Play Readings

Play readings are great way to enjoy an evening, whether seeing an old play or something new.

Come out to The American Hotel on specified Mondays, Enjoy a meal, a drink and a few hours of inspired acting. An interesting audience discussion generally follows the performance.

READINGS BEGIN PROMPTLY AT 7:00 PM.
A $5 donation is suggested.

PRESENTING OUR READINGS COMING UP.

Monday, May 5th - 7pm

THE ZOO STORY

Peter, a publishing executive, is reading on his favorite bench in New York City’s Central Park. Suddenly he is approached by a stranger named Jerry, who makes his entrance with the announcement “I’ve been to the zoo!” Jerry is intent on claiming the bench for himself, and proceeds to probe deep into Peter’s life.

By ELWARD ALBEE

Directed by MICHAEL TOTA

A Q&A may follow the reading

Monday, June 2nd - 7pm

WALKING CHARLIE

Set in contemporary Brooklyn, the romantic dramedy “Walking Charlie” is about the relationship between a political immigrant who, along with her 20-something daughter, fled the Venezuelan dictatorship, and a businessman struggling to keep his family-run door factory alive, who are brought together by a pug dog named Charlie.

By GARY MORGENSTEIN

Directed by MICHELE COPPOLINO

A Q&A may follow the reading

Monday, July 7th - 7pm

GOD OF CARNAGE

Two couples, the Novaks and the Raleighs, meet to discuss an altercation between their sons, their "civilized" demeanor quickly escalates into a chaotic and revealing encounter.

By YASINA REZA

Directed by VINNIE MAZELLA

A Q&A may follow the reading

Monday, Aug 4th - 7pm

2 ACROSS

Two strangers, a man and a woman, board a San Francisco BART train at 4:30 a.m. They're alone in the car, each is married, both are doing the New York Times crossword. She's an organized, sensible psychologist. He's a free-spirited, unemployed ad exec. She is a crossword pro, he always quits. When he tosses his puzzle away, she snaps, "Crosswords are a metaphor for life, those who finish, succeed, those who don't, fail.

By JERRY MAYER

Directed by BEN ALEXANDER

A Q&A may follow the reading

Monday, Sept 8th - 7pm

WHOSE LIFE IS IT ANYWAY?

Ken Harrison, a successful sculptor, is paralyzed in a car accident and kept alive by support systems in a hospital. Despite his sardonic sense of humor, Ken believes his life is over, so he chooses to end it on his own terms. The hospital administration, however, is determined to keep him alive against his wishes, which results in a legal battle to decide “Whose Life Is It, Anyway?”

By BRIAN CLARK

Directed by ANTHONY MARINELLI

A Q&A may follow the reading

Monday, Oct 6th - 7pm

THE WEIR

In a bar in rural Ireland, the local men swap spooky stories in an attempt to impress a young woman from Dublin who recently moved into a nearby “haunted” house. However, the tables are soon turned when she spins a yarn of her own.

By CONOR McPHERSON

Directed by JOHN CORRELL

A Q&A may follow the reading

Monday, Nov 3rd - 7pm

THE SEVEN YEAR ITCH

Richard Sherman, a happily married New Yorker, who, after his wife and son leave for summer vacation, finds himself alone in the city, tempted by his beautiful and ditzy upstairs neighbor. Richard's overactive imagination and the allure of his new neighbor challenge his faithfulness and the stability of his marriage.
 
 

By GEORGE AXELROD

Directed by DAVE CONOVER

A Q&A may follow the reading