Home-Style Cooking at the Gateway Cafe by Philip Middleton Williams

Included in The Best Ten-Minute Plays 2022 published by Smith & Kraus.

One-Act: (2020) The usual crowd gathers for coffee at their favorite diner in a small western town until a mysterious stranger enters and engages them in conversation. But who's telling the truth and who's not? And what's the lunch special?

The script is available at www.pmwplaywright.com.
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Home-Style Cooking at the Gateway Cafe

Recommended by

  • Peter Fenton:
    29 Aug. 2023
    “ Rarely in a 10-30 minute play can multiple believable plot twists can be piled one on top of the next on top of the next with any degree of coherence, but dang it, Philip Middleton Williams has shown us how it's done! He's written a nice slice-of-life work, some acerbic political commentary, all within a fun window into the people of a small-town diner who's one step ahead of the game. I can always appreciate a strong scene set by Philip Middleton Williams. ”
  • Morey Norkin:
    27 Aug. 2023
    “ Ah, you just know the meatloaf and mashed potatoes at the Gateway Cafe taste even better the second day. And just like that savory treat, Philip Middleton Williams’ dialogue takes us to a place that feels like home. There’s a great twist that expertly captures the cynicism of our political leaders. You’ll laugh and smile throughout. I absolutely encourage theaters to try this in a small town! ”
  • Mike Byham:
    24 Aug. 2023
    “ Philip Middleton Williams cleverly uses a slice of typical Americana to expose today's political divisiveness as an artifact created by an attachment to yesterday's ideals. Digging a bit deeper, we see how xenophobia, homophobia and racism can be used by politicians to their advantage. It's relevant and thought-provoking while remaining funny and entertaining. Nice work walking that wire! The twists at the end are the fun cherry on top. Excellent! ”
View all 24 recommendations

Character Information

  • Celeste
    Mid-fifties
    Owner of the Gateway Cafe
    Can be played by:
    • Age: 
      50s
    • Race/Ethnicity: 
      White
    • Gender: 
      Female
  • Eva
    Mid-thirties
    CELESTE's daughter.
    Can be played by:
    • Age: 
      30s
    • Race/Ethnicity: 
      White
    • Gender: 
      Female
  • J.R.
    Mid-twenties
    CELESTE's son.
    Can be played by:
    • Age: 
      20s
    • Race/Ethnicity: 
      White
    • Gender: 
      Male
  • Larry
    Mid-thirties
    Local guy.
    Can be played by:
    • Age: 
      30s
    • Race/Ethnicity: 
      White
    • Gender: 
      Male
  • Gina
    Mid-thirties,
    Mestiza
    Local
    Can be played by:
    • Age: 
      30s
    • Race/Ethnicity: 
      Indigenous, First Nation, or Native American, Latinx/o/a or Hispanic
    • Gender: 
      Female
  • Robby
    Mid-twenties
    Local kid.
    Can be played by:
    • Age: 
      20s
    • Race/Ethnicity: 
      White
    • Gender: 
      Male
  • Tim
    Mid-thirties
    Former local, visiting.
    Can be played by:
    • Age: 
      30s
    • Race/Ethnicity: 
      White
    • Gender: 
      Male
  • Ray
    Middle-age.
    Out-of-towner.
    Can be played by:
    • Age: 
      50s
    • Race/Ethnicity: 
      White
    • Gender: 
      Male

Development History

  • Reading
    ,
    Valdez Theatre Conference, Valdez, Alaska
    ,
    2021