“A WIFE IN THE SHADOWS” online play reading – May 16, 2020 2 pm P.S.T.

Announcing an online play reading of “A WIFE IN THE SHADOWS” on Saturday, May 16, 2020 at 2 PM PST on Zoom

Register in advance for this play reading:
https://us02web.zoom.us/meeting/register/tZAtduyurTIuHtZMUG6k68f0Kt5jsa4JKisO?fbclid=IwAR0y5JNIjnz0pjBZ-wVQJw86Mwl_Jzak4McUrki_7XcrSBI8p3CD-O0qbeU

After registering, you will receive a confirmation email containing information about joining the play reading.

Synopsis: It is just after World War 2, and Sian and her husband Joe love each other, but each has been changed by their wartime experiences. For Sian, working in an aircraft factory was the beginning of an evolution of consciousness. At first, however, she can only act on her feelings for her tempting next-door neighbor, Katrina, in a filmnoir fantasy where Sian is the detective and Katrina is the femme fatale. Meanwhile Joe struggles with both PTSD and survivor guilt. Sian eventually finds the courage to accept her sexuality and risk everything in real life.

About the Playwright: Julius Galacki is a graduate of NYU’s Tisch School of the Arts, NYU’s Gallatin School of Interdisciplinary Studies and the Yale School of Drama – Playwriting dept. His monologues have been published by Smith & Kraus. His plays have been read or produced Off Off Broadway in NYC, Los Angeles, Philadelphia, New Jersey, Connecticut, South Carolina and Hawaii.

Starring (in order of appearance): Demitra Sealy, Gabriella Biziou, Adam J. Smith, Marieve Herington, Cutty Cuthbert, Debralee Daco, Annika Marks and Ingrid Walters

Los Angeles, Theatre, Yale School of Drama

reading of THE FRISCO FLASH – TOMORROW – Sunday Oct. 14, 2 pm, Hollywood, CA

THE FRISCO FLASH. It will be on Sunday, October 14 at 2 pm at the Second Stage at the Broadwater , 6320 Santa Monica Blvd. (between Lillian Way and Vine) in Hollywood. Free.

Young Jack Thompson – ca 1928
Young Jack Thompson vs Jackie Fields in their 2nd fight in Chicago
Here are some rehearsal photos:
Jared Poe (Young Jack Thompson and others) and Gregory Battle (Scipio Thompson and others) after rehearsal
Josh Breslow (playing Jackie Grant – a fictionalized Jackie Fields) and Adam J. Smith (playing various boxing managers and the older version of Jackie) after rehearsal
Brian Pope whp will be reading stage directions

Los Angeles, Theatre

A Reading of THE FRISCO FLASH – Oct. 14, 2018, 2 pm

I’m doing a reading of my play THE FRISCO FLASH. It will be on Sunday, October 14 at 2 pm at the Second Stage at the Broadwater , 6320 Santa Monica Blvd. (between Lillian Way and Vine) in Hollywood. Free. Starring Gregory Battle, Josh Breslow, Jordan Farris, Marieve Herington, Jared Poe, Brian Pope, Adam J. Smith and Ingrid Walters

Description: Cecil Lewis “Young Jack” Thompson twice won the World Welter Weight Boxing title in 1930, becoming the second African-American to win a boxing title, and the first after Jack Johnson. His career closely intersected with two other more well-known white champions. Yet today, Young Jack Thompson is completely forgotten. Based on my own original research, I attempt to right this wrong and relate it to today’s issues of racial injustice.

The gravestone of Cecil (Young Jack) Thompson and his mother – photo by Julius Galacki

Los Angeles, Theatre, Uncategorized

West Adams Historical Association – work done on a living history monologue

Sunday September 23, 2018 was the annual West Adams Historical Association living history tour in the Angeles Rosedale Cemetery. (Anyone with any interest in Los Angeles / California history should try to make next year’s tour.) I’ve written monologues twice for them but I didn’t expect to do anything this year, however I ended up helping with casting and doing revisions (and thus getting a credit in the program) on the monologue for Henry Fook Chew played by Roy Vongtama (who did a fine portrayal by the way).

Roy Vongtama performing – photo by Julius Galacki
Unlike most of these monologues, the Chew one was inside the Chapel near his actual gravestone.

Henry Fook Chew’s gravestone – photo by Julius Galacki
The theme for this year’s tour was immigrants. While the Angeles Rosedale doesn’t look as pretty or sleek as other Cemeteries in the area, what I really like about it is that it has ALWAYS been an inclusive cemetery open to all races, religions, ethnicities, and nationalities. Thus the immigrants featured in this year’s tour were people of Chinese, Korean, Japanese, Latino, Armenian, German and French backgrounds

Los Angeles, Theatre, Uncategorized

An Excerpt from the opening scene of LIMPING TOWARDS BABYLON

8 days ( !! ) left for the Kickstarter campaign, i.e. Nov. 20, 2015 – go to www.limpingtowardsbabylon.com to pledge

.. so it’s time to go a little deeper into the script. I want you, my supporters, to get a better sense of “E”‘s character as well as the humor in the script.

The teaser video has just a tiny section of the opening scene where Adam interviews Thomas and Marcus for their suitability as roommates. Shortly after that, “E” interrupts the interview:

Marcus (Matt Mercer) and Thomas (Josh Breslow) being interviewed by Adam
Marcus (Matt Mercer) and Thomas (Josh Breslow) being interviewed by Adam

”E” is really EILEEN SMITH, 23 or 24, in the grad Art and Architecture School, but she goes by “E” and signs her paintings / mixed media Combines as “E. Smythe”.

ADAM: Fine. I withdraw the question.

She speaks as she leans over Adam’s shoulder and starts reading his notes. Then, she turns the page, to read his earlier questions.

Adam (T.W. Leshner) interviewing Marcus and Thomas
Adam (T.W. Leshner) interviewing Marcus and Thomas

“E”: You’re the two new roommates?

ADAM: “E”, please.

She puts her hand out to shake hands with Marcus and Thomas.

“E”: (To Adam) They look good. I don’t see any serious problems. (To Thomas) Sorry. I didn’t say…

ADAM: No, I haven’t said they’re… Will you please – (let me tell them…)

"E" (Miriam Korn) showing interest in Thomas (Josh Breslow) while Marcus (Matt Mercer)
“E” (Miriam Korn) showing interest in Thomas (Josh Breslow) while Marcus (Matt Mercer)
“E”: I’m “E”.

THOMAS: Thomas.

“E” nods to Marcus.

MARCUS: Marcus.

THOMAS: “E”? Uh, how do you spell that?

“E”: Just the letter. “E”.

THOMAS: Oh. So, like the poet: e.e. cummings?

“E”: No. Not like him. I capitalize my name….

*** **** ***

And finally, here’s a photo of Josh and Matt goofing on me during filming:

Yes, I clearly inspire fear and respect from my actors! LOL
Yes, I clearly inspire fear and respect from my actors! LOL

Comedy, Film, Limping Towards Babylon, Los Angeles, Uncategorized