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Overview

Synopsis

The wealthy and well-established Lord family of Philadelphia is about to welcome the cream of society into their home for the second wedding of Tracy Lord, vibrant daughter of the house, to George Kittredge, a proudly priggish up-and-coming self made coal mine manager -- much to the annoyance of little sister Dinah, big brother Sandy, and ex-husband C.K. Dexter Haven, none of whom believe that George is good enough for her. Unfortunately, father Seth’s philandering with a Broadway dancer causes a scandal which an unscrupulous media tycoon threatens to break -- unless he can send a reporter to cover this high society wedding from the inside. Enter Macaulay “Mike” Connor, a writer of quality unwillingly slumming it on the society beat, who holds strong views against the old money-wielding upper class, and his faithful photographer Liz, whose romantic connection is not enough to stop the fascinated dance which ensues when Tracy and Mike meet and spar over class boundaries and champagne-addled declarations. Torn between three men, Tracy must determine whether or not she belongs on a pedestal. Philip Barry’s sparkling comedy The Philadelphia Story is witty, sophisticated romp, a breezy and romantic story which explores family dynamics, class prejudice, and human frailty.

Show Information

Category
Play
Age Guidance
Youth (Y)/General Audiences (G)
Number of Acts
3
First Produced
1939
Genres
Comedy
Settings
Period, Multiple Settings
Time & Place
1930s, june, the lord home, countryside near philadelphia
Cast Size
large
Licensor
Samuel French
Ideal For
College/University, Community Theatre, Professional Theatre, Regional Theatre, Mostly Male Cast, Includes Early Teen, Late Teen, Young Adult, Adult, Mature Adult Characters, Large Cast

Context


Plot


Characters

Name Part Size Gender Vocal Part

Tracy Lord

Lead

Female

Spoken

Macaulay (Mike) Connor

Lead

Male

Spoken

C.K. Dexter Haven

Lead

Male

Spoken

Margaret Lord

Supporting

Female

Spoken

Elizabeth (Liz) Imbrie

Supporting

Female

Spoken

Dinah Lord

Supporting

Female

Spoken

Alexander (Sandy) Lord

Supporting

Male

Spoken

William (Uncle Willie) Tracy

Supporting

Male

Spoken

George Kittredge

Supporting

Male

Spoken

Seth Lord

Supporting

Male

Spoken

Mac

Featured

Male

Spoken

Thomas

Featured

Male

Spoken

Elsie

Featured

Female

Spoken

May

Featured

Female

Spoken

Edward

Featured

Male

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

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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

Themes, Symbols & Motifs

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Quote Analysis

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