“It is discouraging how many people are shocked by honesty and how few by deceit.”  Noel Coward

When I was 19 years old I played Sorel Bliss in Hay Fever by Noel Coward on the main stage at Northwestern University. It was the most fun I’d ever had in the theatre. Period. The then grad student (now well-known), Daniel Ordower designed the sets & lights and they were spectacular. To walk on that set was to walk into 1924. I remember Dan saying that his concept for the show was “champagne and cigarettes” – and indeed every inch of the stage was steeped in his vision. Antique (yet functional) cigarette holders were hidden throughout the set so that every time someone reached for a cigarette it was a delightful and hilarious surprise. The costumes were remarkably beautiful and appropriately sparkly. My mentor and professor, renowned Chicago director, Dominic Missimi, would sit in the front row of the Barber Theatre, and effortlessly shape us into hilarious stage pictures worthy of Mr. Coward’s sense of humor. I was in love with everyone involved. It was one of those “magical” theatrical experiences, and I’ve never forgotten it.

A few years after I graduated I came across a cartoon image in the New Yorker Magazine. The image was of a man standing over a woman draped on a chez lounge. I forget what the caption was, but I remember being struck by how “Noel Coward” the image was.  It was like I was transported back to that stage of champagne and cigarettes. Later that night, still thinking about that man and woman, I sat down and wrote out an idea for a play. Then I set it aside. For a decade.

This past fall I found that piece of paper. I didn’t have to remember the image because in truth, I’d never forgotten it. I’ve often thought of that man and woman, who I’d since named Beau and Sylvia. I’d imagined lengthy dialogue between them. Envisioned them together romantically, but not married. Ooo! An affair, I’d decided! Over the years, I had eventually imagined a whole entire play, complete with swinging doors, wind-swept entrances and faulty rifles. So when I uncovered that piece of paper last fall – right when my kids returned to school and I found myself with a little extra time – it seemed like the stars were aligned for me to get Beau and Sylvia and their cottage love-nest, out of my head once and for all. I wrote the first draft in one week.

“What are you doing up there?” my husband asked.

“I’m writing a play,” I answered.

“What kind of play?”

“A 1924 British farce.”

“Uhhhhh…..”

I know, I know. What’s a Jewish girl from Chicago doing writing a 1924 British farce of love, betrayal, sex and murderers? I don’t have a great answer – other than – these characters and their story have been in my head far too long and I wanted to see what would happen if I let them out.

Writing – and re-writing – The Cottage this year has been a total joy. For me, it feels like I am once again on a stage of champagne and cigarettes, discovering that Noel-Coward-esque world that I loved so much all those years ago.

I’ve had several casual readings of the play over this year, mostly in my living room with friends, to hear how the play is working, whether the jokes are landing, if there is a proper balance of content and genre. My friend (and brilliant actor/director) Adam Dannheisser read the role of Beau at my very first read through and afterwards, to my great delight, asked if he could direct it. My friends & neighbors – and incredible performers – Catherine Brunell, Bradley Dean, Jamie LaVerdiere, and Stephanie Kurtzuba, have all come along for this ride to portray these wacky characters; and now my theatre company – Midtown Direct Rep – has decided to produce a public reading as part of the Theatre in the Loft reading series. (NY Times: http://t.co/zf6fVsBb).  If I’d known that glancing at a cartoon could create this ripple effect … I’d have started paying attention to the funny pages long ago!

On Sunday, April 21st at 7 PM at SOPAC, The Cottage will be read in front of an audience for the very first time! I can’t wait to see how Beau and Sylvia, and their cronies are received. This reading is step one … and who knows what step two is! I’m just relieved I can finally stop saving that piece of paper!

SANDY RUSTIN is an actress, writer, and mom.   Her critically acclaimed musical, Rated P … for Parenthood, premiered Off-Broadway in February 2012 and will begin running regionally this fall. She appears regularly at Upright Citizen’s Brigade in “Gravid Water” (named “Best Improv Show” by Time Out NY).   For more scoop on Sandy visit www.sandyrustin.com or read her blog at http://ratedpforparenthood.blogspot.com/