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Overview
Synopsis
Rape is about power, and what could happen if a victim took that power back from her attacker? Marjorie is assaulted in her home by Raul, a man who arrived out of nowhere, but before he can rape her, she is able to fight back. The next several hours are Marjorie’s battle with herself: In surviving the attack, what must she do to live without fear? How can she punish Raul without becoming an “animal” herself? William Mastrosimone’s _Extremities _is inspired by the fantasy of taking control back from an attacker, and examines the extremes of human capacity: mercy against hatred, compassion against violence, and humanity against torture. Not for the faint of heart, _Extremities _challenges the audience to examine their own fears and prejudices surrounding rape and sexual assault in our culture.
Show Information
- Book
- William Mastrosimone
- Category
- Play
- Age Guidance
- Mature Audiences (M)
- Number of Acts
- 2
- First Produced
- 1981
- Genres
- Drama
- Settings
- Contemporary, Unit/Single Set
- Time & Place
- New Jersey, 1980, farmhouse
- Cast Size
- small
- Licensor
- Samuel French
- Ideal For
- College/University, Community Theatre, Mature Audiences, Mostly Female Cast, Professional Theatre, Regional Theatre, Small Cast, Includes Young Adult Characters
Context
In 1978, William Mastrosimone met a woman that he calls “Mary.” She had been attacked in her apartment, beaten and raped, and even though she was able to identify the rapist and the case went to trial, he was acquitted - not because there wasn’t a rape, but because there was no evidence that the attacker was him. As her rapist left the courthouse, he whispered to Mary, “If you think that was bad, wait until next time.” Ultimately, Mastrosimone says that she had to move across the country in an
to read the context for Extremities and to unlock other amazing theatre resources!Plot
On a bright, lazy day, Marjorie enters the living room of her old New Jersey farmhouse. Wearing a bathrobe, she meanders about, making an unanswered phone call, putting on the kettle for tea, and watering a wilted plant. As she steps outside, a wasp stings her, and she grabs an aerosol can of insecticide. Suddenly, Raul walks into the house, claiming to be looking for a man named “Joe.” Marjorie tries to get him to leave, but Raul reveals he knows all about her and her roommates (both at work)
to read the plot for Extremities and to unlock other amazing theatre resources!Characters
| Name | Part Size | Gender | Vocal Part |
|---|---|---|---|
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Lead |
Female |
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Lead |
Male |
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Supporting |
Female |
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Supporting |
Female |
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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
Quizzes
Themes, Symbols & Motifs
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Quote Analysis
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Guide Written By:
Cindi Calhoun
Theatre teacher, director, writer, and seamstress