Explore this Show

Overview

Synopsis

The Dining Room is A.R. Gurney’s attempt to take an in-depth look into the lives of a vanishing species: the upper-middle-class WASP. The play can be done with as few as six actors playing as many as ten different characters. The play is broken up into short vignettes that provide a slice of life view of many different families. They are funny and touching and uncomfortable--A.R. Gurney seems to grapple with every emotion of domestic life. The Dining Room is a wonderful show to produce in a variety of venues because it has the ability to be incredibly diverse. There are many different ages in the vignettes and the people can look and act in many different ways. It is a truly delightful, fast-paced show that has something for everyone. No matter who you are, you will feel great about yourself, question your choices, feel empathy for others, and have a good laugh at some point while watching The Dining Room.

Show Information

Category
Play
Age Guidance
Thirteen Plus (PG-13)
Number of Acts
2
First Produced
1981
Genres
Drama, Comedy
Time & Place
In a dining room, many different times and places
Cast Size
large
Ideal For
College/University, Community Theatre, Ensemble Cast, High School, Regional Theatre, Mostly Male Cast, Includes Adult, Mature Adult, Child, Elderly, Late Teen, Early Teen, Young Adult Characters, Large Cast

Context


Plot


Characters

Name Part Size Gender Vocal Part

Father

Ensemble

Male

Non-singer

Michael

Ensemble

Male

Non-singer

Brewster

Ensemble

Male

Non-singer

Grandfather

Ensemble

Male

Non-singer

Stuart

Ensemble

Male

Baritone

Gordon

Ensemble

Male

Non-singer

David

Ensemble

Male

Non-singer

Harvey

Ensemble

Male

Non-singer

Host

Ensemble

Either Gender

Non-singer

Client

Ensemble

Male

Non-singer

Howard

Ensemble

Male

Non-singer

Psychiatrist

Ensemble

Male

Non-singer

Ted

Ensemble

Male

Non-singer

Paul

Ensemble

Male

Non-singer

Ben

Ensemble

Male

Chris

Ensemble

Male

Non-singer

Jim

Ensemble

Male

Non-singer

Dick

Ensemble

Male

Non-singer

Arthur

Ensemble

Male

Non-singer

Boy

Ensemble

Male

Non-singer

Architect

Ensemble

Male

Non-singer

Billy

Ensemble

Male

Nick

Ensemble

Male

Non-singer

Fred

Ensemble

Male

Tony

Ensemble

Male

Non-singer

Standish

Ensemble

Male

Non-singer

Agent

Ensemble

Female

Non-singer

Mother

Ensemble

Female

Non-singer

Carolyn

Ensemble

Female

Non-singer

Sandra

Ensemble

Female

Non-singer

Dora

Ensemble

Female

Non-singer

Margery

Ensemble

Female

Non-singer

Beth

Ensemble

Female

Non-singer

Kate

Ensemble

Female

Non-singer

Claire

Ensemble

Female

Non-singer

Ruth

Ensemble

Female

Grace

Ensemble

Female

Non-singer

Peggy

Ensemble

Female

Non-singer

Nancy

Ensemble

Female

Non-singer

Sarah

Ensemble

Female

Non-singer

Harriet

Ensemble

Female

Non-singer

Emily

Ensemble

Female

Non-singer

Annie

Ensemble

Female

Non-singer

Sally

Ensemble

Female

Non-singer

Girl

Ensemble

Female

Non-singer

Ellie

Ensemble

Female

Non-singer

Aggie

Ensemble

Female

Non-singer

Winkie

Ensemble

Male

Non-singer

Old Lady

Ensemble

Female

Non-singer

Helen

Ensemble

Female

Non-singer

Meg

Ensemble

Female

Non-singer

Bertha

Ensemble

Female

Guests

Ensemble

Either Gender

Songs

Sorry, we currently do not have content for this section.

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

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

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

Sorry! We do not currently have terms for this guide.

Videos

Quizzes

Themes, Symbols & Motifs

Sorry! We do not currently have learning modules for this guide.

Quote Analysis

Sorry! We do not currently have learning modules for this guide.

Guide Written By: