Dates: 7/28/2023 - 8/12/2023
📍 Theatre: Theatre Southwest
3939 Hillcroft, Suite 160
Houston, TX 77057
Phone: (713) 661-9505
Theatre Southwest Presents The Festival of Originals – otherwise known as The FOO
The Festival of Originals is an annual occurrence, in which playwrights all around the world have an opportunity to submit a short play that they’ve written. There are some requirements that must be met, including that they’re supposed to be approximately 20 minutes in length for the performance.
Theatre Southwest selects 5 of these plays from the thousands that we receive each year. These five shows are assigned to different directors. Each of the directors selects their own cast. These 5 plays are then put together in a single show on the stage, and they are all performed back-to-back (with an intermission between shows 3 & 4).
Shows, playwrights, directors, and casts:
The Matchmaker
Written by Mindy Roll of Houston, Tx.
Directed by Vicky McCormick
Carol, an older divorcee, is ready to re-enter the dating scene. Madison, a dating app coach, has built a wildly successful business on matchmaking for Gen Z. When Carol hires Madison to get her back on the scene, all dating hell breaks loose.
CAST:
Madison: Annabelle Evans
Carol: Alice Rhoades
Look, where it comes again!
Written by Johanna Beale Keller of DeWitt, NY
Directed by Steve Carpentier
In this physical comedy send-up of theater's quirks and the magic of Hamlet, the three young actors in the Teensy Weensy Shakespeare Troupe await the arrival of a world famous director who will coach their Hamlet rehearsal. When a Truck Driver appears, they assume it is the director and follow all the instructions.
CAST:
Truck Driver: Cindy Lou Parker
Actor #1: Lisa Caughorn
Actor #2: Alexis Munoz
Actor #3: Keri Wolfe
Imaginary Friends
Written by Fernando Dovalina of Houston, Tx
Directed by Jay Menchaca
A man with a recurring fantasy about his childhood imaginary friend seeks help from a psychic. The psychic may deal in fantasy, but she thinks the customer needs to come to grips with reality. There's a surprise awaiting both in the struggle between fantasy and reality.
CAST:
Psychic: Helen Warwick
Customer #1: Joshua Figuerra
Customer #2: Reijon Liboon
Moonrise
Written by Marla Porter of Austin, Tx
Directed by Justin Holloway
Two squabbling middle-aged brothers are led in death to forgiveness for each other by Lucinda, Goddess of the Moon.
CAST:
Billy: Lance Stodghill
Martin: Shawn Havranek
Lucinda: Pam Pankratz
At Sea, Two Guys in Clerical Guise
Written by Denis Meadows of Brooklyn, NY.
Directed by David Hymel
Two thieves with a bagful of money arey dressed in clerical guise to disguise themselves. They meet up with Megally, a loquacious admirer of the cloth.
CAST:
Tony: Alonso Prusmack
Joey: Reijon Liboon
Megally: Hayley Beiermeister
Theatre Southwest presents The Festival of Originals, a showcase of new plays by emerging playwrights from around the world.Don't miss this opportunity to experience the best of emerging playwriting talent. Performances run from July 28 - August 12.
Founded in 1957 and now in its 69th season, Theatre Southwest (TSW) has consistently maintained a reputation for offering exciting, relevant theatre. Plays by the most interesting playwrights, presented by accomplished casts and directors, set the standard at TSW. As one of Houston's premier smaller venues, TSW has successfully proven over the years that an enjoyable night at the theatre can be richly rewarding and inexpensive. Comedy, drama, classics, and original plays are all part of TSW's heritage, and each season brings new and enthralling productions, offering live theatre at its best. Recently revitalized by a move to a beautiful new home (3939 Hillcroft, Suite 160, at the intersection of Hillcroft and Westpark), TSW will continue to offer bold, thought-provoking work to Houston audiences for years to come.
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