Drama Queens, a five-star arts journal focusing on female artists

For many reasons, there is a melancholy feeling surrounding this production.  First and foremost, this beloved talented man is not around to drop by rehearsals to have lovely interactions with the cast and creatives or to see the fruits of his labor.  “I have mixed feelings.  This play was originally scheduled to run back at the end of April 2020.  Theatre got shut down in the beginning of March and sadly Irving passed on April 1,2020.  He has sent me an email just a couple of days before his passing that I never got to answer.  I regret that to this day.  Four out of eight cast members had the pleasure of working on one of his plays and got to meet him.  I miss him stopping by rehearsals to see how it was going and chat with the cast.  I miss grabbing a meal after our Sunday Matinee.  I miss picking up Irving and Anita and driving them to and from the theatre on any given Sunday.  Even during football season.  I miss his wit, our conversations and the way he told his stories through his writing.  His voice will be missed.”

“The next play is based on a true story. Irving received an article from the librarian in Bisbee, AZ that all his books were going to be banned.  Irving had written a series of books called the Depth Forces Series.  The bookmobile was in town and the mayor’s son was looking for a Garfield book but instead he picked out a Greenfield book and once he didn’t understand some of the words, he asked his mother who was upset by the subject matter and the mayor banned all his books not just the depth force series.  The play brings the Captain of the Submarine and his first mate out of the books into a dream of the mayor and his family.  The captain and his first mate are attempting to right a wrong.  In this play there were some special effects that my wonderful technical director was able to make happen.  Irving had written himself into the play and I thought we could just tape his voice, but Ken had a different idea.  We video his responses and hit the cues when needed.  It enhanced the production.  Along with the smoke and additional sound effects.”

Artists of all disciplines can sometime be temperamental or difficult.  It was nothing but green pastures with Mr. Greenfield!  “Was he tough? No.  I loved having conversations with him.   We would email each other and even talk on the phone about the current play of his I was working on.  Once he and his wife Anita moved to Staten Island, I would pick them up on a Sunday and drive them in to see Irving’s play.  We spent time after some of his plays with doing dinner.  They were a lovely couple and I enjoyed getting to know both.”

Luckily Ms. Waugh is in touch with Mr. Greenfield’s family and his work and memory will live on in future productions.  “I am in touch with his son.  Keeping him up on the progress of the play “WALTER”.  I have asked if I can direct the last play I have of Irving’s.  I got a yes.  I was also given the story behind the play.   The funny thing is I read the play as a short story first and asked Irving to turn it into a play.  He did and I will be directing it next year.”

The stage will continue to call upon Ms. Waugh and her expertise with plays by Mr. Greenfield, his son and other talented playwrights.  “Next I have several plays that I am looking to direct next year.  Irving’s last play, MY MOTHER’S BOOKIE.  I also have a play from Irving’s son Nathan Greenfield that I want to do along with a couple of plays from Norma Mortimer.”  Having personally seen Ms. Waugh’s work, Mr. Greenfield’s work and several productions at The American Theatre of Actors, I highly recommend supporting these professionals and this institution.