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 2, Scene 2
(BROTHER ARMAND pulls a box out from under the counter with “Lost & Found” written on the side and offers it to Sam. SAM reaches in and pulls out a phone.)
SAM
Uh, this isn’t my phone.
BROTHER ARMAND
Keep looking.
(SAM keeps reaching in and pulling out phones. After five or six attempts, he finds his.)
SAM
How many of these did he take?
BROTHER ARMAND
He’s an active senior.
(SAM starts pushing buttons on the screen.)
SAM
Hey, there’s hardly any battery left…Plus there’s a bunch of international calls…to Ireland!
And now I have Candy Crush on my phone?
(SAM shows the phone to Brother Armand.)
BROTHER ARMAND
Yes, but you’re already reached the Minty Meadow level! Congrats! Come Sam, let’s head to supper. It’s Thursday…That means it’s pudding day!
SAM
But my phone…
BROTHER ARMAND
Pudding, Sam! Don’t take that from me! They always run short. Besides, you shouldn’t be on that thing in the first place!
(BROTHER ARMAND puts a “Closed” sign on the desk. He and SAM exit upstage.)
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.