Have you seen “Boulevard of Bold Dreams” yet? I named it a Critic’s Pick and wrote that it’s “a play that cleverly and movingly connects the past to the present. Don’t miss it.”
I bring this up because you may not know that “Boulevard of Bold Dreams” was developed in part at PlayFest, the Orlando Shakes’ annual festival of new plays. During PlayFest, a new work is read by professional actors who have rehearsed with a director. This provides invaluable feedback for playwrights, who can continue to shape works based on their observations — as well as taking into account audience feedback.
Critic’s Pick: Fascinating journey down ‘Boulevard of Bold Dreams’ | Review
That’s right: If you’re in the audience, you’re likely to have the chance to offer your own thoughts on the play and affect its progress.
Why is this important? Because out of these plays might come the next “Boulevard of Bold Dreams” — a future Critic’s Pick. And more important, it’s fun. Who doesn’t like to be on the ground floor of the next big thing?
Here’s a look at the lineup for this year’s PlayFest. Pick a show that strikes your fancy and check it out. Pick two or three — and be among the first to experience the theater of the future.
‘The Facts are as Follows’: By Christopher Washington, directed by Shonn McCloud. James Ezekial Williams has perfect memory and a perfect LSAT score. But his experience in law school fuels this look at microaggressions, critical race theory and love. 8 p.m. Oct. 27.
‘Who Hurt You?’: By Katie Do, directed by Felichia Chivaughn. A mental health crisis and a life-or-death situation for Vietnamese-American actor Ellie prompts her loved ones to reflect on how she was hurt — and how we hurt ourselves. 8 p.m. Oct. 28.
‘Hundreds and Hundreds of Stars’: By Sandra Delgado, directed by Clare Lopez. Clara immigrated to the U.S. with her family as a child, but when she applies for full citizenship, a chain of events is triggered that may force her from the only home she’s known. Clare’s situation raises questions about our country’s most fundamental values. 4:30 p.m. Oct. 29.
‘Only Some of God’s Children or Mississippi Magnolias’: By Paris Crayton III, directed by Angel Bates Creeks. John Malachi Curtis returns from the1963 March on Washington to his Mississippi home and finds his son has been attacked during a civil-rights sit-in. His wife wants to leave the state for good, but John isn’t ready to do so just yet. Playwright Crayton is known to Orlando Fringe audiences for his award-winning “Spare the Rod” and “Bloodline.” 8 p.m. Nov. 3.
‘Beheading Columbus’: By Diana Burbano, directed by Edmarie Montes. Two sisters go down the DNA rabbit hole to face race and colorism in the Latin American community and their family. One looks white, the other doesn’t — and DNA testing tells them why, leading to an examination of their relationship with love and humor. 5 p.m. Nov. 4.
‘Agathe’: By Angela J. Davis, directed by Joshian Morales. This is the true story of Agathe Uwilingiyimana, an advocate for girls’ education and women’s rights who served as Rwanda’s president for just 14 hours as genocide erupted and whose bravery and foresight are a beacon for all time. Blending poetry, magical realism and docudrama, the play shines a spotlight on this overlooked beacon of bravery. 8 p.m. Nov. 4.
PlayFest
- Where: Lowndes Shakespeare Center, 812 E. Rollins St. in Orlando
- When: Oct. 27-29, Nov. 3-4
- Cost: $15 per reading; $20 buffet dinner from Pig Floyd’s available on Nov. 4
- Info: orlandoshakes.org/playfest
Follow me at facebook.com/matthew.j.palm or email me at mpalm@orlandosentinel.com. Find more arts news and reviews at orlandosentinel.com/arts, and go to orlandosentinel.com/theater for theater news and reviews.
