Orange County Playwrights Alliance Celebrates Birthday with OCPA 20/20

The Orange County Playwrights Alliance (OCPA) celebrates its 20th birthday in April with OCPA 20/20, a pair of Discoveries new play events at Santa Ana's Theatre Out. The April 18 staged readings take a retrospective turn and present one-acts from OCPA's 20 years; the April 25 staged readings present new one-acts referencing the theme "20 years". Details on both events below - call 714-902-5716 for reservations!

The April 18 playbill:

Magic Box, Evil Eye, written and directed by Jordan R. Young (produced in American Stories, OCPA's 2005 co-production with Vanguard Theatre Ensemble). In Monument Valley Navajo Tribal Park, a young urbanite photojournalist encounters a one-time Navajo code talker in a clash of cultures. The play questions the nature of integrity, and explores the ways we sometimes exploit each other despite our best intentions. Features Ruben Miranda and Amy Lauren Gettys.

The Back Side of the Moon, written and directed by Karen Fix Curry (a 2015 OC-centric New Play Festival finalist, first presented in Discoveries in 2013). When an artist finds herself in jail, she is must face the truth of who she really is.

Bar Scene, written by John Lane and directed by Wade Williamson (first presented in Discoveries in 2009). A man has returned home for his father's funeral and while having a drink in a bar, a woman divulges his family's big secret.

A Waffle Doesn't Cure Insomnia, written and directed by Erica Bennett (published in Applause Theatre Books' The Best Short Plays 2011-2012, first presented by OCPA in 2012). In the Splendid Dance Hall ladies restroom in the winter of 1984, an irreverent junkie and a proud disco queen vow to keep living no matter how close mortality approaches. Featuring Felipe Leon and EB Bohks.

The April 25 playbill:

Ricochet, written by Erica Bennett and directed by Steven Biggs. An ill-timed, inappropriate joke haunts a self-absorbed woman, who is forced to realize that her ambitions are no match for authenticity; it all comes back to You. Featuring Karen Wray, Mark Rosier and Brenda Kenworthy.

The Hyperachieving Narcissists Present the Next 20 Years, written by Eric Eberwein and directed by Angela Cruz. Three college grads raised to excel race to make their mark in a remarkably self-involved world.

Where Did the Time Go?, written by Lynn Wells Nelson and directed by Phyllis B. Gitlin. A watchmaker takes the measure of the minutes and hours of his customers' lives as he repairs their timepieces.