From the Page to the Stage, the Pick of the Crop

Three original plays, penned by Islanders Taffy McCarthy, John Ortman and Peter Palches, will move from the page to the stage for two weekends in a row at the Katharine Cornell Theatre in Vineyard Haven in an Island Theatre Workshop presentation called Pick of the Crop.

Longtime Island Theatre Workshop artistic director Lee Fierro directs Peter Palches’ Sam Meets Maria, or Still Here, which features Island actors Niki Patton and George Ricci.

Set in post-World War II America, Sam (played by Mr. Ricci), a successful lawyer, returns to the home his immigrant father built early in the 20th century, where he and Sally (played by Ms. Patton) explore the satisfactions, disappointments and decisions made along their respective paths in life. Mr. Palches attributes his inspiration for the play to group process in Brian Ditchfield’s creative writing class held at the high school last winter.

Actor and playwright John Ortman also participated in Mr. Ditchfield’s creative writing collaborative. His work, a staged reading titled Time for Roll Call, tells the story of a working class family growing up in the 1960’s and a father haunted by the memories of the Second World War. Assisting with the reading are Ted Leslie, Linda Berg, Eli Dagostino, Taylor McNeely, Patricia Rose, Treather Gassman, Aaron Duclos, Xavier Powers, Terri McCarren, Jimmy Dimattia and Mr. Palches.

In the third and final performance, Bird of Feathers, playwright Taffy McCarthy presents a monologue that deals with three separate stages in a life. The animated Ms. McCarthy has long been a favorite of Vineyard audiences.

These Island Theatre Workshop world premieres run from Oct. 9, 10, 11, 15, 16 and 17, with all showings at 8 p.m. Doors to the Katharine Cornell Theatre open at 7 p.m., and tickets are a very reasonable $15. For details, call 508-627-3166. No reservations.