Last night I saw the one-act play “Mastermind”, written by Michael Patrick Sullivan (he of Red Right Hand fame). I’ve known Michael practically since he started his blog (which, hey, looks like was 4 years ago — good on ya!) and have been in a writers group with him for awhile now. It is not an exaggeration to say he is one of the most creative, funny and interesting writers I’ve met here in L.A. Like, I’m kinda afraid of the guy in that ‘he’s either going to eat my brain or get every staff job I ever desire’ kind of way. But, there’s no one else whom I’d like to fear.
MASTERMIND is a great piece — intelligent, suspenseful and FUNNY. There’s a 2 PM performance today at the Eclectic Theatre in North Hollywood. You should see it. Because I said so.
Here’s my pull quote (which means, pull it from here:) “It’s the best play I’ve seen in five years! (um…it’s the only play you’ve seen in 5 years) Oh. Then, don’t use that quote.
“Mastermind” is far too smart for me. It’s probably far too smart for you. Which is why you should see it. Immediately. Because, maybe it will make you smarter. I also hear it will help you lose 10 pounds and help your sex life. Yup, that’s what I hear.
No? Too commercial? Okay, let’s try this:
“Mastermind” is the kind of play that makes you wonder why you don’t go see plays more often. It’s so good, you wish you could watch it again immediately afterwards, but you can’t, because you are sitting in a theater, and the actors don’t respond well to having you ask them to do it again or back up and do this bit a second time. So, we’ll have to wait until Sullivan turns it into what I am sure will be a genius piece of screenwriting and it is produced for film, at which time we will have to wait for the subsequent release of said film and the ultimate digital download or DVD release, which would then allow us to watch it once and THEN watch it again immediately afterwards. In that format, the actors do what you want and don’t talk back.
And maybe Michael will give us an audio commentary. That would be really really cool.
Get on that.
Posted under randomness
This post was written by Shawna on July 19, 2009
I don’t want him turning it into a screenplay. I think it’s perfectly perfect as it is.
It is definitely a fine example of how damn good he is.
I feel very sorry for anyone who didn’t get a chance to see this. Went this Sunday and it was full of awesome.
I’ve been following your blog for a while and wanted to let you and your readers know about an NYC short play submission opportunity. The project is called Sticky. Sticky a series of 10-minute bar plays, produced at Bowery Poetry Club in downtown New York. Here’s the link with submission details. http://www.blueboxproductions.net/Site/Send%20us%20stuff.html
Thanks!