alphabetical author index

The Tangled Web

  • Laurie Brooks
  • Full Length Play, Drama, Contemporary
  • 3M, 2F, 1M or F
  • ISBN: TF6

"Compelling... the story examines individual responsibility. Every character is put under the microscope. Refuses to pander to its audience and acknowledges that 'happy endings' are the stuff of storybooks."

Robert Trussell, The Kansas City Star

  • Full Length Play
  • Drama
  • 85 minutes

  • Time Period: Contemporary
  • Target Audience: Pre-Teen (Age 11 - 13), Teen (Age 14 - 18)
  • Set Requirements: Bare Stage/Simple Set

  • Performance Group:
  • Community Theatre, College Theatre / Student, High School/Secondary

  • Accolades:
  • Winner! The prestigious AT&T FirstStage Award from the Theatre Communications Group
Seventeen-year-old Owen is in love with Sarah. Sarah is in love with Sean and his rich lifestyle. Sean used to love Sarah, but now he's moved on. With the help of a mysterious, Faustian source of inspiration, called the Host, Sarah comes up with a plan to secure her future that unwittingly draws everyone into her tangled web of lies.

Owen's friend, Tommy, is complicit in Owen's inescapable fate, and Sarah's friend, Julie, must decide between loyalty and telling the truth. The four young characters are portrayed individually and as a chorus who, along with the Host, offer their cryptic and often sarcastic thoughts inside and outside the action.

The Tangled Web uses theatrical techniques to investigate issues that surround the consequences of irresponsible sexual activity. It examines peer relationships, influences, and the boundaries of loyalty. How far would you go to obtain your heartes desire?

In the special interactive forum that follows, the audience is given the opportunity to further explore the characters' choices and actions. 

REVIEWS:

"Compelling... the story examines individual responsibility. Every character is put under the microscope. Refuses to pander to its audience and acknowledges that "happy endings" are the stuff of storybooks."

 Robert Trussell, The Kansas City Star

"The Tangled Web asks teens to evaluate their stand in life, to make conscious choices, to hold themselves accountable, to make their lives count. I can't imagine a more powerful or timely dialogue."

 Avis Smith, ACSW, LSCSW, LCSW Prevention Manager, Crittenton Behavioral Health, Kansas City, MO

Premiere Production: The play was commissioned, devised with and premiered by Graffiti Theatre Company, Cork, Ireland.
This American version was commissioned and premiered by The Coterie, Kansas City, Mo.
  • Casting: 3M, 2F, 1M or F

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The Tangled Web Script Order Now

Seventeen-year-old Owen is in love with Sarah. Sarah is in love with Sean and his rich lifestyle. Sean used to love Sarah, but now hees moved on. With the help of a mysterious, Faustian source of inspiration, called the Host, Sarah comes up with a plan to secure her future that unwittingly draws everyone into her tangled web of lies. Owenes friend, Tommy, is complicit in Owenes inescapable fate, and Sarahes friend, Julie, must decide between loyalty and telling the truth. The four young characters are portrayed individually and as a chorus who, along with the Host, offer their cryptic and often sarcastic thoughts inside and outside the action. The Tangled Web uses theatrical techniques to investigate issues that surround the consequences of irresponsible sexual activity. It examines peer relationships, influences, and the boundaries of loyalty. How far would you go to obtain your heartes desire In the special interactive forum that follows, the audience is given the opportunity to further explore the characterse choices and actions. The play was commissioned, devised with and premiered by Graffiti Theatre Company, Cork, Ireland. This American version was commissioned and premiered by The Coterie, Kansas City, Mo., and received a prestigious AT&T FirstStage Award from the Theatre Communications Group. Simple set. Suitable for touring. Approximate running time: 85 minutes.

$19.95