New Haven Register (New Haven, CT)
Curtain Call stages world premiere of comedy ‘The Lobby’
When playwright Don Creedon moved from Dublin, Ireland, to New York City’s East Village, his first job was as a doorman and he spent his time sitting in the lobby watching the elevator open and close.
That experience served as inspiration to his new work, “The Lobby,” which will make its world premiere at Curtain Call in Stamford from May 5 to 22.
The story follows Jimmy Burgess, an unassuming night doorman of a posh downtown loft space, and his old friend Miles O’Riordan. While Jimmy watches life in the city pass him by from behind a desk, Miles is looking to scheme and get ahead at every turn.
“Jimmy is stuck in this lobby and there are all kinds of excuses and reasons you can find for different people to come in and out,” Creedon said. “As things got more complicated in my mind, I realized this could be a comedy farce, with elevator doors opening and closing and whoever just left looking for the person who immediately arrived.”
One of the things he finds appealing about the play is it’s all people trying to find their own way in life.
“Most of the characters are in their 20s, and I feel it must be such a hard road because I remember what it was like when I was in my 20s, and now it’s complicated by the pandemic and huge world, global changes,” Creedon said. “The farce comes out of their desperate efforts, and I hope people relate to that — especially the younger audience members.”
Stephen Emerick wanted to direct the show the first time he read the script, citing the sharp, sweet and funny dialogue, the characters who have their own unique voices, and a moment at the end of Act 2 that made him laugh in shock.
“These qualities really grabbed my attention, plus the fact that it didn’t feel like a traditional door-slamming farce,” he said. “Additionally, I was drawn to it because of its contemporary setting, often not seen in community theater.
The play has been workshopped over the last few years, but this will mark the first time it’s ever been presented on stage. Although Emerick and Creedon haven’t met or collaborated much throughout the process, the writer is looking forward to seeing what the director has in store for his play.
“It was enticing to stage the premiere production of a play and have the opportunity to develop the characters, story and technical elements from the ground up. purely based on the words on the page,” Emerick said.
The cast of eight includes Jim Foley, Celine Montaudy, Frank Pagliaro, Jeff Pliskin, Sarah Sherwood, Tyler Small, Kate Telfer and Mat Young.
“Incredible doesn’t begin to describe the cast of ‘The Lobby,’” Emerick said. “I’m lucky to work with a group of communicative and collaborative actors who are willing to develop the show together. I’ve had the privilege to work with a few [of the] cast members on other productions, so I knew we had a strong foundation to start with. And the actors I am working with for the first time are truly impressive.”
He believes “The Lobby” is perfect for the Dressing Room Theatre because it is an intimate character piece, and with the lobby itself acting as a character, the cabaret-style theater invites the audience to be a part of the space in which these characters are living.
“Audiences will enjoy ‘The Lobby’ because it is bold, funny, cheeky, daring yet sweet, and unexpected in the things that it has to say about outsiders, America and community,” Emerick said.
For tickets or more information, visit curtaincallinc.com.