Richard Kasdan (Lorne Frohman,) is in his 60’s and having a very bad day. His
marriage is in trouble and his wife (Debra McGrath) gets stuck in traffic on the way
to the therapy session they’ve waited years to attend with renowned psychiatrist
Dr. Bernard Myerheimer (Colin Mochrie.)
Comedy ensues as Richard confronts the demons of his past while he waits for
Deb to show up. He meets head-on with his teenage self, his twenty and forty year
old selves and battles the forces that have plagued his entire life.
With hilarious cutting edge humor, wit, wisdom and comical sensibility, Lorne has
created a most original premise and rollicking tour de force.
Join us for a staged reading which is expected to be in full production soon.
Thanks in advance for taking part in our journey!
Writer’s Statement:
Originally, the concept of this play was just a funny idea. Through the writing
process, it became apparent that more important than finding the punchline was
exploring and sharing how challenging it can be, as decades roll on, to define
ourselves simply.
Woody Allen said in “Hannah and Her Sisters” that “we are the sum total of our
choices.” Another funny man, Sigmund Freud wrote: “We are different people at
different stages of our life.” These words motivated me, at first to poke fun but I
soon realized that I was disturbed by these ideas, and how quickly I connected
with them.
There is a very deep and humiliating fragment we carry within each of us, buried
beneath the surface. Here it is: All people who are lucky enough to live long lives
may find it impossible to define themselves presently without referencing or
holding onto images or versions of the different people they once were. How can
one function without embracing the past?
Richard in Pieces explores this concept, starting off with the protagonist throwing
himself into the most difficult moment of his life: confronted by his own reflection
for the first time, and forced to strip away from the nostalgia of his youth to
uncover who he really is.
Starring: Lorne Frohman, Colin Mochrie, Debra McGrat, Chris Coculuzzi
(others TBA)