THE CROSSWORD PLAY (or Ezmeranda’s Gift)

by Donna Hoke

Comedy, 1 Person show

The Puzzlemaker is holding a workshop to teach you to make a crossword puzzle! As the Puzzlemaker embarks on their creation, they reveal the tricks of the trade, but also something unexpected: there is power in puzzles.

Will the Puzzlemaker use their powers for good--or evil? And which choice means making a puzzle that will solve their life?

Production Notes

CHARACTER:

PUZZLEMAKER: A person in their thirties, smart about most things,but especially crossword puzzles. This person can be played by anygender or ethnicity.

TIME AND PLACE: Any boardroom, conference room, or rented spacewhere a workshop might happen. Time is now and always.

SET NOTE: In an intimate space, a big easel works beautifully. Ina larger space, producer may use an electronic set-up or anythingthat allows the Puzzlemaker to fill in words in a way that allowsan audience to see the grid and also allows the Puzzlemaker tomaintain eye contact with the audience.

THE CROSSWORD PLAY (Or Ezmeranda's Gift) was developed at Theatre Aspen’s Solo Flights Festival, September 2021; Jed Bernstein, Producing Director.

THE CROSSWORD PLAY (Or Ezmeranda's Gift) was first produced at Lake Dillon Theatre in Silverthorne, Colorado, with a subsequent world premiere at Shadowland Stages in Ellenville, NY.

Author

Donna Hoke

Donna’s work has been seen in 48 states and on five continents, including at Barrington Stage, Barrow Group, Celebration Theatre, Gulfshore Theatre, Queens Theatre, Lake Dillon Theatre Company, Theatre Aspen, The Road, Phoenix Theatre, Atlantic Stage, Purple Rose, Skylight, Pride Films and Plays, New Jersey Rep, Hens and Chickens (London), The Galway Fringe Festival, and Actors Repertory Theatre of Luxembourg. Plays include BRILLIANT WORKS OF ART (Kilroys List), ELEVATOR GIRL (O’Neill, Princess Grace, and Austin Film Festival finalist), SAFE (winner of the Todd McNerney, Naatak, and Great Gay Play and Musical Contests), and TEACH (Gulfshore New Works, O'Neill semifinalist). She has been nominated for the....[FULL BIO]