A SAMUEL FRENCH, INC. TITLE

The Job

Full-Length Play, Dark Comedy  /  1w, 4m

"Bitterman creates a complex mix of characters while weaving a richly textured moral tapestry." - The Village Voice

  • Cast Size
    Cast Size
    1w, 4m
  • Duration
    Duration
    120 minutes (2 hours)
  • SubGenre
    Subgenre
    Mystery/Thriller
  • Audience
    Target Audience
    Adult
Accolades
Accolades
  • WINNER! 1999 Los Angeles Drama Critics Circle Ted Schmitt Award, Outstanding New Play

Details

Summary
Frank, a down on his luck con artist, is trying to go straight and sober. His hooker girlfriend wants to get married. He applies at an "agency" where a contractor places him in the perfect "job." When Frank realizes he has been hired to murder an unemployed engineer who wants the insurance money for his family, he panics and subcontracts the hit to his old partner, a slick operator who is now making it as a fire and brimstone evangelist. There are deals, subdeals, and counterdeals, changes of mind and heart. Was Martin really knocked off? Where is the body? Will the Agency take revenge on Frank for a double cross? What really happened in Kansas City?
History

The Job was first presented by Circus Theatricals at The Hudson Guild Theatre in Los Angeles on November 7, 1998. It was directed by the author. The play was subsequently produced by the WPA Theatre in New York City in June 1999, where it was also directed by the author.

FRANK - mid 30s to 40s,  a down on his luck job seeker
JOHN - mid 30s to 40s, works at an employment agency
MAGS - mid 30s to 40s, never worked
JIM - mid 30s to 40s, a con artist
MARTIN -mid 30s to 40s, long term unemployed

  • Time Period Contemporary
  • Setting Various locations in a small American city.
  • Features Contemporary Costumes / Street Clothes
  • Additional Features Not Applicable
  • Duration 120 minutes (2 hours)
  • Cautions
    • Strong Language

Media

REVIEWS

"Bitterman creates a complex mix of characters while weaving a richly textured moral tapestry." -The Village Voice, Read More

"Richly humorous." - The Los Angeles Times, Read More

"A deeply brooding and introspective sojourn through one man's attempt to repair his life ravaged psyche." - Variety, Read More

"Harshly graceful and haunting comic drama." -The New York Times, Read More

Music

  • Musical Style N/A (Not a musical)
  • Vocal DemandsN/A (Not a musical)
  • Chorus Size N/A (Not a musical)

Licensing & Materials

  • Minimum Fee: $110 per performance

Add-Ons

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Authors

Shem Bitterman

Shem Bitterman is an alumnus of Julliard, where he studied acting, and of the University of Iowa where he earned an MFA in Dramatic Writing in 1985. Recent plays include: A Death in Colombia (Katselas Theatre Company, LA, 2011), Influence (Katselas, 2010; Best Play, Best Prod ...
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