Playwright
Matthew Salazar-Thompson
THE FULL LENGTH PLAYS
9066
4M / 3F
120 minutes
Set in the Japanese-American internment camp of Manzanar, during World War II, Miko Takahashi attempts to lead her family through a myriad of crises while being imprisoned because of her cultural identity. 9066 is an historic snapshot of that misguided executive order given by President Roosevelt in 1942. Examining the flaws, fears and broken promises of the United States' governemnt we follow one family's struggles through their encarceration. A story that resonates today, where the influx of America’s cultural blend of individuality constantly asks the question: who am I?
Commissioned by Compass Theatre, San Diego in 2007
A Christmas Carol:
The Classic Radio Drama
5M / 3W (Can be expanded to a cast of 35)
100 minutes
The year is 1943. Local Riverside, Iowa radio station WKMB is transmitting the Charles Dickens’ classic. Outside a blizzard is making travel difficult in the Midwest. Halfway through the broadcast the cast and crew of the Liberty Players are snowed in. In the holiday spirit they continue transmitting and later decide to have their own Christmas at the radio station. This adaptation includes all the favorite characters, holiday songs, golden age commercials and humbling displays of human compassion that makes Charles Dickens' A Christmas Carol a timeless classic.
Commisioned by Point Loma Playhouse, San Diego in 2015
Cellar Door
2M / 2F
120 minutes
Nestled in the Deep South during The Great Depression, Samantha and Donald Pointiere have been hiding a secret for nearly twenty years which has been tearing at their marriage. Since serving in World War I, Donald has returned and their lives are sinking into the swamp land that surrounds them. A religious visitor named Grace in the form of a young wondering girl attempts to reshape this broken family, but she too is hiding a secret. Believing that Samantha is her half sister she attempts to form this once misshapen family in God's image. In the course of six days this family attempts to find where the line between reality and dreams exist. The family unit is the center of this Depression era drama where soaring dreams have become buried under the weight of life's expectations.
Commissioned by New Fortune Theatre, San Diego in 2014.
Cloud Barrier
3M / 2M
90 minutes
It’s New Year’s Eve on the top of a New York City high rise where five citizens are trapped on the roof. Manuella’s Hispanic background gives immediate rise to societal boundaries and Robert is stereotyped for his Middle Eastern heritage. Ageism and self worth find seeds in a veteran television star while what seems like an engaging online date defines the elements of truth. Secrets are later revealed when we find out there is more than one thief amongst the group. This play explores the stereotypes and boundaries that we subconsciously put upon one another and challenges these characters to break those cultural limitations.
If the Shoe Fits (Co-authored by Matt Chiorini)
2M / 2F
90 minutes
It all started when Delores and George met at Shoe Fantasy, where George sells shoes to women they never even knew they wanted or needed, for Delores it was love at first shoe fitting. The only thing standing in the way of their love was Delores’s half-witted husband. Marvin would never agree to a divorce… so there was only one thing left to do - kill Marvin and live happily ever after basking in the tropical sun. Things only get worse when the maid, Esperanza unexpectedly comes over on the wrong day to do Marvin’s laundry and she too falls for George. Now George and Delores have to devise a way to get rid of the love sick Esperanza and carry out their plan to kill Marvin- that is without killing each other first; all in one night! The night gets funnier and funnier as the lovers try again and again to finish the job only to have Esperanza and Marvin unknowingly foil their plans each time resulting in this wacky tale of love, murder, and… shoes!
This title is available through Dramatic Publishing
Mistletoe, Music & Mayhem! (co-authored by Phil Johnson & Rayme Sciaroni)
3M / 2F (can be expanded to a cast of 13)
90 minutes
The perfect antidote to the holiday blues, journey with us for fast-paced musical sketch comedy that skewers the crazy side of the holidays. We’ll take an irreverent look at Old Saint Nic and funny holiday traditions around the world, and even hear every Christmas carol ever sung in 90 seconds flat! This less-than-Silent-Night will tickle your funny bone and warm your heart.
Commisioned by North Coast Repertory Theatre, Solana Beach, 2010.
Opera of the Oasis
1M / 2F
90 minutes
Symbolism and reality interweave in this cautionary tale about war in the Middle East and the pursuit of the American Dream. A news reporter is looking for her next big story when she learns of a U.S. soldier, captured in Iraq. Is she just performing her job or is she searching to climb the steps of the corporate ladder? Her estranged father, a professor and former Vietnam Vet, offers some metaphysical insight into the human condition. As our eyes begin to open to the perils that confront the human population, which path will you choose?
Commissioned by Compass Theatre, San Diego in 2007.
