MADELINE PUCCIONI found inspiration from the perilous economy...
Is this your first Sheherezade?
It IS, and I'm delighted. Long time member of PCSF and Wily West. I submitted plays for 2012 and 2013, so working with Laylah and Amy, Quinn, Wesley, and all the first rate actors in Sheherezade 14 is really a thrill. Special thanks to our dramaturg, Suze Allen, whose comments took THE INTERVIEW exactly where it needs to go.
Which play did you write? What's it about?
I wrote THE INTERVIEW, which is a little comedy about desperate people, and random acts of kindness. Margaret,is a middle-aged part time college English teacher, and grammar gorilla. She loses a class to a full-timer, and has to sell her car. She MUST get another part time job, one she can walk to ...or she'll lose her old house, too. So she storms into a neighborhood bar... hoping to get a job as a bartender. And who should be the manager now? Darren, a really nice young man whom she had to flunk the previous semester. Tru, a regular, shows her first impression of Margaret with two thumbs down and a loud and resonant "Thbbbpppt."
What was your inspiration for the play?
Could be me, in a few years ... or any older person on a fixed income in this perilous economy. I live in an old neighborhood in Oakland where people on pensions are kind of living month to month. Suppose I had to go back to work? What would I do, assuming I could even get a job? That's where Margaret is. But she needs a clue about how to behave when she goes in for THE INTERVIEW.
An emerging theme between these plays that has really jumped out at us is reality and perception. Tell us about an experience that you thought had been one thing only to discover it was completely different.
Writing THE INTERVIEW, and listening to good feedback, I learned that Margaret truly thinks of herself as a generous, kind hearted do-gooder... and she DOES mean well... but she is also bossy and obnoxious. How we think of ourselves is always at odds with how others perceive us. Darren finally tells her, "you know, Margaret, you're really mean; why so many people drop your classes." And to her credit... she listens. We all need a Darren or two in our lives. Ultimately, Margaret helps Darren get past an illusion he holds about himself... and we leave the play knowing that reality will be a bit more "real" ...and maybe a little easier....for both of them.
What has participating in Sheherezade meant to you?
I am just excited to be working with so many gifted people who are passionate about excellence and passionate about great theatre. I hope to continue to be able to work with these folks in years to come.
What other projects are you working on? What can audiences of Sheherezade look forward to next?
Pegasus Theatre will do a full production my 10 minute play, DARK WINDOWS, in its TAPAS FESTIVAL in September - DARK WINDOWS sprang to life in 24 hours during PCSF'S 24 Hour PlayFest, in 2013. SF Olympians will stage my THREE GRAEAE MEET PERSEUS AND A BANANA PEEL in its MONSTER BALL OLYMPIANS FESTIVAL at The Exit in November. I'm working on a couple of one acts and blocking out a couple of full length plays, one of which will be THE INTERVIEW. Glad to be back at work. Thanks, Sheherezade.
Is this your first Sheherezade?
It IS, and I'm delighted. Long time member of PCSF and Wily West. I submitted plays for 2012 and 2013, so working with Laylah and Amy, Quinn, Wesley, and all the first rate actors in Sheherezade 14 is really a thrill. Special thanks to our dramaturg, Suze Allen, whose comments took THE INTERVIEW exactly where it needs to go.
Which play did you write? What's it about?
I wrote THE INTERVIEW, which is a little comedy about desperate people, and random acts of kindness. Margaret,is a middle-aged part time college English teacher, and grammar gorilla. She loses a class to a full-timer, and has to sell her car. She MUST get another part time job, one she can walk to ...or she'll lose her old house, too. So she storms into a neighborhood bar... hoping to get a job as a bartender. And who should be the manager now? Darren, a really nice young man whom she had to flunk the previous semester. Tru, a regular, shows her first impression of Margaret with two thumbs down and a loud and resonant "Thbbbpppt."
What was your inspiration for the play?
Could be me, in a few years ... or any older person on a fixed income in this perilous economy. I live in an old neighborhood in Oakland where people on pensions are kind of living month to month. Suppose I had to go back to work? What would I do, assuming I could even get a job? That's where Margaret is. But she needs a clue about how to behave when she goes in for THE INTERVIEW.
An emerging theme between these plays that has really jumped out at us is reality and perception. Tell us about an experience that you thought had been one thing only to discover it was completely different.
Writing THE INTERVIEW, and listening to good feedback, I learned that Margaret truly thinks of herself as a generous, kind hearted do-gooder... and she DOES mean well... but she is also bossy and obnoxious. How we think of ourselves is always at odds with how others perceive us. Darren finally tells her, "you know, Margaret, you're really mean; why so many people drop your classes." And to her credit... she listens. We all need a Darren or two in our lives. Ultimately, Margaret helps Darren get past an illusion he holds about himself... and we leave the play knowing that reality will be a bit more "real" ...and maybe a little easier....for both of them.
What has participating in Sheherezade meant to you?
I am just excited to be working with so many gifted people who are passionate about excellence and passionate about great theatre. I hope to continue to be able to work with these folks in years to come.
What other projects are you working on? What can audiences of Sheherezade look forward to next?
Pegasus Theatre will do a full production my 10 minute play, DARK WINDOWS, in its TAPAS FESTIVAL in September - DARK WINDOWS sprang to life in 24 hours during PCSF'S 24 Hour PlayFest, in 2013. SF Olympians will stage my THREE GRAEAE MEET PERSEUS AND A BANANA PEEL in its MONSTER BALL OLYMPIANS FESTIVAL at The Exit in November. I'm working on a couple of one acts and blocking out a couple of full length plays, one of which will be THE INTERVIEW. Glad to be back at work. Thanks, Sheherezade.
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