Joe Brondo Soars To New Heights With 'Bluebirds'

For 10 days last summer, computer programmer-turned-actor Joe Brondo was uncharacteristically productive at various spots around East Hampton Village—Guild Hall, where he works as an assistant technical director; the local library; and, his favorite, a bench overlooking the YMCA parking lot.

Despite the asphalt, there was something romantic about the sunbathed bench—the first-time playwright seated there, penning a deeply personal script, while facing a professional crossroads. He was feeling listless and discouraged, coming away from audition after audition utterly jobless.

He channeled his hurt and frustration. In less than two weeks, he had the bones of a play, titled “Bluebirds.” By September, it was produced as a John Drew Theater Lab reading at Guild Hall. And this weekend it will grace the East Hampton stage again, this time as a full-scale production.

“You sit around as a kid, waiting for a moment, like in the movies. Some incident happens, whether good or bad, and puts your life on a big turn,” Mr. Brondo explained. “For a lot of people, that never happens. I wanted to tell myself, more than anybody else, you have to make that happen because you want to, not because something forced you to. Nothing is going to come along and change your life for you. You just have to do it.”

And such is the overarching theme of “Bluebirds,” Mr. Brondo’s debut “dramedy” centered on unfulfilled Walt, who acquires and plans to sell a rare, yet stolen, book. His plot comes under the sharp criticism of his wife, Sarah, who refuses to take part—setting into motion a domino effect that changes the course of their lives.

Mr. Brondo, who stars as Walt, acts opposite Sophie Vanier—his first choice for the role. The on-stage couple is based on his real-life marriage to Jennifer Brondo, general manager of the John Drew Theater. While Walt craves wealth and fame, and is simply unwilling to work for it, Sarah “wants to earn it herself and knows that you have to work your ass off,” Mr. Brondo said, “and Walt never learned that.”

“The more I act, the more I learn about myself,” he said. “I get to be myself on steroids. If you’re a general, average guy—and I don’t mean that in a bad way—you don’t go around kicking puppies, but you’re not saving lives either, you get to be you under crazy circumstances [on stage].”

For those who caught the premiere reading, much has changed over the last five months, the playwright said—not to mention there are now props and a set.

“I’m feeling good about this,” Mr. Brondo said. “Nervous, but awesome. There’s a lot of anxiety. I can’t wait until it happens.”

“Bluebirds,” a new play by Joe Brondo, will open on Friday, February 20, at 8 p.m. at Guild Hall in East Hampton. Performances will continue on Fridays and Saturdays at 8 p.m., and Sundays at 2 p.m. through March 1. Tickets are $15, or $13 for members. For more information, call (631) 324-0806, or visit guildhall.org.