An Excerpt: From the East to the West - 2/16, 2/17, 2/18

FROM THE EAST TO THE WEST, a new play written and directed by Clifford Morts.

A Benefit Performance for the prestigious NoHo Arts Center.

Executive Producer: Teal Sherer

February 16, 17 and 18. 8:00pm.

Call 818-508-7101 Extension 1 for production information, Extension 7 for reservations.

Featuring: Chad Coe, Nickella Moschetti, J.R. Mangels, Alex Robert Holmes and Malcolm Devine.

Assistant Director/Production Stage Manager - Mary Evans.

An evening of wounds reopened, secrets revealed and a family in turmoil. Funny and dark, a play, ultimately, of forgiveness and tolerance.

------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------

Harry

Kevin! (Harry suddenly gets up and crosses quickly down to Kevin on the lawn.) You marry that little girl! Don’t let her get away! Ask her now! Before you both go away to college. Ask her ‘for it’s too late!

Kevin

(Startled.) Well, we’ve talked about it and . . .

Harry

(Taking him by the shoulders.) Don’t talk about it! Do it! Ask her!

Kevin

Well, she . . .

Harry

You take her out to a field. Take her out to a fresh cut field, boy. Lay her down. Smother her with kisses.

Kevin

We don’t . . .

Harry

Listen to me! (Beat.) Listen to me. Don’t waste one more second, boy. Things’ll change on you if you do. Things’ll slip away, boy. Listen to me hard, now. You take that pretty little girl out to a field and spread a blanket. Lay her down and promise her the world. Tell her you’ll give her a life she can’t even dream of. Kiss her on the lips and set her on a cloud, boy. Set her on a cloud. Don’t lose the days, son. Don’t let ‘em get away! Don’t let ‘em get away. Don’t wake up alone one more day, boy!

Kevin

Okay! Okay! I will. That hurts.

Harry

(Easing his grip.) Oh. Sorry, son. (Beat.) It’s just that . . . I don't want you to not know what’s important. You do your runnin’, boy. You got your whole damn life to run. You go to college and get yourself a good job. Buy yourself a nice little house. Plant a garden. Do ALL of that! But take that little girl and make her your wife. Do it today, boy! Don’t waste no more days! Not one more goddamn day!

Kevin

Okay, Mr. Cooke. (Beat.) Okay. (Backing off.) I’ll come back by to see Cory, okay? Just tell him I said hey. (Beat.) I’m sorry about Mrs. Cooke, sir. She was a nice lady.

Harry

(Looking hard at Kevin.) Marry that girl.

------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------

See you tomorrow.