I wrote a new play! It is completely ridiculous! I love it so much!
I've had the idea for Macy Beth; a Christmastime Tragicomedy for a minute now, but my playwriting book kept me incredibly busy. But, after months of this idea bopping around my brain, I've finally been able to a complete first draft! What's it about? Well……….
Macy Beth; a Christmastime Tragicomedy is an adaptation of Shakespeare's Scottish play set inside a production of A Christmas Carol. Texting my friend about finishing the draft, I couldn't help remember that good ol’ Jurassic Park quote:
You were so preoccupied with whether or not you could, they didn't stop to think if you should.
That's in jest, of course (mostly), because last night reading this first draft (which I'd only finished yesterday morning!), the students and faculty here at St. Mary's (where I'm mid-artist retreat) laughed on very nearly every page. Sometimes throughout multiple pages!
Hearing it out loud was also such a relief because I didn't know if it would even work on so many levels. And I'm here to report that it really does! The play makes sense, even with folks who have never seen or read the Scottish play. And the pacing is mostly great, the structure is somehow sound! Thank you Shakespeare!
I've already started in on rewrites, and I'm hoping to post it on the New Play Exchange within the next couple of weeks. So if you're looking to read the script, you won't have to wait that long. If you absolutely can't wait, or need to book the world premiere, feel free to email me, and if you ask nicely enough I may just send something your way early.
Hooray new work! Happy Wednesday!