
SHELLEY CHESTER
PLAYWRIGHT /
SCREENWRITER
REVIEWS
REVIEWS
I LEFT MY DIGNITY IN MY OTHER PURSE
"A delightfully funny play about a woman in a unique part of her life. Ruth is absolutely hilarious, and Marge and Maya just don't stop with the witty banter. The meta choice on Chester's part to make Ruth be the only one who can recognize that one actor plays several parts is hilarious. Nothing but sheer pleasure and wickedly funny dialogue, three comedic actresses could really make this play cook!"
Emily Hageman
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The script is an absolute romp! It makes sense that it won a Neil Simon award - as it gave me strong echoes of both Simon and "The Hangover," which is such a delightful and unexpected combo!
Calvan Hallman - Producing AD for Mirrorbox Theatre
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Seeing Dignity in Midland, Texas was a highlight of Charles’ and my year.
Angela Smith Award-winning writer
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It's intermission, and I've already laughed A LOT!
Come to Mirrorbox Theatre this weekend and enjoy this hilarious show with a cast of seasoned CR senior actors.
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THE MARRIAGE PICKLE
A review by Andrew Pelegreen III

CRAVING BUTTERFLIES
A song review for Rendezvous
I love the total weirdness of this. The musical dialogue between the man and woman against the “jungle” sounds, drum rhythms, and the music of the chorus come together in a perfect blend. I’ve listened to it numerous times and each time find something else that I think is absolutely brilliant. It’s a creative match for anything in “The Lion King” or jungle scenes in “The Book of Mormon.” Bravo!
Angela Smith Award-winning writer and working musician.
Saving the Past: The Musical
I LOVE THIS MUSICAL PLAY! I would not change one word, comma, or direction. I believe Shelley writes some of the best closing lines for scenes I have ever read!
Professor Joe Goldblatt
Emeritus Professor Queen Margaret University, Edinburgh, Scotland.
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Stephen Sondheim, you have a successor! I miss a good overture, too, and I particularly loved yours, especially the generous use of syncopation. For some reason, syncopation inspires anticipation in me. I’ll bet there are numerous theatre restoration projects going on that would welcome your musical.
Angela Smith Award-winning writer and working musician.
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Your work truly has the feeling of the Fred Astaire/ Debbie Reynolds musical era. Boy- I would think older talents like Lilly Tomlin-Dolly Parton-Reba would love to jump into a play like this. One of the songs brought me back to my college drama experiences -fell in love with theater - my first professional musical at 19 Schooled and performed with Robin Williams.
Victoria Dorazi Singer-songwriter professional actress
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Homeless Not Helpless
"WOW.... I cannot say enough about what an amazing show this would be to produce and direct...just love it so much! Such a great cast of characters and the dialogue and all... It is a winner 100%. Just truly a joy to read and it will win many awards!!"
Andrew Pelegreen III, Executive Director, The Hope Players
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A powerful piece. Very real issues men have to consider when dealing with women, particularly younger women. I truly love the focus on "innocent until proven guilty" instead of today's world of social media, "guilty by public opinion, unless proven innocent."
I like the test of faith element in it as well.
Chuck Caudill - Director
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Life Love and the Pursuit
“A story that gives me hope for love against whatever obstacles life throws at you.
Shelley Chester writes smart, compelling, lovable characters that I hope to see more of in the future.”
Lisa Damitz
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SECRET IN THE TRIANGLE

Shelley Chester’s screenplay, Secret in the Triangle, offers a captivating exploration of one of the most enigmatic phenomena in history: the Bermuda Triangle. Through a narrative that seamlessly blends supernatural intrigue with the resolve of the human spirit, Chester crafts a story that is both suspenseful and deeply resonant, anchored by strong, dynamic female characters who defy the often-limited roles traditionally offered to older women in cinema. At the heart of Secret in the Triangle lies a deep exploration of generational ties, particularly the relationship between Mickey Jameson, a driven marine archaeologist, and her granddaughter, Caddy. This intergenerational bond is a central theme of the screenplay, reecting not just a passing of the torch, but a blending of wisdom and youthful curiosity crucial to solving the mysteries unfolding. Supernatural elements in Secret in the Triangle are woven into the narrative with a deft hand, never overshadowing the human drama at the core of the story. These elements serve to heighten the stakes, providing external manifestations of the internal struggles faced by the characters.
