Close to Black

by Deena Ronayne

Two young women meet as strangers and quickly realize not only do they have common talents and struggles, they must now help each other take the terrifying steps towards peace.

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Close to Black

Karen Carpenter: Female/30's
Amy Winehouse: Female/20's

Development History

Type Commission, Organization Hardly Working Promotions , Year 2021

Production History

Type Fringe, Organization Adelaide Australia Fringe (Part of Triple Bypass), Year 2022
Type Fringe, Organization CAFF Canadian Fringe (Part of Triple Bypass), Year 2022
Type Fringe, Organization Edinburgh Scotland Fringe Festival (Part of Triple Bypass), Year 2022
Type Fringe, Organization Minnesota USA Fringe Festival (Part of Triple Bypass), Year 2022
Type Fringe, Organization Orlando Florida USA Fringe (Part of Triple Bypass), Year 2022
Type Community Theater, Organization Aberdeen Community Theatre , Year 2021
Type Fringe, Organization Adelaide Fringe Festival (Part of Triple Bypass), Year 2021
Type Fringe, Organization Big Sky Fringe Festival (Part of Triple Bypass), Year 2021
Type Fringe, Organization Boulder International Fringe Festival (Part of Triple Bypass), Year 2021
Type Fringe, Organization Denver Fringe Festival (Part of Triple Bypass), Year 2021
Type Fringe, Organization Edinburgh Fringe Festival (Part of Triple Bypass), Year 2021
Type Fringe, Organization Elgin Virtual Winter Mini Fringe Festival (Part of Triple Bypass), Year 2021
Type Fringe, Organization Front Row Fringe Festival (Part of Triple Bypass), Year 2021
Type Fringe, Organization KC Fringe (Part of Triple Bypass), Year 2021
Type Fringe, Organization Lahti Finland Fringe Festival (Part of Triple Bypass), Year 2021
Type Fringe, Organization Melbourne Fringe Festival (Part of Triple Bypass), Year 2021
Type Fringe, Organization Minnesota Fringe Festival (Part of Triple Bypass), Year 2021
Type Fringe, Organization Pittsburgh Fringe (Part of Triple Bypass), Year 2021
Type Fringe, Organization St. Lou Fringe (Part of Triple Bypass), Year 2021

Awards

Producer's Award (Part of Triple Bypass)

Front-Row Fringe Festival

Winner

2021
Spirit of Fringe Never in a Box (Part of Triple Bypass)

Front-Row Fringe Festival

Winner

2021
Most Viewed Show (Part of Triple Bypass)

Elegin Virtual Winter Mini-Fringe

Winner

2021

Genre

drama

Subject Matter Keywords

etherial fan fiction,

eating disorders,

adult themes

Length

ten minutes

Cast Size

Age of Intended Audience

all ages

Narrative Attributes

Centers Female Characters

Supporting Materials

Script Sample

Close to Black Sample Script.pdf

Reviews

Stage Whispers

“
Two singers who had passed on and were lingering at the ‘Pearly Gates’. Each were given a voice beyond the grave. Each conveyed a sadness as they talked about the pressuresof eating disorders and alcoholism. It was a moving portrayal and kudos must be given to the writer.
”
Theatre Travels

“
Close to Black is set in front of the gates to heaven and highlights the music industries harmful impact on women’s body image.
”
The Young-Howze Theater Journal

“
Brilliant writing...well done and I’m glad that the worldwide fringe community gets to see them. I hope they do well.
”
The Arts Business

“
My personal favorite... where two very different women meet outside a nightclub. Elements of this show reflect Beckett’s Waiting for Godot, as two women have a conversation wondering what awaits them in the afterlife.
”
New York Theatre

“
Amy and Karen, see how much they have in common – how the music machine caused their deaths, one at age 32, the other at 27, albeit decades apart, the point being that the music industry hasn’t changed its ways.
”
FRINGE

“
This play is a captivating comment on fame, music and questioning what it truly means to live.'Close to Black' is a beautiful play that recognises the need for love, acceptance and staying true to yourself. Amazing.
”
KC Applauds (Part of Triple Bypass)

“
Close To Black: Two singers meet outside a nightclub and discover that, although almost thirty years divides them, not much has changed in the way the world treats female pop stars.
”
Daily Herald (Part of Triple Bypass

“
"Triple Bypass: Three 10-Minute Plays About Living for Death and Dying for Life" features three 10 minute plays with life and death theme, one drama, one fan fiction, and one comedy.
”
The Pitch (Part of Triple Bypass)

“
From South Dakota, Triple Bypass is a compilation of three short plays “about living for death and dying for life.”
”
Stage Whispers (Part of Triple Bypass)

“
Close to Black (Ethereal) - Two young women meet as strangers, realize they have common talents & struggles, and must now help each other take the terrifying steps towards peace.
”
Broadway World (Part of Triple Bypass)

“
Close to Black (Ethereal)-Two young women meet as strangers, realize they have common talents & struggles, and must now help each other take the terrifying steps towards peace.
”
The Theatre Association of South Australia

“
English singer, Amy, initially confronts American drummer and singer Karen who appears to have been waiting there for a long time. They exchange something of their past lives and of their mutual propensity for self-destruction. We know who they are. Sadly!
”
KC Fringe (Part of Triple Bypass)

“
“Close to Black”, takes place outside a morbidly exclusive club where Amy and Karen swap music industry war stories, each woman having weathered her share of battles. As one character puts it, “We all sang the blues, really.”
”