Explore this Show
Overview
Synopsis
George Spelvin doesn’t know who he is. He thought he was an accountant, but he somehow wound up on a stage taking over for an actor who can’t go on. The problem is he has no idea what play he’s doing. Christopher Durang’s metatheatrical one-act comedy twists and turns through Shakespeare, Beckett, and Noel Coward, arriving at an ending that blurs the line between reality and theatre. The Actor’s Nightmare is often paired with Sister Mary Ignatious Explains It All For You in performance, with an ensemble of five actors performing roles in both plays.
Show Information
- Book
- Christopher Durang
- Category
- Play
- Age Guidance
- Youth (Y)/General Audiences (G)
- Number of Acts
- 1
- First Produced
- 1981
- Genres
- Comedy
- Settings
- Contemporary, Simple/No Set
- Time & Place
- An empty stage. Present day.
- Cast Size
- small
- Licensor
- Dramatists Play Service
- Ideal For
- College/University, Community Theatre, Ensemble Cast, Includes Adult, Young Adult Characters, Small Cast
Context
Plot
Characters
| Name | Part Size | Gender | Vocal Part |
|---|---|---|---|
|
Lead |
Male |
Non-singer |
|
|
Supporting |
Female |
Non-singer |
|
|
Ensemble |
Female |
Non-singer |
|
|
Ensemble |
Female |
Non-singer |
|
|
Ensemble |
Male |
Non-singer |
|
|
Ensemble |
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
When an actor breaks the fourth wall to speak directly to the audience.
A group of musicians, actors, or dancers who perform together.
A type of theatre which draws attention to the nature of theatre and performance, often through a "play within a play"
A speech given by a character that reveals inner thoughts only shared with the audience.
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