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Overview
Synopsis
This darkly comic, expressionistic masterpiece follows the exploits of Mr. Zero, a hard-working, pseudo-Everyman as he toils through his rather inconsequential existence working at a Macy's-like department store. When he discovers that after 25 years of determined dedication on his job, he will be fired and replaced by a machine, Mr. Zero kills his boss. His murderous deed leads to a further dehumanization: Before his execution, Mr. Zero is put on display for sightseers to marvel at, the “North American Murderer.” But death isn’t the end: Mr. Zero meanders through the afterlife, unable and unwilling to learn from the consequences of his actions, until a worse fate is hoisted upon him. A touchstone of American expressionism, Elmer Rice’s The Adding Machine creates an enigmatic anti-hero and a bleak critique of the society that has made him.
Show Information
- Book
- Elmer Rice
- Category
- Play
- Age Guidance
- Thirteen Plus (PG-13)
- Number of Acts
- 1
- First Produced
- 1923
- Genres
- Settings
- Multiple Settings, Period, Fantasy/Imaginary
- Time & Place
- 1920s, New York City, jail, afterlife
- Cast Size
- large
- Dancing
- None
- Licensor
- None/royalty-free
- Ideal For
- College/University, Community Theatre, High School, Large Cast, Professional Theatre, Regional Theatre, Star Vehicle Male, Mostly Male Cast, Includes Adult, Mature Adult, Young Adult, Child, Early Teen, Late Teen, Elderly Characters
Context
Plot
Characters
| Name | Part Size | Gender | Vocal Part |
|---|---|---|---|
|
Lead |
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 |
|
|
Supporting |
Female |
Non-singer |
|
|
Supporting |
Male |
Non-singer |
|
|
Featured |
Female |
Non-singer |
|
|
Featured |
Male |
Non-singer |
|
|
Featured |
Male |
Non-singer |
|
|
Featured |
Either Gender |
Non-singer |
|
|
Featured |
Male |
Non-singer |
|
|
Featured |
Male |
Non-singer |
|
|
Featured |
Male |
Non-singer |
|
|
Featured |
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
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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