BW+Concept+Statement

__The Philadelphia__ is a humorous play set in a diner or restaurant modern-day New York City. It concerns two main characters: Al, who is a laid-back, easy-going businessman, and Mark, who is an anxious, shaken-up man who has unfortunately entered into a “Philadelphia.” Entering into a Philadelphia means that Mark will receive the opposite of anything he asks for, be it a sandwich for lunch, a magazine, or some pain-killing medicine. Mark must learn, through some basic instruction from Al, how to adapt to his Philadelphia. He is forced to ask for the opposite of what he actually wants so that he can receive the things he truly desires. The play’s climax occurs after Mark has successfully ordered his food by asking for the opposite from the waitress when Al realizes that he has been brought out of his easy-going Los Angeles and into Mark’s Philadelphia. The design of the play should reflect the modern-day setting in a restaurant by containing a table with chairs, a tablecloth, a specials board, and perhaps some menus and food plates. The characters seem to be from a middle-class socioeconomic status, so their attire should address this status. Mark and Al should probably be wearing business suits, since they appear to be businessmen, and the waitress should appear in an apron at least, maybe wearing a stereotypical waitressing outfit. The script also directs her to appear weary, so her clothing could be slightly rumpled, and her demeanor needs to be slow and perhaps grudging. To show the audience that the play is set in New York City, there could be a window on the backdrop showing the city’s skyline, or other skyscrapers and a busy outside street. The lighting of the play should be well-lit inside the restaurant. Since the play is more humorous than serious, there should be few shadows and dark places on the stage. The lights should highlight the colors in the restaurant to give it a fun and lighthearted feel. The entire mood of the play should be consistent with this lighthearted feel, even when Mark is distressed about being in a Philadelphia. His distress soon goes away when he learns how to adapt to his Philadelphia, so the play should stay consistent throughout its duration. All the acting in the play should be exaggerated. Al should appear to be too easy-going, almost seeming to care about nothing because he is so happy. His laid-back attitude should be especially apparent when he finds out he has lost his job and his wife has left him. Mark, on the other hand, should be humorously distressed about being in a Philadelphia. Exaggerated facial expressions and actions will contribute tremendously to the play’s happy mood. Also, the waitress, even though she appears weary and worn-out, should exaggerate her actions and blue mood so that the humor is supported. All advertisements for the play should be colorful and light. Since the play is so funny, a variety of bright colors should be used, and the lines in the advertisements should be outgoing and not very straight. Perhaps a humorous picture from a dress-rehearsal of the play could be used to reveal to the prospective audience what the play is about.
 * Concept Statement for __The Philadelphia__**