FLORA dOONE
WRITER
playwriGHT
for the stage
The more things stay the same, the more things change
Written by Flora Doone and Kari Floren
SUMMARY
The more things stay the same, the more they change.
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 the 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 jetlag 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 than 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 70-year old Richard, and his clueless 22 year old grandson, Jason. The day is spent exploring the 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 makeshift shower, and her obsession with washing the 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 lion’s 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 affects each of the travelers very differently – some monumentally. This sets in motion personal upheaval, deep rooted confrontation, and ultimately, transformation.
CHARACTER BREAKDOWN
MATILDA (TILLY) - A 60 year old gay woman, any ethnicity, safari guest.
GABRIELLA (GABY) - A 60 year woman, any ethnicity, safari guest.
MOSI - A 30 something Tanzanian man, safari camp coordinator
NELSON - A 50 year old Tanzanian man, safari camp coordinator
RICHARD - A 70 year old Caucasian man, safari guest
JAYSON - A 22 year old Chines man, safari guest
SUMMARY
Two foster brothers grow together, but ultimately apart in THE PAGE TURNER. Alternating between the past and present (noted by a metronome to signify time), BRANDON and CODY, raised by single mother ELLEN, give you a contrast between better and best. Either boy could have been the best at the piano, but ultimately one is the virtuoso and the other simply the page turner.
The past shows the relationship and bond that develops between the two foster brothers and their relationship with Ellen. The present shows focuses on their differences -- one achieving his rightful place in the world as a classical pianist, the other returning from the war in Iraq only to give into the PTSD that ultimately caused him his benefits.
Eventually the truth about Cody emerges, and the trauma in Brandon's life from abandonment of his own mother and his experiences in Iraq ruins Cody's big debut and sinks Brandon into an abyss that even he doesn't understand. The brothers eventually find a common ground, one off to find the family he never had and the other to "turn the page."
CHARACTER BREAKDOWN
BRANDON MCNEAL - A 23 year old Caucasian man. Physically imposing, secretive, emotionally scarred.
CODY JOHNSON - A 21 year old African American man. Sensitive, disciplined, eager to please.
ELLEN TURNER - A 45 year old Caucasian woman. Caring, stoic, forced to make hard decisions.
SUMMARY
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. (approximate running time 60 minutes)
CHARACTER BREAKDOWN
MOM - A forty-something woman, mother of Phoebe.
MEDUSA - A fifteen year old girl.
ZEUS - A fifty/sixty/seventy year old man.
PHOEBE - A fifteen year old girl.
THADDEUS - A fifteen year old boy.
SPIRO - A fifteen year old boy.
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FISH HEAD SOUP
Written by Flora Doone and Kari Floren
SUMMARY
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 farmer's 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 the end they come together and create the perfect Fish Head Soup.
CHARACTER BREAKDOWN
Tristan - 30 year old man,
Donald - 30 year old man
Elena - 30 year old Cuban American woman
Boss* - Elena's Boss, 40-60 year old man
Fishmonger* - 40-60 year old man
Produce Vendor* - 40-60 year old man
*Can all be played by the same actor
CANDY KID AND THE HOBO KING
Once in a lifetime you can have an adventure that lasts a lifetime…
Co-Written with Kari Floren - Based on the novel by Flora Doone
SUMMARY
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.
SET
A Boxcar and some grass
CHARACTER BREAKDOWN
(This play can be performed with 9 actors with roles described and assigned below):
ALEX MARTIN - a 13 year old Caucasian boy who looks 16
JOHN RICH - a 62 year old Caucasian man
BOBBY CUFF - a 25 year old Caucasian man, Alex's Uncle
SWINGING SAMMY BROWN - a 30's-40's, African American man
GRAINCAR GEORGE - a 50 something Caucasian man
SUSIE MAE- an 18 year old Caucasian girl who looks younger
PREACHER - a 30's-40's, African American man
MAISY - a 40-50-60's African American woman
STINKY MAHONE - a 50 something Caucasian man
JOJO - a 13 year old Caucasian girl who looks 16
MISS OLIVE - a 40 year old Caucasian woman
HATTIE - a 40-50-60's African American woman
CINDY CHEN - a 20 something Asian woman
TESS - a 40 year old Caucasian woman
JIN-YOUNG KIM - a 20 something Asian woman
MAYOR - a 50 something Caucasian man
OLDER ALEX - a 23 year old Caucasian man
BEATNIKS/HOBOS/POLICE/BOXER - various men and women
This play can be performed with 9 actors with roles assigned as follows:
ALEX MARTIN
JOHN RICH
BOBBY CUFF/OLDER ALEX
SWINGING SAMMY BROWN/BOXER/PREACHER/BEATNIK
GRAINCAR GEORGE/POLICEMAN/STINKY MAHONE/BEATNIK/MAYOR
SUSIE MAE/JOJO
MAISY/HATTIE/HOBO/BEATNIK
MISS OLIVE/TESS/HOBO/BEATNIK
CINDY CHEN/JIN-YOUNG KIM
Sometimes you have to go backwards in order to move forward...
Written by Flora Doone and Kari Floren
SUMMARY
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 forties. 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.
CHARACTER BREAKDOWN
(diverse casting except where noted)
GRACE - a 30 year old woman
ENRICO - a building superintendent
KEESHA - 30's, African-American fashion designer
SONNY - 30's, Grace's love interest
LUIZ - 20's, co-worker of Grace
BETTY - Grace's Mom
WALTER - Grace's Dad
CUSTOMER - a man
MAN IN BASEBALL CAP - a thug
FATHER KEVIN - a homeless man
DR. LANGMOORE - 1944 Physician
RAYMOND DARBY- 50's, Grace's friend in 1944
OLD WOMAN - a woman in 1944
*This play can be performed with 7 actors, with roles assigned and described below.
GRACE
ENRICO/LUIZ/MAN IN BASEBALL CAP
KEESHA
BETTY/OLD WOMAN
WALTER/DR. LANGMOORE
SONNY
CUSTOMER/FATHER KEVIN/RAYMOND DARBY