Old Academy Players is closing the theater season with the East Falls company’s annual "Summer One Act Bonanza." Co-produced by Sarah Labov and Nancy Frick, the show is a stream of 15-minute one-act plays, darkly comic in tone, often punctuated by a surprise ending. 

"Dinner Theater" by local playwright Caitlin Cieri is a spoof of celebrity television. Directed by Dan Crozier, a celebrity chef (Tiana Richardson) tries to demonstrate her recipe but is constantly interrupted by the guest (John Pinto), who gives a hyper-dramatic account of his battles with a dragon. The chef and her guest stay true to their personae as they improvise improbably comic ways to share the limelight. 

Kimberly Hess directs "Gram Scams" by Cary Pepper, a veteran playwright whose work has been produced throughout the U.S. and on international stages. A fake Michael (RJ Pennington) telephones Grandma (Loretta Lucy Miller) to scam her out of $15,000 while the real grandson Michael (Matthew Johnson) waits in the wings. Miller has a grand time flaunting Grandma's failing mental status, confusing issues and key facts. You enjoy watching her outfox the fox, driving grifter Michael to drink. 

Nancy Frick, former president of Old Academy Players, directs her play "Threesome." Charles (Samuel Fineman) wants to celebrate his anniversary with champagne until he observes "He's back!" "He" is Miles (Brendan Sterling), a former lover who competes for the affections of Emma (Victoria Anne). We soon learn Miles is a repeat intruder. Alone among the seven plays, "Threesome" lacks an offbeat happy ending as the play settles into an uneasy ménage-a-trois, enabled by Charles' lack of starch. 

"Gamma Girls to the Rescue" by local playwright Julie Zaffarano may be the most edgy offering. Sarah Labov directs the play in which Nadia (Helga Krauss), a ghostly third presence, joins Mel (Sonya Aiko Hearn) and Ang (Susan Blair) atop a bridge. The aging women are full of trepidation as they prepare to bungee jump to honor Nadia's final bucket list aspiration. 

"Morning On Mimosa Lane" by Gwen Armstrong-Barker opens the second act. Directed by Bryan Hagelin, Chrissie (Hannah Leifheit) visits her mother, Pauline (Linda Palmarozza), who lives in a trailer park. Pauline is poor; Chrissie is poorer and wants to borrow $600.  Leifheit and Palmarozza are an especially vivid twosome.  Chrissie does not get the $600 she wants, but to quote Mick Jagger, sometime “you get what you need."     

Veteran playwright Steven G. Martin contributes "For Richard, For Poorer,"  directed by Elliott Rotman. Eddie (Samuel Fineman) and Richard (RJ Pennington) discuss their impending marriage. Eddie does all the talking, distressed for unaccountable reasons. As in "Threesome," Fineman excels in portraying a discombobulated man. As a type of odd couple, Richard is calm and smiles softly,  dressing in a formal tuxedo. You wonder when he will talk. Then he does. 

"Bowlarama" by Scott Mullen is the final play. Mullen has written an astonishing 350 one-acts. Directed by Alyssia Sims, a couple on a blind date are stranded in a bowling alley. Competitive Eileen (Cindy Nguyen) challenges Stanley (Brendan Sterling) to a high-stakes bowling match in which the loser must do whatever the winner demands. The competition is humorously rancorous, but it turns out Eileen and Stanley want the same thing. 

Created by Chris Schenk in 2009, “Summer One Act Bonanza” makes a unique contribution to the Philadelphia theater scene.  Except for the pandemic years, the “Bonanza” production has been a continuous annual event. While people with no stage experience are encouraged to audition, the stage is full of familiar faces as these shows take on an end-of-the-year party atmosphere. 

"Summer One Act Bonanza" will run through July 20. Tickets are available at 215-843-1109. Old  Academy Players is located at 3540-44 Indian Queen Lane.