A SAMUEL FRENCH, INC. TITLE

Accent on Youth

Full-Length Play, Comedy  /  3w, 6m

Samson Raphelson

A witty and moving comedy is by one of the most prolific writers during Broadway and Hollywood's Golden Age. The engaging plot has successful middle-aged playwright Steven Gaye falling in love with 20-ish Linda Brown who happens to be his secretary. After temporarily deferring to a younger man for her affections while starring in Steven's new play, Steven ultimately proves that age itself is merely a number. A charming, sophisticated romp.

  • Cast Size
    Cast Size
    3w, 6m
  • Duration
    Duration
    90 minutes
  • SubGenre
    Subgenre
    Romantic Comedy
  • Audience
    Target Audience
    Adult

Details

Summary
In his early fifties Steven Gaye, who is famous for writing comedies, has written the tragedy of an old man who loves a young girl. Although he is enthusiastic about it, he realizes that something is spurious in the construction. When he impulsively decides to abandon playwriting for good, and gives his secretary notice, she takes her dismisal with ill grace. She blurts out that she is in love with him. As a man he is flattered and interested. But Steven has been a playwright too long not to have detached interest in the problem of making life fit the theatre, and a large part of his interest in his secretary is the light she throws upon the problem of his play. By lifting his secretary's avowal intact he removes the one false note in his tragedy. He falls in love with her. Although she loves him, he is not without rivals.
History

Accent on Youth premiered on Broadway at the Plymouth Theatre in December of 1934 under the direction of Benn W. Levy.

Keywords
STEVEN GAYE - Early 50s. A successful playwright who has prmarily written comedies. 
LINDA BROWN - 20s. Steven's secretary.
GENEVIEVE LANG - An older actress.
FLOGDELL - Steven's butler.
FRANK GALLOWAY - The older lead in Steven's new play.
DICKIE REYNOLDS - The younger lead in Steven's new play.
MISS DARLING - An old girlfriend of Steven's.
BUTCH - Friend of Dickie.
CHUCK - Friend of Dickie.
  • Time Period 1930s
  • Setting The study of playwright Steven Gaye.
  • Features Period Costumes
  • Duration 90 minutes
  • Cautions
    • Mild Adult Themes

Media

REVIEWS 

"What hasn't gone out of fashion is Raphaelson's knack for presenting recognizably amusing figures and his gift for witty one-liners..." - TheatreMania, Read More 

"This little gem of tangled relationships based on a playwright's maneuvering of human emotions strikes chords in all areas." - New York Theatre Guide, Read More 

Licensing & Materials

  • Minimum Fee: $110 per performance

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Authors

Author

Samson Raphelson

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