Tehachapi News

First Tehachapi Community Theatre 10-Minute Play Festival

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By Tina Forde
Reporter, Tehachapi News and
Tanis Galik
Tehachapi Community Theatre

The little plays are sad and happy and—uh oh—PG 13.

That's the fare for Tehachapi Community Theatre's first annual 10-Minute Play Festival, to be presented Friday, Saturday and Sunday, Nov. 20, 21 and 22.

Several of the plays are not appropriate for pre-teens, said Karl Schuck, president of Tehachapi Community Theatre.

The PG-13 designation is not for language or sexuality, he said.  One depicts some violence.

“The plays are remarkable,” Schuck said. “There is a wide range of materials. A couple are very sweet and very emotionally moving.

“All are very strong, very well-written plays.”

He said the top ranking plays of those submitted leaped out.

“Everything that was top-notch, we took.”

One of the playwrights, Norm Haughness, is local. The rest are from the Los Angeles area.

“Some are well-established regionally,” Schuck said. “These are experienced playwrights.”

The plays, playwrights and synopses:

"When Oprah Says Goodbye" by Dan Berkowitz

When a resident of an elder-care facility meets her new roommate, the encounter changes both of their lives. Directed by Cynthia Hynes and starring Sharon Wood, Annette Kirby and Alexis Bartels.

"Eating Existentialism" by Danielle Wolff

A comedy about what happens when a man's simple desire for dinner forces him to confront the nature of existence. Directed by Doug Jockinson and starring Don Thompson, Schyler Staver and Heather Ringle.

"Blood from a Stone" by Robert Michael Morris

The daughter of a suspected Nazi Concentration Camp guard faces her father in prison, learning a vivid lesson in survival, grief, compassion and the dangers of compromise. Directed by Michael Gossage and starring Richard K. Newman, Monica Nadon and Roger Funston.

"Lost Worlds" by Virginia Mekkelson

A comedy in which two people meet in a daydream.  Directed by Steve Kirby and starring Kathleen Siciliani, Steven Kirby, Heather Ringle and Rick Gould.

"Maizie, Mona and MacGregor Cayle" by Ann L. Gibbs

Maizie Sterling hired Mona Slagg to act as her nom de plume, Macgregor Cayle, thus keeping her two lives (upstanding church lady and romance novelist) separate.  Unfortunately, trouble begins when Mona begins to believe Maizie's literary talent is her own in this comedic tale of blackmail and...murder.  Directed by Cynthia Latham and starring Gwladys Peterson and Annette Henning.

"The Ninth Bell" by Ray Malus

A probing romantic comedy about a chance late-night encounter on a Cruise Ship.  Directed by Kenny Chugg and starring David Siler and Ashley Rasmussen.

"Offender" by Thomas J. Misuraca 

A comedy about a registered sex offender meeting a family who is much more offensive than he is.  Directed by Mark Fisher and starring Richard Newman, Terry Case, Thaer Irvin and Teri Cooper

"Goat" by Norm Haughness

A young black prisoner in a police jail in Apartheid-era South Africa helplessly participates in an unexpected diversion of hostility from himself to an unlikely target, suggesting that a sick society promotes viral emotions that can bring anyone down. Directed by Annette Kirby and starring Derrick Boutte, David Siler, Sarah Whittson, Rick Gould and Jonathan Hall.

Rated PG-13

Performances: Friday, Nov. 20 and Saturday, Nov. 21 at 7:30 pm

Matinee Sunday, Nov. 22 at 2:00 pm

Tickets will be on sale for $10 at Apple Shed, Tehachapi Art Center, Johnny's Take n' Bake and Old Towne Nursery.

For more information go to  www.TCTonline.com or call 822-4037.