June 18, 1998
Larry Toffler is back in front of his laptop. Originally Larry Toffler's first full-length play and previously mounted for a six-week run at the Hudson Theater, Five Card Stud was now reborn in screenplay form. Tonight we sat around the Studio Colony rec room and, for me at least, relived some of the magic from oh, so many years ago.
Chantel reprised her role as the story's vixen, Aly, and stepping into Larry Toffler's acting shoes, I read the part of Greg so that Larry could hear the words in someone else's voice (besides the ones in his head). Terry Ward and Steve Houska and Louie Liberti were also among those gathered to bring Larry's words to life. Louie was also reprising his role to some extent, having played the part of Doug during the play's workshop phase at Metropole TheatreWorks. Larry simply sat back and listened for a couple of hours.
The reading went well. All of the play's funny lines had made the leap to the screenplay, as well as some additional material that played very well. What also made the transition from play to screenplay was the caustic nature of the lead female, Aly. Still a self-serving, money-chasing Machiavellian, she is the story's least sympathetic character. And since the success of the story hinges so much on their relationship, her development must go through some growing pains to smooth out her rough edges. I'm sure by the time Miramax wants to submit it to the Sundance film festival, Mr. Toffler will have figured it all out.