Comic Drama

2m, 2f​

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During the leaderless 60's a fatherless teen

struggles to escape the chaos of his

suburban family via an artistic vision.

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PRODUCTION

​The Harbor Theatre

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REVIEWS

​…a tender and affecting coming-of-age story… Warmflash has crafted the piece commendably, with lots of winning and often funny dialogue

 

…the story is always compelling and engaging. In the end, Shortly After Takeoff reminded me of The Glass Menagerie and Broadway Bound with its theme of a young man getting ready to take leave of his domineering mother…

Warmflash has directed his own script skillfully in this first full production from Harbor Theatre Company.

 

Martin Denton

nytheatre.com

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Shortly After Takeoff's strength lies in its poignant characters. Writer Stuart Warmflash has created characters that are human in both their flaws and triumphs as they tackle universal issues -- the tragedy of losing a loved one, the pain of being an outcast and, in Ethan's case, solving the mysteries of the opposite sex.

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Finally, Ethan must decide what to do to make his own fairy tale come true. Earlier, Frank Sinatra seemed to tell him that all he had to do was to be young at heart...but he has his own thoughts, inspired by his conversation with E. B. White: "It's a wonderful way to spend one's life -- pursuing someone, or something, you love." The captivated audience cannot help but agree. 

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Miriam R. Haier

http://www.highfivetix.org

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AWARDS

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Winner/Christopher Brian Wolk Playwriting Award/Abingdon Theatre

 

Finalist Ashland New Play Competition

 

Finalist American Theatre Coop

 

Finalist Oglebay Institute

 

Semi-finalist at Mill Mountain's New Play Competition

 

Semi-Finalist for Playlabs/Minnesota

 

Reading at Abingdon Theatre

 

Reading at Hudson River Classic

 

Reading at Broad Horizons Theatre

 

Honorable Mention in the 72nd Annual Writer's Digest writing competition

 

The Play was developed at The Harbor Theatre Workshop (NYC)