West Hartford playwright Stuart Brown will have five of his 10-Minute plays staged at the Stratford Library as part of their annual Readers Theatre Summer Showcase. There will be a talk back after the performance. The Event is free and open to the public
 
Brown, who retired after 32 years as Director of Student Services at UConn-Waterbury, has had his works presented in MA, NJ, RI, TX and via the British podcast, Theatrical Shenanigans. "I'm very excited to be bringing my plays to a theater in my home state," said Brown.
 
The playwright began writing 10-Minute plays over a year ago. They are rooted in personal experience and observation. Most of the works are comedic. "My play, The Drawing, came about during a period when it seemed every lotto drawing was for an unbelievable amount of money. I thought – what would I do with all that money if I won? The Wait concerns a theater critic and his friend who are caught in the gridlock of audience members leaving the theater after a performance of Mamma Mia!"
 
Not all of the plays are humorous. "The Suitcase, involves a married couple coming to a major decision about their life together," the West Hartford resident stated. "It has a serious theme with a surprise ending that no one sees coming. I saw it staged earlier this summer in Rhode Island and I had a tear in my eye at the end – and I wrote it."
 
According to Brown, who is also the President of the Connecticut Critics Circle, a good 10-Minute play has a fully realized arc – a beginning, middle and end – just like a full length play. "These are not just random scenes," he said, "but complete mini-productions. I also make sure to incorporate an unexpected twist that catches the audience off-guard."
 
In addition to his playwriting, Brown runs the 24/7 online Broadway radio station, www.SoundsofBroadway.com, featuring the best from Off-Broadway, Broadway, and the London stages.

At the Library reading actors Lucy Babbitt (Stratford) and David Victor (Fairfield) will perform all the roles under the direction of Tom Holehan. The Readers Theatre Summer Showcase 2024 is held in the Stratford Library's air-conditioned Lovell Room. All plays are recommended for adult audiences. The readings are free and reservations will not be accepted. Doors open at 6:30 pm for general seating only, first-come, first-served.

Date: July 25, 2024.

Time: 7:00pm - 9:00pm

Venue:
Lovell Room
Stratford Library
2203 Main Street
Stratford, CT 06615

For further information, call the Library at 203.385.4162 or visit: https://stratfordlibrary.libcal.com/event/11799416.