Cupid's Nightmare 4
A Valentine for islanders
by Mary Lancaster • Independent Writer
When it comes to ways of the heart, there are often as many descents into romantic turmoil as ascents to amorous elation. This Valentine's Day the Theatre Workshop of Nantucket, in coordination with Nantucket Theatrical Productions, is presenting Cupid's Nightmare 4, a quartet of short, one-act plays that portray the quirkiness of relationships using both humor and drama in their themes.

The original plays were chosen from submissions to the NTP's annual nationwide Short Play Festival and Competition and are hosted under the umbrella of the Theatre Workshop, the island's sole theater company since the closing of Actor's Theatre several years ago. NTP Artistic Director and producer Bruce Yancy said he chose the name Cupid's Nightmare for the festival because the plays do not depict traditional love stories. And while they are performed as staged readings - meaning actors have scripts in hand - costumes and props are provided.

A Thirties Affair, written by Carl L. Williams of Houston, Texas, features Susan Beaumont, Christy Kickham, Pam Murphy and Bruce Yancy and is directed by Grace Noyes. The humorous story revolves around Pauline and Henry, a married couple who invite two single friends to their home in an attempt at matchmaking. Henry is against the whole idea, but Pauline forges on with dedicated excitement. Unbeknownst to her, however, guests Jason and Carla catch on to her intent early in the evening and pretend to dislike one another in an effort to foil the scheme.

The Shoe, another funny presentation, was written by Ralph Tropf of Los Angeles, Calif., and is acted by Dwight Beman, Adam Noonan, Gillian Page, Josh D'Ambrosio and Gabriella Biro. Eddie Loring is director. In this play, private detective Charlie Knuckles is sought out by William Bentley, a powerful Wall Street financial figure who wants Knuckles to use his abilities as a sleuth to find him the woman of his dreams.

Floor Pillows is the single drama of the four plays and the shortest, running only about eight minutes. Written by Peter Hardy of Atlanta, Ga., it stars Jessica Manning and Gillian Page and is directed by Eddie Loring. The story unfolds in the apartment of Gwendolyn, a troubled woman in her 30s and the boss of her guest, Raquel. Over a few glasses of wine the women discuss love and relationships and explore sexuality. Though Raquel wants to please her employer, she is not willing to do it at the expense of her dignity.

PHOTOS BY ROBERT K. JAMES

Double Negative is the last of the evening's performances. It is a comedy written by Carl L. Williams, author of the first play, and features Greg Bourbeau, Rachel Dowling, Eddie Loring and Adam Noonan with Bruce Yancy as director. The story centers around mob leader Frank and his henchman Roy. When Frank discovers that his girlfriend Billie, an ex-nightclub singer, is having an affair with his gangland associate and old friend Mitch, he initiates a special card game with the trio to reveal the truth of the situation.

Yancy said the four plays run approximately an hour and a-half in total.

"It should be a lot of fun," he said. I

Cupid's Nightmare 4 opens at 7 p.m. on Friday, Feb. 14 upstairs at the Methodist Church. The first schedule of performances runs through Saturday, Feb. 16 and the second round will be held Friday and Saturday, Feb. 22 and 23. Tickets are $10. For reservations or more information call 508-241-1760.

Cockwise from top, left: Gabriella Biro and Josh D'Ambrosio rehearse lines from "The Shoe," one of four one-act plays opening upstairs in the Methodist Church on Feb. 14 as part of Cupid's Nightmare 4 presented by Nantucket Theatrical Productions under the umbrella of the Theatre Workshop of Nantucket. At top right, Rachel Dowling gets in the spirit for the play "Double Negative." Greg Bourbeau and Eddie Loring, bottom right, are also featured in "Double Negative." Far left is Josh D'Ambrosio.