Heller Shorts offers one-act plays for all tastes

Fans of live theater will find an interesting smorgasboard of original offerings during the annual Heller Shorts original play festival, which raises the curtain Thursday evening for a four-day run.

The performances take place at the Henthorne Park PAC, 4825 South Quaker Avenue, just east of 48th and Peoria.

Eight plays were chosen by a panel of judges for inclusion in the festival, all one-act shows limited to 15 minutes in length.

This year's shows include a variety of takes on the theme "Let Them Eat Short-cake!" which basically asked the playwrites to include some reference to food.

Having such a broad brush with which to paint, the writers went in wildly different directions.

One play, by former Tulsa news anchor Glenda Silvey (making her theatrical debut), features a poignant scene between a married couple who deal with middle-aged malaise in a sometimes funny, sometimes sharp conversation.

Another tells the story of a young woman whose parents blindfold her and drop her off at a speed-dating event as a surprise birthday gift.

From the dramatic and somewhat dark tale of a Holocaust survivor to a frenzied and comedic take on the cooking show craze, the festival offers something for everyone.

Show times are 7:30 p.m. August 15-17, with a 2:00 p.m. matinee on Sunday August 18.

Admission is $10.

THE PLAYS:

Monday After Work by Glenda Silvey
Secret Recipe by Kelley Friedberg
Tick Tock Love by Jeffrey Wetterman
Will This Table Work for You? by Lindsey Lewis
Miss Appleside by Jillian July Summers
Rebecca's Remnants by Michael Massey
Next by George Romero
Let's Make A Meal by Camie Hayes