Glenn Alterman
One-Act Plays
THE SEALING OF CEIL (2W 2M)
SYNOPSIS
There has been a murder in Ceil’s apartment building. This terrifies Ceil, an abused housewife. She is befriended by another neighbor, Fran, who cares for Ceil. Ceil meets a man in a bar, Hank, who also cares very much for Ceil. As the play progresses we discover a great deal all about Ceil’s life and how with Fran and Hanks assistance she finally discovers who the murderer is.
CAST OF CHARACTERS
Ceil- an abused housewife
Mike, her abusive husband
Fran- a pretty neighbor
Hank- A handsome stranger
SETTING
A one bedroom apartment in the West 40’s near Times Square, New York City
DEVELOPMENT
Originally developed at the Miramax Playwrights Group
Also developed at New Circle Theater Company and The Workshop Theater Conpany
WINNER: ARTS AND LETTERS AWARD IN DRAMA
PUBLICATION
Published in the Georgia College Arts and Letters Journal of Contemporary Culture
SPILT MILK (1 M 1 F)
SYNOPSIS
Edna and Murray Kaplan have been married for over 40 years. When the play opens, it is 4 a.m. Edna is sitting alone by the window drinking a cup of tea. Murray wakes up and sees her sitting there. When he asks her what’s wrong she starts yelling at him. Concerned, Murray tries to find out what the problem is, asking her questions, which only enrage her more. As they continue talking and fighting, we discover a great deal about their marriage. Truths and lies are revealed, old wounds are opened.
“Perceptively written… the characters are credible and lovingly observed.”
- Los Angeles Village View
“Glenn Alterman deeply moving play is quite impressive”
- Los Angeles Times
“Well written and superbly performed”
- Los Angeles Sunday Times
SETTING
The Kaplan’s one bedroom apartment in the Flatbush section of Brooklyn
CAST OF CHARACTERS
Murray Kaplan- 60’s-70’s
Edna Kaplan 50’s- 70’s
DEVELOPMENT
Developed at The American Renaissance Theater, Circle Rep Theater Company
PRODUCTIONS
Theater 40/Beverly Hills Rep.,
West Bank Café,
Circle Rep Lab
Samuel French One-Act Festival (finalist)
Published/licensed by HEUER PUBLISHING
THE DANGER OF STRANGERS (1M 1 W)
SYNOPSIS
While walking down 9th Avenue in New York on a hot day, a man hears a pay phone ring. He answers it and it’s a woman. The conversation is very seductive and the woman invites the man up for “coffee”. The play itself begins when these 2 strangers are sitting and deinking their coffee. The conversation is at first playful and sexual. But as they continue to talk, it becomes more serious and perhaps even dangerous.
CAST OF CHARACTERS
HE- An attractive man. Friendly and outgoing.
SHE – An attractive woman. She is friendly and seductive.
SETTING
The living room of one bedroom apartment in the West 50’s overlooking Ninth Avenue in New York City.
DEVELOPMENT
Originally developed at Circle Rep Theater.
PRODUCTIONS
(Over 50 productions in the U.S. and Europe, including:
West Bank Café Theater, (originally starring James Gandolfini; and Susan Aston)
Circle Rep Lab (two productions)
Step Forward Productions- Ta-Da Theater, New York
Vital Theater Company,
Pittsburgh New Works Festival
Emerging Artists Theater Company
The Workshop Theater Company
Published by HEUER PUBLISHING
PRESENTLY BEING MADE INTO A MOVIE- (Nativewindmedia.com)
"This play gets them every night! Great work!"
-Lewis Black, comedian. M.C, West Bank Cafe Downstairs Theater
"James Gandolfini and Susan Aston give billiant performances in Glenn Alterman's erotic/funny/dark thriller. ....Edge of your seat theater"
-Arthur Ringsley, Off-Broadway On Line
LIKE FAMILY (2M 1W)
SYNOPSIS
Ron Henschel has just arrived at his sister and her husband’s home in Monroe New York. It is a snowy winter night. He has just been in a terrible car accident. He reveals that both his and Helen’s parents were killed in the accident. Naturally Helen and her husband are very upset. The scene is a set up for a series of revelations about both Ron and the Gorders. With each new scene we learn more about who these people really are.
CAST OF CHARACTERS
RON- A bit rough around th edges
HELEN- An attractive woman
HAROLD- A responsible man
SETTING
The Gorder living room in their home in Monroe, New York
DEVELOPMENT
Developed at Circle Rep Company
PRODUCTIONS
Received the "Premio - Primer Premio Del Juez"-JUDGES AWARD FIRST PRIZE in the "Family" short play Festival in Barcelona, Spain.
New Circle Theater Company- Part of the Inferno Project (Greed and Wrath) Festival
Love Creek Productions at the Nat Horne Theater (Theater Row, New York)
Pittsburgh New Works Festival- Thank You, Felix Productions
Optioned by Red Eye Films
TWO LADIES SITTING IN A GARDEN (RAINBOW HOUSE) (2W 1M)
SYNOPSIS
Marla and Helene are two older women living in a nursing home in upstate New York. Both are gay. As they discuss bygone times, Helene reveals something to Marla that will change their relationship forever
CAST OF CHARACTERS
Marla- In her seventies
Helene- In her seventies
Louie- Can be played in his thirties or as old as fifties
SETTING
The garden of a nice nursing home in upstate New York
DEVELOPMENT
Developed at the Miramax Playwrights Group and the Workshop Theater Company
Something Seen, Something Said
DOWN DARK, DECEPTIVE STREETS
SYNOPSIS
Production of Alterman one Acts Goin’ Round On Rock Solid Ground, Once In A Blue Moon, The Danger of Strangers, Like Family
CAST OF CHARACTERS
Actors From Love Creek Productions
DEVELOPMENT
Plays developed at Circle Rep
Alice’s 4th Floor
Emerging Artists Theater Company
Love Creek Productions
PRODUCTION
Produced by Love Creek Productions at The Nat Horne Theater on Theater Row in New York
"A really great group of plays. Wonderful writing."
-Lee Wilhelm, Director of Love Creek Productions
CLOSED WINDOWS, OPENED DOORS
SYNOPSIS
Alterman plays Goin’ Round on Rock Solid Ground and Spilt Milk
CAST OF CHARACTERS
Cast from open calls
DEVELOPMENT
Plays developed at American Renaissance Theater
Circle Rep Theater
Emerging Artists Theater
Alice’s 4th Floor
PRODUCTION
West Bank Café Downstairs Theater.
Directed by Ernie Barbarash and Elowyn Caste (Starred Peter Jaconson, Jim Abele, Katherine Wolf and Herbert Rubens)
