The third annual Fern Street Play Festival will take place at the Universalist Church of West Hartford.

Submitted

The Fern Street Play Festival is entering its third year of performing a thought-provoking collection of short plays as staged readings. Eight original works were chosen from over 300 entries by playwrights from around the world in a “blind” juried selection process. You’ll experience these plays in their purest form of dynamic readings by skilled actors.

The Festival highlights original plays that delve into the human condition – with themes from poignant to lighthearted – and offer a chance to uplift the community through the broadening experience of readers’ theatre. Each performance includes all eight 10-minute plays and post-show discussions with the cast and directors.

The Festival runs Sept. 19-21 with Friday and Saturday performances at 7:30 p.m. and a Sunday matinee at 2 p.m. Performances are held in the sanctuary of the Universalist Church of West Hartford, 433 Fern Street, West Hartford, CT. Tickets are available at the door or online at https://tinyurl.com/fernstreetplayfest. Suggested $20 donation goes towards cash awards for our eight winning playwrights. Free parking at the Church is also available. Plays are appropriate for ages 12 and up.

All three performances include the following original plays:

THE LATE GORDON KAPLAN

When love and grief get all tangled up …

Playwright: Robin Anne Joseph

Director: Jennifer Madison

Performed by Hannah Garmise, Reva Kleppel, and Richard Leslie

THE PERSON IN CHARGE

Stepping up to the plate … and the pizza.

Playwright: Loretta Bolger Wish

Director: Gretchen Fountain

Performed by Rosemarie Beskind, Rick Fountain, and Michael Isko

UP ON THE ROOF

The unexpected sound of a stranger’s voice can change everything.

Playwright: Betsy Maguire

Directors: Betsy Maguire and Jennifer Madison

Performed by Anna Kelly and Tully Russell

EIGHTEENTH QUINQUENNIAL ENDING PICNIC

Sometimes you just have to party!

Playwright: Jillian Blevins

Director: Richard Leslie

Performed by Rick Fountain, Jordan Liddell, Mark O’Donnell, Kathy Palma, and Lisa Smith-Horn

SAFE HARBOR

A tug of war between medicine and the law.

Playwright: James McLindon

Director: Patrice Fitzgerald

Performed by Betsy Maguire, Daniel Renzi, and Virginia Wolf

IN THE SAME BOAT

What’s a nice boa like you doing in a place like this?

Playwright: Domenick Scudera

Director: Rick Fountain

Performed by Michael Morgan and Melissa Rostkoski

BILLY AND THE ADHD

The voices in your head can sometimes get really loud.

Playwright: Mark Mulkerin

Director: Michael Isko

Performed by Stephen Donnelly, Patrice Fitzgerald, Gretchen Fountain, and Nathan Rumney

SMITH AND JONES

What would the neighbors say?

Playwright: Kevin Christopher Snipes

Director: Patrice Fitzgerald

Performed by Jennifer Madison, Melissa Paul-Perez, Daniel Renzi, and Jamie Reopell

Please contact fernstreetplayfestival@gmail.com with any related questions.

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