The Complete History of Theatre (abridged)
2M / 1F / 1 Either (Can be expanded to cast of 13)
90 minutes
Theatrical greats William Shakespeare, Sarah Bernhardt and Constantine Stanislavsky take us on a wild and wacky journey through the history of theatre from Aristophanes to Emile Zola. The crazy cast of characters take you back in time and relive theatre from all parts of the Globe. Explore the art of mine, the gladiators of Rome and the real author of Shakespeare’s plays. You'll hear some of the most famous lines from the world's best-known and beloved plays performed at breakneck speed, until finally the cast realizes that the playwright hasn’t written an ending our celebrities break the fourth wall and ask the audience to help write the conclusion of the play. This interactive farce keeps the audience in stitches at every turn on a rollicking 90-minute ride!
Commissioned by Point Loma Playhouse, 2016.
This title is available through Dramatic Publishing
2M / 2F
105 minutes
In what seems like the mundane rituals of life, two senior citizens recount their incredible life together. As we watch our couple in their current time, we flash back to when they were younger, when dreams were fresh and how those dreams turned into the realities and challenges that they live with today. - breast cancer, infidelity, and infertility. A touching and poignant view of life as it is.
Selective Hearing
Star Crossed
4M/ 4F
120 minutes
Jewish writer, David Weinstein, has written his first book and is questioning his faith. When his Catholic girlfriend and her Cuban family sit down for Passover Seder Dinner, a cultural clash ensues with David in the middle. The families attempt to make sense of not only their own religion, but also the religion of others as David finds his true path towards enlightenment.
Commissioned by The San Diego Repertory Theatre in 2009
Switching Tracks
1M / 1F
85 minutes
A divorced couple, Michael and Rebecca haven't seen each other in over ten years. After a chance encounter at Grand Central Station, both of them find new connections with each other as they comb through the bevy of old emotions as they strive to move forward. The past and future come together in this dramedy about the present state of modern divorce.
Commissioned by New Fortune Theatre, San Diego in 2015
Semi-finalist for The Detroit New Play Festival in 2017.
Ted Williams: A Tip of the Cap
1M
85 minutes
This one man show chronicles San Diego native baseball great, Ted Williams, from his formative years with the Pacific Coast League Padres to the Boston Red Sox then from his dramatic run at .406 and the Korean War. Through this first person perspective we share in Ted's strengths and failures as a ballplayer, husband and father.
Commissioned by North Coast Repertory Theatre, Solana Beach in 2010.
A Roman Holiday
6M / 4F
110 minutes
It’s a Christmas of mischief, mayhem, and meatballs in this hilarious romantic comedy. When Stacey arrives in Rome to rendezvous with her boyfriend, Michael, she unexpectedly encounters Nigel, a British professor and kleptomaniac; members of the lively, animated Pagliazzi family; and an Italian don dressed in a Santa suit and sunglasses. When Michael arrives at Stacey’s hotel and proposes marriage, Stacey panics. Suffering from a bad case of pre-marriage jitters, Stacey concocts a plan to make Michael jealous by having Nigel pose as her boyfriend. But Stacey’s plan goes awry when Nigel dons a dress and introduces himself as a German chef named Belinda Bratwurst. Twists, turns, and misunderstandings abound in this face-paced comedy that features endless opportunities for actors to showcase their comedic talents.
This title is available through Norman Maine Publishing
Tiny Tim's Christmas Carol
Widely flexible cast
70 minutes
A father tells his young daughter a story of Ebenezer Scrooge on his terrifying and exhilarating journey to discover the true meaning of Christmas. But we do not realize until the end that the characters in this adaptation are more real than ever before. The covetous old miser who finds his heart turns out to be the little girl’s Great-Uncle Scrooge, and her father is Tiny Tim, an even kinder, more insightful soul as an adult than he was as a child. This unique adaptation, infused with popular Christmas carols, is sure to make your audience feel alive with holiday spirit.
This title is available through Eldridge Publishing
Hemingway's Rose
2M / 1 F
75 minutes
Through three distinct off beat vignettes we find out of of mankind's biggest mysteries: why don't we make our clothes smell amazing by sticking a rasher of bacon in during the dry cycle.
Commissioned by 6th@Penn Theatre, San Diego, 2006.
Semi-finalist for Best New Play, Actor's Alliance Festival, 2007.
Señora Julia
1M / 2F
80 minutes
It’s a sweltering midsummer night in the Central Valley of California in 1943. World War II occupies most of the country’s thoughts but on this night, Julia, the Jewish daughter of the owner of the Tomlenstein Ranchero has engaged herself with Jose, the estate’s Chicano valet servant. Battling not only the difference in heritage and religious cultures both are nearly willing to sacrifice their families, their fortunes and even their futures for the thought of fulfilling a displaced heart. This new adaption of August Strindberg’s classic draws the potent themes of class and gender distinction while also engaging cultural and religious tolerance issues.
Who's Afraid of Me, Myself & Edward Albee?
2M
85 minutes
Borrowing themes of Edward Albee’s writing and personal life we find two men engaged in a visceral dialogue about adoption, abandonment, sexual orientation and self-identity that ultimately leaves one man with a cerebral decision at play’s end.
This piece was developed with the direct input of Edward Albee.
Commissioned by North Coast Repertory Theatre, Solana Beach, California, 2012.