The Abbey
The Abbey was my first full-length play and was born out of a time of grief where I took my own silent retreat to a Trappist monastery. It was here that I envisioned the pain that might bring others to a place like that, as well as the humor that could be found if they were met by a band of quirky monks!
The original version of the play was accepted into a short play festival. It was from there that I developed it into a full-length play. The world premier was at the Broadway Bound Theatre Festival in New Canaan, CT in August 2024.
The subject matter is PG-13 and requires six on-stage performers, as well as a 4-5 off-stage, or pre-recorded, performers. If extras are available, they could enhance the production.
Excerpt from The Abbey:
Act 1, Scene 4
EARNEST RETREATANT
I don’t know if anyone has ever asked this before…But if penguins only live in Antarctica, how did they get to the Middle East? Even if it took a few years to build the ark, how could a penguin even make it there? That’s like 7500 miles…and I don’t know if you know this, (emphatically) penguins don’t fly!
(Brother Armand acts shocked and as if he is seriously considering the question and leans in.)
BROTHER ARMAND
That truly is a profound question, mon ami. I have just the thing for you…
(Brother Armand leans back and reaches under the counter to retrieve a very large stack of books. He hands them one by one into the arms of the Earnest Retreatant until they are almost to their chin.)
BROTHER ARMAND
I’m sure the answer will lie in the writings of St. Francis of Assisi, the patron saint of animals. It was said that he could talk to the birds. If anyone can answer your question, especially about penguins, it’s him!
EARNEST RETREATANT
But Brother, it would take me weeks to read all of these!
BROTHER ARMAND
No worries, my child. We have a very liberal late-fee policy. Now, off you go, it’s almost time for the None service. You can pray for profound understanding!
(Earnest Retreatant clumsily exits the entry and exits stage right. Sam comes back to the counter.)
Broadway Bound Theatre Festival
Audience Feedback
“I loved it and thought it was poignant and powerful, yet funny throughout.”
“Tender, bittersweet and funny!”
“A courageous treatment of a challenging subject.”
“Touching, moving and real…funny, too!
“I laughed and I cried. There is something that everyone can relate to.”
Duane Lanham as Sam, Bob Filipowich as Brother Armand and Motts Pelazza as The Earnest Retreatant. Broadway Bound Theatre Festival, New Canaan, CT. 2024.