alphabetical author index

Purgatorio

  • Ariel Dorfman
  • Full Length Play, Drama
  • 1M, 1F
  • ISBN: 9781854596697

"Dorfman's play is fascinating, brilliant, elegant, funny and... revolting... He endows [his woman protagonist] with poetry worthy of Euripides."

Seattle Post-Intelligencer

  • Full Length Play
  • Drama

  • Set Requirements: Bare Stage/Simple Set
A man and a woman enter a room. We see only a small bed, two chairs, and a table. Is it an asylum? A prison? Interrogation room? Questions are asked and answered. We feel we know the story. In this room, both the man and woman are faced with the truths of their lives. Playwright Ariel Dorfman puts before us the question of justice and forgiveness. Are there crimes for which there can be no forgiveness? If there is no forgiveness, how do we move on with our lives? Purgatorio reacquaints us with the tragedy of Jason and Medea.

Perhaps no ancient tale has inspired more debate or provoked more horror. Through Dorfman's evocative language and keen understanding of humanity, we see the story anew through his crystalline lens. The play is a charged, poetic inquiry into human relationships that dangles the possibility of redemption just out of reach.

REVIEWS:

"Dorfman's play is fascinating, brilliant, elegant, funny, and... revolting... He endows [his woman protagonist] with poetry worthy of Euripides."

 Seattle Post-Intelligencer

Premiere Production: Purgatorio was originally produced by Seattle Repertory Theatre on October 29th, 2005 in the Bagley Wright Theatre.
  • Casting: 1M, 1F
  • Casting Attributes: Strong Role for Leading Woman (Star Vehicle), Strong Role for Leading Man (Star Vehicle)

  • A MAN
    A WOMAN
  • Name Price
    Purgatorio Script This is optional. Order Now

    A man and a woman enter a room. We see only a small bed, two chairs, and a table. Is it an asylum? A prison? Interrogation room? Questions are asked and answered. We feel we know the story. In this room, both the man and woman are faced with the truths of their lives. Playwright Ariel Dorfman puts before us the question of justice and forgiveness. Are there crimes for which there can be no forgiveness? If there is no forgiveness, how do we move on with our lives? Purgatorio reacquaints us with the tragedy of Jason and Medea.

    Perhaps no ancient tale has inspired more debate or provoked more horror. Through Dorfman's evocative language and keen understanding of humanity, we see the story anew through his crystalline lens. The play is a charged, poetic inquiry into human relationships that dangles the possibility of redemption just out of reach.

    $24.95