Overview
Synopsis
George and Maggie Antrobus live a seemingly perfect life in suburban Excelsior, New Jersey, along with their children, Henry and Gladys, and their maid, Sabina. Little do they know that the Ice Age is upon them, the Floods are coming, and War is on the horizon. The story of the Antrobus’ journey through time is the story of mankind: surviving disaster by the skin of their teeth. The Antrobus’ weather heat waves and deep freezes, pestilence, plague, dozens of wars and even more depressions, and -- through it all -- they keep moving forward. An allegory for the inspiring journey of the “Ancient and Honorable Order of Mammals, Subdivision Humans”, Thornton Wilder’s Pulitzer Prize-winning The Skin of Our Teeth is a moving, hilarious, absurd tribute to the “indestructibility of humanity”.
Show Information
- Book
- Thornton Wilder
- Category
- Play
- Age Guidance
- Thirteen Plus (PG-13)
- Number of Acts
- 3
- First Produced
- 1942
- Genres
- Drama, Dark Comedy, Satire, Fairy Tale/Fantasy
- Settings
- Multiple Settings
- Time & Place
- various moments in human history, including -- but not limited to -- the ice age and world war i; the home of mr. antrobus in excelsior, new jersey, and the boardwalk at
- Cast Size
- large
- Licensor
- Concord Theatricals
- Ideal For
- Star Vehicle Female, Star Vehicle Male, College/University, Diverse Cast, Large Cast, Professional Theatre, Regional Theatre, Mostly Male Cast, Includes Adult, Young Adult, Mature Adult Characters
Context
The Skin of Our Teeth was written by Wilder about a month after the bombing of Pearl Harbor. The title of the play is a reference to a quote from the King James Bible. In Job 19:20, it states, “My bones cleaveth to my skin and to my flesh, and I am escaped with the skin of my teeth’. The Skin of Our Teeth won the Pulitzer Prize for Drama in 1943. The play premiered on Broadway at the Plymouth Theatre on November 18, 1942. This production starred Tallulah Bankhead as Sabina, who gave a
to read the context for The Skin of Our Teeth and to unlock other amazing theatre resources!Plot
ACT ONE
An Announcer reports the news of the world. It was previously reported that the world would be ending today. However, The Society for Affirming the End of the World has now postponed the event for 24 hours. Although the world continues to exist, the conditions are not ideal. There is a wall of ice that is rapidly moving south from Canada towards the USA, leading to the coldest days on record in the middle of August. In suburban Excelsior, New Jersey, the Announcer introduces the
to read the plot for The Skin of Our Teeth and to unlock other amazing theatre resources!Characters
| Name | Part Size | Gender | Vocal Part |
|---|---|---|---|
|
Lead |
Male |
Non-singer |
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Lead |
Female |
Non-singer |
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Lead |
Female |
Non-singer |
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Supporting |
Male |
Non-singer |
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Supporting |
Female |
Non-singer |
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Featured |
Male |
Non-singer |
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Featured |
Female |
Non-singer |
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Featured |
Male |
Non-singer |
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Featured |
Either Gender |
Non-singer |
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Featured |
Either Gender |
Non-singer |
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|
Featured |
Male |
Non-singer |
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|
Ensemble |
Male |
Non-singer |
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|
Ensemble |
Male |
Non-singer |
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|
Ensemble |
Female |
Non-singer |
|
|
Ensemble |
Female |
Non-singer |
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|
Ensemble |
Female |
Non-singer |
|
|
Ensemble |
Either Gender |
Non-singer |
|
|
Ensemble |
Male |
Non-singer |
|
|
Ensemble |
Either Gender |
Non-singer |
|
|
Ensemble |
Either Gender |
Non-singer |
|
|
Ensemble |
Either Gender |
Non-singer |
|
|
Ensemble |
Either Gender |
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|
Ensemble |
Male |
Non-singer |
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|
Ensemble |
Female |
Non-singer |
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|
Ensemble |
Female |
Non-singer |
|
|
Ensemble |
Male |
Non-singer |
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
A dramatic movement emphasizing existentialism and irrationality, often rejecting traditional plot structures.
The imaginary wall separating the audience from the actors onstage, often 'broken' for direct address. This term plays a vital role in understanding theatrical structure and is commonly encountered in stagecraft or performance settings.
A form of self-referential drama where the play draws attention to its own theatricality. This device challenges the audience’s suspension of disbelief and is used in Epic Theatre and postmodern works.
A prestigious U.S. award for achievements in journalism, literature, and drama. Many modern plays that reflect social and political themes have received this honor.
A production created to showcase the talents of a specific star performer, often tailored to their strengths.
A dramatic movement featuring illogical dialogue, cyclical plots, and existential themes, reflecting the absurdity of human existence.
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Themes, Symbols & Motifs
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