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Wife of a Salesman

  • Eleanor Burgess
  • Full Length Play, Dramatic Comedy, 1950s
  • 1M, 2F
  • ISBN: 9780573710919

When a devoted housewife – from a certain classic American drama – tracks down the woman who is sleeping with her husband, the two discover that they have more in common than society would like them to believe.

More information

Description

  • Full Length Play
  • Dramatic Comedy
  • 105 minutes

  • Time Period: 1950s
  • Target Audience: Adult
  • Set Requirements: Unit Set/Multiple Settings
  • Cautions: Alcohol, Mild Adult Themes, Strong Language

  • Performance Group:
  • College Theatre / Student, Blackbox / Second Stage /Fringe Groups, Professional Theatre
Acclaimed playwright Eleanor Burgess (The Niceties) brings her gift for sharp dialogue and spirited debate to this fascinating new play. When a devoted housewife – from a certain classic American drama – tracks down the woman who is sleeping with her husband, the two discover that they have more in common than society would like them to believe. Important questions of marriage, duty and happiness rise to the surface in this frank exposé of the ways in which the world has, and hasn’t, changed across generations.
REVIEWS:

"Highly recommended! The dialogue is so smart."

 Chicago Sun-Times

"Crafty... wry... Wife of a Salesman is not about Willy or Miller. It's about the women, whose story you only think you know."

 Daily Herald

"Eleanor Burgess has written a modern masterpiece full of stimulating themes, moments of emotional connection and genuine laughter, plus playful and shocking twists… There's so much richness in this dialogue and so much to unpack here."

 BroadwayWorld

"One might not expect it to explore the issues of contemporary life for modern women, but Burgess finds an ingenious way of bringing it altogether in deeply satisfying and provocative story of conflicting desires and ambitions."

 The Small Stage

"Unique... The play is both an entertaining one-act, with a clever twist, and also a drama that addresses serious issues about women’s equality and choice."

 Chicago Theatre Review

"Craft, wit and imagination… delicate web of intrigue… jaw-droppingly complex comedy."

 Shepherd Express

"Burgess is both an intellectually sharp writer and a clever master of contradictory dialogue. It’s an enjoyable, meaningful theater game that definitely digs into our brains as a conversation starter."

 Urban Milwaukee

Premiere Production: Wife of a Salesman made its world premiere in a co-production, first opening at Writers Theatre in Glencoe, Illinois, on March 3, 2022. Directed by Jo Bonney, the Writers Theatre production featured Rom Barkhordar, Amanda Drinkall and Kate Fry. On September 27, 2022, the play premiered at Milwaukee Repertory Theatre. Directed by Marti Lyons, the Milwaukee Rep production featured Heidi Armbruster, Bobak Cyrus Bakhtiari and Bryce Gangel.

Characters

  • Casting: 1M, 2F
  • Casting Attributes: Ensemble cast

  • THE WIFE / HEATHER – Female. Early 40s.
    THE MISTRESS / VIOLET – Female. Late 20s to early 30s.
    JIM – Male. 40s.
    ANGELA – Only heard over the loudspeaker, may be prerecorded. Female. 30s.
    RADIO VOICES – Prerecorded, played from onstage. The male and female voices should be those of Angela and Jim.

    • Available Material

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    Acclaimed playwright Eleanor Burgess (The Niceties) brings her gift for sharp dialogue and spirited debate to this fascinating new play. When a devoted housewife – from a certain classic American drama – tracks down the woman who is sleeping with her husband, the two discover that they have more in common than society would like them to believe. Important questions of marriage, duty and happiness rise to the surface in this frank exposé of the ways in which the world has, and hasn’t, changed across generations.

    		$24.95

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