The company of City Theatre's "Summer Shorts." (Photo courtesy of Morgan Sophia Photography)
For City Theatre and the Adrienne Arsht Center’s 27th “Summer Shorts” festival this June, expect to experience “short plays that reveal truths in unexpected ways,” in the words of City Theatre Artistic Director Margaret M. Ledford.
Preview night for “Summer Shorts: Flipping the Script” will take place on Thursday, June 6, with an official opening on Friday, June 7. The run will continue through Sunday, June 23 in the Adrienne Arsht Center’s intimate Carnival Studio Theater in downtown Miami.
This year’s festival is a “celebration of Miami’s and the country’s best playwrights featuring eight refreshing and revealing ten-minute plays,” according to a press release.
The company actors of “Summer Shorts: Flipping the Script” are, from left, Therese Adelina, Devon Dassaw, Chris Anthony Ferrer, Kimberly Vibrun-Francois, center, Toddra Brunson, Diana Garle, and Alex Alvarez. (Photo by Morgan Sophia Photography)
Ledford says audiences should expect to experience “everything from Biblical stories to a dystopian nightmare.”
“Each of these plays has a reveal,” Ledford says. “They all have some kind of revelatory element.”
Although the plays are comical, “it’s not all fluff,” Ledford says, adding that the pieces should give audiences plenty to talk about after they leave the theater.
Of the eight plays, four represent the work of playwrights from City Theatre’s “Homegrown” playwright development program. This initiative “nurtures, elevates, and promotes Miami-based writers from historically marginalized communities by providing the time, tools, and training they need to create and produce works that enrich the American theater cannon,” according to a program description.
Alex Alvarez and Chris Anthony Ferrer in "An Awkward Conversation in the Shadow of Mount Moriah." (Photo by Morgan Sophia Photography)
City Theatre and the Arsht Center will present each of the short plays by “Homegrown” playwrights as world premiere productions. Featured “Homegrown” playwrights are Brandon Urrutia, Nerissa Street, Maleeha Naseer, and Brittany “BK” King.
Meanwhile, City Theatre selected the remaining playwrights from the Susan J. Westfall National Short Playwrighting Contest. This competition invited 1,000 playwrights with unique voices from across the country to submit short play scripts of any style or genre. City Theatre narrowed that down to 25 finalists and selected four writers for this year’s festival. Specifically, they are Rhiannon Ling, John Bavoso, Karissa Murrell Myers, and R.D. Murphy.
The playwrights this year are all new to the festival.
“Everyone is a first-time Summer Shorter,” Ledford says.
Therese Adelina in "Manic Pixie Dream Girl" and, at right, Kimberly Vilbrun-Francois in Brandon Urrutia's “Dickery Pokery.” (Photo courtesy of Morgan Sophia Photography)
Altogether, she says “Summer Shorts” employs more than 40 local artists to put on the festival.
The following short plays comprise the line-up for this year’s festival.
“An Awkward Conversation in the Shadow of Mount Moriah” by John Bavoso.
After luring Isaac to the top of Mount Moriah under false pretenses, binding him and nearly sacrificing him, Abraham faces an even more arduous task trying to make small talk with his son during their walk home.
“This Week in the Land of Democracy” by BK King.
Chris Anthony Ferrer and Diana Garle in "Manic Pixie Dream Girl." (Photo by Morgan Sophia Photography)
Joanne and Diana’s pizza night takes a bizarre turn when Joanne’s algorithm reveals uncomfortable truths, blurring the line between reality and absurdity.
“Manic Pixie Dream Girl” by Rhiannon Ling
Manic Pixie Dream Girl, Seductress, GBF, and Gamer Boy have been best friends since high school. They’ve stayed in their niches, in character, for as long as they can remember. When Manic Pixie Dream Girl breaks archetype and falls for a jock, their world implodes. It may be for the better.
“The Pros and Cons of Implosion,” by R.D. Murphy
Allie is a whip-smart, mechanically-inclined high school senior who is a car whisperer. She wants to restore her neighbor’s Volvo, which has been left to rust for 20 years. Simple plan, right? Depends on what you know about implosion.
“Search for An Ending” by Karissa Murrell Myers
Devon Dassaw in "Manic Pixie Dream Girl" and at right, Therese Adelina Alex Alvarez in "The Pros and Cons of Implosion."
Three screenwriters try to find the perfect ending for the strong female lead in their upcoming film. However, that’s easier said than done.
“Swordfish Grilled (So I Don’t Get Sued)” by Maleeha Naseer
It’s the opening shift at Swordfish Bistro. Join our front and back-of-house staff on an average morning at their West Kendall neighborhood hangout.
“Leaving Jamaica” by Nerissa Street
Minutes before she must leave to emigrate from Jamaica, a young woman receives a gift she can’t refuse.
“Dickery Pokery” by Brandon Urrutia
Tony’s quest to bring his wife joy has brought him to his local mall, where events not covered in fine print test Claire’s patience and the law.
Left, Search for an Ending features Devon Dassaw, Chris Anthony Ferrer and Dianea Garle. Right, Alex Alvarez and Diana Garle in "This Week in the Land of Democracy." (Photo by Morgan Sophia Photography)
If You Go
- What: “Summer Shorts: Flipping The Script.”
- When: A preview performance will take place at 7:30 p.m. Thursday, June 6 before the 7:30 p.m. Friday, June 7 official opening. Performances start at 7:30 p.m. Thursday through Saturday, with matinees at 3 p.m. on Saturday and Sunday.
- Where: Adrienne Arsht Center’s Carnival Studio Theater, 1300 Biscayne Blvd. in downtown Miami.
- Tickets: $50a and $75 Call (305) 949-6722 or go to www.arshtcenter.org/tickets/2023-2024/arsht-center-presents/summer-shorts/ Also, the box office is open from noon to 5 p.m. Monday through Friday, as well as 90 minutes before curtain.
