Overview
Synopsis
Theresa Bedell is a smart, successful woman in her 30s who writes for an upscale literary New York magazine and is utterly devoted to her work while struggling with relationships. When she goes on an awkward blind date with Tony, a friend of a friend, she sees no reason to continue the relationship after their uncomfortable evening together. However, the attractive man named Tony thinks otherwise and continues to pursue her with persistent attention that initially annoys yet flatters Theresa.
What begins as unwanted romantic pursuit gradually escalates into something far more sinister as Tony's behavior becomes increasingly obsessive and potentially dangerous, transforming Theresa's attitude from annoyance to fear and fury. The play becomes a disturbing psychological thriller about how a woman's life of accomplishment is quickly destroyed by a disturbed admirer, powerfully exploring the unraveling of a strong woman's sense of security in the urban environment. Through this nightmare scenario that begins with a blind date gone wrong, Gilman examines the serious issues of stalking, sexism, and the dangerous nature of what some might consider romantic pursuit.
Show Information
Context
"Boy Gets Girl" emerged during a pivotal moment in American awareness of stalking and violence against women. Written and first produced in 2000, the play appeared just six years after the landmark Violence Against Women Act of 1994, which provided federal resources and legal frameworks for addressing domestic violence and stalking. Throughout the 1990s, states across the country were enacting their first comprehensive anti-stalking laws, with many jurisdictions finally recognizing stalking as
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Key Terms
The antagonist is a character who opposes the protagonist and creates conflict within the story. They are not always villains but are critical to the development of dramatic tension.
Occurs when the audience knows more than the characters on stage, creating tension, humor, or poignancy.
Naturalistic drama is a theatrical style that seeks to present life on stage with heightened realism, portraying characters, dialogue, and settings as close to everyday reality as possible. It often emphasizes the influence of environment, heredity, and social conditions on human behavior, inspired by scientific and sociological ideas of the late 19th century. Productions typically use detailed, lifelike sets and natural speech patterns to immerse audiences in an authentic slice of life.
The main character of a play or story, typically the one whose journey or conflict drives the plot. The protagonist often experiences growth or change.
A psychological thriller is a dramatic genre that emphasizes the mental and emotional states of its characters, often exploring themes of obsession, fear, guilt, or manipulation. Rather than relying solely on external action, it builds tension through suspense, mind games, and the gradual unraveling of hidden motives. These works keep audiences on edge by blurring the line between reality and perception, often leading to shocking twists or revelations.
The series of events in a dramatic plot that build tension and complications, leading toward the climax of the story.
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