PLAYS by Meredith Bean McMath

 

 

PORCHES - an American Musical

Story and Music by Tom Sweitzer; Book by Meredith Bean McMath

A character-driven dramatic musical set in the railroad town of Altoona, PA during World War II - when the Pennsylvania Railroad was King.

The year is 1942. Four homes lay alongside the railroad tracks. Widower Daniel Dunio, a Railroad Foreman struggling to raise two sons, lives in 901. In 902: Sharon Heinz, a woman with foster children whose husband is away at war. Divorcee Helen Tramonte lives with her daughter in 903; she's trying to discover whether she has the strength to raise her only child by herself. Last but by no means least, 904 holds two spinster sisters who used to work for the Railroad's front office. Miss Ethel is the self-appointed busy-body of the neighborhood, but the other sister is a gentle soul named Miss Violet. Violet appears to be in her dotage, but her odd ruminations and honest assessments can change her neighbors' lives. Through Violet's death they begin discover how much she'd taught them about life.

PORCHES examines the choice we make between living life as a walking death or as a study in hope. The songs leads the story forward and deepen the strength of each character.

Audiences relate deeply to PORCHES; response has been amazing. It was presented in 1999 to sold-out houses at Hill Playhouse in Middleburg, Virginia and at the Mishler Theatre in Altoona; every one of its fifteen performances received a standing ovation.

 

Harrison Young as The Paperboy

1999 Production

The picnic scene from the 2005 Altoona, Pennsylvania production at The Mishler. Pictured left to right: Joe Banno as Daniel Dunio, Marie Gatti as Helen Tramonte, Archibald Reynolds as Truman Dunio, Emily Dennis as Jessica Tramonte, Lisa Reagan as Sharon McKenzie, Marian Sweet as Ethel Beck and Maxine Bean as Violet Beck.

Two and one half hour production. One set (street scene with four porches). 14 performers (6 women, 3 girls, 2 men, 3 boys).

Performance History: 1998 - Hill Playhouse Theatre, Middleburg, VA, Directed by Tom Sweitzer; 1999 - Mishler Theatre, Altoona, PA, Directed by Tom Sweitzer; 1999 - Hill Playhouse Theatre, Middleburg, VA, Directed by Tom Sweitzer. 2005 - Mishler Theatre, Altoona, PA, directed by Tom Sweitzer. 2005 Hill Playhouse, Middleburg, VA, directed by Tom Sweitzer.

For performance rights, contact Meredith Bean McMath at meredith@storyroot.com