Four Mondays

Series produced by Sunny Bleckinger

Series image

FOUR MONDAYS is an original radio play that takes place over the course of four Mondays at the last saltwater pool in 1980's San Francisco.

The Crystal Plunge is quiet, the radiators are broken, letting out steam. Kasper from the Water Bureau is on the case, but first he needs a swim. Shannon the pool clerk brings in a space heater and a fan, employs them creatively. Samuel the lifeguard saves nobody. Marty sees everything but no one listens to her. Edna forgets. Bystanders stand outside and watch as cars crash in the endless rain.

Four Mondays was funded in part by a 2017 Project Grant from the Regional Arts and Culture Council and the generous support of KBOO Radio.

Written, edited, directed by Sunny Bleckinger.

Starring: Lorraine Bahr, Sunny Bleckinger, Keia Booker, Kurt Conroyd, Monica Dailey, Adam Randall, Marcus Atkins, Marv Clark, Micah Makela, Douglas Yarrow and Will Mustoe.

Music by: Andy Rayborn's Paper Gates.

Casting: Dainichia Noreault.

Story Consultant: Jacob Aiello.

Editorial support from Allisa Hattman, Shanna Seezs, Hannah Pass, Tom Debeauchamp, and Melanie Nead.

Sound effects: Sunny Bleckinger & Pro Sound Effects.

Voices recorded at KBOO Studios.

"Monday Monday" written by John Phillips. Covered by Andy Rayborn. Originally performed by The Mamas & The Papas. Mechanical license for cover purchased through Loudr.

"If I Were A Carpenter" written by Tim Hardin. Covered by Sunny Bleckinger. Originally performed by Bobby Darin. Mechanical license for cover purchased through Loudr.

ABOUT THE PLAY:

The initial idea for the play came when I was reading about all the bygone swimming pools of San Francisco and stumbled on a picture of people gazing from across the street at a meat market and an indoor pool called the Crystal Plunge and I just wanted to be there. I wanted to be with those people, cross the street and go for a swim. So I started writing a script and years later, this radio play is the result.

When I shared the script with potential actors they all asked the same question, Why did you write this? I forgot all about the photo that led to it and did what I usually do when people ask me questions. I froze, like it was some kind of test, then I gave an answer I’ve heard myself give before: if I’m not busy with a writing project I become a worthless depressed loaf of a human. Which is true. But there’s another reason, which is kind of embarrassing.

Nearly everything I write ends up being about the same thing which embarrasses me because I think I should just get over it.

When I was something like four the police came to get my mother and my sister and me because we were spending the night in a bart station somewhere east of San Francisco. My mom ended up being put in a mental ward and my sister and I got adopted, moved hundreds of miles away and our names were changed. The last anyone knows is, my mom got out, stole a car, loaded the back with blankets and started looking for us. I blocked my memories of her for about 25 years until my own kid was born and then I started to wonder, and to look back.

I never found her. It’s a long story that I won’t get into here, but I’m just trying to say that this radio play, Four Mondays, is about that, even though on the surface it’s not about that at all. It’s my way of dealing with the fact that not all mysteries can be solved. I’m trying to get over it but then I start writing something again and realize I probably never will.

That all sounds much heavier than I want it to. So I’ll add this: Four Mondays is actually quite funny. There are jokes! You will laugh.
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Written, edited, directed by Sunny Bleckinger. Starring: Lorraine Bahr, Sunny Bleckinger, Keia Booker, Kurt Conroyd, Monica Dailey, Adam Randall, Marcus Atkins, Marv Clark, Micah Makela, Douglas Yarrow and Will Mustoe. Music by: Andy Rayborn's Paper Gates. Casting: Dainichia Noreault. Story Consultant: Jacob Aiello. Editorial support from Allisa Hattman, Shanna Seezs, Hannah Pass, Tom Debeauchamp, and Melanie Nead. Sound effects: Sunny Bleckinger & Pro Sound Effects. Voices recorded at KBOO Studios. "Monday Monday" written by John Phillips. Covered by Andy Rayborn. Originally performed by The Mamas & The Papas. Mechanical license for cover purchased through Loudr. "If I Were A Carpenter" written by Tim Hardin. Covered by Sunny Bleckinger. Originally performed by... Show full description


4 Pieces

Order by: Newest First | Oldest First
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Samuel is actually happy. Bystanders are singing. Shannon is depressed. Edna transforms. Marty takes charge. Kasper fumbles.

  • Added: Jan 03, 2018
  • Length: 31:32
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Still no Anjelica. Samuel makes some calls. Shannon marvels at an old magazine. Edna and Marty listen to each other. Kasper solves the case.

  • Added: Jan 03, 2018
  • Length: 27:57
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Kasper’s on the case. Edna does her crossword. Shannon shares his space heater. Samuel finds the swim caps. Marty pees in the pool. And Anjelica ne...

  • Added: Jan 03, 2018
  • Length: 31:50
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Bystanders see more car crashes. Shannon brings in a space heater. No one listens to Marty. Edna exhales. Samuel cleans and waits. And Anjelica nev...

  • Added: Jan 03, 2018
  • Length: 23:35