The Old Pueblo Playwrights organization has provided a venue where playwrights can bring their works for a candid review as a play or screenplay by their peers. For 36 years, OPP has provided an annual four-day play festival inviting local actors, directors, and technicians to help perform these works so that a playwright has the real-life experience of mounting a play, conducting auditions, assembling their cast and crew, rehearsals, working with costuming and sets, and performing before a live audience for the first time.

This year features 17 original works by 11 playwrights at the Temple of Music and Art: 330 S Scott Avenue, Tucson. Take elevator at rear to Cabaret Theatre on the 2nd floor.

Festival newcomers include Michael Singervalt, Jeffrey Webster, and award-winning Dramatist Guild member Leslie Powell. A recent OPP board addition, Powell’s plays have been read and produced in Phoenix, San Antonio, Scottsdale, Toronto. She co-founded the North Shore Readers Theatre Collaborative, Writers & Actors Ink, and Random Acts festival.

Festival veterans include award-winning playwright Gavin Kayner and OPP Treasurer Mel Hector, MD, a University of Arizona College of Medicine professor who explores the family dilemma of a young man’s addiction in You Never Know. OPP board member and Southern New Hampshire University Professor Liisa Rose returns with seven (!) shorts. Other veterans include OPP board member Sydney Flynn, husband Vince, Sharon Surhoff. And David Rochon’s Finding Mary Tyler Moore is a change of pace from his Curious Incident of the Dogs Who Might Bite (2022) and Shower Monster (2023).

“Like Hamlet, we believe the play’s the thing,” notes best-selling author, actor, playwright, director, producer, screenwriter, journalist, and Active Imagination Theatre co-founder John Vornholt. “Each play is performed just once, script in hand, on a bare-bones set. Post-performance talkbacks add a workshop experience.”

Playwrights Scott Berg and Liisa Rose cochair this year’s festival.

ADMISSION:  Pay $10/performance or $35/all-festival pass at the door with cash or check; no credit cards; no reserved seats. Credentialed media admitted free.

Schedule:

February 6, 2025

7:00pm: Murphy's Son Written and Directed By Michael Singervalt

After his wife's untimely death, a retired ma- rine attempts to mend fences with his es- tranged son, before they part ways forever.

February 7, 2025

7:00pm: Cassandra By Jeffrey Webster Dirtected by Regina Ford Facilitated by John Vornholt

"A husband and wife are forced to deal with the husband's unstable ex-girlfriend.

February 8, 2025

2:00pm: Finding Mary Tyler Moore By David Rochon Directed by Carl Damhesel Facilitated by Liisa Rose

While on business in Minneapolis, Charlie, accompa- nied by his young co-worker Sonya, contemplates life, loss and nostalgia at the foot of a famous statue.

2:00pm: Six Mile Inn By Sharon Surho ff Directed by Joanne Anderson Facilitated by Jeffrey Webster Stage Manager-Barb Tobiasson

Pirates' demands, ghosts, murder and 1718 events all contribute to a rollicking tale of humor and mayhem loosely lifted from the annals of history.

2:00pm: "Last Man Standing" Written and Directed By Gavin Kaynor Facilitated by Scott Berg

The Last Man Standing-A secret too heavy is shared to devastating effect.

7:00pm: You Never Know By Mel Hector Directed by Zach Wetzel Facilitated by Liisa Rose

You Never Know explores the family dilemma of an alienated angry young man who is an active addict, with way too many weapons at his disposal.

February 9, 2025

2:00pm: Southern Hospitality By Liisa Rose Directed by Alex Totilllo Facilitated by South Carolina takes on California in a "neighborly" HOA battle of whose pet (and pet owner) is worse

2:00pm: Savage By Liisa Rose Directed by Alex Totillo Facilitated by Karma is a well, you know the rest of that saying

Ash is to Ashes By Liisa Rose Directed by Alex Totillo Facilitated by Three sweet little old ladies come up with a new business plan to keep them active in their golden years.

2:00pm: Grace By Sharon Surho ff Directed by Jeffrey Webster Facilitated by Mel Hector What family history lingers within inherited antique furniture

2:00pm: "Crossroads" By Leslie Powell Directed by Esther Almazan Facilitated by Ron Pullins On a dark and stormy night, a young couple comes face-to-face with their dangerous future

7:00pm: To Making It Home By Liisa Rose Directed by Facilitated by A Colonel and his mentee toast to making it home from Afghanistan.

Appendices By Liisa Rose Directed by Facilitated by A burst appendix? Really, Donald? You couldn't come up with anything better than that?

7:00pm: MIL-ILF By Liisa Rose Directed by Scott Berg Facilitated by A new twist on MILF!

Fifty Six By Liisa Rose Directed by Scott Berg Facilitated by Every grandmother's worst nightmare comes to fruition!

7:00pm: "Telling Mrs. Fairchild" By Sydney Flynn Directed by Scott Berg Facilitated by Mrs. Fairchild is getting quite forgetful...or is she?

7:00pm: "Pat's Story" By Vince Flynn Directed by Drew Kallen-Keck Facilitated by Scott Berg Pat really wants to be a member of the club.

Date: February 6, 2025 - February 9, 2025

Location: The Cabaret - 330 S Scott Ave Tucson, AZ 85701

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