Craig Daily Press

Craig City Attorney Kenny Wohl grew up in something of a showbiz family.

As the son of a film-producing mother and a playwriting father — a father who also won the Moss Hart Memorial Award for excellence in theater — Wohl was in a place to inherit aspirations for the entertainment industry.

The attorney grew up without much care toward the arts, however. He loved music, but pursuing a career in show business wasn’t a thought Wohl let into his head.

“I wasn’t ever interested in it,” he said. “It was there, but it wasn’t for me, I thought.”

After a lifetime of dabbling with the written word, Wohl said he was as surprised as anyone when inspiration hit in the summer of 2006 and he penned his first play, “A Breach of the Peace.”

Things got more astonishing for Wohl after that. Actor Ed Asner’s production company, Quince Productions, became interested in making the script into a live show after his agent, Carol Givner, sent a copy to his desk.

It didn’t stop there.

Asner — known from films and television shows such as “The Poseidon Adventure” and “The Mary Tyler Moore Show” — agreed to do a reading last month in L.A, with himself in one of the lead roles.

The play is about two singers stuck together in a New York City jail cell. One is the “queen of country music,” and the other is a nobody with talent. Asner played the jailer who watches over the two.

Although it is not an official musical, Wohl sprinkled the script with music he’s listened to for years, such as 1960s singer-songwriter Phil Ochs.

“A Breach of the Peace” has no big dance numbers, no costumed dancers parading across the stage in choreographed unison. Wohl said he worked music into the story naturally as the singers relate to each other while confined together.

“It’s music I’ve loved as long as I can remember,” he said. “I have never been a fan of the musical. I’ve never cottoned to the idea that people would walk down the street and break into a song. I feel like the singing, if you’re going to put that into it, it should make sense.”

Wohl declined to comment on the play’s meaning but said it stems from lessons he’s learned throughout the course of his life. In writing, though, Wohl said he wanted to stay away from creating a brooding treatise on learned morals.

“I hope, above all, the play is entertaining,” Wohl said. “There were a number of things I wanted to say, but you can’t be too heavy-handed. You have to realize that there are many different generations that will be looking at what you’ve done.”

On Oct. 23, Wohl flew out to Los Angeles to see his play’s informal production. The experience was great, he said, and Wohl hopes for more.

“It was so remarkable,” he said. “This is a play that’s never been read out loud before except in my living room. Every one of the actors just did a wonderful job. And Mr. Asner was great. I owe him a lot, and he was just amazing in the performance.”

The attorney doesn’t know exactly what will happen to the play next, but he hopes for the best. The new opportunity will not take him away from practicing law, however.

“I’m amazed that people choose” the arts as a profession, he said. “It’s very difficult but so much fun, too. I’ve always loved writing, but this is not a transition at all.”

Wohl said it would be a dream come true if he could see his play performed for a live audience, but it’s not something he needs to be happy.

At the same time, Wohl said he would encourage everyone to find something they get a little fun out of and keep doing it. Craig is not a showbiz town, but that shouldn’t matter, he said.

“I think we all need a creative outlet these days,” Wohl said. “Do it because you love doing it, not because you think there’s a career in it. There’s a lot of talent here in Craig. It would surprise anybody how much talent there is in this town.”

Collin Smith can be reached at 875-1794 or cesmith@craigdailypress.com.