Lary Bloom
Writer, Editor, Teacher
Plays
WORTH AVENUE
(to be read in public performance by Jeanie Rapp’s Queen of Heart players in Chester, Connecticut, in January, 2006—watch for further details)
A play in five independent scenes, Worth Avenue is set in South Florida’s retirement community. One actress plays five women.
“Ida’s Choice” features Ida Berkowitz, a recent widow who’s Philadelphia son has sent a salesman to her apartment to persuade her to move to assisted living. The suave salesman, Joseph, assumes that as Ida is vulnerable and lonely, he will add yet another name to his roster, but he is surprised by the turn of events. (Under the title "Paradise Village," this is also a stand-alone play, introduced during Octoberfest at Ensemble Studio Theatre in New York City.)
“Valentine’s Day” reveals the struggles of Carl and Rose, an old couple at a doctor’s office. Carl is angry at Rose and everyone else because they are ignored by the office personnel. But on a deeper level, Carl’s distress can be traced to a time when he was, in his view, somebody.
“River of Grass” is set in Mort’s restaurant. His two customers on this morning are Maria, a young Cuban refugee, and Mrs. Nelson, who tries to hit on him. Mort is fierce in his optimism and independence.
“The Baby” is the story of an older couple on their honeymoon in Palm Beach. All is well in this new romance until a phone call comes with the news that a grandchild has arrived prematurely, setting in motion the new wife’s attempt to deal with her past.
“Death By Periwinkle” is the story of Clara, a widow who in 1981 is in the way of the bulldozer in Miami Beach’s new art deco district. In her monologue, she reveals that she, too, once had hopes and dreams and wonders aloud about the motives of the audience.
A WOMAN OF A CERTAIN AGE
With music by Steve Metcalf, lyrics by Lary Bloom, and book by Colin McEnroe, “A Woman Of A Certain Age” made its debut in four workshop performances at the historic Ivoryton Playhouse, in Ivoryton, Connecticut in May, 2003. In May 2005, it was performed in concert version at the Florence Griswold Museum in Old Lyme, Connecticut.
The musical is inspired by the life of Florence Griswold, or Miss Florence as she was known, who ran a famous artist colony at the turn of the 20th century. Many of her charges went on to fame, and much of the success was due to her nurturing, but she paid a great price for all of this.
Among the songs in the show are “May Night” (based on a painting by Willard Metcalf), “Goodbye To Love,” “It’s All Come True,” “Right Before My Eyes” (a love duet), “In The Aftertime of Days” and the haunting title song. [sheet music ~164 Kb]
Lary Bloom • Telephone: 860.526.2067 • Fax: 860.526.8088 • Email: