Chatting with Actor and Playwright Sam Mossler

Sam Mossler as William Kunstler

Sam Mossler grew up at Florida Studio Theatre. From ages nine to 18, Mossler participated in FST's Theatre for Young Adults program (TYA for short). It was there he learned to act. Local audiences have seen Mossler's talent on stage in recent years. In fact, Mossler had just finished a run as the controversial lawyer and activist William Kunstler days before the Theatre "paused" due to COVID-19. While Mossler shared the stage with one other actor, it felt like a one man show as Kunstler regaled the audience with stories from his colorful past, including his representation of the Chicago Seven and Central Park Five "member" Yusef Salaam. It was a remarkable performance.

Mossler also learned about playwriting at FST. When he was 13, one of his plays won the Theatre's "Write-A-Play" competition and was awarded a production. (If I have it right, the Beatnik musical was a romanticized version of "ET.") How thrilling that must have been for young Sam. Since then, Mossler has continued to write for both adult and young adult audiences. He's also worked as a Teaching Artist for FST's TYA program. With this background, it's no surprise Mossler was tapped to participate in the Theatre's Playwrights Project.

Sam Mossler in "How to Use a Knife" at FST

Unlike most of the playwrights penning work for the Project, Mossler didn't pitch an idea to the Theatre. Instead, he was asked if he could write a play about mythology for the TYA program. Why not? As a student in FST's Behind the Scenes class, I had a chance to read a draft of Sam's yet-to-be-named play. I laughed my way from beginning to end -- and learned a bit about Greek mythology along the way.

Mossler's narrator is Tiresias, mythology's blind seer.  From the outset, I could see the kids enjoying this unusual character introducing them to various Greek gods and bit players. Mossler explained the biggest "sin" of TYA is to talk down to the kids. But many Greek myths are dark and revolve around topics that aren't age-appropriate. Other myths contain lessons that don't fit with Sam's world view. Nobody said he couldn't take a little literary license, though.

Take, for instance, the story of Icarus, the boy who flew too close to the sun. In case you don't recall, Icarus' wings were made of wax, so he fell to a watery death when the sun melted them. The message: Obey your parents and don't be too ambitious/greedy.

Sam Mossler with our class via Zoom

While Mossler thinks kids should listen their parents, he doesn't believe Icarus deserved to die for getting carried away and pursuing his dreams. Who among us hasn't taken chances to go after some shiny goal? So in Mossler's version, Icarus suffers only a near death experience, with Poseidon giving him an assist. After gathering his wits about him, Icarus says to his father, "I thought you were just being bossy and trying to cut into my good time. But that was insane. You were just looking out for me." Lesson learned.

Mossler's play is replete with cultural references that made me smile. The story of the weaving competition that pitted the mortal Arachne against the goddess Athena cried out to be treated like a reality show a la "Top Chef." The story even includes the countdown I associate with the end of a Quick Fire Challenge. (If you don't watch this show, check it out!)

I shook my head in appreciation at the setting Mossler chose for the throw down -- Fashion Week, complete with a correspondent whose gift for understatement rivals that of the commentators in "The Hunger Games." As Athena is ridiculously awarded the prize for The Most Beautiful Woven Tapestry, the commentator says, "And unfortunately that means we must say goodbye to our loser Arachne who will, from this day forth, never weave fabric again, ever, for eternity. We're taking away her loom. Bad luck, Arachne. But thank you for playing." No wonder Arachne consented to being transformed into a spider by Athena. At least in that manifestation she could weave beautiful webs.

The multi-talented Mossler is also writing some sketches for FST's vault. His team is working with the theme "Sarasota Vice." (Are visions of Don Johnson and Philip Michael Thomas now running through your head?)  Mossler's contributions include sketches entitled The Rosemary District (think "Chinatown") and Pinecraft PD, a unique police department whose officers ride around on three wheel bikes.

Here's hoping we get to see some of Mossler's and the other participating playwrights' work on FST's stage in the near future. Stay safe!