Plays

Kinfolks
Southern comedy adapted from Gurney Norman's short stories. Lovely Appalachian tales about Wilgus. Full length. Could be part of reading series. With direct permission from Jonathan Greene at Gnomon Press, Kentucky only.

Laments

A 3-act collection of Dorothy Parker's short stories. Each story could be a 1-act or as a part of a reading series for a college course. Read a Review

These stories are reflective of her own life in the way she portrays smart women who should know better than to make the choices they have made. Such are the expectations of life.

I chose three so even though these can be used like one acts they are one full length play in three acts under the title of Laments:

The Wonderful Old Gentleman

Two sisters and their view of their father's life. One the caretaker with the reality of what the old man demanded and the socialite sister who only saw him on occasion. With permission from playwright and NAACP only.

Lady with a Lamp

A woman attempts suicide and is deluged with advice from a "friend" who not only overstays her welcome but ignores the affect her visit has on the patient. Dorothy Parker herself attempted suicide and all her friends showed up at the hospital still expecting her to be witty and entertain them.

The Big Blonde

Adaptation of Dorothy Parker's most famous story, about a woman who survives by accepting the attention of men who are less than kind. The question is, "Does a woman sell her body or soul to keep herself alive?"

Laments may only be performed with permission from the playwright and the NAACP.

Of Human Bondage

Full length play based on W. Somerset Maugham's novel.
Read a Review

Follows the development of orphan Philip Carey from his adoption by a stingy, narrow-minded uncle through the great loves sorrows, disappointments and triumphs of his life.

Unlike the movie versions of the novel, which concentrated on his love affair with the cold-hearted Mildred, this adaptation celebrates an Edwardian world full of Maugham's original characters.

We meet Uncle William, who sees the terrors of sin and damnation everywhere, and Griffiths, who, behind his smarmy smile, destroys the only thing that Philip will ever love. We meet Norah Nesbit, whom Philip makes to suffer simply because she loves him and Athelny, who deserts his rich wife for a good cook. There is Cronshaw, the poet of endless babble, who knows nothing, learns nothing and says everything, and the vicious Upjohn who sees to Cronshaw's death so he might know posthumous fame. And of course Mildred, the fascinating Mildred, trading every bit of her self for power, lust, money and control of men.

Karon Sue Semones has re-created the essence and emotion of this magnificent novel for the stage, capturing the passionate grandeur of Mr. Maugham's Of Human Bondage.

Could be used in reading series with college courses. Adaptation may be used with permission from playwright and estate only.

Almost Home

Love conquers all in this timeless southern comedy. Grammy Clatterbuck has died, but she is neither gone nor forgotten. She has left her Civil War mansion called Turnabout to her two granddaughters but nothing to her wastrel grandson. She plans to hang around to oversee the reading of the Will. But there are conditions!

The two spoiled Clatterbuck girls, having spent their lives as Hollywood bit players, are now required to inhabit Turnabout exactly as their ancestors did -- "to learn the value of history."

But their brother Romulus is so certain he can con them out of their birthright that he has secretly leased the mansion to the FBI to house Mafia Informers under the Witness Protection Program.

The historical society, under Ms. Dimple Harrington, has plans to take over Turnabout which do not include the Clatterbucks. And, the Town of Shelly, Virginia wants to tear the whole thing down for a golf course.

Underlying this fanciful screwball comedy is the serious theme: in all times and places there are good and decent people trying to do the right thing as they see it.

Full Length. Strong parts for women. Civil War theme. With permission from playwright only.

Grave Concerns

A theatre director is found dead. Was it murder, suicide or accident? Read a Review

 

Original Southern comedy takes place in the summer time at the Praline Playhouse in Shelly, VA. The small theatre is about to close, and everyone connected with this community theatre is adamant about the situation. Some are devoted to this little theatre; others want it to close in order to get the money from its sale. All are concerned because of their relationship to the dead man. Will the playhouse overcome the forces who think Shelly doesn't need a debt-ridden, woebegone little theatre and will the dream of art die?

 

"I wrote it when I heard the arts funding will be cut and what it would mean to communities to have a theatre shut down, what effect it would have for everyone. It is important that there should be community theatres. Where else will actors perfect their craft and go on to be professionals?"

 

Reviewer Bea Smith said, "Grave Concerns is no ordinary play. It is, in fact, just about as extraordinary a piece of theatre as any audience has experienced."

 

Full Length. Some musical numbers. Strong parts for women. With permission from playwright only.

 

Books

Observation Points

Playwriting course for beginning writers or those who wish to understand the process of finding their voice. Currently under consideration by publisher. Available through playwright.