The Hatched Works of R.W. Berky
PLAYS
COOKING THE WORLD
This play is about the last two people on earth. There is no food and they are both chefs. The piece explores the definition of meaning and the role ritual plays in creating meaning. It is very physical, with odd kitchen rituals (dicing, tasting), dances with large kitchen bowls to ancient Cambodian music, and other seemingly eccentric ways of being. Cooking The World won the Kennedy Center Roger L. Stevens Award for best new playwright.
THE DICTATOR'S NOSE
This play takes place in the continental United States after the country has split up. The Dictator is holding a rally at which a sea of placards in the audience create his face. At this particular rally the “Nose,” an unassuming little man named Dick Gummer, arrives late and is therefore absent when the face is displayed. The lack of a Nose creates an international incident, resulting in the very absurd and yet real consequences. This scene is the lead up to the catastrophe.
THE FOURTH NAIL
The Fourth Nail is set in the year 1099. Two crusaders return to Prague with bags full of “relics” to sell to the citizenry. They are confronted by an Alchemist attempting to find a cure for his dying King, and the King’s female Fool, a red-haired woman named Radish. Not much has changed in the ensuing centuries.
REDNESS OF THE WOODPECKER
The first scene of The Redness of the Woodpecker won the Morton R. Sarett National Playwriting Award in 2001.