Ron Stoltz
Nepean, ON
Canadian Playwright retired from Federal Public Service after 31 years working in IT. First play Maîtres Chez Nous produced by Theatre Wakefield in La Pêche QC
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Plays

Jack Kennedy was a Friend of Mine
by Ron Stoltz

Our play, set in the early 1970’s, during Richard Nixon’s second term, and just prior to Watergate, examines how an imaginary dining set,  at one time occupying the family dining room in the JFK White House, became the object of desire by two wealthy and ambitious rivals on opposite sides of the Atlantic.  Caught in the middle we have a fairly successful American buyer and seller of fine imported goods, who acquires the set under rather strange circumstances, and must now consider the consequences of giving it up to one or the other of these rivals.  In doing so, he enlists the help of his ne’er-do-well brother, and an unsuspecting antique shop owner.  Jackie Kennedy and her long-time friend, Nancy, make brief appearances to help carry the plot towards its finale.  As do the authorities, in the person of a determined FBI agent called in by Nancy to help unravel a mystery in which Jackie’s husband, Onassis, with motives of his own, might have played a role.  

Cast:
CHARACTERS Bill Corson - A buyer and seller of fine imported French merchandise, traveller and bon-vivant, but seemingly uninterested in women, hasn’t dated in years. Joe Corson - Bill’s brother, jack-of-all trades, skeptical of his brother’s unlikely experiences, preferring the pleasures of golf, good scotch, and women. Considers himself an expert on the latter, often advising and/or cajoling Bill on the topic. Lola - Antique shop owner, possessing a curious mind, independent and self-assured. Plays a vital, though unsuspecting role in the disappearance of an elegant French dining set. Casually interested in Bill as a friend who shares her passion for fine things. Their relationship is the subject of speculation, especially to Joe. Jane - Lola’s friend and neighbour, used to living in her husband’s shadow, but, thanks to his wealth, able to enjoy an upper-middle-class lifestyle, verges on snobbiness. Fred - Jane’s husband, retired businessman, successful and self-important, self-declared Republican in spite of an association with the Kennedy’s. A man who knows what he wants and determined to close a deal, money is no object. Jackie Kennedy Onassis, now married to Onassis, becoming disenchanted with the marriage and happy to be on her own while Onassis enjoys the spoils of great fortune, including various mistresses Nancy - friend and personal assistant to Jackie, an admirer of JFK, but with a thinly veiled loathing of Onassis Driscoe - FBI Sargent (male) in charge of investigating the initial disappearance of the dining set, and of ensuing criminal events. Bill is a very definite person of interest to him.