Like many theatre groups around the world, we jumped online in the spring and summer of 2020, during the early days of COVID-19. Local playwrights wrote new plays that were read on Zoom by local actors to enthusiastic virtual audiences. It wasn’t perfect, but at least it was a way for theatre creators to develop new work and for theatre people to stay connected, even if it was only online.
When River & Main was contacted by the mayor’s office to take part in the Mayor’s Week of the Arts, they looked back to those plays that were originally developed on Zoom. What better way to celebrate theatre in Belleville than by putting on plays by Belleville playwrights? What better way to show our resilience? Three of the plays shared the same setting – a park. That’s how “Scenes From a Park” came about. It seemed natural. They fit together so well.
The plays, "A Single Step” by Bill Petch, “Conversation Park” by Margaret Ruttan, and “Best Medicine” by Rick Zimmerman, range from laugh-out-loud funny to poignant and bittersweet.
Thanks to our Buskers: Matt Smith, Bill Petch, Joe Kennedy, Doug Couture, Dave Cotterell, Marie Lachner, Randy Stewart, and Andrea Rix
Special Thanks to: Joy Petch, Joyce Stewart, Lynda Rollins, Jana Busse
“I don’t know what she’s talking about. I’ve been having meaningful conversations with you for almost thirty years and never once looked you in the eye.”
“Conversation Park” as Darren
“Conversation Park” as Ron
“Conversation Park” as Jodie
“Conversation Park” as Angela
“Conversation Park” as Jack
“Conversation Park” as Marilyn
“Best Medicine” as Marty
“Best Medicine” as Alice
“A Single Step” ~ Director
“A Single Step”as Leonard, “A Single Step” ~ playwright
Set Painter/Artist
“Conversation Park” ~ director, “A Single Step” ~ sound design
“A Single Step” – sound design
as Marie
