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Overview

Synopsis

A beachside home on Fire Island proves a strange setting for two straight couples -- sister and brother Chloe and Sam, and their spouses John and Sally-- on the Fourth of July. Upon his recent death from AIDS, Sally’s brother David bequeathed her the Fire Island house,. surrounded by friendly, partying gay neighbors on either side of the fence. With the companionship of each other, and the diversions of food, drink, and party games, the four characters reveal -- through quick, funny, heartbreaking dialogue and intensely personal monologues -- that they are nevertheless completely alone with their pain. Ambitious, poignant, and often riotously funny, Terrence McNally’s "Lips Together, Teeth Apart" is an indictment of ignorance and stagnancy in the fight against AIDS, as well as a powerful look inside dissolving marriages, lost hopes and dreams, and the looming, capricious nature of death.

Show Information

Book
Terrence McNally
Category
Play
Age Guidance
Mature Audiences (M)
Number of Acts
3
First Produced
1991
Genres
Comedy
Settings
Unit/Single Set
Time & Place
a beach house on fire island, the fourth of july, late 80s, early 90s
Cast Size
small
Licensor
Dramatists Play Service
Ideal For
ensemble, professional theatre, outdoor theatre, lead roles for female, Regional Theatre, Small Cast, Community Theatre, Includes Adult Characters

Context


Plot


Characters

Name Part Size Gender Vocal Part

John Haddock

Lead

Male

Spoken

Sally Truman

Lead

Female

Spoken

Sam Truman

Lead

Male

Spoken

Chloe Haddock

Lead

Female

Spoken

Songs

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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.

Monologues

All monologues are the property and copyright of their owners.. Monologues are presented on StageAgent for educational purposes only. If you would like to give a public performance of this monologue, please obtain authorization from the appropriate licensor.

Scenes

All scenes are the property and copyright of their owners. Scenes are presented on StageAgent for educational purposes only. If you would like to give a public performance of this scene, please obtain authorization from the appropriate licensor.

Key Terms

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Videos

Quizzes

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Themes, Symbols & Motifs

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Quote Analysis

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Guide Written By:

Becca Ballenger

Becca Ballenger