Phoenix (Nigro)

Set in Phoenix, Arizona in the summer of the year 1961, this darkly funny and suspenseful ensemble piece investigates the complex and ultimately dangerous relationships centering around an accordion studio run by Kermit, an old piano player, and the bowling alley next door, owned by Rutger, a German immigrant. Kermit has trouble with his second wife Mona and his rebellious daughter Tanya. Rutger would dearly like to get rid of his wife Doris, whom he's married for her money. Ned, who manages the bowling alley, would like to cheat on his wife Lea with Tanya, who is the confused object of the love of Ray, who teaches accordion. Rutger thinks he's found his way out when he discovers that Mickey, the big, beefy, rather intimidating colleague of Kermit and Ray, has a dark and violent past in the Chicago underworld, and begins to blackmail him. This is a very funny and suspenseful play that moves inexorably towards an explosive conclusion.