Description: A romantic comedy with something on its mind.

First Produced: 2011
Date Added: 10/28/2011
Content Advisory: Contains strong language and suggested adult sexuality
Keywords: Comedy  Romance  Characters are mostly young adults  Many Locations  Single Set  Philosophy  Large Cast Size 
2 Acts, 120 Minutes
3 Females, 4 Males

From the Playwright:

I started writing The Insidious Impact of Anton when an itchy, utchy character named Francesca showed up in my head and would not shut up. But I realized pretty quickly that although her concerns were commonplace, the situation in which she'd find herself embroiled was anything but; as the play evolved, I recognized that what seemed to be mundane complaints were masking a much deeper set of problems. And on top of that, these problems were working themselves out through a romantic comedy. I happen to love romantic comedies, but I also feel there hasn't been one that's either particularly romantic or terribly funny in a long time. I hope The Insidious Impact of Anton rectifies that.

NOTE: The Insidious Impact of Anton is fully protected by copyright law and is subject to royalty. All inquiries concerning production, publication, reprinting or use of this play in any form should be addressed to Rochelle at rd@indietheaternow.com.

Original Production Information

The Insidious Impact of Anton was produced in 2011 by Absolute Theatre and Full Circle Theatrics at the El Centro Theatre in Los Angeles, CA, with the following cast and credits:

Francesca: Tracy Eliott
Nate: Daniel Montgomery
Miranda: Patty Jean Robinson
Adele: June Carryl
Robert: Jon Gale
Anton: Mikhail Blokh
Victor: Warren Davis

Director: Richard Tatum
Scenic Designer: Katie Polebaum
Lighting Designer: Michelle Stann
Costume Designer: Sarah LeFeber
Sound Designer: Christopher Moscatiello
Projection Designer: Corwin Evans
Stage Manager: Stephaine Boltjes
Assistant Stage Manager: Rachel Landis

Excerpt from The Insidious Impact of Anton

(FRANCESCA enters the kitchen. ANTON is there, a smallish man in a dark suit and white shirt, blocking her access to the coffee. After several moments, she speaks.)

FRANCESCA

Excuse me, are you fucking kidding me?

ANTON

(with an accent) I – excuse, please, you wish something?

FRANCESCA

(sotto) Jesus. (aloud) Yes, I wish something. I wish you to move aside when you put milk in your fucking coffee.

ANTON

Oh! Excuse, please.

FRANCESCA

You’re excused.

(she pours herself a cup)

ANTON

Em, for you, milk?

FRANCESCA

No thank you. (adds four sugars to her coffee)

ANTON

Okey-doke. (puts milk back in fridge) Plenty sugar, though, yes?

FRANCESCA

Plenty sugar though yes.

ANTON

And no Styrofoam cup for you.

FRANCESCA

I’d like the Earth to keep working for the rest of my life. (he laughs lightly; she tosses the empty packets in the trash; then, after a small moment) Excuse me.

ANTON

(moving aside so she can pass) Okey-doke.

(FRANCESCA leaves the kitchen and addresses the audience)

FRANCESCA

I don’t end up dating him. I’m not some edgy-urban-woman-who-meets-an-adorable-foreign-man-and-learns-to-love. I have other things on my mind, frankly, than noticing the depth of his dark eyes, how the wrinkles around them give him an air of coziness and warmth, how there always seems to be a smile on his lips, even when I… (she stops) No! I don’t date him! Don’t even think it!