First Run Theatre Archive Photos Room At The Inn

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ROOM AT THE INN
A two-act play by Steve Pokin

January 10,12,13,17,19,20 2008
Directed by Phillip Bozich

It’s Christmas Eve and a deadly winter storm has slammed the Chicago area. Roads are closed and the wind chill is on the far side of zero. Only Jake, the volunteer site manager, and one other church volunteer are able to make it to the homeless shelter. Nevertheless, the bus carrying the 40 homeless “guests” arrives. There is no dinner, the person supposed to deliver it is probably in a ditch off an icy road. Room at the Inn is about the struggle to make it through this one night, despite assorted challenges and the threat of violence.

“The writer shows a solid ability to present these homeless characters as mostly dignified people who have ended up on the wrong side of fortune. While their material possessions are scarce, they nonetheless represent a spectrum of humanity, some good, some nasty but all struggling to survive and help out as best they can.” – Mark Bretz Ladue News

“The play is admirable, both in its intent and the way it skirts polemics. Already it exudes something that many, more-polished scripts lack: a pulse.” - Dennis Brown Riverfront Times

CAST

KEN
JAKE
BUS DRIVER
MR. TROUT
MR. DUNSTON
MR. POWELL
MRS SOKOLSKY
PAULA KENT
JUSTIN BENNETT
CLARK KENT
PIZZA GUY
TOM REYNOLDS
POLICEMAN
YOUNG MAN

Ted Drury
Archie Coleman
Kurt Jarvis
Collins Lewis
Jim Stegemoeller
Tom Bell
Nicole Angeli
Michelle Baxter
Ben Ritchie
David Jeffery
Kurt Jarvis
Adam Thenhaus
Kurt Jarvis
Tawaine Noah

Jake (Archie Coleman) and Ken (Ted Drury) are the only volunteers for the St. Peter homeless shelter to make it through a raging Christmas Eve blizzard. They prepare the Fellowship Hall for 'guests'.

Jake talks to Mr. Dunston (Jim Stegemoeller) as he edits the Bible, taking out all the be-gets.

Out of the storm a pizza man (Kurt Jarvis) arrives with unexpected but needed food.

Justin Bennett (Ben Ritchie), Paula's jealous boy friend, threatens Ken when he finds him and Paula alone in the stock room.

Justin is subdued by Mr. Powell (Tom Bell) and taken into custody by a policeman (Kurt Jarvis).

Two of the newly arrived 'guests' Paula Kent (Michelle Baxter) and Clark Kent (David Jeffery) hope for a better Christmas.

Jake explains the rules to Mr. Trout (Collins Lewis)

Tom Reynolds (Adam Thenhaus), an actor posing as a guest prepares to take on his role.

Mrs. Sokolsky (Nicole Angeli) and Clark Kent duck, after distracting Justin, while the other guests subdue him.