Belmont Diary: Airport play premieres

"Believe me, there's nothing up there I can't handle."

After four months of writing, one month of editing, one month of waiting for rehearsals to start, and six months of the rehearsals themselves, my 40-character airport comedy Thirty Minutes Till Boarding finally got its world premiere last night at Belmont Day School in Belmont, MA.

"Just some young fly-boy, I reckon. Probably greener than a cornstalk in July."

Afterwards, director Chris Parsons told me that the show was "fantastic", the humor being a particular strength.

"What do you think I'm doing here? I'm bringing you the shoes you left behind!"

The biggest challenge? Managing such a huge cast! But Chris said the kids loved the experience and that the play was well-received. A big part of that, I think, is that the play has numerous interweaving storylines to keep the audience engaged.

"I don't have a fear of flying. I have a fear of crashing."

The characters come to the airport frazzled stressed out, and they only become more so as the flight gets delayed... and delayed... and then cancelled due to snow. But by the end of the play, all of the characters have made a connection--human as well as airline--and they leave in a much better place.

"Well, I just hope nobody recognizes me here."

Chris and his team went all out with the set, as you can see from the photos here. The entire story takes place at a single departure gate at Boston's Logan Airport so the set requirements are few. The script only calls for a gate counter, a gate sign, and a couple rows of seats. That dramatic backdrop of a jetliner taking off is definitely not needed but very, very cool.

"Sorry, Benjy. I didn't think we'd be waiting at the airport this long."

The costumes are also a joy to behold, especially those pilot and flight attendant uniforms. They really look authentic. As for the rest of the characters, I think it's awesome that I can pretty much tell who's who just from how they're dressed.

"The flight has been cancelled."

I just need to make one final pass through the script based on the feedback the Chris gave me. Then I'll be sending it off to Pioneer Drama Service. If it's anything like my other two huge cast plays, It's a Madhouse! and Bringing Down the House, it should become an equally huge hit.

"Zzzzzzz..."