The 15th Annual Essential Theatre Play Festival opens tonight, July 12, presenting a repertory of three new plays by Georgia writers. The festival is taking place at Actor’s Express in the King Plow Art Center through Aug. 11. The plays include:
Mysterious Connections by Peter Hardy
Isobel and Pamela are two lonely women that are instantly drawn to one another from the first time they meet — they soon become so close that Isobel is able to enter into Pamela’s dreams, which leads the two of them into a journey through their own haunted pasts. The world premiere of a fantasy-drama about love, nightmares and moving from darkness into light, this play was one of a few chosen for development at the Eugene O’Neill Theatre Center’s National Playwrights’ Conference. (Advisory: Sexual situations and disturbing imagery.)
Stray Dogs by Matthew Myers
A comedy-romance about cops and criminals – sort of like Quentin Tarantino except a whole lot sweeter. This is the world premiere of the play that won the 2013 Essential Theatre Playwriting Award. (Advisory: Rough language and onstage violence.)
Swimming With Jellyfish by Katie Grant Shalin
The professional world premiere of a play that takes a moving and funny look at that classic American institution, the family – a mother and father trying to heal themselves and move past old wounds and disappointments, while their two almost-grown children are facing the prospect of moving out on their own.
For more information, visit essentialtheatre.com.