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Overview

Synopsis

The evening begins with three young couples playing Twenty Questions. Drinks have been flowing, and the personalities of the six friends begin to clash. There is the biting, cynical wit of cancer-stricken Jo; her likeable husband Sam; stiff and proper Edgar; his wife, the easily-insulted Lucinda; easy-going Fred; and his lover, the outsider, Carol. When Jo’s pain becomes so intense that she begins to scream, she and Sam retire for the evening. The stage empties, revealing Elizabeth and Oscar They are elegant, handsome, and quite clearly together. She is from Dubuque, and claims to be Jo’ mother. The two of them handle all queries from Sam and the previous night’s guests, but questions still remain. It seems as if Elizabeth must be, in some way, representative of death itself, and the comfort it can bring. No real answers are given, but death rarely brings answers - it only brings endings.

Show Information

Book
Edward Albee
Category
Play
Age Guidance
Thirteen Plus (PG-13)
Number of Acts
2
First Produced
1980
Genres
Drama
Settings
Unit/Single Set
Time & Place
a modern day house, 1980, present
Cast Size
medium
Orchestra Size
None
Dancing
None
Licensor
Dramatists Play Service
Ideal For
professional theatre, college theatre, community theatre, Includes Adult, Mature Adult Characters, Medium Cast

Context

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Plot

Characters

Name Part Size Gender Vocal Part

Sam

Lead

Male

Spoken

Jo

Lead

Female

Spoken

Elizabeth

Lead

Female

Spoken

Fred

Supporting

Male

Spoken

Lucinda

Supporting

Female

Edgar

Supporting

Male

Spoken

Carol

Supporting

Female

Spoken

Oscar

Supporting

Male

Spoken

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

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Themes, Symbols & Motifs

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Quote Analysis

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Guide Written By:

Jenn Chandler

Jenn Chandler