The
Man with the
Plastic
Sandwich
by Roger Karshner
Cedar
Centre for the Arts
44857 Cedar Avenue
Lancaster, CA 93534
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A Los Angeles park bench becomes the bag-lunch refuge for this everyman
losing his battle with life's setbacks. After 20 years as a clinical engineer
-- he was "not fired but phased out" -- Walter is struggling as
a hot tub salesperson and drowning under the waves of his anger, fear and
self-doubt. His pity party is crashed by three strangers and each tries
to reverse Walter's downward spiral. First comes Ellie, a free-spirited
young woman who instructs him on the joys of healthy living and a cheerful
outlook. Next, there's Haley, a hobo who turns out to be a former high-profile
advertising executive. The rat race escapee shows Walter how success can't
be measured by income figures and social status. Haley says his old life
resembled bar drink orders: "My blood pressure was straight up and
my marriage was on the rocks." Walter's final guest is Lenore, a prostitute
who challenges his defeatist attitude. Our beleaguered hero eventually discovers
there's no future in being miserable, and chewing on an empty life is as
pointless as eating a plastic sandwich. . Written by Roger Karshner. Produced
by special arrangement with Samuel French. For mature audiences.
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CAST
Walter: Gary Schaffner
Ellie: Amanda Guthrie
Haley: Joe Barnard
Lenore: Jill Ryan
Costumes provided
by Sew Crazy
SPECIAL THANKS
ACME Acting Company, Antelope Valley Allied Arts Association, Mike Boyd,
Amanda Guthrie, Lancaster
Museum/Art Gallery, Lancaster
Performing Arts Center, George and April Ray, Gary Schaffner
THANK YOU TO THESE
GENEROUS DONORS
John and Barbara Blancett, Forever
Lawn
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After
the show, purchase your copy of Granfaloon,
an anthology of stories and poems by Antelope Valley writers, or other
books by local author Gary Helm. 45% of the proceeds will benefit Hotfoot!
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