For short plays, good scripts and well-managed execution are essential to ensure clarity as the pieces flow. Silver Spring Stage shows its mastery of telling short stories with energy and punch. The company’s 2025 One-Act Festival nails it.
James Bosley’s Chiquita! harkens back to earlier days of dial-up telephones, cigarettes, and cocktail lunches. Those of us of a certain age remember Steve McQueen, the television star of the 1970s, who knew how to work a room while being a bit full of himself. As McQueen, Ron Ward has just the right amount of swagger and makes it clear to a young colleague that his next movie should feature him driving fast race cars, his standard ticket to fame. Jim Morrison, played with beach boy charm by Thomas Friend, has other ideas. This tousled-haired pre–New Age wonder guy tries to lure McQueen out of his comfort zone by considering a whole new concept, a Latina speed racer inspired by the parking attendant who just parked his car! Diana Valle plays a skeptical Irene, with Saul Diaz Cruz as her hilarious brother, Tomas, in tow, as she bandies about the stereotypes of being considered “Chiquita.” Bill Hurlbut directs with zest, while attendant/bellhop costumes by Jennifer Morrissey add to the hilarity.
Even the organization of the plays reflects careful deliberation. After the funny in-your-face Chiquita!, The Waiting Room by Alli Hartley-Kong is a touching two-hander with Kat Binney’s Katherine sitting quietly in a fertility clinic office when Erica Smith’s Natalie blusters in, cracking jokes and pacing around the room. The era is post-pandemic, but just barely. Natalie’s rambunctious personality and physicality contrast with Katherine’s quiet demeanor. As they share their stories, part-time comedian Natalie settles down while Katherine opens up for a completely different supportive interaction by the end of the scene. Kudos to the lighting designer Jim Robertson for several breathtaking moments, especially the opening where Katherine is seated in a single spotlight in the darkness, reflecting the solitary solemnity of the situation, a longed-for pregnancy that just doesn’t happen.
After Charlottesville by Latisha Jones starts off with a breezy connection between two friends, beaus they might be seeing, missed phone messages, etc. As Marcy, Iyanu Bishop nearly bounces around their park bench trying to lure Amber, a pensive Caroline Adams, into the lightweight conversation. They laugh and reminisce to ease what’s coming, but the interchange shift is inevitable as Amber opens up about the protest and gruesome scenes of the violent aftermath. The friends share remorse for not being or doing enough, guilt for surviving. After Charlottesville is a touching reminder of the scars that remain and continue to impact people whose lives were upended by the unexpected violence in what was considered safe space, home.
The final play, A Very Different Kind of Truth by Erica Smith, deals with totally out-of-the-box issues of what is delusion versus what is real. And real to whom. Three top-notch actors — Matthew J. Murray, Frances Russell, and Evelyn Meek — portray characters caught up in trying to unravel the truth and reality … of possible alien abduction. Cass is dealing with the aftermath of a family member (perhaps the mom?) who mysteriously disappeared nine years ago. He’s convinced that she’ll return, and they wait, hoping and longingly, in sibling support. But when the sister goes missing and he’s targeted and blamed as a possible suspect, all hell breaks loose. Sayer is a potential love interest, but try as she might, she just doesn’t see the flashing lights in the sky that glow brighter and brighter in seeming approach that Cass and his sister saw before she disappeared. Lighting designer Robertson worked his magic again for this one in tandem with ominous sound design by Rich Frangiamore with hints of an otherworld experience.
Playing one more weekend, Silver Spring Stage’s 2025 One-Act Play Festival is a tried-and-true, funny, thought-provoking, and entertaining time at the theater.
Running Time: Two hours and 15 minutes.
The 2025 One-Act Play Festival plays through August 17, 2025 (Friday and Saturday at 8:00 PM; Sunday at 2 PM), at Silver Spring Stage, 10145 Colesville Road, Silver Spring, MD. Tickets ($25–$28) may be purchased 2025 One-Act Play Festival in person, or by contacting the Box Office at boxoffice@ssstage.org or 301-593-6036.
Contains mature language and themes.
COVID Safety: Masks Optional.
The Silver Spring Stage 2025 One-Act Play Festival
Chiquita!
By James Bosley
Directed by Bill Hurlbut
Cast: Ron Ward, Thomas Friend, Diane Valle, Saul Díaz Crúz
Costume Designer: Jennifer Morrissey
The Waiting Room
By Alli Hartley-Kong
Directed by Robin Berl
Cast: Kat Binney, Erica Smith
After Charlottesville
By Latisha Jones
Directed by Kristen Davis
Cast: Iyanu Bishop, Caroline Adams
A Very Different Kind of Truth
By Erica Smith
Directed by David Dieudonne
Cast: Matthew J. Murray, Frances Russell, Evelyn Meek
PRODUCTION STAFF
Producer: Seth Ghitelman
Stage Manager: Mary Ghitelman
Assistant Stage Manager: Summer Skerritt & Skye Skolnik
Lighting Design: Jim Robertson
Sound Engineer: Rich Frangiamore
