A SAMUEL FRENCH, INC. TITLE

House Of Several Stories

Full-Length Play, Dark Comedy  /  3w, 2m

"One of the few examples of purely American absurdism...outside of Edward Albee."" - Austin Chronicle
"An examination of dysfunction, perception and misperception, truth and/or lies, with all roadsleading to life's perpetually unanswered question: What is real and true here?" - Austinist.com

House Of Several Stories

  • Cast Size
    Cast Size
    3w, 2m
  • Duration
    Duration
    120 minutes (2 hours)
  • SubGenre
    Subgenre
    Farce, Mystery/Thriller, Christmas/Holiday, Experimental, Science Fiction
  • Audience
    Target Audience
    Adult
Accolades
Accolades
  • Winner! 2008 Kennedy Center American College Theatre Festival National Student Playwriting Award

Details

Summary

House of Several Stores, a tragedy in two acts of nonsense, is an absurdist comedy about a dysfunctional family and their Thanksgiving "guests." Bastian returns home for Thanksgiving with news of "joining the service." Mother suggests he join a gym. Bastian's news takes a backseat when his sister, Rissa, suddenly decides that she's pregnant, and though not yet showing, expects to deliver "any minute now". Both children are then bombarded with Mother's news of an older brother that they've never known about, Thom, who has returned home for Thanksgiving from the war. Things are further complicated with the arrival of the mysterious, young Abigail, who has simply stopped by to drop something off--her newborn baby. That is, until she discovers the baby's father might be in the house. The play explores how stories help fill voids in people's lives caused by death, loss and dysfunction.

History

Imaginge That Productions - Austin Playhouse Theatre - Austin, TX 2009 

 

MOTHER - 50s; Sue; warm but absent; never without a cocktail.
BASTIAN - 30s; adopted brother; optimistically suicidal.
RISSA - 30s; sister; skittish; stuck.
THOM - 30s; military; a rugged angel; charming with an edge.
YOUNG WOMAN/ABIGAIL - 16, mysterious and mature.

The role of sixteen-year-old Abigail should be played by an actress at least eighteen years of age.

  • Time Period Contemporary
  • Setting

    Interior Set

     

  • Features Contemporary Costumes / Street Clothes
  • Additional Features Not Applicable, Drag Performance
  • Duration 120 minutes (2 hours)
  • Cautions
    • Alcohol
    • Strong Language
    • Mild Adult Themes

Media

"One of the few examples of purely American absurdism...outside of Edward Albee."" - Austin Chronicle

"An examination of dysfunction, perception and misperception, truth and/or lies, with all roads leading to life's perpetually unanswered question: What is real and true here?" - Austinist.com

“Boulanger [...] starts with loud chaos, exaggeration and absurdity and gradually endows his characters and story with humanity and depth. ” -​ Austin Live Theatre

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

A. John Boulanger

A. John Boulanger is a Texas native, playwright/director, and co-founder of Imagine That Productions. His debut play, House of Several Stories, has been recognized locally and nationally, winning the Michael Kanin National Student Playwriting Award in 2009 and the David Mark ...

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