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Overview
Synopsis
It’s the summer of 1968, a volatile time in American history. Amid mass protests and the rise of a counterculture rebelling against the status quo, the Democratic and Republican parties hold their conventions to nominate their Presidential candidates. It’s also a pivotal moment at ABC News, which is third in ratings among the four major networks. Desperate for an innovative approach to the relatively new medium of television, the network’s top brass devise a series of debates between rival public intellectuals: liberal Gore Vidal and conservative William F. Buckley. The debates ultimately devolve into ugly personal attacks but mark a turning point in the intersection of television and politics. Based on the documentary of the same name, Best of Enemies is a gripping piece of verbatim theatre that goes behind the scenes and behind the men to ask timely questions about civil discourse and the political divide. With fluid staging, the play is backed by a flexible ensemble playing several real-life characters.
Show Information
- Book
- James Graham
- Based on the Play/Book/Film
- Best of Enemies (2015 documentary film)
- Category
- Play
- Age Guidance
- Thirteen Plus (PG-13)
- Number of Acts
- 2
- First Produced
- 2021
- Genres
- Drama
- Settings
- Period, Unit/Single Set
- Time & Place
- A TV sound stage, Summer, 1968
- Cast Size
- large
- Ideal For
- Diverse Cast, Ensemble Cast, Professional Theatre, Star Vehicle Male, Mostly Male Cast, Includes Adult, Mature Adult, Young Adult Characters, Large Cast
Context
Plot
Characters
| Name | Part Size | Gender | Vocal Part |
|---|---|---|---|
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Lead |
Male |
Non-singer |
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Lead |
Male |
Non-singer |
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Supporting |
Male |
Non-singer |
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Supporting |
Male |
Non-singer |
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Supporting |
Female |
Non-singer |
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Supporting |
Male |
Non-singer |
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Supporting |
Male |
Non-singer |
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Supporting |
Male |
Non-singer |
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Supporting |
Male |
Non-singer |
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Supporting |
Male |
Non-singer |
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Featured |
Either Gender |
Non-singer |
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Featured |
Male |
Non-singer |
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Featured |
Female |
Non-singer |
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Featured |
Male |
Non-singer |
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Featured |
Male |
Non-singer |
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Featured |
Male |
Non-singer |
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Featured |
Male |
Non-singer |
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Featured |
Either Gender |
Non-singer |
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Featured |
Either Gender |
Non-singer |
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Featured |
Male |
Non-singer |
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Featured |
Male |
Non-singer |
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Featured |
Male |
Non-singer |
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Featured |
Male |
Non-singer |
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Featured |
Either Gender |
Non-singer |
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Featured |
Either Gender |
Non-singer |
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Featured |
Either Gender |
Non-singer |
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Featured |
Either Gender |
Non-singer |
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Featured |
Female |
Non-singer |
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Featured |
Male |
Non-singer |
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Featured |
Either Gender |
Non-singer |
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Featured |
Either Gender |
Non-singer |
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Featured |
Female |
Non-singer |
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Featured |
Male |
Non-singer |
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Featured |
Female |
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
A political identity occasionally explored in American drama to depict partisanship, policy conflict, or civic ideals.
A group of performers who function as a unit in a production rather than as individuals with leading roles.
A social movement from the 1960s that inspired experimental and political theatre through ideals of peace and rebellion.
In historical drama, often refers to supporters of a republic over monarchy. The term appears in plays about revolution, politics, and power.
A production created to showcase the talents of a specific star performer, often tailored to their strengths.
A form of documentary theatre that uses exact words from interviews and transcripts to portray real-life events on stage.
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