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Leaving Iowa

"Spike Manton and Tim Clue...have honed the written words to a level of perfection."

Lansing City Pulse

  • Full Length Play
  • Comedy
  • 105 minutes

  • Time Period: Contemporary
  • Target Audience: Teen (Age 14 - 18), Appropriate for all audiences, Adult
  • Set Requirements: Bare Stage/Simple Set

  • Performance Group:
  • Community Theatre, College Theatre / Student, High School/Secondary, Senior Theatre
The spark behind Leaving Iowa comes from being children of parents from the now dubbed "greatest generation." 

The story is a toast to their idealism and character and a little roast of their undying dedication to the classic family road trip. More specifically, it is the story of Don Browning, a middle-aged writer, who returns home and decides to finally take his father's ashes to his childhood home, as requested. But when Don discovers Grandma's house is now a grocery store, he begins traveling across Iowa searching for a proper resting place for his father.

This father-and-son road trip shifts smoothly from the present to Don's memories of the annual, torturous vacations of his childhood. Don's existential journey leads him to reconcile his past and present at the center of the United States.

Leaving Iowa is a postcard to anyone who has ever found himself or herself driving alone on a road, revisiting fond memories of his or her youth. 

REVIEWS:

"Spike Manton and Tim Clue... have honed the written words to a level of perfection."

Lansing City Pulse

"Simultaneously hilarious and touching."

Hedy Weiss, Chicago Sun-Times

"Leaves you with a smile on your face and a desire to hug your kids."

The Detroit News

"Quintessential family entertainment."

The Chelsea Standard

"A comedy with a surprisingly deep soul."

Hedy Weiss, Chicago Sun-Times

"A simply beautiful comedy."

Jeff Daniels

"A road trip in search of one's self. Four out of four stars."

Martin F. Kohn, Detroit Free Press

Premiere Production: Premiered at the Purple Rose Theatre Company.
  • Casting: 3M, 3F
  • Casting Attributes: Expandable casting

Name Price
Leaving Iowa Script This is optional. Order Now

The spark behind Leaving Iowa comes from being children of parents from the now dubbed greatest generation. The story is a toast to their idealism and character and a little roast of their undying dedication to the classic family road trip. More specifically, it is the story of Don Browning, a middle-aged writer, who returns home and decides to finally take his father's ashes to his childhood home, as requested. But when Don discovers Grandma's house is now a grocery store, he begins traveling across Iowa searching for a proper resting place for his father. This father-and-son road trip shifts smoothly from the present to Don's memories of the annual, torturous vacations of his childhood. Don's existential journey leads him to reconcile his past and present at the center of the United States. Leaving Iowa is a postcard to anyone who has ever found himself or herself driving alone on a road, revisiting fond memories of his or her youth. Premiered at the Purple Rose Theatre Company. Sound design CD required. Minimal set. Approximate running time: 1 hour, 45 minutes.

$19.95