Stage Left Studio’s Left Out Festival Brings Down the House with "Selected Shorts"

New York, NY, April 18, 2012 --(PR.com)-- The Fifth Annual Left Out Festival (April 14 to April 25) at Stage Left Studio in New York, celebrated the far-reaching talent of LGBT performers and writers this past Sunday with a variety show-style presentation called “Selected Shorts,” a creation of festival producers Cheryl King and Joe Hutcheson.

The programming of the “Selected Shorts” show began with a scene from Michelle Ramoni’s “June and Nancy,” featuring the playwright alongside versatile and expressive actor Peter Straus. This graceful and dramatic performance directed by Kim Holland, began a steady cavalcade of innovative artists showing some of their best tidbits from short plays, plays of the past, some in-progress, and beautifully executed performance art.

KC Weakley gave a tender and haunting performance of a monologue from Karen Thibodeau’s new work, “The Garden Plot.” Apparently, Mr. Weakley was making his New York stage debut. An impressive start, as he handled the language Ms. Thibodeau gave the character of a fading opera star—a language and pace that creates a world of her own.

The audience of this show seemed to revel in the variety of performances, intently following the short plays “…And Scene” by Brooklyn’s William LoCasto and “Things That Go Bump” by Boston’s Richard Ballon, directed by Cassandra Sandberg and Dawn Monique Williams. LoCasto’s performers included Alex Beck, Chas Lowery IV and Patrick Keefe who kept a great pace to his thoughtful comedy scene of acting coach and actors. Ballon’s cast of Matthew Clark and Clayton Luopo made the trek from Massachussett’s to perform his short play involving a broken couple fighting over property.

In the midst of the program, music changed the flavor of the moment to a performance piece written by Robin Goldfin based on a story by Etgar Keret and directed by David Carson. Jacob Moore took on the persona of Goldfin’s “The Angel of Wishes,” using impeccable timing and audience charm to deliver a mesmerizing yet simple story, in intricately choreographed interactions with music composer and live accompanist Oren Neiman.

The evening was bookended by Stage Left Studio regular Frank Blocker, including a segment of his newest play “Stabilized Not Controlled,” (opening April 29 at Stage Left Studio) which brought growing laughter from the audience in what might very well be defined as stand-up comedy delivered by a cast of characters, yet only one actor.

Fortunately, there is one more chance to catch this great line up of LGBT performers on Saturday April 21, also at 2:00 pm. All tickets $20 ($2 ticketing surcharge will be added) at Stage Left Studio website. Seating is limited, advance purchase recommended. Net proceeds from this festival are donated to Bailey House, who will dedicate funds to their newest program STARS for HIV+ LGBT Youth.

Following is the remaining Left Out Festival schedule of shows:

Wed, Apr 18, 3:00 pm — “Southern Gothic Novel”
Wed, Apr 18, 7:30 pm — “Getting Away With Mother” (staged reading)
Fri, Apr 20, 7:30 pm — “That Play: A Solo Macbeth”
Sat, Apr 21, 2:00 pm — “Selected Shorts”
Sun, Apr 22, 2:00 pm — “Getting Away With Mother” (staged reading)
Mon, Apr 23, 7:30 pm — “Home In Her Heart” (world premiere)
Tue, Apr 24, 7:30 pm — “A Mad Person’s Chronicle Of A Miserable Marriage”
Wed, Apr 25, 7:30 pm — “Home In Her Heart”