We are only one month and change away from October, kids. Can you feel the Halloween mood in the hot, summer air? If you are in the jonesing for some dark comedy this back to school season might we suggest DINING WITH PLOETZ. Richard Ploetz (Playwright, Director of Goldfish, Bon Appetite) is bringing three new one-act, dark comedies to the “Pulitzer Prize-winning community cultural center,” Theater for the New City next month. Specifically, the production will features the comedies, Goldfish, Memory Like a Pale Green Clock, and Bone Appetite, directed Steven Hauck and Ploetz. Read more about each one act morsel below:
GOLDFISH
Sabrina, a feral child, just turned 6 and her parents are throwing her a party in their shabby loft in the desolate rug district. After the cake is eaten, the parents and their only friend Beth, wait for an aristocratic couple to arrive. The couple arrives minutes before midnight with a strange “poet” they just met on the street. Now, as a goldfish presides, the evening begins.
MEMORY LIKE A PALE GREEN CLOCK
A husband surprises his wife with a romantic dinner at an extravagant restaurant. Across from them is a woman sitting alone that he remembers but can’t place. As his distraction persists his wife becomes increasingly irritated. While the evening unravels an ancient waiter serves as an enigmatic master of ceremonies.
BONE APPETITE
A tale inspired by a true story. One character focuses on a special dinner, the other on how it will be served. What is at “steak” here, a simple meal or something of a more existential nature? Enlightenment–served as desert?
What’s more deviously exciting than a “feral child, a burnt-out musician, and a mysterious woman run amok?” Not a lot! OK, fine. You’ll also be prodded to consider both “minor and profound” human outcomes. The repertory cast for the production includes Wynne Anders (off-Broadway Claymont/Emerging Artists), Elizabeth A. Bell (A Fool’s Lear/IRT), Christopher Borg (Charles Busch’s The Confession of Lily Dare/TNC), Claudia Fabella (Universal Kids/NBC), Steven Hauck (Broadway Irena’s Vow), Jamie Heinlein (off-Broadway Penny Penniworth/Emerging Artists), and Ryan HilIiard (off-Broadway Grey Gardens/Playwrights Horizon). Tickets purchased before August 30 are just $12! Not shabby, eh? Check out dates and times below:
Thursday, September 5 at 8:00 pm (Preview)
Friday, September 6 at 8:00 pm (Opening Night)
Saturday, September 7 at 8:00 pm
Sunday, September 8 at 3:00 pm
Monday, September 9 at 8:00 pm
Wednesday, September 11 at 8:00 pm
Thursday, September 12 at 8:00 pm
Friday, September 13 at 8:00 pm
Saturday, September 14 at 8:00 pm
Thursday, September 19 at 8:00 pm
Friday, September 20 at 8:00 pm
Saturday, September 21 at 8:00 pm
Sunday, September 22 at 3:00 pm
Happy dining!
Mentions: Tickets info HERE or by calling (212) 868-4444. Tickets 12 before Aug 30, $18 thereafter. Theater for the New City is located at 155 1st Avenue (Between 9th & 10th Street), New York City, NY 10003. (Subways: L to 1st Avenue, 4/6 to Astor Place, F to 2nd Avenue, R/W to 8th Street.) Show running time: 85 minutes.