KARI FLOREN

Co-Written with FLORA DOONE

It’s Magic! - is the story of Grace Valentine, a beautiful 29 year old woman who grew up idolizing the romance of her parents, two kooky sweethearts since the Golden Age of the 1940's. It’s November 1999, Grace has just been dumped by her fiancé and kicked out his apartment. The new millennium is just around the corner and Grace is more unhappy than ever. With little romance in sight, Grace fantasizes about living in that bygone era, which she always believed was when people truly came together and fell into everlasting love.

Her lifelong friend, Keesha, an upcoming fashion designer tries to move Grace forward and out the rut that she is stuck in. Picking her battles and starting with baby steps, Keesha demands Grace rent a movie other than Casablanca, mandating it be made within the last decade. Grace trudges off to the local video store where she meets Sonny, a wanna-be film director stuck managing his family’s video store – it’s no blockbuster. He’s immediately impressed with Grace’s Casablanca trivia, and more than a little be smitten with her. Grace however finds him…odd. A desperate Sonny creates a ruse, switching videos in order to bring the correct rental to her, hoping to show her who he is; a funny, Rick & Ilsa loving all around nice guy. The ploy works, its popcorn and Casablanca until Sonny bursts Grace’s bubble about the forties not being the be-all-end-all. Grace will hear none of it and sends Sonny packing. Not wanting to see him again she insists he take the videos back but he refuses and storms out. Supremely irritated, Grace braves the night and goes to return the videos herself. Along the way a mugger attempts to steal her purse but all he gets are the video rentals.

An angry and shaken Grace vows this is the “last straw”. Finding herself in front of a rundown church, seeking comfort Grace steps inside. Although appearing abandoned, the magic begins at the threshold of the church where Father Kevin is there to greet her. After listening to her plight that she is living in the wrong time, Father Kevin hands Grace an old subway token. As if by magic she is transported to year 1944. Grace is ecstatic, she’s thrilled, life couldn’t be better - or could it? She finds deep rooted prejudices; she befriends a closeted gay neighbor longing to “come out” with no avenue to do so; and is made responsible for a very sick abandoned baby in desperate need of modern medicine. Grace has a choice; stay and the baby will die or return to 1999. And so, for Grace Valentine, delayed adolescent, daydreamer, late bloomer, life finally gets on track. Grace is on her way to discover that happiness is created in the now, the past is your ally, not your prison.

Co-Written with FLORA DOONE

A WAYWARD SAFARI is the story of two friends who embark on a Safari to Tanzania. It was Tilly’s lifelong dream to go see Africa, but after planning her elaborate trip, Tilly, who just turned sixty, is detoured by a divorce from her wife. Gaby, her childhood best friend stands in. The play takes place in a luxury camp in the middle of Serengeti National Park where the two women join their celebrated camp coordinator, Nelson and their amiable but troubled guide, Mosi, along with their fellow safari mates.

It’s the morning after they’ve arrived and Tilly is less than enthusiastic about being there. Her grumpiness goes beyond jet lag and a long jeep ride -- Tilly didn’t want to go on this trip with Gaby, she wanted it to be with her wife. And to make matters worse, the discomfort of using a compost toilet is closer to the bush then she anticipated! Fortunately Gaby knows just what buttons to push, to pull Tilly out of her funk and into the splendor of the Serengeti plains.

A revived Tilly hops in the jeep with Gaby and they are met by contrary seventy year old Richard and his clueless twenty two year old grandson Jason. The day is spent exploring wonders of wildlife in the park and adjusting to surviving the close quarters of the jeep. At the end of a full day there is wine, conversation and an impromptu performance by Jason, an aspiring and hopeless actor. Further entertainment is provided by Tilly’s inability to navigate the make shift shower and her obsession with washing that dust right out of her hair. At lights out the girls pop a Xanax and settle in for a good night’s sleep when suddenly the sound of a lions roar sets them upright in terror. Remembering the law of the jungle, don’t run, don’t scream, they thrust their faces deep into their pillows and shriek until the lion goes away. They learn the next day that it was only his mighty roar, the lion was miles away and they were never in danger.

