So casting is finally complete (spit three times so the theatre demons won’t cackle at my expense) for THERE OR HERE  at Playpenn in Philadelphia this summer.  This has been such a challenge - and I find myself wondering how we spread word for things before the internet?  Here I am writing a play that needs three East Indian actors (and my questions about myself writing a play that requires three East Indian actors are endless - is this a stupid move?  is this a savvy move?  who the hell am I to write a play about this?  how can I write about someone who I am not?  But I am always who I am not when I am writing.  Aren’t there hordes of East Indian actors dying to play a part written for them rather than just another minor role or begging someone to see that an actor of color can play anything (and why can’t I find them?) so says the white jewish girl from long island who has never has a jewish actress for the lead in what she likes to call her “big jew play”  The Last Seder.)

OK - I digress.   So we are cast - finally - for the workshop in Philly and I want to give major major kudos and large amounts of respect for Paul Meshejian who opted to choose this play, knowing casting would be a challenge.  I can’t wait to get started and meet everyone.

As for THERE OR HERE here - Sundance did an AMAZING reading that Philip Himberg directed in one short afternoon. Kind of one of those - wow, first reading and the play is working revelation readings - a nice audience, all theatre fans (and film agent).  Grateful on all accounts for those who kicked ass that day  - Marin Hinkle, Bernie White, Purva Bedi,  Viji Nathan, Aly Mawjii, Beth Ruscio, and the serendiptious theatre gods that pointed all directions to Purva (two mentions and then PlayPenn’s Paul Meshejian seeing her across the crowded room at the Pacific Playwrights Festival at South Coast Rep and saying “if she can act, we’ve found our Neera”.   There are so many ways there is magic in theatre and this is one of them - finding the right actors for a play and then having them take it to a whole other level.