Monsters of the American Cinema by Christian St. Croix

When his husband dies, Remy Washington, a Black man, finds himself both the owner of a drive-in movie theater and a caregiver to his late husband’s straight, white teenage son, Pup. United by their love of classic American monster movies, the two have developed a warm and caring familial chemistry – but their relationship fractures when Remy discovers Pup and his friends have been bullying a gay teen at his...
When his husband dies, Remy Washington, a Black man, finds himself both the owner of a drive-in movie theater and a caregiver to his late husband’s straight, white teenage son, Pup. United by their love of classic American monster movies, the two have developed a warm and caring familial chemistry – but their relationship fractures when Remy discovers Pup and his friends have been bullying a gay teen at his school. Told through dueting monologue and playful dialogue, "Monsters of the American Cinema" is a haunting and humorous tale about fathers and sons, ghosts and monsters.

CURRENT DRAFT: The Teenagers Draft - 4-5-24

*Currently running at Rogue Machine Theatre, Los Angeles, CA, thru May 19, 2024*

UPCOMING PRODUCTIONS:
Buffalo United Artists, Buffalo, NY, 2024
Pandora Productions, Louisville, KY, 2024
Storefront Theatre of Indianapolis, IN, 2024
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Monsters of the American Cinema

Recommended by

  • Barry Smoot:
    27 Sep. 2023
    “ A powerful and obviously very personal play about the wages of grief, phobia and healing. To take on such difficult subjects with this much focus is rare. From the opening lines of dialogue between the two lead characters, I knew immediately who they were. Beautiful writing, great theatricality and a very emotional message are all combined in this must-read play. St. Croix is a tremendously gifted playwright. ”
  • Austin M. Russell:
    17 Sep. 2023
    “ I need to direct this show yesterday. What a brilliant script.

    Sometimes shows that tackle this many issues can feel sloppy, but this is Intersectional Theatre 101.
    This show could see "monster" levels of commercial success.

    I feel like i have stumbled on a gem. ”
  • Christopher Plumridge:
    18 May. 2023
    “ It's difficult to ignore a play which has had, in its short life, already so many productions. Christian has bought us a deep, sensitive and at times funny play, which cleverly mixes monologues and dialogue to find fresh ways for these well thought out characters to tell their stories and their relationship with each other.
    I'd love to see this staged, if, I mean when, it comes to the UK, I'm sure to be there! ”
View all 13 recommendations

Character Information

  • Remy Washington
    37,
    African American / Black
    ,
    Cisgender Male
    Gay. A widower. Remy leads his two-male household with a warm and loving sense of humor, but he knows when to drop the “cool dad” and command respect. He's deliberately unrefined, highly disinterested in extravagance or luxury. His working class roots should be obvious in body and dress. He may or may not have tattoos.
    Can be played by:
    • Age: 
      30s
    • Race/Ethnicity: 
      Black, African, Caribbean, or African American
    • Gender: 
      Male
  • Peter "Pup" Miller
    16,
    White
    ,
    Cisgender Male
    Straight. The son of Remy's late husband. Pup's an aspiring filmmaker, but little more than a skinny kid with a camcorder for now. At home with Remy, he shares his late father's quippy sense of humor and fidgety nerves. You wouldn't recognize the carefree bully he becomes when he's around his friends, though. He sprouts a little chin stubble.
    Can be played by:
    • Age: 
      Teens, 20s
    • Race/Ethnicity: 
      White
    • Gender: 
      Male

Development History

  • Workshop
    ,
    San Diego International Fringe Festival
    ,
    2019
  • Workshop
    ,
    Scripps Ranch Theatre
    ,
    2018

Production History

Awards

Winner
,
Stage Writing of the Year
,
The Young-Howze Theatre Journal
,
2023
Winner
,
Carlo Annoni International Drama Award
,
Premio Carlo Annoni
,
2021
Winner
,
Artists' Pick
,
San Diego International Fringe Festival
,
2019
Winner
,
Cultural Exchange
,
San Diego International Fringe Festival
,
2019