change. I don't have to remind you of the effect all of this has had on the world. We're still in the midst of it, even though things are getting better. The abundance of vaccinations, the slow, but sure removal of masks and a return to, maybe not life as we knew it, but at least a reasonable facsimile until it all levels out.
There has been a lot of devastating loss of life, liberty and the pursuit of happiness along the way and now is the time to start gaining some of it back. The Arts, thought of as non-essential and expendable, has been decimated to the point of near-extinction. Basically, whatever involved a gathering of people, namely an audience, has almost gone to the way of the Dodo. One has to merely look what it has done to the theater community, both professional and amateur. By sheer will and stubborn determination, it's ready to return.
So what happens going forward?
If theater groups have the freedom to a launch a full-scale production before a packed audience, more power to them. Unfortunately, that is not an option right now many out there and it still may be awhile before that can be a reality, a slower process than desired.
Several innovative theaters out there have been adapting to these weird times, discovering new ways to get on with the show once again. Some have mounted productions with casts utilizing PPE face shields. Others have staged drive-in performances, utilizing the same technology used for drive-in movie theaters. Then of course, there have been productions on video conference platforms like Zoom, reader's theater and radio shows for podcasts. These can be monetized to bring in some necessary revenue.
It's that "never say die" attitude, ignited by the passion for theater that will keep the spirit of live performances alive and kicking until the time is right to get back on the boards and get back to whatever the heck "normal" is supposed to be.
After that long-winded prelude, I am proud to announce that the first show I ever shepherded as a playwright representative (or agent, if you will) is about to finally hit the boards. THE CASE OF THE MYSTERIOUS CRAVAT, an interactive murder mystery written by the inimitable Michael K. Young, will be staged both outdoors as an afore-mentioned drive-in presentation and indoors on Sundays by the incredible Rogue Theater in Sturgeon Bay, Wisconsin on June 4-6 and 25-27. This same show was all set go last year at this time and had to be canceled at the very last moment because, well, you know. BUT, the Rogue still held hope they would produce CRAVAT one day...and now that day has come. The truly amazing thing is that it has the same exact cast as last year. What, were they kept in a cryogenic chamber or something?
I've written about theater angels I've had in the past, those that have given me chances and opportunities to continue down this path that has opened up for me. Lola DeVillers of the Rogue Theater is one of those people, being true to her word that she wanted to produce Mike's script makes her an angel in my eyes and I'll gladly share her with Mr. Young.
Speaking of which, a hearty congratulations to Mr. Michael K. Young on this, his sophomore production (after its debut with another terrific theater group StageCoach Theatre Company) of his original script. Cheers to you, Mike!
That's not all. I've just received word that my script, MURDER-THE FINAL FRONTIER is coming back as well with a possible three different productions and CASE OF THE MYSTERIOUS CRAVAT may get a second go-around come Christmastime. Stay tuned.
The pause button, which had been deployed for the last year, is now off. Let's disconnect the bloody thing and keep moving forward. If there's one thing we've learned in all this is to recognize how both fragile and resilient we can be. As long as we recognize our strengths and work through our weaknesses, we're going to make it after all. (Thank you, Mary Tyler Moore)
For more information about CASE OF THE MYSTERIOUS CRAVAT including performance rights, contact me: writtenbysc@gmail.com
MURDER-THE FINAL FRONTIER is now available from Off the Wall Plays
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