Metropolitan Playhouse
Presents
The Virtual Playhouse Fall Season
Opening Production

A Screened Reading
of

COCAINE

Written by PENDLETON KING
Directed by MICHAEL HARDART

Featuring
ERIN BEIRNARD & JAMES ROSS

Background Paintings by VINCENT GUNN

Special Talkback Guest JEFFERY KENNEDY

September 12, 2020 8 p.m.

www.metropolitanplayhouse.org/virtualplayhouse

Metropolitan Playhouse had a hard time getting this one past the Internet Censors. That title was enough to bring their plans to a screeching halt. They were able to sort it out, obviously. COCAINE, the 1916 one-act drama, successfully opened the theater’s fall season.

Nora, feeling very old at 30, returns to the attic room she shares with fellow-addict Joe. Bad news. She hasn’t been able to score any dope. No money, either. That blistering cold sore on her face turns-off potential clients. Joe’s desperate for a fix. A washed-up fighter, 24, he’s broke, too. They are two weeks behind in their rent. A nasty dead-end life near The Bowery. Hopeless but in love, they feel safe only when they are together.

Joe finally shares that the landlady has offered him a way out about the rent thing. He’s young and handsome. Or he could hit the streets, too. It is all overwhelming. Nora suggests another solution. Are they brave enough?

Metropolitan Playhouse is an absolute gem. Their plays are from 100 years ago, but always so modern in their content and emotion. The talkbacks afterwards are delightful. Life then was different, yet the same. Talented performances, skillful video, background paintings that add the perfect touch. A walk through their looking-glass is not to be missed.

-Karen D’Onofrio-