←Recommendations of A RAINY NIGHT IN HOLLYWOOD - one-act based on actual events in 1940's Hollywood.

A character piece from the Old Hollywood era is just what I needed to read right now, and this one comes in with rainy night vibes and goes down as smooth as a glass of bourbon. Tom Erb shows us how this based-on-true-facts story might have gone down, and if it didn't happen exactly this way, well then, it should have. Both characters are delightfully realized and at the end, I wanted the car trip to extend another 20 pages. I'd love to see this staged.

I've always had a secret love for plays where you can just read the and in your mind you can see exactly how it would work on stage, and this play would definitely work. Its a play that delicately escorts its audience back to a magical time and into the life of one of the biggest stars of the time and then, just when you think you are in for a play about the glitz and glamour you're given something beautifully emotional and real. Its a play that makes you WANT to know more, and not just about Ms Hayworth!

This is a play for storytellers. A nostalgic snapshot of the past that folds into more nostalgia. If you do Dramatic Interp in forensics competitions, this might be a great piece for you, too! The whole feel of this piece is dreamy, with two very strong characters coming together on a rainy, moody night.

Tom Erb's A RAINY NIGHT IN HOLLYWOOD is perfectly nostalgic, beautifully written and a great character study. What I really took away from it was a strong sense of yearning for a part of our history when simple, human exchanges between people were the rule not the exception. In our time of technology and division, it was beautiful to see a story of two people bound together by mutual respect and on such simple terms. Erb's monologues are outstanding and after reading the piece I was left with a tinge of sadness for a kinder gentler time.

TOM ERB’s 40-minute play takes us to a different time in American history, where the golden age of Hollywood is in full bloom. World War II made its mark - physically, emotionally, and mentally - on hard working men, who married their sweetheart and worked hard to make ends meet. My dad was in this war, and he was so much like George. Rita Hayworth was a superstar but she had regrets, yearnings, and questions about her choices. You will love “A Rainy Night in Hollywood”. Bravo!

As a fan of Turner Classic Movies and nostalgia about the Golden Age of Cinema, I was completely drawn into Tom Erb’s story, especially knowing that it is based on a true event. I love the Sunset Boulevard feel to it, without the melodrama. George’s monologue alone is worth the price of admission. I wanted to keep reading more, and I wondered if George ever met Orson. Fantastic piece! I am sure it will get many productions.

The story itself is the stuff of 1940's films with the atmosphere and the music, and Tom Erb does a nice job of blending history, memories, and fantasy into a short play that will be a fine piece for the actors. I was reminded of the honesty and fragility of the characters in such works as "Driving Miss Daisy" and the film "Saving Mr. Banks" where we are offered the chance to understand the characters, but more importantly, come to like them.

Tom Erb takes us on a nostalgic trip to a bygone Hollywood era. There is such a wonderful mix of facts about the legendary Rita Hayworth and WWII history that you can’t help but want the entire story to be true. A terrific opportunity awaits two talented actors. Well done!

A charming portrait of a woman at a crossroads and the simple decency of a stranger that gives her the confidence to pursue her dream. That the woman is Rita Hayworth adds heft to the moment and allows for illuminating references to 1940's Hollywood and to her driver's experiences in WW II.

I enjoyed being transported back in time with this timeless story of a bygone era. A well crafted love-letter.