Local Playwrights Featured at Lionheart

James Beck is more than familiar with theatre and how to bring it to the community. And that is just what he’ll do this coming June 2 through 12 as his company, Onion Man Productions, presents the third annual showing of first-run 10 minute plays. 

This new production called "Life is Short," presents nine original plays by local playwrights that remind us that life is good. All set in some type of funeral setting, these plays are for the most part humorous and often thought provoking. Each play was written specifically for this project.

One of the playwrights, Raymond Fast, said that when learning of the theme he was intrigued by the challenge. Writing a short and concise play isn’t an easy thing to do. Fast’s play, "Keyless Entry," introduces dead people who see a live person, instead of visa versa. 

In another play by Dan Carter Brown, a “fake” funeral is held so that he and his wife can see who attends. They all ended up learning a little more than they expected. 

About 10 years ago Beck moved to Chicago as a dramatist to study playwriting and improv. While there he took part in a popular production of short plays. Upon his return to Atlanta five years ago he introduced this short play concept to audiences here. Beck says that this work “brings playwrights, actors and directors together from all over Atlanta.” 

The plays for this year’s production are:

"The Professional" by Corey-Jan Albert
Some people mourn.  Some people shed tears  . . . and some bring cookies.
Directed by Mary Saville

 "The False Funeral" by Daniel Carter Brown
Dying can get complicated when you don’t really mean it.
Directed by Phillip Justman

" The Achilles Plan" by Sean Casey
At his dad’s funeral, Bobby is solicited by Mr. Fate and offered the The Achilles 
Plan—but the plan has some rather important fine print
Directed by Judith Beasley

 "A Fond Farewell When Everest Fell" by Jeremy Clark
At the wake for Everest Rockwell, all parties gather to pay their “respects.”
Directed by Kati Grace Morton

"Keyless Entry" by Raymond Fast
Life goes on, even when you die ... but some things just gotta change!
Directed by Daphne Mintz and James Beck

 "Final Arrangements" by David L. Fisher
Making final arrangements is not cheap . . . most of the time.
Directed by Carolyn Choe

"Everybody Talkin' 'Bout Heaven" by Jonathan S.E. Perkins
Grieving at her husband’s funeral, Merlene is visited by her former housekeeper.  
And suddenly, heaven is not the subject at hand.
Directed by Kathy Simmons

"Sam in the Box" by David Marshall Silverman
A gruff, elderly TV producer goes casket shopping after he decides to
stage his own funeral.
Directed by J. Michael Carroll

"New Age Farewells, Inc." by Susan M. Steadman
Sparks fly when three strangers—a churchwoman, a stripper and an art historian with twin infants—have a bizarre encounter at a high-tech funeral home.
Directed by Jaclyn Hofmann