Fall 2025 One Act Festival

The Precious Scars

by Brian Farrey-Latz  •  Directed by Deb Schneider

The Precious Scars is a powerful fictional imagining rooted in a real-life act of heroism and betrayal. Inspired by the true story of Oliver “Billy” Sipple, the gay Marine who saved President Gerald Ford’s life in 1975, the play delves into the emotional aftermath of his unwanted outing by Harvey Milk and the media.

 

The play takes place in the middle of a sleepless night, as a deeply conflicted Billy finds himself in a surreal conversation with two uninvited visitors: Harvey Milk, the famed LGBTQ+ rights activist who helped publicize Billy’s sexuality to the world, and Cookie, a dazzling, defiant drag queen who serves as a sharp-edged spiritual conscience and comic relief.

 

Through memory, dialogue, and biting truths, The Precious Scars explores themes of identity, visibility, trauma, pride, and the burden of representation. It is intimate and raw, with moments of unexpected humor and deep emotional catharsis. The play asks: What do we owe to ourselves—and to our communities—when the spotlight finds us, whether we want it or not?

​​

 

Mr. Charles, Currently of Palm Beach

by Paul Rudnick  •  Directed by Brian Farrey-Latz

Mr. Charles, Currently of Palm Beach is a hilarious, subversive, and emotionally resonant one-act that skewers stereotypes while celebrating flamboyant authenticity. The play centers on the unapologetically extravagant Mr. Charles, an aging gay man exiled from New York for being "too gay," who now hosts a late-night cable access show in Palm Beach called Too Gay.

 

With sharp wit and gleeful theatricality, Mr. Charles delivers monologues, answers viewer letters, and offers unapologetic commentary on gay identity, culture, and assimilation. Through a blend of campy spectacle and poignant truth, the play critiques sanitized respectability politics while honoring queer individuality and history. This satirical gem is not just a comedy—it’s a bold reclaiming of space, joy, and voice.

​​​​

​​

The New Century

by Paul Rudnick  •  Directed by Brian Farrey-Latz and Benjamin Farrey-Latz

The New Century is a bold, hilarious, and deeply heartfelt one-act play that brings together three unique characters who represent the ever-evolving spectrum of LGBTQ+ identity and family. Set in the maternity ward of a Manhattan hospital, the play becomes a surprising meeting ground for flamboyant former TV host Mr. Charles, loving-yet-exhausted mother Helene, and quirky Midwesterner Barbara Ellen.

 

As their outrageous and poignant stories unfold — joined later by fashion-forward Shane and earnest young mom Joann — the play transforms into a celebration of resilience, reinvention, and human connection. Bursting with humor and warmth, The New Century is both a sharp social commentary and a glitter-drenched affirmation of life.

​​​​​​