Samuel French, Inc. The House of Plays & Musical Plays for Over 175 Years

Could I Have This Dance?
[29007]

$8.95

ISBN 978-0-573-69614-5

Doug Haverty

Dramatic Comedy

3m, 3f

Unit Set

Woodie Guthrie had it. Arlo may have it. It’s usually hereditary, but not always passed on to every offspring. The symptoms do not normally appear until a person reaches their mid-forties. Referred to as “The Dance of Death,” Huntington’s Disease is a complete degeneration of the nervous system. Recently, medical researchers developed a blood test to determine if the disease is present in young people. The question is: Should we know? There are over 100,000 people in the U.S. that are currently “at risk.” Of these people, only 500 have actually taken this test.

Could I Have this Dance? is about two sisters in their 30’s: Monica and Amanda. Their mother, Jeannette, has Huntington’s and lives with her daughters. The action takes place in the Los Angeles office/home where the girls run a thriving public relations firm, Grapevine, which was started by their mother. During the course of the play, we come to understand the time bomb these two sisters live with. Their possible fate is dramatically evidenced in the characterization of Jeannette which is interpreted through dance. The effects of the disease are “visible” to those onstage, but “invisible” to the audience, except in a few rare instances where the actualization of the disease is revealed. The other characters in the play are the men in these women’s lives. Jeannette’s husband (and the girls’ father), Hank, has come to accept his wife and still loves her very much. Both Monica and Amanda have shunned long-term romantic relationships because of their unknown fate; bitter Monica plays it safe and vibrant Amanda takes every chance with young, one-night-stands. Yet the girls and their father never lose their sense of humor. As the play unfolds, both women have met men they’d like to get serious with and the knowledge of the test both repels and attracts them: Amanda, desperate for the answer and Monica, in morbid fear of it.

Could I Have this Dance? is ultimately about love and cherishing what life we are given. This is a deeply romantic play about difficult choices. As the once-murky medical crystal ball becomes clearer, the universal question remains: Are we better off not looking at what the future holds?

“Playwright Doug Haverty uses Huntington’s Disease not in the telepic fashion where the disability is the star, but as a vehicle to explore human nature ... The play is kind of cross between Lee Blessing’s Independence and Arthur Kopit’s Wings ... Every character has color and dimension.” — DAILY VARIETY

“In a profound blend of pathos and humor, the memorable world premiere of Doug Haverty’s drama repeatedly transports the audience from out right hilarity to heartfelt sorrow .. electrifying ... this show is one of the season’s best.” — L.A. READER

“A gripping, emotional piece that both educates and enlightens ...Haverty’s story is engaging and informative, his dialogue crisp and humorous. The characters are interesting and well-developed ... The strength of family-in-crisis is always what gives one renewed hope. Could I Have This Dance?, takes that strength and provides a courageous arena for its expression.” — BURBANK TIMES

“Outstanding in every way ... a very sensitive portrayal of Huntington’s Disease ... Haverty has written a delicate story, yet places humor along the way so this dramatization does not come off as a death mask or heavy drama filled with sadness ... (a) well written play ... This is one you should not miss.” — THE TOLUCAN

“Haverty has tackled a very serious subject and delivered it in a play that also entertains ... (He) has written a sophisticated story about relationships without preaching about the disease. He doesn’t have to. It’s underneath everything ... a very interesting new play!” — DAILY BREEZE

“Haverty knows of what he writes and has transferred both his knowledge and heart to a text that pulls no punches.” — L.A. WEEKLY

“Could I Have This Dance?, under Doug Haverty’s deft, comic hand is a story about the uncertainty of life. It’s about the war of fate and genetics.” — DAILY NEWS

“Doug Haverty has written a beautifully touching, achingly funny and informative play about the effects of Huntington’s Disease on family members ... Haverty’s craftsman-like writing and Jules Aaron’s skillful direction never let the facts and figures overwhelm the delicate story or let the pathos become bathos ... wonderful experience.” — FRONTIERS

“Doug Haverty’s excellent play deals with a good deal more than illness ... Could I Have This Dance?, sparkles like fine champagne, but never intoxicates—though most people who see it will feel happy for hours after they leave the theatre—for in addition to its humanity, it is a damn funny play ... The ultimate power of Could I Have This Dance?, though, for all the exceptional work of this gifted company, rests in Doug Haverty’s considerable skill as a playwright ... Extraordinary from first moment to last.” — DRAMA-LOGUE

“An important new play ... very intelligently written and also a solidly entertaining play ... Witty lines and funny situations provide plenty of comic relief before the action becomes heavy ... Haverty’s grasp of contemporary dialogue is right on the money. His ability to write female chatter and emotions comes as no surprise to those familiar with his previous outings ... Both comical and poignant in context.” — NEWS-PRESS

“What we’re treated to—an increasingly rare treat—is how they handle this reality and their own emotions ... Haverty has an uncluttered sense of character and a good ear for snappy dialogue ... Haverty’s people are down-to-earth and in touch with their feelings. They also speak their minds with sobering candor ... The welcome pattern of sanity than runs through this bantering piece leaves you in the end with a bit of a glow and wishing there were more of this up front kind of coping in real life. There is nothing so attractive or refreshing as people who can face whatever life dishes up and deal with it. That singular element makes Haverty’s unexpectedly urbane play a surprise as well as a joy.” — THE LOS ANGELES TIMES

FEE: $75 per performance

Character Descriptions:
MONICA - (30s) Sharp, thorough, conservative, tough publicist and elder sister of Amanda. She is terrified of the future and romantic about what it could bring.
JEANNETTE - (60s) Beautiful, elegant, determined publicist and mother of Amanda and Monica. She can no longer see properly or speak. She is caged inside a rapidly degenerating body and cannot control her movements. (PLEASE NOTE: THIS CHARACTER DOES NOT SPEAK. SHE DANCES.)
HANK - (60s) Mild, content, patient, retired father of Amanda and Monica and husband to Jeannette. Even though his life has been plagued with tragedy, he’s managed to find the humor and love underneath.
AMANDA - (30s) Spirited, adventurous, spontaneous, brazen publicist. She keeps herself too busy to discover she’s lonely. She’s afraid she’s not really interesting so she makes relationships brief.
ERROL - (20s) Handsome, aggressive, open, fun-loving ex-jock, currently working in the mailroom while he awaits a higher wrung on his current career ladder.
COLIN - (30s) Carefree, well-known photo-journalist. He hates phones, schedules and takes work only when he wants to. He tends to gravitate to the wrong people, but seems to like the outcome.

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