Overview
Synopsis
Arlene Horsclaw is out of prison, paroled after spending eight years following a murder conviction. Her eight years did not go easy, and Arlene spent much of her time in solitary confinement. As Arlene tries to adjust to life on the outside, memories of her criminal past “Arlie” force their way in. She remembers a vicious and angry child who killed frogs for fun and beat up other kids. But Arlie was also brutally abused by her father, and ran away with a pimp named Carl--what she saw as her only escape. Arlene, for the first time in eight years, has choices in front of her: Will she return to Carl? Will she allow former prison guard Bennie to stay and take care of her? Will she be alone forever? Getting Out, Marsha Norman’s first professional play, is inspired by the playwright’s time working with juvenile offenders, and creates a stark and heartbreakingly realistic portrayal of a woman trying to start over.
Show Information
- Book
- Marsha Norman
- Category
- Play
- Age Guidance
- Thirteen Plus (PG-13)
- Number of Acts
- 2
- First Produced
- 1979
- Genres
- Drama
- Settings
- Contemporary, Unit/Single Set
- Time & Place
- Louisville, Kentucky, apartment, 1970s
- Cast Size
- medium
- Licensor
- Dramatists Play Service
- Ideal For
- College/University, Community Theatre, Mature Audiences, Professional Theatre, Regional Theatre, Star Vehicle Female, Mostly Male Cast, Includes Adult, Young Adult, Late Teen, Mature Adult Characters, Medium Cast
Context
Marsha Norman’s first play, Getting Out is based on her time teaching teen criminal offenders at Kentucky’s Central State Hospital. In particular, Norman was influenced by a specific 13-year-old girl who inspired the character of Arlie Horsclaw.
The play had its world premiere at Actors Theatre of Louisville (Kentucky). Following its initial success, it went on to the Center Theatre Group of Los Angeles at the Mark Taper Forum. In 1979, the play went to Off-Broadway (the Phoenix Theater)
to read the context for Getting Out and to unlock other amazing theatre resources!Plot
Act One
In the blackout, the Warden’s voice announces Arlene Holsclaw’s parole. After eight years in an Alabama prison for second-degree murder, she is released and allowed to return to Kentucky. The lights rise on a dingy, one-bedroom apartment. To the left is a prison cell, where Arlene waits for her ride to her new home. She leaves, and lights come up on Arlie--she is a younger version of Arlene, a memory brought to life by triggers in Arlene’s new environment. Younger Arlie reminisces
to read the plot for Getting Out and to unlock other amazing theatre resources!Characters
| Name | Part Size | Gender | Vocal Part |
|---|---|---|---|
|
Lead |
Female |
Non-singer |
|
|
Lead |
Female |
Non-singer |
|
|
Supporting |
Male |
Non-singer |
|
|
Supporting |
Female |
Non-singer |
|
|
Supporting |
Female |
Non-singer |
|
|
Supporting |
Male |
Non-singer |
|
|
Supporting |
Male |
Non-singer |
|
|
Supporting |
Male |
Non-singer |
|
|
Supporting |
Male |
Non-singer |
|
|
Featured |
Either Gender |
Non-singer |
|
|
Featured |
Male |
Non-singer |
|
|
Featured |
Either Gender |
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
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Videos
Quizzes
Themes, Symbols & Motifs
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Quote Analysis
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Guide Written By:
Cindi Calhoun
Theatre teacher, director, writer, and seamstress