Overview
Synopsis
History and morality collide in Neil LaBute’s The Mercy Seat. Set in New York City the day after the September 11 attacks, the two-character play finds couple Ben and Abby suddenly caught at a moral crossroads. Ben, who is married and has children, has been having an affair with Abby, his boss. With their office housed at the World Trade Center, Ben seizes on the September 11 attack as an opportunity to disappear with Abby and start a new life together, leaving everyone to assume that he was killed in the attack. What follows is a psychological crucible in which morality and human foibles are confronted with brutal honesty.
Show Information
Characters
Character Portrayals
See StageAgent members who have performed roles in The Mercy Seat.
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Monologues
Scenes
Key Terms
The loss of traditional masculinity, often a theme in plays exploring power, identity, and societal roles.
Morality refers to the principles and values that guide a person’s sense of right and wrong behavior. It shapes decisions, actions, and judgments based on cultural, personal, or societal standards. In drama, morality often drives character motivations and conflicts, revealing deeper themes about ethics and human nature.
A character of lesser rank or status, used to highlight power dynamics and conflict in drama.
The use of violence for political aims, depicted in theatre to challenge or reveal ideologies and social unrest.
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Guide Written By:
Kevan Dunkelberg
Oklahoma-based drama teacher, actor and playwright