Morning comes and it’s back in the jeep. In contrast to the first day of grazing herds and playful monkeys, this day quickly takes a darker turn. Two giraffes battle it out over who is the dominant male, a dead zebra is found on the side of the road, and a curly tail bouncing in the grass becomes a lion’s dinner. The alternate view of life in the wild effects each of the travelers very differently, some momentously. This sets in motion personal upheaval, deep rooted confrontations and ultimately, transformation.

Co-Written with FLORA DOONE

Once in a lifetime you can have an adventure that lasts a lifetime…It’s 1952, thirteen year old Alex Martin follows his beloved Uncle Bobby to the Jacksonville train yard and hops a freight train. The boxcar is filled with Hobos all making their way to Britt, IA, for the annual Hobo Convention and the crowning of the Hobo King (a real event since 1900). Uncle Bobby is less than thrilled to have Alex tag along, but Alex is determined to have a summer adventure and will not be dissuaded. Although Uncle Bobby is a hero in Alex’s eyes, having been the star basketball player in his home town, in truth he is nothing more than a lying, cheating bum. Fortunately a kindly old Hobo named John Rich witnesses Alex’s hero worship and Bobby’s true self. He makes a point of keeping a close watch on Alex. It only takes a short while before Alex is forced to see his Uncle for the person he really is. The problem is Uncle Bobby is running for Hobo King, charming all the Hobos with his good looks and cool basketball skills. If he wins, the gentle Hobo culture will be threatened by Bobby’s inevitable bad behavior.

Alex knows his Uncle must be defeated, and there’s only one Hobo who can defeat him…John Rich, the man who saw through Bobby right from the start. It takes a lot of persuading but Alex finally convinces John Rich to run for Hobo King. Alex's summer adventure takes off as John Rich introduces Alex to the cool Hobo culture, and along the way he meets a beautiful teenage Hobo girl named JoJo. Campaigning is hard work and they narrowly avoid confrontations with Bobby. Finally Alex and John Rich arrive in Iowa, but the election for Hobo King brings alarming consequences, an experience that shocks Alex, and shapes his life forever.

(Book/Lyrics co-written with Flora Doone & Michael McKenzie, Music by Caryl Ginsburg Fantel)

Tristan is discovered behind a large copy of the book “Mime for Dummies” – when his reading
is interrupted by his irate roommate Donald, demanding immediate payment of back rent.
Tristan explains he was kicked out of cooking school and is now pursuing his new career,
miming, here at the Fort Lauderdale Farmers’ Market. They are joined by the Fish Monger,
setting up her cart for the day, and stopped in her tracks by the good looks of the between jobs
actor Donald. Tristan negotiates a stay with Donald in exchange for cooking delicious meals –
which will be provided by funds from his new career, and the leftover vegetables at the end of
the day here at the market. Donald laments his lack of a partner in life, having instead this loser
roommate. Elena, a beautifully dressed Cuban-American enters briskly, brushes off Donald’s
clumsy advance, and Donald sulks off. The Fish Monger longingly yearns for a vacation and tells
Elena that yes, she can again have the leftover Fish Heads to be able to feed her cat. Elena has
been pounding the pavement all day in her spike heels. All re-enter and sing their
disenchantment (PRETENDING).
Day one, Tristan keeps an eye out for leftover vegetables that will furnish forth this evening’s
dinner, and sees Elena surreptitiously steal one bruised tomato. Elena returns home and shares
her meal with her cat (IT ISN’T FAIR).
Meanwhile, Tristan’s first day at the market is less than successful, as the Boss, joined by Elena
and the Fish Monger, comments on the very public nature of Tristan’s work (EMBARRASSING).
Tristan is now on the lookout for the thief Elena, and we see in a flashback that she was unjustly
fired and blacklisted by the heartless Boss. Elena furiously sings (WHAT DO I DO NOW?) and all
join in, including Tristan dancing an angry dream ballet salsa with Elena.
Tristan’s meals have been keeping Donald at bay, Elena has come for the Fish Heads, but
Tristan has other plans for them, swoops them away from her, and cruelly forces her to leave,
humiliated. Tristan decides to go back to cooking professionally (I SHOULD BE ON CHOPPED).
The Fish Monger hopes Tristan’s cruelty hasn’t driven Elena to do something desperate. He
vows to find Elena (SHE’S JUST LIKE ME).
Elena, meanwhile, has been caught pilfering a pepper by the Produce Vendor, Tristan swoops in
to pay for the produce and then produces the Fish Heads and admits that he acted like a jerk to
her. Slightly mollified she wonders if he has a recipe for Catalon Fish Soup, as good as her
Abuela’s. The Fish Monger is relieved to find Elena is OK, Donald comes in to tell Tristan his new
girlfriend broke up with him, and now he has these two nonrefundable tickets to Cancun that
will just go to waste. The Fish Monger swoops in and gives Donald a big smile. Donald finally
notices her and smiles back. The Produce Vendor intones the moral of the story, and all join in
for the finale (FISH HEAD SOUP).

