Summary

Kevin Kirby, author of the one-act play "Fragile X".

"Fragile X" is the title of a one-act play written by Kevin Kirby that was first produced for the 2007 NVTA one act festival in Falls Church, Virginia on June 16, 2007. The play is about a professional woman who returns to her hometown on her birthday, hoping to provide a better life for her ailing mother and her brother, an adult living with Fragile X Syndrome. Her idea of "a better life," however, clashes with her family's values, as the three demonstrate their very different recipes for happiness.

The original cast featured previous NVTA award winners Patty McCoart (’06-Actress, ’99-Supporting Actress) as "Mother", Mary-Anne Sullivan (’05-Director) as "Marybeth", Greg Crowe (’06 Supporting Actor) as "Kenny", and Erin DeCaprio (’06 Supporting Actress) as "Sarah". At the awards ceremony presented on June 18, 2007 "Fragile X" received nominations for Best production of an Original Play, Best Ensemble Cast, and Best Original Script. Greg Crowe was awarded Best Supporting Actor for the performance of the role of "Kenny", an adult man diagnosed with Fragile X Syndrome.

Kathy May and Mary Beth Busby, each the mother of a son with Fragile X Syndrome and co-founders of Fraxa, The Fragile X Research Foundation, a non-profit organization ran by parents, were technical advisors for the production.


Greg Crowe as "Kenny" in Fragile X

- http://www.fraxa.org/ - Website for the Fragile X Research Foundation.
- http://www.nvtaweb.org/ - Northern Virginia Theatre Alliance



Lori Muhlstein as "Miss Bennett" and Alexander Green as "Jan Warwick" in "The Unexpected Guest"

In 2006 Kevin Kirby directed the successful and critically acclaimed production of Agatha Christie's "The Unexpected Guest". Michael Toscano of the Washington Post writes, "Kirby apparently sees himself as a theater auteur, listing no fewer than 10 separate credits in the program. The direction is good, the set design is quite effective and nice to look at, the set seems soundly constructed, the sound design is evocative, the props are nicely picked and placed and, well, you get the picture." Gail Choochan of The Potomac News writes, "[Kirby is] an M. Night Shyamalan for the local theater community. But unlike that guy's last movie, this production is sure to be a hit among audiences."

In 2003 Kirby received a nomination for a WATCH (Washington Area Theatre Community Honors) Award for Outstanding Special Effects.

- Washington Post - The Washington Post review of "The Unexpected Guest"
- WATCH Awards - WATCH Awards
- You Tube - Interview with Kevin Kirby