The Big Apple

I get a lot of good reaction from Artistic Directors who read this play. Then they decide they can’t produce it because it’s "too New York." Well, that’s the point. THE BIG APPLE is my response to the experience of a lifetime--bringing my play FIRST NIGHT to Manhattan. THE BIG APPLE was produced with great success at New Century Theatre in Northampton, and it’s a bit of a stretch for me. Folks used to my sweet Catholics-in-challenging-situations may be taken aback by APPLE’s sauciness, but once through the off-Broadway ringer and a writer is never the same again.

In the play, Bob, a playwright, has written a script that all his friends say MUST be produced in New York. (I should point out that the play takes place in Bob’s brain, which is vaguely similar to his cluttered apartment, but a brain nonetheless.) As Bob begins to seriously contemplate this notion of foisting his literary offspring on NYC, his brain is invaded by a character called "The Big Apple," who is the human manifestation of New York City, a fast-talking, Bilko-esque con-man who claims to know anything and everything about getting a play produced in his town, or in him, as it were. Once committed to listening to Apple, Bob rides his coattails through producers and directors and actors and publicists all the way through opening night. One actor plays Bob, another plays Apple, and four other actors play all the rest of the roles, which amount to quite a few.

There’s also a huge, mysterious treasure chest situated smack dab in the middle of Bob’s brain, and when this chest is opened...

Well, I’ll leave that for the reader to discover.

Cast:

Bob

Apple

Two actors and Two actresses playing many varied roles

Total: Six actors

Setting:

Bob’s brain.

Press:

"THE BIG APPLE is a daringly personal romp. It is fast, quick-witted, sometimes frenetic, but always falling back under control. The play is brave, daring, and truly satisfying, purely a delight." Theresa Giera, the Chicopee, Massachusetts Herald.