Brian McDermott, director of "Marriage of Inconvenience", premiering at Pa Playhouse, talks about the play, the cast, and the playwright, Jacob Appel. Tell us about this play. Give us a synopsis.This is the winner of the playhouse’s 2017 playwriting competition. This imaginative work is centered on a wealthy nonagenarian who devises a way to take her fortune with her unless her scholarly granddaughter meets the bizarre requirements of her will. With the assistance of an apprehensive lawyer the granddaughter is caught up in a whirlwind romance she never anticipated, much to the annoyance of her boyfriend, a cavalier board game heir. An entrepreneurial prostitute who is more intelligent than her “career” would imply contributes to the confusion. It is a show about love, fear, death, insecurity, and incontinence. The cast of this new comedy includes: Kathy Patterson, Jeremy Thompson, Stephanie Gawlas Walsh, Kelly Herbert James and Tom Mattei.
Who selected this show for production and why' 
The playhouse hosted a playwriting competition and “A Marriage of Inconvenience” was selected by a committee of judges.
Tell us a little about the playwright.Jacob Appel is a published author residing in New York City. His first novel, The Man Who Wouldn't Stand Up, won the Dundee International Book Award in 2012. His short story collection, Scouting for the Reaper, won the 2012 Hudson Prize and was published by Black Lawrence in November 2013. He is the author of five other collections of short stories: The Magic Laundry, The Topless Widow of Herkimer Street, Einstein's Beach House, Coulrophobia & Fata Morgana and Miracles and Conundrums of the Secondary Planets; an essay collection, Phoning Home; and another novel, The Biology of Luck. He practices psychiatry in New York City. You can find out more about him at www.jacobmappel.com
Why is PA Playhouse following a comedy with a comedy, pitting this show against the classic comedy that just ended its run last week'They playhouse is seeking to bring back original works to their season but had to fit this into their schedule so as not to detract from the performances for “You Can’t Take It With You” or the rehearsals for the musical “Blood Brothers.” It was “convenient” that I was the director of “You Can’t Take It With You” as I was able to coordinate the use of the stage with ease. I believe their hope is that a “new” comedy will attract people (including those who enjoyed “You Can’t Take It With You” and want to try something they’ve never seen before) and draw new audiences to the theater.
How did you come to being directing two shows so close upon one another'I was approached by the board while directing “You Can’t Take It With You” and – as a playwright who has had my share of new works done I wanted to ensure that this show would get the attention and respect it deserved. I was very careful to create overlapping schedules which would not interfere with each other but would also allow enough time for us to rehearsal “A Marriage of Inconvenience.” I’m not going to lie, rehearsing two shows at the same time has not been easy but it has been very rewarding and I believe the final results will be worth it.
Why are you doing only one weekend'I honestly don’t know. This seems to be a “trend” with new works and it is unfair after all the work we have done on this production but that was the timeline when I agreed to direct so I am hopeful if this show is successful it will inspire the board to do this next year and add a second or third weekend to the run.
Tell us a little about your cast and how you came to assemble this particular group of actors.I held auditions for this show and was happy that five of my cast from “You Can’t Take It With You” auditioned for this production. Unfortunately, I was only able to cast four of them and along with Kathy Patterson they have all worked very hard (four of them having to remember lines from one show while rehearsing another) and their work will certainly be reflected in the wonderful performances they are bringing to the stage.
"Marriage of Inconvenience" runs April 20-23. Four shows only $15 a piece, 7:30 shows tomorrow thru Saturday, and closing Sunday at 3pm. Call (610) 865-6665.