Description and review of the B Street Theatre at the Sofia 7th Annual New Comedies Festival.
Three friends and I recently spent two days at the B Street Theatre, attending the 2026 New Comedies Festival. Each day we saw two live staged readings of four new unproduced comedies.
SacramentoRevelaed.com – All Things Sacramento (from a personal perspective)
Each reading was followed by a “talkback” during which feedback was provided to the playwright and cast, and questions from the audience answered. It was during one such talkback that we learned the role of a “dramaturg” which we had all wondered about as the role was listed along with that of director, stage manager, etc.
What is the role of a dramaturg?
A dramaturg is a literary and historical adviser in theatre. They act as the “keeper of the text” and a bridge between the play, the artists, and the audience. Duties include researching the historical, cultural and political details during the era in which a play takes place to ensure authenticity.
SacramentoRevelaed.com – All Things Sacramento (from a personal perspective)
2026 New Comedies Festival
The New Comedies Festival has grown over the past seven years to the point that this year the event was held on the Sutter Stage, the largest venue. Hundreds of submissions were received which underwent several rounds of review by volunteer script readers. The four plays chosen for live stage readings were:
- Lady Parts by Mary Lynn Owen
- Drag Queen Magic (or the Torturous Purgatorial Experience of One Miss Letta Celebrate) by Ian August
- Melvil Dewey Messed Me Up by Eric Pfeffinger
- Cocktails & Travails by Brent Askari
One of the perks of attending the New Comedies Festival is that, after previewing the four plays, attendees are eligible to vote for their favorite play. At least one of the playwrights will have their play produced on the B Street Mainstage during the upcoming season.
To Sum Up
To sum up, I very much enjoyed the B Street New Comedy Festival! I expect an email any day from B Street Theatre asking for my input. I will be casting my vote for Cocktails & Travails by Brent Askari. Of note, he is the only playwright to date to be invited back to the Comedy Festival, having won in 2024 for Advice.
Comments on the B Street New Comedies Festival?
Did you attend the festival this year or in past years? What was your experience?
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