MICHIGAN PLAYWRIGHTS FESTIVAL
Covid-19 Impacted
The Absent Minded by Joe Zarrow
Wednesday, April 22 at 8:00 pm
Boyd is stuck in his head. He can't concentrate on his drone-piloting work, on his relationships, or even on sex. When his wife Monica issues him an ultimatum to work on his mental health, Boyd turns to a mad scientist to give his brain a literal out-of-body experience. Will it be enough to save Boyd and Monica's marriage? A dark sci-fi comedy about the mind-body problem. Directed by Kaitlyn Valor Bourque.
Lois Bipolar and the Esoteric Scotch Tapes by Rachel Keown Burke
Thursday, April 23 at 8:00 pm
A woman compartmentalizes her personality and her perceived role within her family to hide a devastating genetic trait that may or may not be passed down to her daughter. She also enjoys Breaking Bad, popcorn, and call-in shows on NPR. Directed by Briana O'Neal.
Small Slam by Arnold Johnston and Deborah Ann Percy
Friday, April 24 at 8:00 pm
Two couples—Karl and Barbara, Joel and Ellen—meet regularly to play bridge; Barbara’s terminal illness causes various simmering problems—including career frustrations and suspicions of infidelity—to erupt into open conflict. Contributing to both humor and tension are the play of actual bridge hands, a magazine sex survey, and the thematic counterpoint of Christopher Marlowe’s Edward II, in which Karl is playing the title role in a university production. Directed by Rachel Keown Burke.
Spaceling by Michael Alan Herman and Josie Lapczynski
Saturday, April 25 at 8:00 pm
A painter named Nathan Kensington struggles to keep an alien lifeform hidden in his house amid a budding scientific investigation. As NASA and independent scientists circle closer and closer, Nathan might not be able to keep his new otherworldly friend safe from humanity. As a love letter to classic science-fiction, Spaceling explores what it means to be human and what it means to be the dominant species on earth. Directed by Michelle Resnick.
The Growing Season by Steve Clark and Tom Emmott
Sunday, April 26 at 2:00 pm
The Growing Season, a musical, tells the story of a grieving family reconnecting with each other and the land. Time spent rebuilding a rundown farm reminds each family member of who they are and what is important in their lives. Directed by Megan Bush.
About the Festival
Theatre NOVA focuses on new plays and new playwrights and is dedicated to working with new and local playwrights to help them develop their craft and to offer brand new plays for audiences. We created the Michigan Playwrights Festival to nurture Michigan playwrights and to develop full-length plays for future seasons. Plays that were products of Michigan Playwrights Festivals that have received their world premieres at Theatre NOVA include Mazel Tov, John Lennon by David Wells (Wilde Award for Best New Script), Resisting by David Wells (Wilde Award for Best Original Production), Mrs. Fifty Bakes a Pie by Linda Ramsay Detherage, Clutter by Brian Cox (Wilde Award for Best New Script), Irrational by R. MacKenzie Lewis and David Wells (Wilde Award for Best New Script), Katherine by Kim Carney (Wilde Award Nomination for Best New Script), Spin (aka Swimming While Drowning) by Emilio Rodriguez, and Bird by Kristin Hanratty.