Actors pictured, from left to right, Janine Weisman, Dave Christner, Jim Brown

- Linden Place Ballroom, Bristol, RI, for their Fourth of July celebration. Standing-room only crowds! July 2, 2003

Band leader & drums, Jerry Silva; Paul Koumrian, actor; 
                   Roland Depin, piano; Linda Thomas, singer                    

Grate Expectations: Homeless in New York by David W. Christner

Directed by Linda C. Thomas
Two angels, Ralphie and Auriel, on R&R in New York. The sloppy one wants to stay and live the good life; the fussy one wants to get back immediately. 

Performed in churches through Rhode Island to benefit the Hospitality Network for Homeless Families in Newport County.

Actors pictured below, left to right, Paul Koumrian and Dave Christner

Four of a Kind-The Story of the Four Chaplains

By David W. Christner, Directed by Kelly House 

Conceived as a retirement gift to his community Father Paul Koumrian commissioned David Christner to write a dramatic enactment of the heroic tale of the Four Chaplains who gave up their life jackets aboard the WWII transport ship USS Dorchester. The Jerry Silva Jazz Ensemble provided music with Vera-Lynn vocals by Linda Thomas. Family members of two of the Chaplains were in attendance. All four performances played to a full house of 120 each night.

Plays

The following plays are available for performances. For information on obtaining rights, please contact the playwright at linda.c.thomas@juno.com. 

The Willow Manor Plays 

The Willow Manor Plays were selected for recognition in the 2005 Eileen Heckart Senior Drama Competition and will be archived at the Jerome Lawrence and Robert E. Lee Theatre Research Institute at Ohio State University.

“The Cat,” A tale of redemption about a war-wounded veteran and a spirited woman with a love for his mean cat. 
Simple set. 1 man, l woman
Winner: The Beast Festival, Triangle Theatre NYC, 
and  NewGate New Plays Festival, Providence, RI

“The Mother,” Deathbed struggles between a loyal feminist daughter and a guilty, 
angry mother who can’t stop mothering.
Simple set. 2 women

“The Gentlemen Callers,” A strong lonely woman takes on the attention of two gentlemen callers. One brash and straight-forward, one cerebral and courtly. 
A battle of the sexes goes to a new level.  
Simple set, 2 men, l woman 
Winner: New Plays in Progress Festival, Barker Playhouse, Providence, RI  

“The Girls” The love that has no name comes to two women residents at Willow Manor Assisted Living. Will Tom, Min’s bachelor son, accept their new life style?
After all, it’s his mother, for cryin’ out loud. 
Simple set. 2 women, 1 man

“The Will” Long-time married couple discovers there are things they never talked 
about. Late one night, they write a new will that involves romance, and, yes, sex.                 
Simple set, 1 man, 1 woman
WINNER:  Spotlight Award, Old Opera House Theatre New Voices Festival, Charles Town, WV 

“Nana” Feisty supper-club singer of the 1940’s, Nana still has a trick or two to pass onto her young granddaughter – when mom isn’t looking.
Simple set, 2 women, 1 child, female 

"The Widower" Sitting alone in his apartment, Benny reflects on better times. 
Sometimes, a man just has to get out his gun and shoot at those damn crows. 
And, where's Ruthie when you need her?
Monologue, 1 male

One Acts  

“She Ate Me for Breakfast,” A child growing up with a mentally ill parent during WWII. 

“Hungry Hearts,” A love-starved home and an eating disorder, interpreted by the poetry of Edna St. Vincent Millay. 

“The Story of Prozak” a parody on Chekhov’s “Three Sisters” – A comic fable of the origins of Prozak and how it changed the social and economic landscape of our time. A feminist perspective.

"It Could Happen To You,"  a dark comedy which suggests chilling effects of drug industry advertising on American culture.

"Anxiety Pie," A Southern Gothic drama of love and betrayal.