East Meadowite to premiere 65th play in Bellmore

John Blenn is the most accomplished living playwright on Long Island and will feature his 65th play, “Marino Road, 5:10 p.m.” this weekend. He is also an East Meadow resident and someone you would pass on the street without a second glance.

Blenn graduated from East Meadow High School and attended Hofstra University. After a personally rewarding career as Entertainment Editor for “Good Times” and critic for numerous other publications, he dabbled into playwriting.

With a full head of hair and beard of salt and pepper coloring, the light-hearted man explained that his success has been based mostly on luck. “You get lucky with these kind of things,” he says. “It’s not the talent that gets you there. It’s the luck. Talent is what keeps you there.”

About his first play, “X’s & O’s,” he said, “I don’t think [the theatre owner] read or liked it, or thought it would work.” However, Blenn was given a chance because he could fill seats. Since then, he has worked with more than 400 Long Island actors on numerous stages.

In his newest production, which features 33 actors ranging in age from eight to 80, the entire play takes place in eight living rooms featuring families who all live on the same block and are dealing with their own personal woes and complexities. Blenn describes most of the vignettes as cutting-edge comedies, but threw in some drama as well.

Featuring universal themes, Blenn’s plays often foster positive responses, but he knows he can’t please everyone and said he won’t try.

“Long Island has always been a magical place for comics,” said Blenn. With his toes in the entertainment industry, he will jump even deeper this summer as he appears in Kevin James’ new comedy, “Here Comes the Boom.” He will also be recognizable in “Big Fish” with Bob Newhart, Don Rickles and Billy Bob Thornton, and “Raging Bull II,” both directed by Martin Guigui.

When asked to share advice for others looking to break into the industry, he said, “Don’t waste people’s time, always leave them wanting more [and] people can always politely applaud, they can’t politely laugh; that to me is the purest thing I’ve ever heard.”

Blenn once wanted to be a radio personality and has found his hand in nearly every other entertainment avenue including journalism, artist and theatre management, agency booking, producing and teaching.

The accomplished entertainer will talk long after his audience stops listening and isn’t afraid to drop famous names, who actually happen to be good friends, but he knows he is blessed and comes off as a humble man who wants to engage and inspire his friends and audiences.

“How do you change the world when you don’t have the money to do it; when you’re just a small guy and you can’t move mountains?” he asks. Blenn’s personal answer: write.

“Marino Road, 5:10 p.m.,” produced by Middle Class American Productions, is making its world premiere at the Bellmore Theatre, 222 Pettit Ave., Bellmore, on April 22 at 7:30 p.m. Tickets can be reserved in advance for $15 or purchased at the door for $18. For more information or for tickets, call (516) 783-8863.