We're working on a production of Ike Holter's play Hit the Wall and I prepared this synopsis for the program.
24 Hours of Change (A
Synopsis with Time Stamps)
Time and temperature announcements in Hit the Wall offer a sense of specific moments in the lives of
these characters, with some connection to actual weather reports and to times
recorded in police reports. Tano’s tendency to use clock positions to indicate
direction offer a humorous counterpoint to the numerous time stamps in the
play.
Friday, June 27, 1969. Noon: “Hot Fun in the Summertime.”
Tano and Mika comment on other characters including Newbie, Roberta, Cliff, and
Carson.
1:30 PM: Carson and Cliff attend Judy Garland’s funeral.
Their presence upsets Madeline.
3:30 PM: Peg asks Tano and Mika for assistance. “Concerned
citizen” Alex offers help, at the cost of violence and erasure. Peg then unwittingly attends Roberta's W.I.L.D. meeting. A-Gay invites Newbie to his
apartment. Several characters make plans to meet at the Stonewall Inn near
midnight.
11:30 PM: Outside of Stonewall. Alex sets the scene.
Carson and Cliff arrive at the bar.
Saturday, June 28. Midnight: “I Need a Drink.” / The
Stonewall Inn. Dance party.
1:30 AM: The Raid. Most characters exit the bar. Cop
assaults Peg and Carson in the bathroom.
1:45 AM: Outside Stonewall. People gather. Peg, handcuffed,
shouts “No More Watching” and is beaten.
1:55 AM: A Riot. Crowd surges.
3:00 AM/2:15 AM: Riot Squad and tear gas. Roberta urges
crowd not to retreat and makes phone calls to the press. Madeline searches for
the police station. Cliff searches for Carson. Tano searches for Mika. A-Gay
searches for sex and is rebuffed.
3:45 AM: Madeline finds Peg at the police station and offers
help, at the cost of erasure. They lose each other again.
4:45 AM: Mika and Tano connect with Roberta. Newbie reflects
on the past and the future.