Tampa's Stageworks presents play by Manatee writer

   Acclaimed Manatee County playwright Philip Hall's recent work "Garageworks" is being staged in Tampa this weekend.
   It's part of "Tampaworks 2014," this year's edition of Stageworks showcase of short plays by local playwrights.
   Hall has built a national reputation for his short plays, and he's created some full-length musicals as well. His show "Children of the Day" (which he co-wrte with Tampa's Lee Ahlin) has been staged all over the country, and Hall's "Life on the Mississippi" got some great reviews in its New York City run last year.
 

Philip Hall

    Hall's piece in this weekend's show has a man trying to pay his fee at a parking garage, but encountering automated and very judgmental female voice. The Stageworks people say it's "funny, wise, with a charming, unexpected ending." Slake Counts, whose work is always impressive, plays the man.
   If you follow area theater you'll probably know a lot of the other playwrights who have plays in the show too, including longtime area playwright, actor and educator James Rayfield. Here's the lineup: “Duck” by Sheila Cowley; “Another Day in Paradise” by Matt Cowley; “Sinking” by Lil Barcaski; “The Manatees’ Tale of Extinction” by Dewey Davis-Thompson; “Tampa Love Bugs” by Mike Matteo; “A Dale Mabry Romance” by Rayfield; “Tampa: Built on Pennies” by Jaime O’Brien; and “Fireball” by Jeanne Adams.
   There are only three performance of "Tampaworks 2014," at 8 p.m Thursday, Friday and Saturday (July 10-12). Tickets are $20. 

    Stageworks is at 1120 E. Kennedy Blvd. in downtown Tampa. Call 813-374-2416 or go to stageworkstheatre.org.