Jason Fennell Portfolio
Johnny Cobweb
My full-length original stageplay premiered at the Greenhouse Theater Center in February 2025, directed by myself and produced by Blue Demon Theatre. The official video recording is currently in the process of being edited, but you can view more materials below in the meantime.
Directing the Show
As the director, it was my responsibility to communicate a cohesive artistic vision across all of the technical disciplines. In addition to the intense rehearsal sessions with actors, I was in constant discussion with producers, stage managers, scenic designers, lighting designers, sound designers, graphic designers, costume designers, prop managers, and composers.
First Day of Rehearsal
First Day of Rehearsal
Plot Synopsis
In the safe, suburban town of Shillyville, Ohio, a feud is escalating between the generations-old Mortadelli Family Funeral Home, led by lazy patriarch Vincenzo Mortadelli, and the innovative new Johnny Cobweb Funeral Parlor, founded by eponymous upstart Johnny Cobweb. As tensions rise, each business vows to do whatever it takes to win over new customers.
Meanwhile, Shillyville is rocked by an unprecedented string of murders that started right when the feud began. With the whole town watching, Johnny and the Mortadellis must battle with each other and the legal system as they attempt to discover the identity of the killer and establish their funeral home dominance once and for all.
Mark Reinecke of Around The Town Chicago gave Johnny Cobweb a glowing five-star review, linked here.
"[Fennell's] humor is derived from genuinely clever and unexpected wit, rather than offensive and predictable schlock. When the viewer peels off layers of relentless laugh-out-loud hilarity, you actually have an intelligent, compelling and timely story. But don’t be misled. This is a fast-paced farce. And it’s pure entertainment."
Script Excerpt
You can access Act 1 of the Johnny Cobweb script by downloading the PDF below. Also included are in-depth character descriptions, meant to help actors and directors understand the show at a glance.
Photo Gallery
Photographs by JD Davis, Rathiekka Murugan, Gael Rojas
Designs by Brooklyn Brouillette, Jason Fennell, Jaret Ledford
