Plays

	*Chip Off the Moon* is a family drama with a ferocious comic underbelly set in a working-class neighborhood in NYC in 1953. Lucy Marino, sharp-tongued and cuttingly funny, works in a baking factory making 'Smiley Cookies.' Lucy and husband, Marty, share their modest apartment with Grace, her aging mother, who has no idea she's battling dementia. Grieving the loss of one son killed in World War II, Lucy continues to have a trying and turbulent relationship with her remaining son, Tommy, who steadfastly refuses to live his life as his mother would have it. This play explores the never-ending tug-of-war of generations; parents and children ever colliding over the dreams and expectations they hold for each other. (2W, 2M, 1 Set) Revered comedic actress, the late, great Anne Meara performed in a sold-out public reading of Chip Off the Moon at the historic Players Club in NYC. Click here to see photo.		...a family drama with a ferocious comic underbelly...
	...a fictional exploration of the prisoner abuse scandals that occurred during the Iraq war...		*DON'T ASK* is a fictional exploration of the prisoner abuse scandals that occurred during the Iraq war in 2004. Charles, a U.S. career sergeant, has entangled himself in a sexual liaison with Bobby, a reckless and damaged young private who is determined to be loved and protected, regardless of his actions. The military's previous discriminatory policy, and the dangerous situations often engendered by an environment of demanded secrecy, are an ever-present element in this taut, intense two-character drama. (2M, 1 Set) DON'T ASK has had productions in NYC and San Francisco. Bill's screenplay version of DON'T ASK has been optioned by Oscar-nominated producer, Stuart Benjamin (Ray, La Bamba). Click here for photos from San Francisco production. Click here for to photos from NYC production.
	*Tomorrow Morning* is a two-character drama set in the present day. Cindy, a brilliant but fragile young sculptor, is having a fitful sleep the night before her scheduled abortion. When she is unexpectedly visited by a stranger, Eric--a weird, profane, but not unlikable teenager--an unsettling night becomes increasingly more unsettled. By turns tender and brutal, this provocative play takes head-on the ever controversial topic of abortion. Taking no side--or perhaps both sides--in the debate, the play explores the agony of the decision that so many women are confronted with. (1W, 1M, 1 Set) Tomorrow Morning had its World Premiere production at the HB Playwrights Foundation in NYC in 2011. Click here for photos from NYC production.		...provocative play takes head-on the ever controversial topic of abortion.
	...a loving homage to the plays of Kaufman and Hart--with a slightly twisted modern bent.		*An Aeroplane As Far As Des Moines* is a whimsical comedy set in Iowa, 1926. Arthur helps run a remote and seldom-frequented rooming house with Lillian, his repressive, Bible-quoting mother. On the cusp on his 18th birthday, a rag-tag, rowdy and radically disparate group of travelers descend on this very quiet home, completely disrupting the unbending order that Lillian has always maintained. Arthur gets a glimpse of a very different world than any he's ever known, much to Mother's disapproval and unease... and much to his awe and delight! This lively and endearing comedy is a loving homage to the plays of Kaufman and Hart--with a slightly twisted modern bent. (4W, 3M, 1 Set) An Aeroplane As Far As Des Moines has had several public readings with the company members of Retro Productions, headed by Artistic Director, Heather Cunningham.
	*Go...and Take Me With You* is a time-skipping drama set in a seaside town in Russia--Summer 1907 and Winter present day. With alternating story lines, this play melds historical characters--Mikhail Kuzmin, the man who in 1906 wrote what was perhaps the first Russian novel with a gay protagonist--and fictional characters--Nikolai Petrov, an Olympic ice skater on the verge of his competition having to make the hardest decision of his life. Set amidst a culture of homophobia and intolerance, this play travels back and forth between the last century and the current one, questioning how much things have changed over a hundred years in Russia...and so many other parts of the world. (1W, 5M, 1 Set) Go...and Take Me With You was given a public reading at the HB Playwrights Foundation in February 2014 to coincide with the Socchi Winter Olympics.		...a time-skipping drama...questioning how much things have changed over a hundred years in Russia...and so many other parts of the world.
	...a twenty year friendship is tested in this drama / comedy set in a rural Pennsylvania lakehouse		*This Is Ours* is a drama / comedy that takes place in a lakehouse in rural Pennsylvania, present day. Jim and Mike have a 20-year friendship cemented by deep affection but also acute guilt from a long-ago tragedy. Thus far, neither man has had any luck finding a singular lasting romantic relationship. All the guys Jim sleeps with end up either leaving in the middle of the night or becoming 'just friends'. All the many women Mike sleeps with find out just how un-singular they are. When Jim announces that he's met a woman, Ellen, who offers him warmth, companionship (and pleasant enough sex from time to time) and that he intends to marry her, Mike is shocked, rocked, and instantly threatened. This upends all the unspoken rules of their long friendship. Mike will do whatever it takes to make sure this marriage never happens. (1W, 2M, 1 Set) This Is Ours has had several workshop readings and remains in development.

