Originally commissioned and produced by New York’s prestigious Primary Stages Company as a response to the events of 9/11, Rituals is the heart-wrenching tale of Dave and Janie, an upwardly-mobile couple whose lives have been shattered by the death of their young son. Dave brings Pat, his therapist, to their high-rise condo – hoping that Pat can help put a stop to Janie’s compulsive rituals, which Dave fears are causing her to retreat from reality. What begins as an intervention quickly escalates into a heated confrontation…and Dave realizes that rituals may actually represent a valid way to survive in the aftermath of a terrible tragedy.
Published in 5 Easy Pieces: More One-Act Plays.
RITUALS was originally commissioned by Primary Stages Company in New York City as part of their 2002 Short Play Festival, “A Moment of Bliss.” The play was first performed on March 4, 2002 and was directed by Marvin Einhorn.