The 27th Vermont Playwrights Award Winner

"Glass Closets" ~ M. W. Estes

The Play

Everyone has secrets. Some are bigger than others. Alexander Caswell has a secret, but the only one he hasn’t told his secret to is his own mother. The secret is Alexander "Zander" Caswell is gay. After moving to New York City, Zander cashes in on his talents as a playwright. He lives in an apartment with his lesbian friend Lizzie. His neighbor, Patrick, has a never-ending crush on him.

His closest friends know that he has kept his secret from his mother and they want him to finally "come out" to her. One phone call changes all that...Lizzie invites Zander’s Mom, Esther to NYC as a surprise. Little does she know that Zander is about to receive news that he has been chosen for a major award in Gay playwriting. The Award ceremony is scheduled for the same weekend as Esther’s visit. With no choice but to tell him, Lizzie lets Zander know about the upcoming visit. She is able to convince Zander that, with a little planning, it will work out and the charade is on.

The events that follow lead to one exciting, hilarious, suspenseful and at times touching weekend that no one will ever forget From loons to cross-dressers, Glass Closets will take the audience on a journey of hope, compassion and love that will alter the course of their lives with insight and understanding of a world seldom seen...the world inside the glass closet.

   "Glass Closets" is written by M. W. Estes of Dover, NH. A native of New Hampshire and graduate of the University of New Hampshire, he developed a love of theater at a young age. In addition to his writing and musical skills, he is an avid oil painter and woodworker. Mr. Estes is the first playwright to win the Vermont Playwrights Award for the second time. He also won last year for "What Would Dickens Do?" He is also a finalist in this year’s Page to Stage Festival in Washington, DC for his play, Gumbo. As a finalist, his work will be presented at the Kennedy Center for the Performing Arts this September.