Wildwood and “Rita From Across the Street” (now available on audio)

I have a thing about my hometown, Wildwood, NJ.

Actually, I have lots of things about it.

One thing I have–beyond an ongoing craving for Sam’s Pizza–is a burn to tell stories about this five-mile island. An obsession with populating it with fictional characters anchored in the world I knew there.

Right now, I’m taking a break from writing my third Wildwood play in order to tell you about my last one, “Rita from Across the Street,” which is now available as a podcast here and pretty much wherever you find podcasts. It’s the first production of Indy Pod Theater, which is dedicated to preserving and presenting the work of Indiana playwrights.

“Rita” started out as a very different play than the one you’ll hear. But it has always been set on two porches, one belonging to a Wildwood resident and the other to his neighboring rental property. It starts off conversational, like a lot of my plays seem to do.

I’m not sure if that’s a crutch or simply my aesthetic. And I’m not sure if that’s necessarily an either/or. I like to let people reveal themselves. I like to let plot emerge quietly.

The play has gone through multiple workshop readings and a trio of public presentations in Indianapolis and New York. And I am indebted to the many actors who have lent their talents to it throughout those stages. And for this recording, which features Clay Mabbitt, Jenni White, Kelsey Leigh Miller, Lexy Weixel and John Thomas. It was recording live in front of an audience at the Aristocrat Pub and produced by Patrick Chastain.

Here’s that link again.  I hope you enjoy it.

P.S. Performance rights are available. Message me.

P.P.S. If you are an Indiana playwright and want to submit a feature-length script for consideration — one that you believe will work in an audio format — send it along to indypodtheater@gmail.com.