Come see my play... FINALLY

One of the reasons I got into playwriting was that I was frustrated that it took sometimes years for screenplays to actually become movies (assuming they get made at all). With a play, you write it, get some actors together, find a barn, and you can do it. And sell concessions. 

Well, I’m proud to announce that my play UPFRONTS & PERSONAL opens tomorrow night at the Gallery Players Theatre in Brooklyn and gets its world premiere.

After 18 years.

Okay, some backstory. I made a BIG rookie mistake. I had a cast of eight. When I finished the draft I sent it to Garry Marshall who had his own theatre in Burbank. He called me a week later and said, “Verrrry funny!” I said, “Great. Can we do something at the Falcon (his theatre) with this?” “TOO MANY PEOPLE!” he replied.

Apparently with costs, etc. it’s now pretty much understood that plays shouldn’t have more than four people in the cast, and fewer if possible.  (The ideal cast size is none.)

FACTOID: My next play did get produced at the Falcon Theatre. The cast size was two.

Again, I was a novice. Who knew? I was used to all plays having large casts – even ones you don’t think of. Look at the ODD COUPLE. Yes, it’s primarily Felix & Oscar but there are seven people in that cast. And as funny as that play is, it wouldn’t nearly be as good without the poker players and the Pigeon sisters.  Big casts are a good thing -- and give more actors work. 

UPFRONTS has eight roles and they can’t be combined. So I had a few all-star readings (that all went great), just kept rewriting and updating, and leaving the candle in the window. I’ve always felt it was a terrifically funny play and deserved a shot. My eternal thanks to the Gallery Players Theatre for finally giving it a production. Also thanks to my wonderful director, Scotty Watson and awesome cast: Timothy Paul Jobe, Mark Hudson, Rachael Schefrin, Michelle Conti, Mike Sause, Jared Wilder, and Logan Hurd.

I’m in New York for the performances and have been here a week for final rehearsals. It’s so exciting to finally see it come to life (although it was 0 degrees here in Gotham last Sunday night).

Here’s the synopsis: The process of getting a TV show on a network schedule is examined as one studio attempts to place two sitcoms on the Fall line-up. How far will everybody have to go, what compromises must they make, which ethics will they have to abandon? And yes, it's a comedy. Really. It is.  And loosely autobiographical.  "What doesn't kill you only makes for good story material."

If you’re in the area, the play is very funny, the theatre is heated, and for your money you get to see eight actors instead of two. And I’ll be there to apologize for anything that doesn’t work.  Here's where you go for tickets.  If you come Thursday night enter the promo code BOX10 and all seats are $10.

And by the way, 18 years is still faster than some of my screenplays.

from By Ken Levine