Overview
Synopsis
One of Mamet's earliest plays, Sexual Perversity in Chicago follows four acquaintances, two of whom are lovers, as they dissect the relationships between men and women. Danny and Deb are young, naive, and still hopeful about love. Bernie and Joan are older, and much more cynical. As Danny and Deb fall in and out of love, Bernie and Joan provide increasingly bitter commentary -- Bernie about his sexual conquests of women, and Joan about her absolute distrust of men. When Danny and Deb split, Bernie and Joan regain their sway over the two young people, who now admit that their older friends were right about love. The play suggests that Bernie and Joan are perhaps homosexual.
Show Information
- Book
- David Mamet
- Category
- Play
- Age Guidance
- Mature Audiences (M)
- Number of Acts
- 2
- First Produced
- 1974
- Genres
- Time & Place
- chicago
- Cast Size
- small
- Licensor
- Samuel French
- Ideal For
- Includes Late Teen, Young Adult, Adult Characters, Small Cast
Context
Plot
Characters
| Name | Part Size | Gender | Vocal Part |
|---|---|---|---|
|
Lead |
Male |
Spoken |
|
|
Lead |
Male |
Spoken |
|
|
Lead |
Female |
Spoken |
|
|
Lead |
Female |
Spoken |
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
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Quizzes
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Themes, Symbols & Motifs
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Quote Analysis
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