A SAMUEL FRENCH, INC. TITLE

Tough Choices for the New Century

Short Play, Dark Comedy  /  2w, 1m

Jane Anderson

"Very funny." - Variety

This satirical entry in the 19th Annual Humana Festival of New American Plays is fashioned as a seminar in which a lecturer offers preparedness advice on a spectrum of catastrophes.

Tough Choices for the New Century

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  • Cast Size
    Cast Size
    2w, 1m
  • Duration
    Duration
    40 minutes
  • SubGenre
    Subgenre
    Not Applicable
  • Suggested Use
    • Cutting Approved for Competition
    • Monologues
  • Audience
    Target Audience
    Adult

Details

Summary
This satirical entry in the 19th Annual Humana Festival of New American Plays is fashioned as a seminar in which a lecturer offers preparedness advice on a spectrum of catastrophes. Meanwhile his wife/assistant slowly and hilariously disintegrates in fear. A second lecturer, the charismatic Arden Shingles, deftly makes her argument for why everyone in the audience should be packing a gun. Written in 1997, it's even more relevant today as gun advocates and "preppers" play on our fears to make their case for self-defense.
History
Tough Choices for the New Century was first presented by the Actors Theatre of Louisville 19th Annual Humana Festival of New American Plays at the Victor Jory Theatre in Louisville, Kentucky, in 1997. It was directed by Lisa Peterson.
Keywords
Performing Groups
BOB & HELEN DOOLEY - Bob has been giving his very popular preparedness seminars all around the country. Helen has recently joined the team and is an experienced volunteer for the Red Cross. They originally hail from Columbus, Ohio and currently reside in the Southern Califorma area where Bob is a construction consultant.
ARDEN SHINGLES - Ms. Shingles is author of the best-seller, Armed for Life. She has been teaching seminars and workshops in self-defense for the past eleven years and was twice-named Business Woman of the Year by the Austin Business Women's Association.

Arden and Helen may be played by the same actress.

  • Time Period Present Day, New Millennium/21st Century
  • Setting A seminar room. Whatever time curtain goes up.
  • Additional Features No intermission
  • Duration 40 minutes
  • Cautions
    • Strong Language
    • Mild Adult Themes

Media

"Very funny." - Variety

Licensing & Materials

  • Minimum Fee: $65 per performance

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Authors

Jane Anderson

Jane Anderson

Jane Anderson is an Emmy Award-winning writer and director for theatre, film and television.

Plays include: Mother of the Maid, The Baby Dance, Baby Dance: Mixed, Defying Gravity, Looking for Normal, The Quality of Life, The Escort, Lynette at 3AM, Food & Shelter and The Last ...

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