Overview

Synopsis

A former staff news photographer at the Chicago Sun-Times, Wheeler now works in an outdated camera shop and is struggling to put his life back together following a messy separation from his wife. Estranged from his troubled teenage son, living in a new, lonely apartment, and prone to scornful sarcasm, life looks bleak for Wheeler. However, with the help of his friends and a successful blind date, he finds himself dating Jules, a determinedly optimistic life coach. Wheeler’s life seems to be on the up, until he meets Minnie, a young, pregnant Vietnamese American who lives in the same building and knocks on his door after fleeing her abusive boyfriend. Drawn to her, Wheeler sabotages the stability he has found with Jules and convinces himself that he can fit in with the young hipster crowd and raise her baby. Predictably, Minne leaves Wheeler as she does not love him and Wheeler is left treading water once more. Lost and alone, Wheeler must figure out how to carve his own path in the world.

Show Information

Book
Tracy Letts
Category
Play
Age Guidance
Mature Audiences (M)
Number of Acts
2
First Produced
2017
Genres
Comedy
Settings
Contemporary, Multiple Settings
Time & Place
San Diego, Present Day
Cast Size
small
Licensor
Concord Theatricals
Ideal For
Regional Theatre, Star Vehicle Male, Professional Theatre, Mostly Female Cast, Includes Mature Adult, Adult Characters, Small Cast

Context

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Plot

Characters

Name Part Size Gender Vocal Part

Wheeler

Lead

Male

Non-singer

Paul

Supporting

Male

Non-singer

Michael

Supporting

Male

Non-singer

Anita

Supporting

Female

Non-singer

Minnie

Supporting

Female

Non-singer

Margaret

Supporting

Female

Non-singer

Jules

Supporting

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