FLIGHT DECK
The narrative unfolds a compelling story centered around marine archaeologist Mickey Jameson, haunted by her father's disappearance in the Act. As she delves into Flight Nineteen's mysterious loss in 1945, the present-day plot interlaces family dynamics, introducing characters like Cap and Zac. A spectral ship and underwater anomalies heighten the intrigue. An intense incident underwater and a miraculous occurrence maintain audience's suspense. Tensions escalate with a dubious vessel and potential betrayal. Scientific advancements and negotiations with Cap introduce complexity. The crew's quest to rescue extraterrestrial friend Abglow involves clandestine operations and unforeseen challenges. Betrayal triggers conflict, leading to divine intervention and the Haleons' departure. The script adeptly combines mystery, familial conflicts, and supernatural elements, presenting a captivating narrative exploring the secrets of the Bermuda Triangle. Los Angeles Screenplay Awards
This is a fun and engaging family-friendly adventure story that has a lot of the flavour of E.T. to it. This combined with an interesting and novel setting helps to set it apart from a lot of the contemporary marketplace and push it into its own arena. LIFT OFF GLOBAL
Secret in the Triangle is an intriguing read. Seeing a dynamic ensemble of characters go on a journey together is excellent. Seeing the character's bond as a group and other relationships kindling is excellent. Furthermore, it is great to see the group encounter obstacles in their way, especially creatures. It is great to be immersed in an unknown world and experience it through the characters. It was a great choice to use a flashback as an inciting incident. This tool gives the audience a glimpse at what the story is about, but it also offers enough room for the audience to explore the scene's context by watching the rest of the film due to the questions surrounding the circumstances. The comedic timing and jokes are excellent throughout. This is a great mechanism for breaking the tension in some scenes. Furthermore, it helps with characterization, especially for Caddy. Incorporating the classic tales of the Bermuda Triangle was also an exciting choice, as this will keep the audiences (especially those who love conspiracy theories) engaged! The Bermuda Triangle, a place of mystery and intrigue, serves as a perfect backdrop for our characters' adventures. BlueCat Screenplay Competition
A MIRACLE FOR CHRISTMAS
A Miracle for Christmas” by Shelley Chester is a heartwarming and poignant screenplay that expertly weaves together the stories of multiple characters who find themselves at the precipice of despair just days before Christmas. At its core, the screenplay is a narrative about faith, hope, and the power of community, with each character's journey symbolizing different facets of human resilience and the importance of believing in miracles. Christmas is traditionally a time of miracles, renewal, and togetherness, and Chester skillfully uses this setting to heighten the sense of urgency and the emotional weight of the characters' predicaments. The holiday season, with its emphasis on family, giving, and reflection, serves as a perfect counterpoint to the characters' struggles, making their eventual triumphs feel all the more poignant. Chester’s writing is deeply character-driven, with each individual’s story contributing to the overall narrative in meaningful ways. The screenplay is structured to gradually build tension, as the characters’ separate stories begin to converge, leading to a climax that is both satisfying and uplifting/ Overall, “A Miracle for Christmas” is a screenplay that resonates with universal themes of hope, faith, and the power of community. The screenplay is a testament to the idea that no matter how difficult life becomes, there is always the possibility of a miracle. FLIGHT DECK
Wonderful and so touching. It is just fantastic! God has blessed us all! A++++ or should I say (4 Stars!!!!} Andrew Pelegreen III, Executive Director
