Monsters of the American Cinema

by Christian St. Croix

FULL LENGTH. After the death of his husband, Remy Washington, a Black man, inherits a drive-in movie theater and takes on the responsibility of raising his late husband’s straight, white teenage son, Pup. The two bond over their love of classic monster movies, but their relationship begins to unravel when Remy discovers Pup is bullying a gay classmate. Charles McNulty of the "Los Angeles Times" calls "Monsters...

FULL LENGTH. After the death of his husband, Remy Washington, a Black man, inherits a drive-in movie theater and takes on the responsibility of raising his late husband’s straight, white teenage son, Pup. The two bond over their love of classic monster movies, but their relationship begins to unravel when Remy discovers Pup is bullying a gay classmate. Charles McNulty of the "Los Angeles Times" calls "Monsters of the American Cinema" "exhilarating," praising its "grit" and "capacious empathy." This haunting, eerie and humorous slice-of-life drama explores fatherhood, loss, and the monsters we carry inside.

CURRENT DRAFT: The Green Draft - 10-7-24

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Monsters of the American Cinema

Recommended by

  • Barry Smoot: Monsters of the American Cinema by Christian St. Croix
    “

    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.

    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: Monsters of the American Cinema by Christian St. Croix
    “

    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.

    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: Monsters of the American Cinema by Christian St. Croix
    “

    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!

    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
    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.
    37
    African American / Black
    Cisgender Male
    Can be played by:
    • Actor Age
      30s
    • Actor Race/Ethnic Identity
      Black, African, Caribbean, or African American
    • Actor Gender Identity
      Male
  • Peter "Pup" Miller
    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.
    16
    White
    Cisgender Male
    Can be played by:
    • Actor Age
      Teens,
      20s
    • Actor Race/Ethnic Identity
      White
    • Actor Gender Identity
      Male

Development History

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

Production History

  • Professional, Buffalo United Artists, 2024
  • Professional, Pandora Productions, 2024
  • Professional, Diversionary Theatre, 2023
  • Professional, Kitchen Theatre Company, 2023
  • Professional, Penny Seats Theatre Company, 2023
  • Professional, ArtsWest Playhouse, 2022
  • Professional, Different Strokes! Performing Arts Collective, 2022

Awards

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