Do We Smell Like Oranges? © .
Do We Smell Like Oranges? is the second one act play written by Diane Jones that explores mental health and family history, based in truth.
In 1997 Diane finds herself on suicide watch in a psychiatric hospital in Buffalo, NY.
While on a 6 day hold, she hallucinates visits from her great-great grandparents, Harriett and John Rothrock.
John himself, died an inmate at an insane asylum in 1934.
CAST OF CHARACTERS
A: Female, (36)
B: Female, (41)
C: Male, (30s - 40s)
CAST OF CHARACTERS
A: Female, (36)
B: Female, (41)
C: Male, (30s - 40s)
A as DIANE: (36) married, mother of three, 1997
A as ROBOT DIANE A as TOWNSPERSON: Olean, NY 1888
A as HAZEL: (7) Harriet and John's child, 1896
A as JONATHAN: (8) Diane's child, 1997
A as HOSPITAL EMPLOYEE: Buffalo, NY, 1997
B as HARRIETT Rothrock: (41) married, mother of three, 1905
B as TOWNSPERSON: Olean, NY 1888
B as ASSISTANT DESIGNER: assistant fashion designer from Long Island, 1980
B as HOSPITAL EMPLOYEE: Buffalo, NY 1997 and Fort Steilacoom, WA, 1934
B as ACTOR C as TOWNSPERSON: Olean, NY 1888 C as FARMHAND: Oklahoma land rush, 1893
C as DOCTOR: psychiatrist in a psych ward in Buffalo, NY, 1997
C as JOHN: Diane's great-great-grandfather (various ages)
C as DOCTOR O'ff du Raque: psychiatric fashion designer, NYC, 1980
C as TOM PATCHELL: Harriett's twin brother
C as ACTOR
C as Tim: Diane's husband, 40, 1997
C as BRALEY: Diane's great-grandfather, 19, Depew, NY, 1909
PRODUCTION HISTORY:
2021 Radio Play in Two Parts
Tracy Snyder, Director; Rosa Fernandez as Diane; Lisa Vitrano as Harriett; Todd Benzin as John and Doctors
Matthew Refermant, Dramaturg and Editor
Harry Jones, Audio Mastering
2020 Virtual Play New Play Reading, YouTube
Tracy Snyder, Director; Brittany Bassett as Diane; Kristen Tripp Kelley as Harriett; Todd Benzin as John and Doctors
Michelle Eisen, Stage Manager; Matthew Refermat, Dramaturg
Tracy Snyder, Director
Tracy is thrilled to working on this marvelous project! Tracy is currently the Interim Executive Director of Theatre of Youth Company, Inc. As a Buffalo native, she is a graduate of SUNY at Buffalo (BA) and Niagara University (MA), and also completed an acting residency at Shakespeare’s Globe Theatre in London. She has worked with many Buffalo theatre companies as an actor, stage manager, playwright, director, wardrobe mistress and teaching artist. Tracy extends gratitude to all those who have helped her discover ways of creating during this challenging time, especially Diane. She would like to thank family and friends for their love and support.
Rosa Fernandez as A
Rosa Fernandez attended Brooklyn College in pursuit of a BFA in Acting and is proud to have worked locally as an actor in recent productions such as Miss Bennet; Christmas at Pemberley (RLTP) Motherf*cker with the Hat (RLTP), Water by the Spoonful (RLTP) and Ophelia Thinks Harder (Brazen-Faced Varlets). She has also directed staged readings for Road Less Traveled Productions, Raices Theatre Company and Second Generation. Her play, Curse of the Puerto Ricans, was a semi-finalist for the Eugene O’Neill National Playwrights Conference and will receive its world premiere at Bishop Arts Theatre Center in Dallas, TX when the world figures out this pandemic thing. She is so grateful to be a part of this important story, with these amazing people.
Lisa Vitrano as B
Ms. Vitrano, a native Buffalonian, has proudly served her community as a Theatre Professional since 1993. During her 27-year long career, Lisa has embodied numerous characters upon the stages of nearly every Theatre in WNY and has earned awards for her efforts; A two-time Artie Award winner, named “Best All-Around-Actress” in Buffalo Spree Magazine’s Best of WNY 2006, and voted “Outstanding Actress in a Play” by Broadway World Buffalo 2015. The 48 Hour Film Project Buffalo named her “Best Actress” for her role in the short film SUMMER LOST in 2018. Lisa’s other work includes: Playwrighting, Directing, Voiceover, Print Modeling, and Arts in Education. She is an Ensemble Member for Roadless Traveled Productions and a Council Member for the Association of Regional Theatre Artists (ARTA).
Todd Benzin as C
Todd Benzin is a Buffalo born and bred actor and improviser. For his work on stage in 2018, Todd was awarded the first-ever Artie for Outstanding Character Performance as Franz Liebkind in the Kavinoky Theatre production of “The Producers.” He has also appeared at Shakespeare in Delaware Park, Shea’s 710 Main Street, the Irish Classical Theatre, Road Less Traveled Productions, the New Phoenix, the Ujima Theatre, Subversive Theatre, Theatre of Youth, and MusicalFare, where he was nominated for two Arties for Supporting Actor in a Musical. He has also appeared on film in “The American Side” and as a voiceover artist in several video games including the “Magicka” series. Todd is a Conservatory graduate from the prestigious Second City in Toronto and a member of improv duo Babushka.
