Small Engine Repair

Former high school buddies Frank, Swaino and Packie – now past their prime – meet off-hours one night in Frank's out-of-the-way repair shop under cloudy circumstances that only Frank seems to know. The arrival of Chad, a plugged-in, preppy college jock, ignites a long simmering resentment.[3]

The play premiered in 2011, produced by Rogue Machine Theatre in Los Angeles.[4] The production was directed by Andrew Block. Playwright John Pollono and Block had previously collaborated on the FringeNYC 2010 play Lost and Found.[5] David Mauer provided the set and lighting design, Jennifer Pollono was the costume designer and Tony Lepore was the sounds designer. The original cast consisted of Pollono portraying the character Frank, Michael Redfield as Packie, Jon Bernthal as Swaino, and Josh Helman as Chad.

The play first premiered at Theatre/Theater in Los Angeles on March 25, 2011. After critical acclaim, its limited run was extended until June 5.[5] Following this run, the play transferred to the Beverly Hills Playhouse; this production was also extended after a successful run, running into September 2011.[6] Actor Donnie Smith replaced Bernthal as Swaino when the play transferred.[7] The production was generally well-reviewed as well as popular, in part due to Bernthal's starring role on AMC's The Walking Dead at the time.[8][9][1] The LA Times and LA Weekly both named it a Critic's Choice and it won many Los Angeles theater awards.[10]

Small Engine Repair is an upcoming film written and directed by John Pollono based on Pollono's play of the same name.

First announced in January 2019,[19] a film adaptation of the play was produced early that year. Production began in February 2019 outside of New York City, namely in Yonkers and Tappen, New York.[20][2]

The adaptation was penned and directed by Pollono and produced by Peter Abrams, Jon Bernthal, Rick Rosenthal, and Noah Rothman.[3] Pollono and Bernthal reprise their roles from the original production and Shea Whigham and Spencer House portray Packie and Chad, respectively. Michael Redfield and Josh Helman, who both starred in the original production are in the film as new characters. Additionally, Jennifer Pollono, the original costume designer, and Sophie Pollono, her daughter with John Pollono, also have roles in the film.

The adaptation was slated to premiere in March 2020 as part of the SXSW Festival's Narrative Spotlight.[21] Following the cancellation of the festival that year, the premiere was put on hold.[22]

• Pollono, John. Small Engine Repair. New York: Dramatists Play Service, 2014. ISBN 978-0-8222-3142-4.[14]

• Small Engine Repair at the Internet Off-Broadway Database