PATRICK MALONE
By DAN TOMASELLO
LYNNFIELD — A Lynnfield High School freshman has written a play that the Lynnfield Public Library will be putting on in mid-June.
Library Director Abby Porter said during a March 24 program that Lynnfield Middle School Drama Director Shay Wainwright recently approached her about putting on a play that LHS freshman Patrick Malone wrote.
“I thought it sounded fun,” said Porter. “I read the script, and it is fantastic. We are so excited to do this.”
Patrick said the play he has written is called “Paranormal.”
“Riley, having lost his choir’s reputation due to alleged arson, needs a way to make money to restore the singing group,” said Patrick in an email sent to the Villager about the play’s plot. “He enlists the help of his best friend, Reed, a cunning devil Stephan, and a jazzy angel, Evy, to lure people to his cult and convince them to give him their money. Riley has to deal with trouble with the police, suspicious cult members and even murder — but how far is too far to go for the things you love?”
Patrick said during the library program that one of the influences of “Paranormal” was the Jonestown Cult and its leader, Jim Jones. Jones and other leaders of the Peoples Temple carried out a mass murder-suicide that resulted in 918 people dying in Guyana in November 1978.
“I thought it was really interesting how someone who could do such an evil thing,” said Patrick. “The play is focused on a cult.”
Patrick said his second inspiration for “Paranormal” was “Dante’s Inferno.”
“I think that the underworld is an interesting place,” said Patrick.
Patrick said he enjoyed writing the script for “Paranormal.”
“Writing the script is the best part because you can put all of your ideas onto a document,” said Patrick. “You just get to watch your creation come to life, which I think is a really beautiful moment. There was lots and lots of editing, which I think is really helpful because it just helps bring a play to life.”
Patrick said “Paranormal” has a negative character arc.
“A character arc is the growth that a character goes through whether it’s a positive arc or a negative arc,” said Patrick. “Some of my favorite negative character arcs are Odysseus from ‘The Odyssey,’ Anakin Skywalker from ‘Star Wars’ and Coriolanus Snow from ‘The Hunger Games.’”
Patrick said Riley Davis is the main character in “Paranormal,” who he said has a negative character arc.
“Riley is kind of egotistical and selfish,” said Patrick. “But as he keeps going and going, he keeps getting worse and worse. He just uses people in his cult to do really bad things. Riley is the charismatic and self-centered type. He thinks he can do everything, but the length that he goes to do it is what sets him a part of from the other characters. He is not a good guy.”
Patrick said Reed Haertling is friends’ with Riley in the play.
“Reed is the logical and skeptical type,” said Patrick. “He likes to think he can keep Riley contained in his little box, but obviously he fails.”
Patrick said Stephan the Devil is another character in “Paranormal.”
“He is charming, knows how to get what he wants and is very manipulative,” said Patrick. “Riley can manipulate people more physically, but Stephan can talk his way into any situation. While Riley manipulates people in the cult, Stephan manipulates Riley into getting what he wants. He is kind of the over-arching villain in this story.”
Patrick said Stephan’s counterpart is Evy the Angel, who he said is a “jazzy clubber” that was inspired by characters in the musical “Chicago.”
“She has a Brooklyn accent, and she is just there for the fun,” said Patrick. “She doesn’t care about the cult. She is just there to keep Stephan out of trouble.”
Patrick encouraged the 10 residents in attendance to come see “Paranormal” this June. He recalled that there has been no community theater for adults in town in a number of years.
“This opportunity is really unique,” said Patrick.
Board of Library Trustees Chair Joe Gallagher asked Patrick why he is looking to cast adults in “Paranormal” as opposed to adults and kids.
“I would love to have kids,” said Patrick. “I think next year, I would incorporate something with different age levels. I think this play is a little mature for some kids. The characters in it are also adults.”
While Patrick said he and Wainwright discussed having both adults and kids star in “Paranormal,” he said that he thought it would be “weird” having kids “lead people who are older in a cult.”
“I think that would be a little less believable than having people the same age being manipulated,” said Patrick.
A gentleman in the audience asked how many actors are going to be cast in “Paranormal.”
Patrick said the play has 13 characters, but he said a minimum of seven to 10 actors would be needed.
Porter asked Patrick how long it took him to write the script for the play.
While Patrick said he began working on the play two years ago, he said it took him six months to finalize the script.
Patrick also noted that he composed the music for “Paranormal.”
“We are trying to find someone to play the piano,” said Patrick. “If we can’t find anyone, I will.”
After Patrick gave a brief overview of “Paranormal,” he, Porter and Gallagher read a scene from the play. The meetings attendees gave all three of them a round of applause. Patrick and Wainwright are co-directing the play.
Patrick recalled how he got involved in theater in an interview with the Villager after the presentation ended.
“When I was really young, I went to Lynnfield Community Schools’ SOFA (Summer of Fun Activities) camps,” said Patrick. “We did a little production there. It was really fun and really cool, and I loved it. I have been performing in plays ever since. It is the most magical thing I have ever done.”
Patrick said the auditions for “Paranormal” began on Monday, March 31, taking place after deadline. He said auditions will continue on Wednesday, April 2 at the library, taking place from 6:30-8:30 p.m. “Paranormal” additions will also take place on Tuesday, April 8 taking place from 6:30-8:30 p.m. Residents are required to register for the auditions.
“Paranormal” will be performed in the LMS auditorium on Saturday, June 14 and Sunday, June 15.