LIGHTS UP

(Kris sits near the edge of the stage, in a downstage corner.)

KRIS: Good evening and welcome to The Ryder Playhouse. Tonight our Masters series presents the Tony Brecker play Prometheus Glows. It is a story of heartbreak, poverty and hope set against the backdrop of the American rustbelt in the early 1960s. As America sits on the brink of war and cultural upheaval, one family finds the hope in a hopeless situation. Ladies and gentleman, Prometheus Glows.

(The action begins behind Kris. Millie enters carrying a grocery bag. )

KRIS: (Continues, which surprises Millie) It’s a glorious picture of the transition between to prosperity of 50s America and the inevitable change to come. (Millie waits a moment and then begins to move to the chair with the sack of groceries. A couple of steps in Kris begins again.) Like much of Brecker’s early work, he draws on characters from his own life for inspiration. (Millie moves as if going to continue. Again Kris’ speaking stops her.) The character of the mother, here played by stage veteran newcomer Cathy Pratchet, is modeled after Brecker’s own mother. (Millie takes a few steps and quickly plops the groceries down on the chair before Kris begins again) as the play opens, Bonnie Talfid, comes home from the market with a sack of groceries. (Millie has frozen on stage and is listening to Kris) She begins to cook the evening meal as her husband comes home…(Millie jumps and moves to begin cooking)

(Steve enters)

STEVE: I think it’s going to rain.

MILLIE: (Surprised to see him) You’re home early.

STEVE: (Moves down stage and pours a drink) They…let us out early today. (Takes a drink) It’s one of the boss’ birthdays or something.

MILLIE: Well the kids will be glad to see you.

(There is a dramatic pause. Steve sighs.)

STEVE: They laid me off, Bon.

MILLIE: What?

STEVE: They let us all go. The mill’s closing down.

MILLIE: Oh, Rick.

(A cell phone begins ringing. Both Steve and Millie stop for a moment, thrown by the break

in dramatic tension. It continues to ring. Kris is watching them intensely. It becomes

apparent that the ringing is coming from her but she doesn’t move.)

STEVE: (Fumbles for lines) Uh…twen…twenty-five years I gave to that place. Uh…

MILLIE: (Jumping in to save him) W..ww..what are we going to do?

(Again they fumble and go silent. Finally they look at Kris who is still watching them and

ignoring her phone. Millie motions to her and Kris suddenly notices her phone. She

answers. Millie and Steve wait impatiently for the call to end.)

KRIS: (Into phone) Yeah. No. No. I got a show. No, RIGHT NOW I got a show. I’m on stage. Well, yeah …it’s not a huge part but I’m the narrator. No it’s not a lead. Technically it’s not a character. I’m just doing bumpers for this Master series thing. Why do you do that? The narrator is still important. It’s important. Well, I’m with you there. I easily read as good as Cathy.

MILLIE: What?! (Moves toward Kris)

KRIS: I don’t know. I’m figuring that she’s a little more…willing…you know.

MILLIE: Hey! I got this gig because I read the best.

KRIS: I’m on the phone!

MILLIE: You read like a third grader working things out phonetically.

KRIS: (Pauses) I have to go. (She turns to Millie) Don’t you have a play to do.

(They face off for a moment. Finally Millie huffs in exasperation and moves back to her

mark.)

MILLIE: (Back to Steve) What are we going to do?

STEVE: I don’t know. I’ll have to find some other work. But who is going to want to hire me. I’m past my prime. Maybe we can just go on unemployment and tighten the belts a little bit.

MILLIE: I’m pregnant…

STEVE: (Puts his face in his hands) Aww honey…

(Eric appears at the back of the theater with a Pizza in his hands)

ERIC: KEEF? I have a pizza for Kris Keef?

KRIS: Here!

(Millie and Steve stare at each other in disbelief as Eric and Kris move through the pizza

transaction.)

ERIC: That’s one Chicago style Dish pizza. One two liter of Pepsi.

KRIS: You got my hotwings?

ERIC: Yep. That’ll be $28.09

KRIS: (Hands him the money) Here keep the change.

ERIC: Thanks. (Leaves through the crowd)

KRIS: Steve. You owe me 12 bucks.

(Millie glares at Steve who stands immobile for a moment. He is torn. Finally he smiles weakly and mouths an apology to Millie and goes and pays Kris.)

MILLIE: That’s it!!! I can’t take this. Have you people lost ALL understanding of theater? I am standing up here! I have to get up here and prepare myself mentally for a role of this magnitude. You are not in your living room. I’m not a TV show. I’m a human being who has given up everything to entertain you!! I have waited tables. I have cleaned houses. I have given up my life to stand up here. This maybe a hobby to you, but I am up here to stay alive!!! I am trying desperately to carry on the live entertainment tradition in a world of DVDs and the internet. Don’t you understand?! (Drops to her knees) You’re tearing me apart!!

(There is a pause as the others begin to applaud. Eric reenters clapping. Marla appears

from backstage with a bouquet of flowers and hands them to Millie as she stands and

thanks the crowd. Millie bows and exits with Steve, Marla and Eric.)

KRIS: Thank you so much for joining us…hey wait a second. That prick never paid me for his pizza.

(Kris runs off yelling after Steve)

BLACKOUT