‘One Day Only 30’ @ Rover Dramawerks
The writers, actors, and directors who created, rehearsed, and performed new plays in 'One Day Only 30' --the festival's 30th edition! (Photos from Rover Dramawerks.)
—Rickey Wax
What began as a modest idea by theatre maven Brad McEntire to foster collaboration and networking has evolved into a time-honored theater tradition: the “One Day Only,” now in its 30th year. The premise is simple—seven writers, seven directors, and forty actors come together in a whirlwind of creativity, with just 24 hours to craft, rehearse, and stage a series of short plays. The result? A chaotic, thrilling, and often uneven spectacle that never fails to entertain.
This year’s installment lived up to its storied reputation, showcasing the spontaneous and collaborative magic that has kept the festival thriving. The audience, fully aware of the festival's constraints, came for the raw, unfiltered energy of live theatre in its most experimental form. The writers are given an opportunity to draw a topic from a hat, and then must write a play based on the topic drawn. After a script is completed, actors of different levels of experience show up and are given their role with mere hours to rehearse.
First up was a show titled Embrace the Cosmic, written by Matt Gunther and directed by Heather Roberts. In this heartfelt and humorous play about the complexities of motherhood, a mother and daughter are both navigating pregnancy at the same time, each preparing for a routine doctor's appointment. As they bond over shared experiences and the anticipation of becoming mothers, the husband/father of the two women tries to wiggle out of accompanying them, claiming he has an important sales meeting. The plot takes a twist when it’s revealed he’s not heading to a meeting—but a secretly planned golf outing. As the truth comes to light, the characters confront the humorous realities of family life, expectations, and support during one of life’s most transformative moments.
Written by Jericho Davis and directed by Ellie Nunemaker, A Sip of Whimsy is a quirky, offbeat play about Gnat (Katie Purdin), a young nonbinary, gender nonconforming individual struggling to break out of their routine. Encouraged by their therapist (Rebekah Williford) to embrace spontaneity, they stumble into a chaotic coffee shop where everything seems just a little surreal—a barista secretly dealing drugs and teetering on the edge, and a girl who inexplicably barks. Amid the whirlwind of eccentric characters and events, Gnat meets a girl who captivates them, leading to an unexpected romantic connection. In the end, Gnat embraces the therapist's advice, taking a leap of faith and going on a date that could be life changing.
Written by Debbie Remonte and directed by Nathan Beeman, Time is a Confusion is a thought-provoking and comedic play set in an OB/GYN clinic where patients find themselves stuck in an endless wait. As they bide their time, a technician struggles to install a clock, only to be thrown off by the patients' competing philosophies on the nature of time itself. Each patient offers their own musings on the passage of time, its meaning, and how it governs their lives. Chaos ensues as they call out random times, confusing the technician, who tries in vain to set the clock to the “right” time. Overwhelmed by the conflicting perspectives, the technician gives up altogether, leaving the clock unset. The play explores the absurdities of human perception, time’s elusive nature, and how our attempts to control it often lead to more confusion.
Penned by Mary Jacobs and brought to life under the direction of Juliana Statler, Dressage follows the rivalry of two frenemies, Eunice Wentworth Howell (Sara Weeks) and Laura Ashley (Leigh Wyatt Moore), two riders who arrive at what they think is an elite dressage competition. Their anticipation turns to bewilderment when humans appear riding fake horses instead of real ones. While Eunice bursts into laughter at the absurdity of it all, Laura is mortified, convinced the event is mocking her and her passion for the sport. As the spectacle unfolds, so do tensions between the two, highlighting the contrast in their reactions and the nature of their strained friendship.
Crafted by Ryan Diller and skillfully directed by Charlotte Taylor, Strap In, Gang! It's Time follows the journey of Rosemary (Rashae Boyd), a rising star on a popular show, who feels powerless in navigating her own career. As she practices her lines, she is constantly interrupted by enthusiastic fans seeking selfies and pictures, leaving her increasingly frustrated. However, when Thyme (KJ James), the mother of one of her fans, stops by, she offers more than just admiration—she imparts some valuable wisdom that deeply resonates with Rosemary. This brief yet powerful interaction helps Rosemary find clarity and inspiration amidst the chaos of fame. The show stands out for its well-developed character arcs and memorable performances from both Boyd and James, making a significant impact in such a short run time.
Conceived by Hazel Hawlik and brought to the stage by director Juan Perez, The Red Curtain Killer is a darkly comedic thriller about two detectives enlisting the help of a group of eccentric musical theater students to solve a string of murders. The killings, they discover, are all tied to an obsessive love for musical theater. As the students delve deeper into the case, they identify a chilling pattern among the victims. However, in a shocking twist, the polyamorous group of students are revealed to be the killers themselves, using their theatrical knowledge to outsmart the detectives. With its clever plot and sinister humor, this play begs to be expanded into a full one-act production, leaving the audience both amused and unsettled.
Created by Janet Behning and helmed by director Beau Dameron, Rideshare Driver or Telemarketer? tells the story of Marty (Douglas Kent), a man at a crossroads, choosing to become a rideshare driver despite his mother’s insistence that telemarketing would be a better fit. As Marty navigates the ups and downs of his new gig, he earns the nickname "The Food Dude," dealing with quirky passengers and messy situations—including a particularly disastrous ride with a drunken AA coordinator named Karen (Vicki Cravens), who leaves his car in chaos. Pushed to the breaking point, Marty finally decides that his mother could be right, and telemarketing the better, safer choice after all. This witty and relatable play highlights the frustrations of modern gig work with humor and heart.
This remarkable festival is about embracing the messiness of creation, the joy of collaboration, and the exhilaration of doing the impossible. After many years, the festival remains an electrifying testament to what can happen when you throw caution to the wind and trust in the collective power of art. True victory lies in the enduring spirit of the event, bringing people together to make theater wholly unique to one group of artists, on “One Day Only.”
WHEN: September 7th, 2024
WHERE: Cox Playhouse, 1517 H Ave, Plano TX
WEB: roverdramawerks.com
