Let’s Put on a Show

"Let's Put on a Show" is a compendium of Rosie Taravella's engaging plays from the 1990s, showcasing her talent for creating authentically drawn characters, genuine humor, and narratives rich in surprise, warmth, and poignancy.

Rosie Taravella's "Let's Put on a Show" offers a retrospective collection of her plays from the 1990s, a testament to her unique talent for character-driven humor and truthful narratives. The anthology includes "Pa's Funeral," a comedic exploration of a family unraveled by the patriarch's death and unexpected surprises he leaves behind. "Rose's Bowl-O-Rama" flips the lives of bowling alley workers and patrons when an advertising agency considers them for a TV endorsement. "A Shrink in the Family" follows the return of a professional therapist to her hometown, where her judgmental family awaits. "Lovers Lake" is a romantic comedy featuring two park rangers with contrasting personalities vying for leadership. "Hide and Freak" is a poignant monodrama that features a woman grappling with her dysfunctional past. Lastly, "The Wives" provides a humorous and touching account of five women, acquainted through their husbands' company picnics, attempting to bond. "Let's Put on a Show" encapsulates Taravella's knack for authentic dialogue, humor, and touching storytelling.

Rosie Taravella is a prolific playwright and screenwriter hailing from Upstate New York. Her career, which took flight in Los Angeles with radio with comic character voiceovers, led her unique talent to find a home on stage and screen. Taravella's characters were featured in ABC's late-night series "Into the Night," inspiring her to write "Rose's Bowl-O-Rama," a one-act play showcasing her versatile acting abilities. This led to a string of successful plays, including "The Wives," "Hide and Freak," and Pa's Funeral," which was adapted into a film featuring renowned actors Martin Landau and Rita Moreno. Apart from her theatrical work, Taravella holds a Master of Arts in Humanities/Literature, winning the Outstanding Thesis Project Award for her dramatic thesis on Mary Shelley. She has been recognized with awards from several esteemed institutions, including America's Best, Rhode Island Film Festival, and Scriptapalooza. Taravella's film and TV acting credits include "Carlos Wake," "Ballistic," "It's All About You," "Brooklyn South," "Married with Children," "Full House," and "Who's the Boss," among others. In 2003, she transitioned into nonprofit leadership, enriching the arts, education, public broadcasting, and human services sectors. Currently, she resides in New Jersey with her husband, Scott Goodrich, continuing her love for drama and the arts.