For this year’s version of “Scenes,” playwrights from throughout the United States submitted scripts that incorporated this year’s theme of “anniversary” or “celebration,” which corresponds with Sundog’s 20th anniversary. Six were chosen for a financial award and a staged production.
“We are very excited to be celebrating Sundog’s 20th anniversary as a company, as well as presenting the ferry plays for 20 years,” said Sundog Executive Director Susan Fenley. “The project has developed an audience following, some of whom have been with us since the very beginning where the plays went from writing to showtime in 24 hours.”
Directors for “Scenes from the Staten Island Ferry 2022″ are Barbara Brandt, Louisa Gallanda, Hadly Patterson, Craig Stoebling, Ken Tirado and Diane Zerega. Producer is Susan Fenley, tech director is Stephen Fehr, production stage manager is Katie Scibelli, with graphic design by Angela Pelletier.
Sundog Theatre’s “Scenes from the Staten Island Ferry 2022″ winning selections:
The Fondant by Michelle Giusto. Giusto is a teacher and writer. Previous works include shorts performed at theaters in New York and Pennsylvania as well as virtual festivals in New York, California, and Hong Kong. Her plays have twice been chosen for “Scenes.” Michelle, who lives in Levittown, N.Y., also teaches fourth grade and has a doctorate in Educational Psychology.
“Noodles!” by Scott Mullen. Mullen is a longtime Hollywood, Calif. screenplay analyst and screenwriter and a two-time winner of Amazon Studios’ screenwriting contest. He co-wrote the Lifetime movie “Line Sisters” and his thrillers “The Summoning, “In Broad Daylight” and “Blood on Her Badge” aired on TV One. An evening of his comic plays, “A Night of S.M.,” an evening of comedic short plays, had a two-week run in Hollywood. Scott’s short plays have been produced hundreds of times around the world.
“Silly Numbers” by Theo Gallagher. Gallagher spent 30 years teaching high school chemistry and physics and retired in 1999. His plays “De Ja Columbus” was produced by Thespian Productions in Manhattan, “The Losers” was produced in “Scenes” by Sundog Theatre, and “Spirit Equity” by Lakeshore Players Theatre in Minnesota.
“Sylvie and Gracie Get Married” by Dvora Zipkin. Zipkin, an actor, playwright, and director, lives in Vermont and has had several short plays produced there and elsewhere, including a one-act Chanukah play (via Zoom) in Chicago. She has appeared on a number of Vermont stages and is on the board of the Vermont Playwrights Circle.
“Take Something, Leave Something” by Matthew Gilleece. Gilleece is a prize-winning Staten Island screenwriter, playwright, lyricist, actor, and musician. His plays have been workshopped and performed at venues from New York City to Los Angeles, most recently at the Little Victory Theatre and New York Theater Festival. His one-acts have appeared in Scenes for the past three years.
“Whatever Happened to Arlo Minchik” by Vicki Riba Koestler. Riba Koestler has had essays published in The Times travel and New York Daily News travel as well as north New Jersey’s Record op-ed, New Jersey Monthly, and Child Magazine. Books include “The Baby Boomer’s Guide to Getting it Right the Second Time Around” and “Choosing Joy,” both by Gary Null with Riba Koestler.
Performances of “Scenes from the Staten Island Ferry 2022″ are March 5, 6, 11, 12, and 13, Friday and Saturday at 8 p.m. and Sunday at 3 p.m. at New Dorp Moravian Church Theatre, 2205 Richmond Rd. Tickets are $18 and $20 and on sale now. To purchase tickets for live or streaming performances, visit www.sundogtheatre.org or buy at the door.
