Nu-Plays Agency

One Act Play List
Click on the links below for Cast List, Synopses, Staging and Running Times    

  by Sheryle Criswell     

          Children's
              Bernie Bolton's Birthday

 

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Mourning The Marigolds

A Story of Love in One Act

Mourning the Marigolds is the story of eccentric, sixty-ish Bessie Levinson, as she sits on a park bench in Russell Square Park, London and tells her story to Charlie Hampton. It is also about Father Frank McAllister, an Irish priest, also in his sixties, who happens to be strolling through the same park with his niece, Julie. As they rest a moment on another bench, he tells his very similar story.
Through several 'memory scenes, we see Frank's and Bessie's love affair as it unfolds and then ends, and we learn of the broken hearts that have been with them for forty years. But on this particular, chilly autumn afternoon, with Bessie's beloved marigolds about to gasp their last - there is a chance meeting of the two old lovers .....

CAST
Bessie Levinson - in her 60's - Intelligent but somewhat eccentric - American
Julie Morgan - in her 20's - British born, doubles as:
Young Bess - in her 20's
Father Francis McAllister - in his 60's. Tired Irish born Catholic Priest
Charlie Hampton - in his 20's - British, doubles as:
Young Francis - in his 20's - Irish accent

SETTING
The Set consists of three park benches, a wire waste bin and the suggestion of flowerbeds of marigolds. Costumes are simple and contemporary.

Running Time - Approximately One Hour              Top of page

 

 

A Christmas Tail Tale

A Christmas Comedy in One Act

A CHRISTMAS TALE  is a somewhat bizarre trip to Beaver Dam, North Carolina and the mountain home of the Bennett family as they prepare for Christmas Eve. Very loosely inspired by Dicken's A Christmas Carol, A CHRISTMAS TALE, finds Nick ("Santy" Claus) narrating as well as participating as Orville's (Pa) tour guide through the past, present and future, as he is made to face his poor attitude and what life will be like if he doesn't wise up. The rest of the Bennett clan, quiet Senora (Mama)…former hoochy-coochy dancer, Granny Lu…sensitive Bo…precocious Corry Su…and empty-headed, big-hearted Melba Baby, all show Orville the error of his ways. All's well that ends well as Orville finally sees the light and dons the dreaded "Santy" Claus suit for Christmas Day and a trip to the children's ward at the Waynesville hospital. 

CAST
Orville (Pa) - About 40 years, thin, wiry, ornery.
Senora - About 40 years, quiet.
Granny Lou - 85 years, somewhat eccentric.
Melba Baby - 18 years, very pretty, very sexy, very dumb. Dresses like Daisy Mae on a bad day.
Billy Bob - 15 years - slightly effeminate (but doesn't know it. looks like his father - dresses in strange colours.
Corry Su - 12 years, extremely precocious - very intelligent. Her clothes reflect an attitude to personal hygiene.
Santa (Nicholas) - a little chubby guy in a red suit - lots of white whiskers.

SETTING
Two simple sets, side by side - one, a 'country' living room and the other a bedroom. Costumes are 'fun'

Running Time - Approximately One Hour        Top of page

 JOE RED'S

Joe Red's takes place in 77 year old, Joseph Redenoff's pool room in the autumn of 1975. The narrator, Jake Crystal, tells the story from the present, as he stands on the Williamsberg Bridge. His connection to the story is very intimate.
We meet 75 year old Albert Samuels - Joe's long term friend, The Kid - a troubled and desperate 20 year old and Rudy Taylor - the ghost of a black World War II marine. Rudy's final assignment, before being reassigned another life , is to save The Kid, - who doesn't want to be saved.
In addition, Joe must come to terms with his wife's death, Albert's sudden death, the loss of his pool room to a city demolition project and acceptance of the passing of time and his own old age.

CAST
Joseph Redenoff - Owner of Joe Red's. 77 years old.
Albert Samuels - Joe's longtime friend. 75 years
The Kid - Joe's customer and friend. 20 years
Rudy Taylor - African-American ghost. 35 years old
Jake Crystal - Narrator. About 40 years

THE SETTING
Joe Red's Poolroom / The Williamsberg Bridge. Autumn 1975
The Williamsberg Bridge - The Present

Running time - approximately one hour                 Return to top of page

 

Sister Cornelia's Garden

Fifty year old, Sister Cornelia Ramirez came to God the hard way. Between the personal struggles in her past and her present position as Head Mistress of The St Augustine Residential School for Troubled Youth, Sister Cornelia thought she could handle just about anything, until she met fifteen year old Andre "Cola" Leary, that is. She discusses her frustrations with her long time friend and administrative assistant, Grace Shapiro and of course with God. Unfortunately, nothing seems to work in her attempts to get though to this young man.

CAST
Sister Cornelia Ramirez - aged 50         Andre "Cola" Leary - black, aged 16 yrs 
Grace Shapiro - aged 60

SETTING
The set consists of an office which leads out to a small but lovely garden. There is a stone bench and a rose bush, it can be as simple or elaborate as resources allow.

Costumes are contemporary.

The running time is 45 minutes

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