Free virtual reading acts as fundraiser
Nahhat’s ‘Hope Canyon’ comes to life, benefits program
There’s been no standing ovations or curtain calls in theatres this past year.
Shakespeare Royal Oak and its Waterworks Theatre productions was shut down this past summer. But the organization will breathe new life with a virtual reading of founder/director Ed Nahhat’s play, Hope Canyon on Feb. 27 at 7 p.m.
In the works for the past ten years, Nahhat found a bit of free time and finished writing the play during the pandemic. After polishing it up, he’s ready to show it off – virtually.
“We had to suspend that entire festival (Shakespeare Royal Oak) but I couldn’t sit still so I’ve been working on this original stage play on and off for a decade and I decided this is the year to finish it,” Nahhat said.
He had written the first act and even had a reading of it around New York for critique and comment.
But the director knew it was time to get Act II written and put it in front of an audience.
“The actors are local professionals getting paid,” Nahhat said. “They are going to be streamed basically like the Brady Bunch with all six faces on the screen. The audience won’t be able to see each other. But at the end, we will switch and there will be a feedback or talkback session with the audience.”
Those who get reserve tickets online will be emailed a link to join the reading. The virtual event is free but donations and tips will be accepted on behalf
of Shakespeare Royal Oak. Nahhat is excited to see his play come to fruition after dancing around inside his head for so many years.
“It’s a play within a play about a small failing local theatre company who is about to put on their final play which is called Hope Canyon. They do it so poorly that it turns into a smash comedy,” Nahhat said. “They can’t pay the rent so they manage to get the landlord’s daughter in the play. There’s hijinks after that. There are a lot of local references to local theatres.”
Tickets for the free event with a limited number available now at shakespeareroyaloak.com.
The 1983 Wayne State grad’s background includes practicing law locally and founder of Shakespeare Royal Oak, an Equity actor, an Off-Broadway produced playwright and a director of his alma mater Royal Oak High School Drama Club.
“It’s time to hear Hope Canyon come to life through this talented cast,” he said. “With feedback from them and the participating audience, we can continue refining the work toward a full staged production.”
The reading will feature Sandy Birch, Meredith Deighton, Travis Reiff, John Lepard, and Michael Brian Ogden (AEA), with stage direction provided by Barton Bund.
Once registered, ticket holders receive a link to view the play reading premiere and an invite to join the cast, playwright Nahhat, and Shakespeare Royal Oak Artistic Director Sara Cathryn Wolf for a talk-back conversation immediately following the presentation. Ticket holders will have the ability to watch the play reading as an encore presentation anytime Feb. 28 through March 8.