Write Act Repertory Theater presents

the "First Look Series"

"There once was a crazy colt who had four white feet...."

Chase Hartwell hates horses.  They're all about fear and they're hard to control.  But there's more than one crazy run-away involved here...

Sean Fitzgerald, Joseph Garcia

Four White Socks

by Graham Barnard

April 20th through April  29th 2006

Written and Directed by Graham Barnard

Stage Manager ...Suze Campagna

Lighting Operator ... Jonathan Harrison

Cast

Sean Fitzgerald...Chase

Joseph Garcia ... Jamie

Brianna Lee Johnson ... Sam

Elizabeth A. Hillman ... Georgene

Author's Notes

FOR MY BROTHER MALCOLM

This play spilled out by accident.  Like Jamie, who lurks upstage and down throughout the show, the idea always loomed, demanding attention, like the real life person who inspired it.  Last year when I needed another one-act to pitch Malcolm rushed forward again so I finally gave him the stage.  He took it, all of it, because we both agree he will need all forty minutes this evening to accommodate his charisma. 

Sean Fitzgerald, Joseph Garcia

I’m not joking about that.  No one forgets my brother.  His feats are legendary.  When I was about seven or so my horse threw me and Malcolm galloped after him.  With at least one unbiased witness present, Malcolm leapt off his horse onto mine and reined the blaggard to a stop.  Somewhere in America today, a witness still tells that story.  Malcolm tells it too.  And several dozen others.  All true.  Hand to God.

So forgive me, Malcolm, old chap, but this little play tonight won’t do you justice. I even changed the names to keep the real legend pure.  But I did my best under the circumstances.  I know you’ll forgive me.  You always do.  Even when I’m angry at you and you don’t deserve it.  You are nothing if not an upstanding and magnanimous Question.

Brianna Lee Johnson

Oops.  He’s galloped off again.  I think I see him now in tech booth, giving Jonathan lighting notes.  Later he’ll hold court with the press.  And he’ll want to meet all the young ladies who came tonight.  I’m certain you young ladies will want to meet him, too. 

So this is for Malcolm Alexander Barnard.  And to you, a few more witnesses, who won’t soon forget.

Graham Barnard

About FOUR WHITE SOCKS

Set simultaneously in Los Angeles and Central Florida’s horse country, the play explores some tricky territory for first-time writer/director Graham Barnard.  

“It’s about young writer reuniting with his mentally retarded brother.  Their relationship isn’t 50-50 – it’s more like 95 -5 – and Mr. 95 has a lot of anger because of it,” Barnard says.  “The challenge is to make it truthful and interesting and still like this guy at the end.”  

Barnard says you might be tempted to draw comparisons between this and similar stories.

“But as the main character says in scene one, ‘Ever see Rain Man?  Well, this is nothing like Rain Man.’ You will clearly understand what he means by the end of scene three.”

“Four White Socks” opens on Thursday, April 20 at 8PM.   Discussion about the play will immediately follow this “First Look” performance.

Elizabeth A. Hillman

Elizabeth A. Hillman, Brianna Lee Johnson, Sean Fitzgerald

Photos: Lou Briggs