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As a playwright, the overall goal when crafting a play, is to create a scenario that will carry the story to an engaging conclusion. Once the story is completed, it is the hope of the playwright that the story will have legs so to speak and find the right home, in order to share the playwright's vision with the public. It's always gratifying when one's aspirations are rewarded with the opportunity to realize this goal with actors reading the words of the play. On Thursday, August 7, "Retribution" had its first date with the public via Sundog Theatre's, "Summer Reading Series" and by all accounts having not been in attendance, it was well received.

In the way of background information, the one-act play was born in a writing forum as part of a playwriting challenge a number of years ago. The only stipulation was that the subject matter had to focus on revenge. Before embarking on all writing projects, I always start with two words, "what if..." Initially, "Retribution" began as a short 10-minute play called, "A Close Shave" focusing on a barber and a man receiving a shave. Over time and during the editing process, it took on a life of its own with an adaption of the story and taking a different angle. The play itself can best be described in the quotation, "revenge is a dish best served cold."

In as far as reaction to the play is concerned, Sundog Theatre's Eric Petillo, Curator of New Works and Administrative Assistant, wrote of the actors reaction when reading the play that "they all raved about your play. They told me that it had taken them all by surprise when the script suddenly took a left turn. One of the audience members said that it was a cross between "Steel Magnolias" and a Quentin Tarantino revenge fantasy."

Ask me if I'm happy. My story being compared to a Quentin Tarantino revenge fantasy AND Steel Magnolias, which is a favorite film, is some compliment! The only complaint was that it was difficult to visualize the graphic imagery accompanying the dialogue with the  reading of my stage directions, The overall conclusion was that the whole play would benefit more from a full-scale production. Agree whole-heartedly.

For the record and in case anyone reading this is interested, the play is ready for its debut and if Mr. Tarrantino is interested, my people can speak to your people...or something.

The results are in and it ain't good.

"Don't beat around the bush, Eleanor. Give us your latest "Old Soldiers" update."

In the way of a memory jogger because some people may have forgotten, a while back I wrote a short story based on an interview conducted for Remembrance Day with army veterans for my newspaper column. Their recollections were vivid as they related their war experiences along with strong bonds of friendship created between the combatants. Reading over the notes, the story suddenly took on a life of its own and the first edition, a short story, of  "Old Soldiers" was born leading to the creation of the play version of "Old Soldiers."

Initially, it was start-stop, start-stop writing and long periods of the dreaded white-screen syndrome with minimal progress made, until the opportunity arose to enter the BBC International Radio Playwriting competition. As is my habit, a lot of time passed until the decision to finish the play and enter it as my submission to the competition. It was a difficult task having no experience in writing for radio and the story line had to be adjusted to accommodate sound effects, plus adding substantial dialogue. Eventually, I managed to finish it and sent it on its way to the BBC.

"You do go on so, Eleanor. What's the end result?"

The long list of semi-finalists was posted last week and ~ sigh ~ my name was missing. Must have been an over sight or something on their part because the play has all the ingredients of a good story, with a good mix of drama and comedy, my specialty. Thinking back and in retrospect, it would work better as a film given some of the changes of scenes but if one doesn't enter the competition, then for sure one can't win. Right? Soooooo...I'm re-writing the story (once again) this time as a proper stage play, which will require some re-thinking of the story line and changes in the characters. So what else is new.

On a positive note, my play "Retribution" will be part of "The Originals: Sundog Summer Reading Series put on by the Sundog Theatre of Staten Island, on Thursday, August 7, 8 o'clock p.m. at the Snug Harbor Cultural Center and Botanical Gardens, building "G" - room 201, 1000 Richmond Terrace, Staten Island, NY. Entrance is free of charge and I can guarantee you that the story line will hold your attention and then some.

And so, it's onward to the next re-write, new play waiting to be written and the continuing search for potential producers, theatres and the like. Is there anything else worth pursuing?