Lies, Lies, Lies opens tomorrow

My short romantic comedy, Lies, Lies, Lies, opens tomorrow at the Boston Center for the Arts, produced by CentaStage, directed by Joe Antoun. It's part of Plays on Tap, a group of 8 short plays (by Boston writers), all of which take place in a bar or restaurant. It'll run from February 15 - March 1, and you can buy tickets ($25) here.

I got to see a rehearsal about two weeks ago, and I was delighted. Lies, Lies, Lies has been used by more students in drama and forensics competitions than any other of my plays (it's sold more than 1,300 copies since 2002), but I've never actually seen it on stage. Over time, I'd sort of written it off in my mind as a light, fluffy piece. But when I got to hear the actors in rehearsal, I also was reminded, pleasantly, that it has some very fun complexity to it (it's about two people who meet and agree to only tell each other lies). It offers a very interesting look at the ways people communicate and connect, which is perfect for a short little stage play. Now I realize that the high school kids didn't just like it because it was easy (it's actually not) and funny (it is), but because it's interesting and worthwhile. A very good reminder not to underestimate your audience.

Here's hoping we get good crowds.

Good News: Lies, Lies, Lies at BCA in 2008

I just found out that CentaStage will produce my short play, Lies, Lies, Lies, at the Boston Center for the Arts, as part of 8 short plays set in bars and restaurants. I don't have all the details yet, but Joe Antoun will direct, and the show will run for 11 performances, opening February 15th.

CentaStage gave me my Boston debut when we moved back here in 2000, with my play Christmas Breaks as part of The Xmas Files. I'm excited to have a chance to work with them again. Lies, Lies, Lies is a funny play for me--it's my most popular play with Brooklyn Publishers--more than 1,200 students have bought copies of the script to use in competition, but it's only had one professional production (last year in Virginia) and I've never seen it on stage.

The other good part about this news is that it gives me something ahead on the schedule. After the Pumpkin Patch show last week, the calendar looked awfully empty. It's reassuring to know I've got something lined up in the not-too-distant future. No many how many productions I get, I always worry that the time is ripe for a big dry spell.