The two longest pieces, Connubial Bliss and Co-Dependents, feature a pair of married playwrights named Marie and Charlie Williams, who Mr. Gilhooley admitted to me are based on themselves. Other characters in other plays are clearly based on people they have known in the theater community. The idea for one of the most incisive pieces, The Hetero Chorus Boy, came from all the news coming from the gay community and the gains being made toward marriage equality.

One of the reasons for my visit was a chance encounter with company Director Lil Barcaski. If the budget for this production were increased four-fold, the company would then be operating on a shoestring. The plays were mounted with basic tables and chairs, with costumes most likely culled from the wardrobes of the actors. Ms. Barcaski explained to me that the company exists primarily as a training ground for actors with minimal experience. The company provides workshop opportunities besides the productions which are open to the public.

Based on what I saw and also what I read in the actors' bios, there is some promising talent here. Especially noteworthy are Tim Guerieri as playwright Charlie Williams and other roles; Beth Adele Long as the other playwright, Marie; and Tamara Spiri as Leslie, the agent who reminded me of my cousin, also named Leslie, in a variety of ways. Skyla Dawn Luckey, seen recently in another low budget production, is an accomplished actress in a variety of parts here. Every member of the 10 member ensemble contributes positively.

The production is directed by Lil Barcaski and Mary Locarni who also doubles as stage manager.

There were performances between January 8 and 11, 2015, at Studio at 620 in St. Petersburg Fl, with one more performance on January 18 at The Flamingo Resort in St. Petersburg. For more information, please visit gypsystage.com.

--William S. Oser