Hometown: Stamford, Connecticut
Education: Masters (uncompleted) Fairfield University
Favorite Credits: My novels: "BLUFF", "Third Willow"; My nonfiction books: "Lighthouse Keeper's Daughter", "Heroes: 50 Stories of the American Spirit", "Lady Liberty: The Untold Story of the Statue of Liberty (and the other 10)"; My humor books: "Burnt Toast", "Elbow Grease"; My debut play: BLUFF, the play
Why theater?: It is the best medium to experience art with all your senses, providing a collaborative experience for all involved: playwright, actors, theatre crew and of course, most importantly, the audience. The synergy of live performance can never be surpassed by any other medium in my opinion.
Tell us about BLUFF: Jude Black lives in that in-between twilight space, teetering between life and death. Pregnant, lost and suspended in a coma, after a failed suicide attempt, only she knows the identity her baby's father. Forced to confront the events that led to this place, Jude finds truth, friendship and acceptance on her death bed.
What inspired you to write BLUFF?: The death of my mother who was in a medical coma for the last part of her life. It prompted lingering questions about what a person in a coma might be able to hear, understand.
What kind of theater speaks to you? What or who inspires you as an artist?: I grew up reading the masters. My favorites? Eugene O'Neill, Tennessee Williams and Thornton Wilder. Who else? I admire well-written, well-thought out dramas, with depth and perception.
If you could work with anyone you’ve yet to work with, who would it be?: Actors? Working with Jessica Lange and Bryan Cranston would let me die happy. Quite honestly, my only prequisite for working with anyone in this industry is that they fall in love with my plays. The passion and enthusiasm stems from that.
What show have you recommended to your friends?: The Humans and Curious Incident of the Dog in the Night-time
Who would play you in a movie about yourself and what would it be called?: I have no idea. I've never thought about this, ever. I'd either go to one extreme or the other. For example, maybe casting Bill Murray as me in a farce called "Keep Walking...Nothing to See Here." Or cast Kim Kardashian as a self absorbed, brooding genuis writer. Maybe call it "All about Me." Seriously? I have no idea.
If you could go back in time and see any play or musical you missed, what would it be?: Ethel Merman in Gypsy and Elizabeth Taylor in Cat on a Hot Tin Roof
What’s your biggest guilty pleasure?: Nothing pleasurable makes me feel guilty. Though I do too many crossword puzzles.
If you weren’t working in theater, you would be _____?: Doing what I do now..write books and agent other authors.
What’s up next?: Finishing the sequel to "BLUFF", the novel, which is called "FAULT". And completing my rom-com play.
For more on BLUFF, visit Facebook.com/blufftheplay and skomal.lenore.wix.com/blufftheplay. For more on Lenore, visit www.lenoreskomal.net
