A SAMUEL FRENCH, INC. TITLE

A Gift of Time

Full-Length Play, Drama  /  5w, 5m

Garson Kanin, Lael T. Wertenbaker

Based on the book by Lael T. Wertenbaker

"The affirmation of the dignity of man in the face of the remorseless enemy - mortality. Will shake you and move you. Shining tenderness. Celebrates with tenderness and humor the gifts of love and understanding that make life worth living." - N. …

  • Cast Size
    Cast Size
    5w, 5m

Details

Summary

An American editor resigns his post and moves to France with his wife and two children to spend his time in writing important books. But all too shortly he learns that he is dying of an inoperable cancer, and forthwith determines to live every day, hour, and minute to the fullest: life is a gift of time. Gradually he begins to feel the pain and physical consequences of his affliction. Unfortunately, he even becomes immunized to morphine. He decides, therefore, to bear the pain and the debilities so long as his faculties remain. At that point, with his wife holding him tightly and murmuring, "I love you. Please die," he cuts his wrists and ends the agony. In the Broadway roles, Henry Fonda played the dying husband, and Olivia de Havilland, his wife.

History
The Ethel Barrymore Theatre, 1962.
Cast Attributes

CHARLES CHRISTIAN WERTENBAKER

LAEL TUCKER WERTENBAKER

A NURSING MOTHER

DR. CARTIER

DR. BARCET

A PATIENT

A ONE-ARMED MAN

A WAITER

A NEWS VENDOR

MADAME OYARZABEL (AMA)

MIRENTCHU ETCHEGARRY

CHRISTIAN WERTENBAKER

MICHEL ETCHEGARRY

GINETTE HIRRIBARREN

PREDERIC ETCHEGARRY

DR. ROSS

DR. JAMES DANIELSON

DR. MARTINEZ

DR. SALA

DR. GERSHKORN

TWO ORDERLIES

THOMAS LORING

SUSAN LORING

MISS WILLS

MISS PIERONI

TWO COUNTERMEN

A VISITOR

A PATIENT

CARLOS

THE PURSER

THE DECK STEWARD

MRS. ALLEN

MR. ALLEN

THE SHIP'S NURSE

MIGUEL TELLERIA

A VERY OLD MAN

DANIEL STEIN

TWO MONKS

A MAN

HIS WIFE

  • Setting 1954-1955. Various locations.
  • Cautions
    • Mild Adult Themes

Media

"The affirmation of the dignity of man in the face of the remorseless enemy" - mortality. Will shake you and move you. Shining tenderness. Celebrates with tenderness and humor the gifts of love and understanding that make life worth living. - N. Y. Times.

"Done with remarkable taste and intelligence, and results in an emotional experience of unrelenting candor." - N. Y. Post.

"It held the first night audience in a relentless and awesome grip." - N. Y. Daily News.

"A strong and honest drama." - N. Y. Journal-American.

Licensing & Materials

  • Minimum Fee: $120 per performance

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Authors

Garson Kanin

Garson Kanin was a 20th century Renaissance Man: musician, burlesque comedian, actor, stage and film director, writer, and raconteur. Best known for Born Yesterday, he wrote plays, essays, screenplays, short stories, novels, memoirs, songs, and a libretto; he directed plays, ...

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Author

Lael T. Wertenbaker

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