626 BROADWAY
“Nothing outside these doors is written in English anymore. Need a passport just to cross the street.”
Full-Length Gritty Drama, One Intermission
5M, 1W
During two long days in Fat Louie's run-down South Central bookie joint three generations of five third-rate bookies with faded ambitions and minimal morals compete for top dog.
17-year-old Dionne is desperately trying to fit into the male-dominated world at Fat Louie's: struggling to take a bet, learning the over/under, and beating up vigs are all in a day's work. But, Silas decides to take the floundering drifter under his wing by exactingly teaching her the ropes. When Dionne accidentally screws up a bet and jeopardizes Fat Louie's the group must put aside their differences to try to clean up the mistake or perish.
This fast-paced drama explores the fragile balance of allegiances, the war of the sexes, and the erosion of community with hilarious, powerful, and ultimately tragic insight.
OF NOTE
Third Prize for Theodore Ward Prize for African-American Playwrights in 2001
Finalist for Arena Stage's Allen Lee Hughes Playwriting Fellowship in 1997
South Coast Repertory's Playwrights Competition in 1996
Semi-Finalist for Paramount Pictures' Chesterfield Writer's Film Project in 1995
WORKSHOPS
June 1996
Center Theatre Group, Los Angeles CA
directed by Oz Scott
October 1996
Audrey Skirball-Kenis Theater, Los Angeles CA
directed by L. Kenneth Richardson
READINGS
August 2002
The Goodman Theater, Chicago IL
directed by Chuck Smith
July 1995
Padua Hills Playwrights Festival, Los Angeles CA