| eeing numerous theatrical productions over the | | | | the first time, (for example West Fest is |
| years, including Broadway, Off-Broadway, Off-Off | | | | currently featuring Arthur Millers` The Price) it is |
| Broadway and so far off Broadway you look up | | | | safe to say that most are from new playwrights |
| to find your in Weehawken, I often wonder why | | | | or are new pieces being performed for the first |
| so many plays get done over and over again? | | | | time. |
| How many times are Broadway producers going | | | | In regards to West Fest, Theatre West states |
| to bring back 42nd Street? Is there really a need | | | | that "When Theatre West was founded |
| to revive Ol` Calcutta? And is there anyone in the | | | | forty-seven years ago, its initial purposes included |
| United States who has not seen Phantom of the | | | | serving as a laboratory situation where writing, |
| Opera? Really?inues to come up year after year | | | | acting and directing could be developed and |
| when I see the revival of productions on | | | | perfected. This included the development of new |
| Broadway and theatre houses across the country | | | | and exciting works, works of a non-commercial |
| with these "old favorites." Now don`t get me | | | | and experimental nature, as well as the loving |
| wrong, as some of these shows had ridiculously | | | | reconsideration of established material with an eye |
| long runs when they first opened and obviously | | | | to enhanced performances." Thus, Theatre West |
| continue to draw patrons, otherwise why would | | | | provides an opportunity to showcase exciting |
| we continue seeing them? So there in lies the | | | | pieces that are not so "mainstream." Some of the |
| question... are there no new playwrights out there | | | | works being produced are: Bleacher Babes, book, |
| putting out new works worthy of a Broadway | | | | music and lyrics by Scott Martin, Traces of |
| run? Personally, I think that there are plenty of | | | | Memory, written by Ann Wuehler, Sally Spectre: |
| fantastic up-and-coming playwrights out there | | | | The Musical, written and directed by David P. |
| worthy of the opportunity to showcase their | | | | Johnson and The Socialization of Ruthie Shapiro |
| works to the masses. So where are they you | | | | written by Barbara Nell Beery to name a few. |
| ask? Well, there are a lot who tirelessly continue | | | | Another festival happening in Los Angeles is the |
| work-shopping their pieces in a variety of ways. A | | | | 4th Annual Echo One-Act Festival being produced |
| great way to catch some new works are through | | | | by Echo Theater Company at Stage 52. The |
| readings which happen across most cities, | | | | Echo One-Act Festival "features original |
| submissions of new works as well as the smaller | | | | commissioned one-acts by some of the nation`s |
| theatre festivals that happen on an ongoing basis | | | | top playwrights." According to the website, "The |
| at a theatre near you. | | | | evening will be a series of six plays, commissioned |
| One of the most popular is the Fringe Fest, which | | | | by The Echo Theater Company: Three Women |
| most cities now participate in at different times | | | | by Julia Cho, The Dirty Laundry of Marjorie by |
| throughout the year. Fringe theatre is a term | | | | Padraic Duffy, Local Color by Hilly Hicks Jr, The |
| used to describe alternative theatre, or | | | | Other Woman by David Ives, I Know Who You |
| entertainment not of the mainstream. Fringe | | | | Are by Brian Tanen, and The Collection by Sharon |
| festival productions often showcase new scripts, | | | | Yablon." |
| especially ones on more obscure, edgy or unusual | | | | And for those of you aching for more... it looks as |
| material (according to Wikipedia.) A lot like film | | | | though there will finally be a huge Fringe Fest in |
| festivals, works are showcased in an effort to | | | | Socal the summer of 2010 in Hollywood, California. |
| potentially have this piece picked up and taken to | | | | The Hollywood Fringe Fest will be an "annual event |
| another level whereby it may be produced at a | | | | uniting local, national, and international artists." For |
| larger theater. | | | | more information on the Hollywood Fringe you |
| Other festivals occur throughout the year. In Los | | | | can visit their site directly for dates, submissions |
| Angeles there are two festivals currently running. | | | | etc. |
| The first is the West Fest 2009, which runs from | | | | Lets support these up and coming playwrights, |
| the end of January for 5 consecutive weekends. | | | | actors and producers to help cultivate new works. |
| Although not all works are being performed for | | | | |