A Light Behind the Curtain

Original Art for A Light Behind the Curtain, 2004

Original Art for A Light Behind the Curtain, 2004

Synopsis

Nine theater artists are producing a show. They have actors, designers, a director, a playwright, and a stage manager. What they don’t have is funding. When Jim meets Conrad, a long-term care insurance salesman, at their mutual friend’s funeral, he inadvertently finds it. Conrad signs up to bankroll the show and plunges headlong into the world of theater with Jim as his guide.
He finds a tangled web of romantic and artistic intentions. Facing a deteriorating culture, pervasive apathy, and the mocking ghosts of the past, these young men and women feel a sense of responsibility that must be reconciled with a simultaneous sense of futility. As they try to resolve their uncomfortable identities in today’s society, they take solace in each other.
Jim is attracted to Lulu who is dating Brian. Brian is fucking John while John is reservedly dating Vanessa. Vanessa is in silent love with John, who leaves her for unrequited love of Brian. Conrad has a fling with Vanessa, his acquaintance from high school, before he finds Lulu. Gloria knows who she wants, how she wants him, and gets it all. In the midst of everything, Emily and Tina are settled, in love, and building a home together.
Setting out with high ambitions, the group constructs a fleeting work of art that passes with little acclaim. Throughout, each person is trying to determine who they are and where they stand, but it is what happens after the curtain goes down that truly changes their lives

Nine theater artists are producing a show. They have actors, designers, a director, a playwright, and a stage manager. What they don’t have is funding. When Jim meets Conrad, a long-term care insurance salesman, at their mutual friend’s funeral, he inadvertently finds it. Conrad signs up to bankroll the show and plunges headlong into the world of theater with Jim as his guide.

He finds a tangled web of romantic and artistic intentions. Facing a deteriorating culture, pervasive apathy, and the mocking ghosts of the past, these young men and women feel a sense of responsibility that must be reconciled with a simultaneous sense of futility. As they try to resolve their uncomfortable identities in today’s society, they take solace in each other.

Jim is attracted to Lulu who is dating Brian. Brian is fucking John while John is reservedly dating Vanessa. Vanessa is in silent love with John, who leaves her for unrequited love of Brian. Conrad has a fling with Vanessa, his acquaintance from high school, before he finds Lulu. Gloria knows who she wants, how she wants him, and gets it all. In the midst of everything, Emily and Tina are settled, in love, and building a home together.

Setting out with high ambitions, the group constructs a fleeting work of art that passes with little acclaim. Throughout, each person is trying to determine who they are and where they stand, but it is what happens after the curtain goes down that truly changes their lives.

Cast (in order of appearance)

Brian:

Brian Sacca

John:

Adam David Jones

Lulu:

Haley Channing

Vanessa:

Emma Gochberg

Jim:

J.T. Dorr-Bremme

Gloria:

Meghan Reilly

Conrad:

Hondo Weiss-Richmond

Tina:

Gretchen Witt

Emily:

Emily Hagburg

Art:

Daniel Kipler

Crew

Director:

Matt Urban

Costumes:

Jessie Gallogly

Lighting:

Ben Fox

Sets/Production Mgr.:

Matthew Ezold

Stage Manager/

Asst. Director:

Amanda J. Crater

Dramaturge:

Benjamin Kessler

General Manager:

Erica Abrams-Morley