Marlena Lustik

“Becoming Jordan” is the tale of two families, one very urban from New York City, the other from a small town outside of Waco, Texas with very traditional views, whose beloved children decide to wed and face life as a transgender couple. The parents try to stop them, and the children ban them from the wedding and their lives. The parents reconsider and want to get back into their children’s good graces. They want to be part of the wedding. To do so they must work together. The play is a two-act comedy about cultural differences and misunderstandings and the relationship between parents and children. How much love do we have for our children? Can we bless them and let them sail off into unknown waters? Do we love them enough to overcome our biases? Can we laugh at ourselves in the midst of all these changes?

“Ever Yours, Henry James" is a play about a secret relationship between the novelist Henry James and a very successful American woman writer of his time, Constance Fennimore Woolson. It takes place in Venice and is a very theatrical piece involving four lead actors and an ensemble of actor/dancers wearing Venetian carnival masks. The lead actors are Henry, Constance, The Domino and the Domina. The Domino and the Domina are masked Commedia del’arte figures who function as the physical manifestation of the secret and sometimes amoral desires of the two main characters. The world of the play is created on a bare stage by light, sound and the ensemble. It consists of short scenes which trace the relationship of between Henry and Constance from her wish to meet him, their first meeting, the development of their relationship, her suicide and his dealing with that event…and perhaps her ghost.

Constance Fennimore Woolson was a successful American writer of short stories, magazine serials and novels during the late 1800’s at a time when women who wrote professionally were few and far between. She and Henry James became friends. As they were both fanatically private about their personal lives, very little is known about this friendship. Were they colleagues, muses, professional acquaintances, lovers, or soul mates? No one really knows. Perhaps they themselves were not sure.
This play is about two people who think they are very clear about their relationship and what it means. And yet? They live in a world of masks and illusions, many of their own making. They struggle constantly between the rational disciplined mind and the amoral voice within which can so easily lead one astray. They grasp at what they perceive as facts only to discover fiction.

“An (Anywhere) Christmas” is the story of what happens when Santa and Mrs. Claus in disguise decide to take a quick break before the big night and visit (your town). They tell stories about their past, how they met and why Santa made the North Pole his headquarters. They solve the problem of Santa’s missing master list and party with the local ghosts.

“An (Anywhere) Christmas” is a play that can be tailored to fit your town or organization. It includes the option to highlight local locations, history and commercial businesses. It is family friendly and includes audience participation.

An (Anywhere) Christmas” has a cast of three major players (Santa, Mrs. Claus and Jiffy the elf) and a supporting cast of “ghosts”. The characters of the ghosts can be adjusted to fit the specifics of your town or organization. For example “Karl, the farmer” could be “Karl, the rancher” or “Karl, the sea captain.” The ghosts can be created technically with lights, sound and special effects or some or all can be played by actors for companies that want to use a larger cast. (3 – 33 actors possible: 1 – 14 F, 1 – 17 M)

“An (Anywhere) Christmas” has been produced in local adaptions as:

“A Cape May Stage Christmas” Cape May Stage, Cape May, NJ

“A Congress Hall Christmas” Congress Hall. Cape May, NJ
(a resort hotel)