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Overview
Synopsis
17-year-old Tom Lee is a misunderstood outcast at a private school for boys. Because he likes music and theatre, he is mistakenly assumed to be gay. Things worsen when classmates see him swimming on the beach with a male teacher, spurring rumors and innuendos. What nobody realizes is that Tom is in love with Laura Reynolds, the wife of a teacher and Tom’s compassionate advocate. When it debuted in 1953, Tea and Sympathy was somewhat ground-breaking as one of the first plays to address homosexuality and homophobia. Though somewhat dated by modern standards, its themes of persecution and being an outsider remain relevant. It has an emotional, nuanced role for a younger male actor and encourages conversation about persecution, double standards, and perceptions of masculinity.
Show Information
- Book
- Robert Anderson
- Category
- Play
- Age Guidance
- Youth (Y)/General Audiences (G)
- Number of Acts
- 3
- First Produced
- 1953
- Genres
- Drama
- Settings
- Period, Unit/Single Set
- Time & Place
- A dormitory at a private boys' school in New England, 1950s
- Cast Size
- medium
- Licensor
- Concord Theatricals
- Ideal For
- College/University, Community Theatre, Mostly Male Cast, Regional Theatre, Includes Late Teen, Young Adult, Adult Characters, Medium Cast
Context
Plot
Characters
| Name | Part Size | Gender | Vocal Part |
|---|---|---|---|
|
Lead |
Male |
Non-singer |
|
|
Lead |
Female |
Non-singer |
|
|
Supporting |
Male |
Non-singer |
|
|
Supporting |
Male |
Non-singer |
|
|
Supporting |
Male |
Non-singer |
|
|
Supporting |
Male |
Non-singer |
|
|
Featured |
Female |
Non-singer |
|
|
Featured |
Male |
Non-singer |
|
|
Featured |
Male |
Non-singer |
|
|
Featured |
Male |
Non-singer |
Songs
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
Scenes
Key Terms
Dislike of or prejudice against gay people.
Videos
Quizzes
Themes, Symbols & Motifs
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Quote Analysis
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Guide Written By:
Kevan Dunkelberg
Oklahoma-based drama teacher, actor and playwright