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Overview

Synopsis

At Home at the Zoo combines Albee's classic, The Zoo Story, with its prequel, Homelife, to form a complete story of Peter (a book editor), Ann (his wife), and Jerry (a desperate man Peter meets in the park). The play begins by offering a revealing look at Peter and Ann's boring marriage and their brutal, failed attempts to communicate about it. The tone changes dramatically when Peter goes out to the park and meets Jerry. Jerry begins to tell Peter tale after tale, each more lurid than the next. Jerry appears to be completely alone; he can't even make a connection with his landlady's dog. At one point, he pulls a knife on Peter, but drops it. Peter is forced to pick up the knife to defend himself from Jerry's blows. As Peter holds the knife, Jerry grabs Peter and impales himself. Albee's brilliantly recombined play demonstrates the essential loneliness of humanity.

Show Information

Book
Edward Albee
Category
Play
Age Guidance
Thirteen Plus (PG-13)
Number of Acts
2
First Produced
2004
Genres
Dark Comedy
Time & Place
Central Park, New York City
Cast Size
small
Licensor
Dramatists Play Service
Ideal For
small cast, professional theatre, community theatre, university theatre, Small Cast, College/University, Professional Theatre, Regional Theatre, Mostly Male Cast, Includes Adult Characters

Context


Plot


Characters

Name Part Size Gender Vocal Part

Jerry

Lead

Male

Non-singer

Peter

Lead

Male

Non-singer

Ann

Lead

Female

Non-singer

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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.

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Scenes

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