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House Of Several Stories

  • A. John Boulanger
  • Full Length Play, Dark Comedy, Present Day, Contemporary
  • 2M, 3F
  • ISBN: 9780573700088

One of the few examples of purely American absurdism...outside of Edward Albee.

Austin Chronicle

An examination of dysfunction, perception and misperception, truth and/or lies, with all roads leading to life's perpetually unanswered question: What is real and true here?

Austinist.com

More information

Description

  • Full Length Play
  • Dark Comedy
  • 120 minutes

  • Time Period: Present Day, Contemporary
  • Target Audience: Adult
  • Set Requirements: Interior Set
  • Cautions: Alcohol, Strong Language, Mild Adult Themes

  • Performance Group:
  • Dinner Theatre, Community Theatre, Professional Theatre, Shoestring Budget, Reader's Theatre, Blackbox / Second Stage /Fringe Groups, College Theatre / Student

  • Accolades:
  • Winner! 2008 Kennedy Center American College Theatre Festival National Student Playwriting Award
House of Several Stores, a tragedy in two acts of nonsense, is an absurdist comedy about a dysfunctional family and their Thanksgiving "guests."

Bastian returns home for Thanksgiving with news of "joining the service." Mother suggests he join a gym. Bastian's news takes a backseat when his sister, Rissa, suddenly decides that she's pregnant, and though not yet showing, expects to deliver "any minute now". Both children are then bombarded with Mother's news of an older brother that they've never known about, Thom, who has returned home for Thanksgiving from the war. 

Things are further complicated with the arrival of the mysterious, young Abigail, who has simply stopped by to drop something off -- her newborn baby. That is, until she discovers the baby's father might be in the house. The play explores how stories help fill voids in people's lives caused by death, loss and dysfunction.
REVIEWS:

One of the few examples of purely American absurdism...outside of Edward Albee.'

Austin Chronicle

An examination of dysfunction, perception and misperception, truth and/or lies, with all roadsleading to life's perpetually unanswered question: What is real and true here?

Austinist.com

Characters

  • Casting: 2M, 3F
  • Casting Attributes: Local Celebrity Cameo, Ensemble cast, Parts for Senior Actors, Strong Role for Leading Woman (Star Vehicle), Drag performance, Strong Role for Leading Man (Star Vehicle)
  • Casting Notes: The role of sixteen-year-old Abigail should be played by an actress at least eighteen years of age.

  • MOTHER - 50s; Sue; warm but absent; never without a cocktail.
    BASTIAN - 30s; adopted brother; optimistically suicidal.
    RISSA - 30s; sister; skittish; stuck.
    THOM - 30s; military; a rugged angel; charming with an edge.
    YOUNG WOMAN/ABIGAIL - 16, mysterious and mature.

    • Available Material

    Name Price
    House Of Several Stories Script Order Now

    House of Several Stores, a tragedy in two acts of nonsense, is an absurdist comedy about a dysfunctional family and their Thanksgiving 'guests.' Bastian returns home for Thanksgiving with news of 'joining the service.' Mother suggests he join a gym. Bastian's news takes a backseat when his sister, Rissa, suddenly decides that she's pregnant, and though not yet showing, expects to deliver 'any minute now'. Both children are then bombarded with Mother's news of an older brother that they've never known about, Thom, who has returned home for Thanksgiving from the war. Things are further complicated with the arrival of the mysterious, young Abigail, who has simply stopped by to drop something off--her newborn baby. That is, until she discovers the baby's father might be in the house. The play explores how stories help fill voids in people's lives caused by death, loss and dysfunction.

    		$24.95

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