Overview
Synopsis
Benjamin Braddock is a confused young man. Having spent four years achieving a brilliant scholastic record, upon graduation he finds himself adrift, uncertain about his future, disconnected from his purpose, and increasingly alienated from the upper-class, suburban, “plastic” world of his parents. Fighting panic and boredom, he is deeply conflicted but ultimately willing when Mrs. Robinson, the unhappily married, alcoholic, and dangerously charismatic wife of his father’s business partner, tempts him into an affair. Benjamin’s tenuous existence of lazy days and stolen nights falls apart when he falls in love -- with Elaine, Mrs. Robinson’s upbeat, optimistic daughter. Terry Johnson’s stage adaptation of The Graduate, based on the novel and the iconic 1967 film, is a bitterly hilarious dark comedy, full of rapid fire dialogue between fascinating and horrifying characters. This play explores family dysfunction, parental expectations, crumbling marriages, and the naive, yet disillusioned, dichotomy of youth, against the shiny backdrop of affluent Southern California in the 1960s.
Show Information
- Book
- Terry Johnson
- Based on the Play/Book/Film
- The Graduate
- Category
- Play
- Age Guidance
- Thirteen Plus (PG-13)
- Number of Acts
- 2
- First Produced
- 2000
- Genres
- Comedy, Dark Comedy
- Settings
- Period, Multiple Settings, Simple/No Set
- Time & Place
- 1964, southern california, berkeley
- Cast Size
- medium
- Licensor
- Samuel French
- Ideal For
- College/University, Community Theatre, Ensemble Cast, Professional Theatre, Regional Theatre, Small Cast, Mostly Male Cast, Includes Young Adult, Adult, Late Teen, Mature Adult Characters, Medium Cast
Context
Terry Johnson’s stage adaptation of the iconic 1960s film The Graduate premiered at the Gielgud Theatre in London on April 5, 2000. This production starred Kathleen Turner as Mrs. Robinson, Matthew Rhys as Benjamin, and Kelly Reilly as Elaine. This production ran for nearly two years, closing in January of 2002, with Kathleen Turner being replaced in her role by Jerry Hall, Amanda Donohue, Anne Archer, and Linda Gray, consecutively. The production transferred to Broadway, where it opened at
to read the context for The Graduate and to unlock other amazing theatre resources!Plot
Act One
Benjamin Braddock, a recent college graduate, sits perfectly still on his bed in the comfortable Southern California home of his parents, wearing a diving suit. His solitary contemplation is interrupted by his dad, Mr. Braddock, who asks why he isn’t coming downstairs to show off the diving suit, his graduation present, as he was asked. It is Benjamin’s graduation party, and he must come show his parent’s friends a little courtesy. Benjamin asks to be left alone, because he has
to read the plot for The Graduate and to unlock other amazing theatre resources!Characters
| Name | Part Size | Gender | Vocal Part |
|---|---|---|---|
|
Lead |
Male |
Spoken |
|
|
Lead |
Female |
Spoken |
|
|
Lead |
Female |
Spoken |
|
|
Supporting |
Male |
Spoken |
|
|
Supporting |
Male |
Spoken |
|
|
Supporting |
Female |
Spoken |
|
|
Featured |
Female |
Spoken |
|
|
Featured |
Male |
Spoken |
|
|
Featured |
Either Gender |
Spoken |
|
|
Featured |
Male |
Spoken |
|
|
Ensemble |
Either Gender |
Spoken |
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
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Videos
Quizzes
Themes, Symbols & Motifs
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Quote Analysis
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