Explore this Show
Overview
Synopsis
A widowed French artist emotionally scarred by WWII follows the epicenter of the art world from Paris to New York City, remarries, and brings over his seven-year old daughter. Foreseeing trouble, the ghost of his first wife comes along.
The Abstract Life chronicles a decade of repressed, if radical, social change through the life of one new immigrant whose love-hate relationship with his adopted country threatens to stymie his dreams and shows how Americans weather the bad times without losing faith in what America stands for.
Show Information
- Book
- Germaine Shames
- Category
- Play
- Age Guidance
- Thirteen Plus (PG-13)
- Number of Acts
- 2
- First Produced
- 2015
- Genres
- Drama, Comedy
- Settings
- Period, Unit/Single Set
- Time & Place
- New York City, 1950-1960
- Cast Size
- small
- Ideal For
- College/University, Community Theatre, Ensemble Cast, Mostly Female Cast, Professional Theatre, Regional Theatre, Includes Adult, Early Teen, Young Adult, Mature Adult, Elderly Characters, Small Cast
Context
Plot
Characters
| Name | Part Size | Gender | Vocal Part |
|---|---|---|---|
|
Lead |
Male |
Spoken |
|
|
Lead |
Female |
Spoken |
|
|
Supporting |
Female |
Spoken |
|
|
Supporting |
Male |
Spoken |
|
|
Supporting |
Female |
Spoken |
|
|
Supporting |
Female |
Spoken |
|
|
Supporting |
Female |
Spoken |
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
Sorry! We do not currently have terms for this guide.
Videos
Quizzes
Sorry! We do not currently have quizzes for this guide.
Themes, Symbols & Motifs
Sorry! We do not currently have learning modules for this guide.
Quote Analysis
Sorry! We do not currently have learning modules for this guide.
Guide Written By:
Alexandra Appleton
Writer, editor and theatre researcher