Saturday, May 24, 2025 @8:00 p.m., Aura Coffee, Denton TX
Written by Matt Solomon
Directed by Matthew Phillips
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We are thrilled to be working once again with longtime Sundown collaborator Matt Solomon as we produce a staged reading of his play BEANS, “an experimental piece about existential crises that arise from poverty” that peels back at the edges of capitalism to uncover some of the struggles and realities that too often are kept hidden and unseen… and how we find the strength or will to continue moving forward into the unknown in our lives.
A staged reading is not a full production of a theatrical piece. Instead, it is a premiere of a new work, or a work-in-progress, for a playwright to be able to hear their script read aloud and also see how a live audience reacts.
We encourage the audience to share their thoughts with the playwright by participating in the talkback directly after the performance.
Synopsis
After a prolonged depressive episode, a recently-fired Charlie struggles to get back on his feet with the help of his partner Bobby. Bobby struggles with dealing with things out of her control, including but not limited the neighbors who can be heard through the wall. If you’ve ever lost your job, loved anyone, or had your heart broken, then Beans is for you.
About the author
Matt Solomon
While he began writing as a child in his hometown of Mesquite, Texas, Matt Solomon started finding his voice in TAPPS literary competitions in 2004 and 2005. He performed in Dallas-based Junior Players productions those same years. In 2005, while attending Southern University and A&M College in Baton Rouge, Louisiana, he was a reporter for the Southern University Digest. He’d come into his own by the summer of 2012, when he and a few friends founded the Denton comedy scene. His body of work touches on a range of themes and topics, from racism, poverty, and anti-capitalism to interpersonal relationships, existentialism, and pessimism. Whether it is poetry, performance art, or stand-up; comedy, drama, horror, or gonzo journalism, his work is shown to be versatile. Since coming into his own as a writer and performer, he has gone on to be a guest artist at the University of North Texas, performed at comedy festivals, written blogs for the local nonprofit Friends With Benefits, organized fundraisers for other local nonprofits, worked with Spiderweb Salon, Denton Worker, and Sundown Collaborative Theatre, and is currently an active union member of the Texas State Employees Union Local 6186. He currently lives in Denton and works as a custodian at the University of North Texas.
Matthew Phillips, director
This will be Matthew’s second project with Sundown Theatre! He’s been in theatre since middle school, but this will be his first time directing, he’s excited to try his hand at this highly respected role. He has a particular love for the lives characters have outside of the performance and how that is reflected in the performance. He hopes you all enjoy the show and looks forward to future projects!