March Madness

Creators Jeff and Steve have had a full month, to say the least.

Our latest live show sold out the first four weeks, our short film hit the festival circuit, and our pilot episode is ready to pitch!

Actors-writers-directors Jeff Querin and Stephen Wayne — but why are their glasses empty??

March started with a bang (more like an explosion!) as their latest live comedy ADDICTED TO LOVE opened to riotous applause and reviews. “34 West is so on fire with Addicted” says Susan Van Bavel.

Querin and Wayne star in the fast-paced comedy along with veteran actor Becca Anderson, who recently took on a larger role at 34 West as Head of Casting and Social. Rounding out the cast is Rebecca René Kelley, who was last featured in the popular summer sellout STAYIN’ ALIVE.

“We’ve certainly found our lane,” states Querin, who co-wrote the production with Wayne. “Audiences are desperate for feel-good, underdog stories these days. This current ‘episode’ of our Arden High series is a delight.”

In the middle of tech rehearsals and opening night, our Creative Team was also submitting to dozens of short film festivals around the globe.

Based off our 2017 sellout production, LOVE POTION chronicles a zombie outbreak in a quaint 1950’s diner. Think Pleasantville meets Shaun of the Dead!

The short is already gaining the attention of a few industry execs, and more importantly, we’re accomplishing our goal of developing a “Films + TV” arm of 34 West.

Creative Team members Kristine Kuhlman, Ian Maddox, Becca Anderson, Jeff Querin and Stephen Wayne

Our Creative Team is hard at work writing the pilot episode of LOVE POTION which will be pitched as a 10 episode series based off the 15-minute short film.

“There’s so much fun and backstory to these rich characters that we weren’t able to get into before,” says Querin. “It’s been a blast fleshing out these quirky, subversive personalities.”

34 West’s goal is to develop our live shows (and their follow-up “episodes”) into several different series for the screen.

Why?

Because the characters in each story are lovable outcasts. Unlikely heroes. They beat the odds. They find hope. They makes audiences feel-good and your mouth will hurt from smiling so long!

If you haven’t seen a live show, make you’re decisions soon. We tend to sellout sooner than later. Tickets are here.

If you want to follow our progress through the film festivals this year, you can follow us here on Twitter.

March was a crazy month. Can you imagine what April will be like???

Moments after an intense weekend of writing the latest show.

Our Special Sauce

Our fans call it the “34 West Magic.” The moment in each show that brings the house down.

We created a “car wash” using two fuzzy pillows, a steering wheel and chairs! STAYIN’ ALIVE, 2022

We use few props. Fewer actors. Even our audience size is small. Only 60 seats!

But we intended that way. It’s all about imagination and good storytelling. Our stories are dynamic and full of life. And our actors are high caliber.

So when we grab two pillows and a steering wheel, we’re easily transported to a 1970’s car wash.

Two phones and a table created a sound proof visiting room at a local jail! MOONSHINE CHRISTMAS, 2018

And the audience goes crazy. It’s triumphant when it happens.

Because the “magic” is the audience and actor working together in a moment of imagination. Where nothing becomes something. That “ah ha!” moment makes you smile, makes you laugh, gives you goose bumps.

Actor Becca Anderson gets caught in a hail storm -- of ping pong balls! CAN’T BUY ME LOVE, 2019

Audiences always comment on how their mouths hurt from smiling so much. Others refer to 34 West as their happy place.

We believe this is because of that creative partnership with the audience and actor. It’s like we’re all children once again, playing in the sandbox.

Even though there’s no audience participation in the show, you still feel very much a part of the story.

Actor/writer/owner Jeff Querin in a 5 minute courtroom argument with himself! IT’S CHRISTMAS, BABE, 2019

It’s addictive. Audiences often return to see the same show with other friends. Or they bring their parents next time. They just want to share the joy they experienced with everyone they know.

It’s a wonderful feeling to sit in a room full of people and feel something uplifting and inspired.

It truly is a happy place where dreams come true and child-like optimism reigns supreme! (hyperbole much?!)

To experience for yourself…

From Stage to Screen

First it was a play. Then it was a short film. Now we’re creating a 10 episode series.

Owners-writers-actors Jeff Querin and Stephen Wayne with Ian Maddox and Kris Kuhlman

Owners Jeff Querin and Stephen Wayne flew out to West Hollywood this last week to visit with a few members of 34 West Film’s creative Team.

Ian Maddox and Kris Kuhlman are a delightful duo AND our eyes and ears on the ground in L.A. (More about them in the months to come!)

Pre-gaming with writers Jeff Querin and Stephen Wayne

What are we creating, you ask?

Here’s the pitch… A zombie outbreak in a 1950’s diner. Think Wandavision meets Shaun of the Dead.

(from left) Jeff Querin, Nakeisha Daniel, Becca Anderson, Stephen Wayne

It’s called LOVE POTION and you can view our short film (made during Covid with our “quarantine bubble” AND with the help of Steve’s Dad’s camera!) on our Films tab.

Sure, turning a play into a short film is one thing but how do you create an entire series out of a 15 minute short?

The super-short answer: It was there the whole time.

Actors Nakeisha Daniel, Becca Anderson, Jeff Querin

When we write any of our plays in Charleston, the only way the characters and storyline are captivating is if an entire world of conflict has also been created.

The audience may never know all the details, but they don’t need to know. It’s the difference between watching an ordinary theater play or watching a compelling story with a triumphant conclusion.

Actors Becca Anderson and Stephen Wayne

LOVE POTION is the first of about 15 sellout, tried-and-tested stories from 34 West being adapted.

Which show are you most interested in seeing transferred to screen??

Upcoming performances in Charleston…

View the 15-minute short film…

15 Minutes could save your life…