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Overview

Synopsis

Middle-aged, upper-class, and delicately-balanced couple Agnes and Tobias maintain a financially comfortable but emotionally uncomfortable existence in their suburban empty nest, along with their permanent houseguest, Agnes’ alcoholic sister, Claire. When their neighbors and self-professed best friends Harry and Edna arrive at the house, running from some unnamed “terror” lurking in their own home, the tenuous complacency Agnes strives to maintain begins to falter. The conflict is brought to a head by the arrival of Tobias and Agnes’ adult daughter, Julia, fleeing her fourth unsuccessful marriage. Over the course of one very rocky weekend, the delicately maintained equilibrium is bound to go flying. A Delicate Balance is Edward Albee at his best -- funny, surprising, and remarkably meaningful.

Show Information

Book
Edward Albee
Category
Play
Age Guidance
Youth (Y)/General Audiences (G)
Number of Acts
3
First Produced
1966
Genres
Dark Comedy
Settings
Unit/Single Set
Time & Place
agnes and tobias’ suburban home, the present
Cast Size
small
Licensor
Samuel French
Ideal For
small cast, older characters, ensemble cast, community theatre, Mostly Female Cast, Includes Adult, Mature Adult Characters, Small Cast

Context

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Plot

Characters

Name Part Size Gender Vocal Part

Agnes

Lead

Female

Spoken

Tobias

Lead

Male

Spoken

Julia

Supporting

Female

Spoken

Harry

Supporting

Male

Spoken

Edna

Supporting

Female

Spoken

Claire

Supporting

Female

Spoken

Songs

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A song with an asterisk (*) before the title indicates a dance number; a character listed in a song with an asterisk (*) by the character's name indicates that the character exclusively serves as a dancer in this song, which is sung by other characters.

Monologues

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Scenes

All scenes are the property and copyright of their owners. Scenes are presented on StageAgent for educational purposes only. If you would like to give a public performance of this scene, please obtain authorization from the appropriate licensor.

Key Terms

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Videos

Quizzes

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Themes, Symbols & Motifs

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Quote Analysis

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