Waccabuc playwright to present ‘The Couch’ at Hudson Guild Theater

WACCABUC, N.Y. - On Jan. 16, 18 and 19, Waccabuc’s Cheryl Hughes will have a short play performed at the Hudson Guild Theater. 

An entry in the New York Theater Festival, she’s confident that the comedy at 441 West 26 will be plentiful - despite the sedentary nature of the premise.

“It’s about a guy who sits on the couch too much,” Hughes revealed. 

Hence, “The Couch,” the playwright didn’t have to go far for the storyline and admitted her inspiration on the spot. 

“My husband,” she laughed.

There was some divergence, though. For one, the big, old worn-down sofa was an eyesore, and the kids often alongside, Mom didn’t like the way the furniture fueled inactivity for the whole family. 

On a mission, she abruptly had the couch out of the house when Dad and the kids were at the park. The reaction, on the other hand, was pretty unexpected. 

“He was very calm,” Hughes lamented. 

So much so, that he simply went downstairs with the oldest son and moved that couch upstairs.  

“I solved nothing,” she joked.

Not really, a message was sent. 

“We started to do things off of the couch and have more activities,” Hughes said. 

Obviously, a little light for comedic purposes, the writer improvised and wrote the kind of reaction she expected. 

“Dave (Tim Brandt) has a meltdown when he comes back and finds the couch is gone,” said the Waccabuc resident.

However, her arrival to this point as a writer has been more of a long, slow burn. She studied journalism at Ohio State and worked in public relations for many years.

At the same time, the mother of four always had an interest in acting and theater, so she took classes at the HB Studio in NYC. But a full-time job and kids to take care of meant the interest would have to remain an interest. 

“It wasn’t something that I was seeking seriously,” Hughes said.

That changed when she moved to the suburbs and the kids got old enough for some free time to write. First, she took an acting class at the Ridgefield Playhouse and then a monologue class with Jeffrey Tambor. 

“I found out I liked writing in a different way than journalistic,” said Hughes.

From there, she took a screenwriting class with David Baugnon and caught the bug for scene development. 

“I started to really get into it,” she said.

“The Couch” moved in, the festival wasn’t the only validation the writer has gotten. Last year acting in one act plays at the Ridgefield Theater Barn, Hughes approached one of the directors and asked if he would like to take on her project.

“He was like, absolutely, yes,” she said of Craig David Rosen.

Even better, the writer found that his direction did more than just stand pat on the ink. “He basically takes something, makes it better and elevates the work,” Hughes beamed.

The same goes for the collaboration among the actors, and she feels their efforts at the Theater Barn sends a similar message. 

“Everybody working on this wants to do it, and the passion is coming through them,” she said, “like they love their characters.”

Of course, the ten minute comedy still must come to a head, and she’s willing to share the tipping point. The couch or his family, Dave must choose.

But she’s not really trying to cause trouble or put a message on the move. A comedy, she concluded, “I’m just trying to have fun.”

“The Couch” will be presented on Jan. 16 at 9 p.m., Jan. 18 at 12 p.m., and Jan. 19 at 8:30 p.m. For tickets, visit newyorktheaterfestival.com/the-couch