Lucy Dreaming” by former St. Albans resident Stacey Lane, “Spirals,” also written by Elwell, “Fine,” written by Butch Maxwell and another performance of “Next to Nothing.”

Two longer one acts will be presented on Saturday: “Postcards from a Dead Dog” by Pittsburgh native F.J. Hartland and Stobart’s “Oh, Rob.”
Sunday’s line up offers another work by Joy, “The War on Halloween,” another show by Richter, “Evolving Elliot,” another show by Lane, “Alien to Antiquity,” a show by Pricton native Eric Fritzius called “…to a Flame,” and a final performance of Stobart’s “Next to Nothing.”

On a personal note – the show I wrote, “Fine,” is a play in one word. Even though it lasts only about seven minutes and contains only one word of dialogue, it is not a sketch, but an actual play. In other words, there is dramatic action, conflict, character evolution and a resolution involving a change in at least one character. Of course, it is funny, too. I am blessed to have Vera Barton Caro acting in the show, along with me, and John Reilly directing it.

I’m also acting in Jeremy Richter’s interesting Mamet-style show “L3,” which he says is based loosely upon Shakespeare’s “Love’s Labour Lost,” but one would have to listen closely to pick up on that. Half of the ten minute piece is banter between Bert Furioli and me, which, I think will be fun for people to see.

Then there is Tom Stobart’s “Next to Nothing,” a short one act show that I did some years ago at the Cornerstone Project. Although my character is central to the action, the show is all about Valery Staskey Roeder’s character – and she is turning in a remarkable performance in her first dramatic role. (She’s been a musical and comedy actor for many years.)

Other shows are well worth seeing, too. I don’t know much about many of them, but I should mention Ron Scott’s “Opposite but Equal,” which makes a powerful statement. “Lucy Dreaming” has an interesting premise. And I saw Arlene Merryman in “Postcards from a Dead Dog” a few years ago at the Pittsburgh Playwright’s Theatre – and it is a wonderful show.

Come see it! Remember – all of these shows (except for “Next to Nothing”) are presented one night only. This is a great way to enjoy an intimate evening of original theatre – or better yet, four completely different evenings of it!

Tickets are available at the door. For additional information, see www.ITCGreenroom.org.