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.

(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).

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

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.

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.

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

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?