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Overview

Synopsis

Set in 1930s New Orleans, Suddenly Last Summer is a gothic melodrama with a shocking tale at its heart. In the grounds of a dark, troubled mansion, Mrs. Violet Venable prepares to host an explosive gathering. She idolized her son, Sebastian, who died in gruesome circumstances the summer preceding the time of the play. Mrs. Venable is determined to protect his untarnished reputation at all costs. Sebastian’s traveling companion and cousin, Catharine Holly, returned from their fatal trip with wild, savage stories of Sebastian’s predilections for young boys which led to his gory death, and Mrs. Venable is determined to put an end to her tales. She brings Doctor Cukrowicz to the house to persuade him into performing a lobotomy on Catharine and silence her forever. However, as the Doctor listens to Catharine’s story, it becomes clear that Sebastian was by no means the angel his mother claims.

Show Information

Category
Play
Age Guidance
Thirteen Plus (PG-13)
Number of Acts
1
First Produced
1958
Genres
Drama
Settings
Period, Unit/Single Set
Time & Place
A Gothic Mansion in New Orleans, 1936
Cast Size
small
Ideal For
College/University, Professional Theatre, Regional Theatre, Star Vehicle Female, Mostly Female Cast, Includes Elderly, Young Adult, Adult, Mature Adult Characters, Small Cast

Context

Plot

Characters

Name Part Size Gender Vocal Part

Mrs. Violet Venable

Lead

Female

Non-singer

Catharine Holly

Lead

Female

Non-singer

Doctor Cukrowicz

Lead

Male

Non-singer

Mrs. Holly

Supporting

Female

Non-singer

George Holly

Supporting

Male

Non-singer

Sister Felicity

Supporting

Female

Non-singer

Miss Foxhill

Featured

Female

Non-singer

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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Guide Written By:

Alexandra Appleton

Alexandra Appleton

Writer, editor and theatre researcher