Short Plays

Alaska

(co-written with Andrew Lawton) A deadbeat Dad breaks out of prison in a desperate attempt to reconcile with his long-estranged teenage son. But is it finally too late? His own Dad holds the answer.

(Drama, 3M, 1 Set)

Full-Out Bargain

Set in a trailer park on the gulf in Mississippi, Marylou and her 14 year-old daughter, Emmie, share tight quarters--which become a whole lot tighter whenever Daddy comes home from his month-long fishing excursions. Forgetting that her husband is due to return any moment, Marylou badly needs to cancel a date who's on his way. Having no minutes left on her rented cell phone, Marylou desperately pleads with Emmie to get off her own phone and let her use it. Ever the opportunist, Emmie strikes a quite a bargain for herself.

(Comedy, 2W, 1 Set)

Of Letters and Ladders

1918. A small town outside St. Louis, Missouri. With Father away indefinitely on un-named business and Brother away fighting the Great War, Mother is left alone in the house with her two teenage daughters, Sybil and Cecile. Rolled up unread newspapers litter the front porch since Father's rule is that he reads aloud only the news items that he deems appropriate for the ears of women. More alarming is a very official-looking letter addressed to Father. The rebellious Cecile implores her mother to open it since it might contain news of Brother. Mother adamantly refuses, preferring the comfort and protection of ignorance.

(Drama, 3 W, 1 Set)

Perhaps

December 31st, 1899. Minutes away from midnight, a family plays a parlor game making wishes and predictions for what the 20th century might bring. Father's optimistic vision of what lies ahead clashes dramatically with his son's gloomy predictions.

(Whimsical turning intense, 3W, 2M, 1 Set)

So Long Lives This

(co-written with C.S. Drury) Close friends and housemates, Leo and Dan are in uncharted terrain now that Leo is terminally ill. Unwilling to be cloistered in an upstairs bedroom, Leo has moved fully into the living room, sleeping on a beat-up, uncomfortable sofa. Aching to see his friend as comfortable as possible, Dan surprises him with the delivery of a hospital bed, which is promptly and vehemently rejected by Leo.

(Drama, 2M, 1 Set)

Unwelcome Burst of Sunlight

A grieving New Yorker recounts an all-too-real dream they've had during the sad and surreal weeks following the attacks of September 11th.

(Drama, W or M, 1 Set)

Birthday Party in Madagascar

To celebrate her 60th birthday, Elaine treats her closest friends from childhood to a trip to Madagascar. Upon arrival, her friends realize that this is no regular resort. To avenge her husband's infidelity, Elaine is throwing her own week-long party...in a bordello staffed with gorgeous young men ready and eager to please the female guests!

(Comedy, 4W, 1M, 1 Set)

Now Boarding

Two young Middle Eastern men are waiting to board what will be their last flight. Already having grave doubts about what they're about to do, one of the men begins to crumble after an encounter with a kind elderly woman.

(Drama, 1W, 2M, 1 Set)

Patron of the Arts

Using friendly persuasion, and some unfriendly blackmail, Paulie coerces brother-in-law Ralph to fund his latest brainstorm and rent an expensive recording studio. The project: Porno Podcasts for the Blind! Unemployed and desperate, middle-aged actress Lanie Rabinowitz is thrilled to be cast as the dwarf with a sexy voice! Suffice it to say, the recording session does not go smoothly.

(Comedy, 1W, 2M, 1 Set)

Requiem for a Haircut

Three young twenty-something women, friends since 'the very beginning of time - 2008!' - are gathered for an urgent meeting called by Catarina, the unchallenged leader of the group. In an impassioned plea, Catarina is determined to persuade the other two women that it is their collective moral duty - as BFFs and surviving bridesmaids - to break some tragic news to their other friend, Janet: She looked like #@$%! on her wedding day two weeks ago.

(Comedy, 3 W, 1 Set)

Surprise

A U.S. Congressman. A discontented social worker. A turbulent 30-year friendship. Ending years of estrangement, Brian crosses the country for Jimmy's surprise 50th birthday celebration.

(Drama, 2M, 1 Set)

Writer's Block

Jeremy, a celebrated and seasoned writer mentors a much younger writer, Michael, a former student with whom he fell in love. When Michael reluctantly allows Jeremy to read his latest story, Jeremy deliberately appears to misunderstand what the young author is going for. Too vulnerable and fragile to see what his mentor is up to, Michael disintegrates into despair and deep feelings of failure.

(Drama, 2M, 1 Set)

A number of Bill's short plays have had NYC productions: American Globe Theatre, Emerging Artists Theatre, HB Playwrights Theatre, Retro Productions, St. Mark's Playhouse, Wings Theatre.