Revisiting Wildfire is a funny and moving two character play that tests the friendship of former college roommates Theresa and Pam, who met in the early years of punk and the Reagan Administration. Now 52, both women are facing personal crises: When Theresa loses her job and falls out of touch, Pam leaves Ohio and arrives unannounced at Theresa’s NYC apartment. Theresa has recently discovered spiritual guidance and her new life purpose in a 70’s pop ballad, which Pam finds more than a little insane. But, in a volatile afternoon, Pam makes her own startling revelation and they find their lives are at a crossroads. They each have to answer the question, “How are you, my lifelong friend, going to be a part of my new life?” Is their shared history an obstruction or a guide to their future? To move forward and save their friendship, the two women must find in each other a neglected and vital part of themselves.

The Porch is the story of four desperate souls all looking for a place to stop running. On one not-so-ordinary summer afternoon three guests show up at the same bed & breakfast that the innkeeper eagerly wants to shutter. Just short of being physically coerced into staying open, he allows them to stay while leaving them to their own devices. None of the group, including the innkeeper, is entirely stable, making it only a matter of time before the porch becomes a battleground. Out of the darkness, however, a new day emerges, bringing hope and courage to unlikely allies.

Co-Written with FLORA DOONE

THE PAGE TURNER is the story of two foster brothers, Brandon, Caucasian and Cody, African American, and their foster mother Ellen, who they have markedly different relationships with. Despite growing up in the same home since grade school, in Kingston, NY, and being extremely close to each other, the boys couldn’t be more unalike. Twenty three year old Brandon has spent the past five years in the army, while twenty one year old Cody has been attending Julliard. On this night Cody and Ellen are about to leave for Cody’s professional piano debut when Brandon unexpectedly returns from his deployment in Iraq. The play moves from present day to scenes from their past and explores relationships, race and what it means to be a family.

Co- Written with FLORA DOONE

That Gorgon Girl is the comedic story of two teenage girls in 2018 New York City, one of whom happens to be Medusa, the Gorgon from ancient Greece. She has been restored to her original youth and beauty and sent down by Zeus to help one of her descendants, Phoebe, who is in danger of following in her footsteps. Zeus, believing Medusa has learned her lesson, hopes that she can prevent history from repeating itself. Instead, it backfires.

With the help of Phoebe’s Mom, Medusa poses as an exchange, student. She hopes that by spending day and night with Phoebe, she can guide her away from her awful behavior. Zeus stays close by, taking on various disguises to monitor Medusa’s efforts.

Like Medusa was, Phoebe is beautiful with gorgeous flowing curls and is obnoxiously self-centered. Every boy has thrown themselves at her feet except Spiro, the one she wants. This snub has brought out the worst in Phoebe, and threatens to bring out the curse she’s inherited from Medusa.

Medusa has good intentions – she really tries, really really really tries. But Phoebe brings out the monster in her, rekindling her old jealousies, envy and vanity, which led to her being cursed in the first place. It all comes to a boil when Spiro falls head over heels for Medusa. Phoebe’s rage engages the curse, her skin tone changes, her hair thickens and her dark glare turns Spiro to stone.

Medusa is horrified! Zeus is furious! Phoebe is green! But Medusa won’t let Phoebe fall to the peril of Gorgonhood, the life she had -- and hated. She convinces Phoebe to trust the beauty within, overcome her insecurities and free herself from the curse forever.

