Dear Friend,

It’s hard to believe, but our third annual New Year/New Plays Festival is only two weeks away. As you know, the 2021 Festival is going to be a little different from the first two. It’s online, it’s free, and it’s spread out over five days – January 6 - January 10 – instead of the usual three. But we’ll still be reading five evolving works, and for the second straight year we will be presenting a panel discussion with the playwrights on Saturday afternoon. Make your reservations now for any and all programs.

Casting has just been completed and the directors are set. We’re delighted to share that information with you along with the complete schedule. 
  
By Catherine Bush
Wednesday, January 6 at 7:30pm
When Civil War reenactor Curtis Jenkins is accused of being racist, he begins a fantastical journey through American race relations. As the Charlottesville Unite the Right rally explodes into violence, Curtis must confront the truth about his family legacy and his own beliefs.
Cast (in alphabetical order): Irene Adjan, Jim Ballard, Rita Cole, Jovon Jacobs, Matthew W. Korinko, Sam McCalla, and Nathan Whitmer. Stage directions: Laura Turnbull

THE SUREST POISON
By Kristin Idaszak
Directed by J. Barry Lewis
Thursday, January 7 at 7:30pm
It’s the era of Prohibition, and Alexander Gettler, a chemist whose research helped create the field of forensic toxicology, must try to catch a murderer and convince the federal government to stop poisoning alcohol. Inspired by the real-life work of Gettler and journalist Lois Long.
Cast (in alphabetical order): Darlene Hope, Michael McKenzie, Turna Mete, Mallory Newbrough, and John Leonard Thompson. Stage directions: Bruce Linser

DOROTHY’S DICTIONARY
By E.M. Lewis
Directed by Matt Stabile
Friday, January 8 at 7:30pm
After a violent incident at his high school, Zan is forced to choose between juvenile detention and community service. But when he is assigned to read to Dorothy, a librarian who has just entered hospice care, neither of them is sure he's made the right decision.
Cast (in alphabetical order): Eli Mosley and Karen Stephens. Stage directions: Elizabeth Dimon
Panel Discussion with the Playwrights
Saturday, January 9 at noon

TWENTY-TWO
By Erin K. Considine
Directed by Debi Marcucci
Saturday, January 9 at 7:30pm
We lose 22 veterans daily to suicide, 22 men and women who survived combat but return home broken. The play follows one man and one woman affected by this unspeakable choice, and the hope they find in each other.
Cast (in alphabetical order): Julie Kleiner and Brandon Morris. Stage directions: Bruce Linser

THE PREY
By Gina Montet
Directed by: Margaret Ledford
Sunday, January 10 at 2:00pm
A tale of beauty, love, and murder in the heart of the Everglades. Set in 1912 and inspired by actual events, the play is a chilling interpretation of one of Florida’s most notorious killings.
Cast (in alphabetical order): Alex Alvarez, Iain Batchelor, George Bostic, Lindsey Corey, Tim Davis, Michael Gioia, Caleb Scott, and Tom Wahl. Stage directions: Meredith Bartmon

We will, as always, be soliciting your feedback via a talkback following each reading – this time on Zoom, of course – as your thoughts and reactions are valuable to the playwrights as they continue to polish their work.  

Mark and Diane Perlberg are the executive producers of the New Year/New Plays Festival. PBDonline is sponsored by Louise and Barry Snyder. Tickets to all programs are free, but reservations are required. Visit palmbeachdramaworks.org or call the box office at 561.514.4042, x2. And donations to PBD are always welcome.

Finally, to those of you who celebrate, Merry Christmas. And to those of you who celebrate, Happy Kwanzaa. And we haven’t forgotten: Happy Festivus.

Stay safe! 
In case you missed it,
Charles Dickens' A Christmas Carol
is available for viewing until Sunday, December 27

To view the past Dramalogue: Talking Theatre! programs including recent guests

Bruce Linser
John Leonard Thompson
Michael Amico
Patti Gardner
Dennis Creaghan
Terry Teachout
Lynn Nottage
Gary Cadwallader
Brian O'Keefe
Mark Perlberg
Please consider a year-end gift to PBD, which will help us continue to provide quality virtual programs for free.