Overview

Synopsis

Amy Herzog is known for her facility with dialogue, and in her ensemble play Belleville, she uses that facility to explore two rather complex psyches in a marriage that’s more disturbed than anyone realizes. Herzog wastes no time setting up the nature of the relationship between the two main characters-married Americans Zack and Abby, who have ostensibly moved to the Belleville neighborhood of Paris for recent medical school graduate Zack to do research and provide medical care to pediatric AIDS patients. From the start, it’s clear that mistrust and insecurity simmer just under the surface of their marriage, and as it turns out, there’s a good reason for that. Early in the play, Herzog paints a picture of a disturbed young woman and a frustrated husband who gave up a career opportunity for what she wanted (or what he made himself believe she wanted). From the beginning, there’s something vaguely unsettling about the world Herzog creates. Affectingly atmospheric, the play is peppered with moments that manage to evoke without a shred of spoken dialogue. When the characters are speaking, the drama is as much about what’s not being said as what is. With a simple story structure but richly complex psyches, Belleville is a gripping psychological thriller imbued with a constant sense of danger-like watching a driverless car careening down the highway.

Show Information

Book
Amy Herzog
Category
Play
Age Guidance
Thirteen Plus (PG-13)
Number of Acts
1
First Produced
2011
Genres
Drama
Settings
Contemporary, Unit/Single Set
Time & Place
A one-bedroom apartment in Paris. Mid-December “of the recent past”
Cast Size
small
Orchestra Size
None
Dancing
None
Licensor
Concord Theatricals
Ideal For
College/University, Community Theatre, Diverse Cast, Ensemble Cast, Professional Theatre, Regional Theatre, Small Cast, Includes Young Adult Characters

Context

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Plot

Characters

Name Part Size Gender Vocal Part

Abby

Lead

Female

Non-singer

Zack

Lead

Male

Non-singer

Alioune

Supporting

Male

Non-singer

Amina

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

    The name used to describe a number of potentially life-threatening infections and illnesses that happen when the body's immune system has been severely damaged by the HIV virus.

    Something a person does to help handle stress or negative emotions. A coping mechanism can be healthy or unhealthy.

    The words spoken by characters in a play.

    To deliberately manipulate someone and force them to question their own feelings, perceptions, and/or sanity.

    All of the things that make up a person's personality

Videos

Quizzes

Themes, Symbols & Motifs

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Quote Analysis

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Guide Written By:

Kevan Dunkelberg

Kevan Dunkelberg

Oklahoma-based drama teacher, actor and playwright