I have been in denial for more than a month, but now it’s time to admit it: My new play isn’t weird. This might not be a shocking realization for many playwrights, but as those familiar with my work know, what I write tends to be weird or at least quirky. A prominent reviewer one told me, “You must have a very active dream life.” (To be honest, I don’t think he meant it as a compliment.)
I wasn’t alarmed when this new play didn’t start out weird. After all, my last completed play started with me sharing true stories about the challenges of breastfeeding but morphed into a comedy featuring an overzealous lactation consultant and an extra large, moderately sexualized breast pump. I figured that this new play would get weirder with subsequent drafts. But it hasn’t.
The really weird thing is that this non-weird play seems to work.
If you asked me to write a realistic, heartfelt play I would tell you that isn’t what I do, yet that’s what I’ve done. With draft after draft my play wasn’t getting weird, but it was getting good. I really like it. It got great feedback when it was read at our workshop on Wednesday, and my director is excited about it.
I admit that there is something that happens near the end (No spoilers here though!) that most would probably consider to be a little weird or at least a slight warp of reality. Still, no one in this play has the immaculate conception or is trying to marry a dead guy or earnestly uses the phrase “banana banging,” so by my standards it’s a straight up slice of life.
But don’t take my word for it.
If you are in Chicago you can see my play and works by 6 other playwrights at the Women’s Theatre Alliance New Play Development Showcase on Wednesday, July 20th at City Lit Theatre. Mark your calendars now, and I’ll have more details as we get closer to showtime.
In the meantime, if you are in Chicago and are an actress you can audition for my play and all the others (which are varying levels of weird…and I mean that in a good way!). Click here for the audition information.
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Kim Z. Dale 