A Late Supper is the story of two sisters, Diane and Debbie, who have chosen completely different life paths. As the play opens, Diane is excitedly preparing a dinner in anticipation of the arrival of her beloved sister, much to the dismay of Diane's husband, Mark. Tensions flare when Debbie arrives with a surprise date – Mark’s high school idol, Greg, an accomplished pro golfer. When a smoldering unresolved conflict between Mark and Debbie becomes uncontainable, dinner ends up on the floor. They order pizza and hope it will arrive before this quartet’s intricate web of lies and betrayals fully unravels.

If Wishes Were Horses takes place in late summer 2006. Tiger Woods is the world’s best golfer, with Phil Mickelson closing the gap until his disastrous loss at the US Open at Winged Foot. Our hero, Doug, is a downsized Human Resources exec who needs a job. His wife Karen has been supporting him – for too long. His father-in-law Bill needs a place to live after the assisted living facility catches fire. Doug really needs a job. Add to this explosive mixture his obsession with Phil Mickelson’s collapse, a remarkable green thumb and a dog who shows him that being in the wrong place at the wrong time can be miraculous. If Wishes Were Horses wonders whether three people can get out of the rough and on with their lives…without killing each other.

Alexis is a 40 year old personal organizer whose own life is a mess. Her new
client, Olivia Parks, is supposed to be a sweet 70 year old woman needing a little
assistance before undergoing a serious heart operation. Instead she’s a gigantic
force of nature, in full wrath at her son Kosey (who hired Alexis) for not coming to
New Jersey to take care of her himself. Ironically Alexis has issues with her own
wayward brothers and sisters and their inabilities to come home for their parents
big anniversary party. Work is supposed to be a place where she fixes other
people’s problems, not a place that reminds her of her own. Alexis vacillates
between being mediator for Olivia and Kosey and instigator, trying to spur her
eccentric parents, Teddy & Mave into taking action to round up the family. Adding
to the confusion, she soon finds out that her romanticized ex-husband, Matthew, is
moving back to town. It isn’t long before Alexis is worn down by the conflict on
all fronts and the unremitting strain eventually pushes her to reveal an aching truth,
one that she has gone to great lengths to deny, and one that has caused the deadly
virtual sword-fight in her mind.

Co-Written with FLORA DOONE

Fish Head Soup is the story of Tristan, a culinary school reject who now makes ends meet by performing as a Mime at the Fort Lauderdale farmers market. His roommate Donald is threatening eviction. To fend off his demands for rent, Tristan promises to bring home fresh vegetables every night and create gastronomical masterpieces. But his earnings are low, tips are paltry, and unexpectedly he has competition grabbing the leftover produce. An elegantly dressed woman, Elena, turns out to be is his biggest foe. They attack, they parry, they lick their wounds, but in they come together and create the perfect Fish Head Soup

BERSERKER is the story of sixteen year old Olga Larson, who has finally begun to fit in at school, three months after she and her gay Father, Peter, moved from Minneapolis, Minnesota, to Lakeville, Florida. Olga’s blog for the school paper has transformed her peers’ impression of her from a funny talking, slightly overweight outsider, into a waggish and influential trendsetter. But when the unenlightened advisor to the paper returns from maternity leave, Olga’s new found popularity is about to be snatched away. Peter’s verbal sparring, which Olga normally relishes, does nothing to soothe her depression. Instead, she finds solace and a way forward through a surprising link to her Norwegian heritage. Olga appears to get her confidence back but in fact she slips further and further into a darker reality.

ANNIE WINS A RAFFLE is a story about Annie Smith, who has just had the best afternoon of her life, singing “God Bless America” in front of a small town Kentucky grocery store. Her shining moment was the result of her winning a raffle sponsored by the owner of the supermarket. Annie’s husband, Norman, recorded a video of the event, and now, martini’s in hand, they sit down together to watch it. But there’s a problem...it seems that Annie’s need for her own time in the sun has been awakened and squashed all in the same day. Will the couple find their way to a silver lining?

THE DISCOUNT COUNTESS* is the story of the Countess, waiting In her dingy apartment in Miami for a visit from the Simon Wiesenthal Center. It is to them that she will at last reveal the details of her fascinating life. But the Latina intern who shows up to do the interview, finds herself part of a far bigger story than either woman could ever have imagined.