Details
- By
- Genre: Comedy
- Breakdown: 2W
- Publisher: Link
Synopsis
The play deals with the post-college careers (and dilemmas) of two former classmates: a short, slightly plump would-be writer named Janie Blumberg, and her tall, thin, gorgeous WASP friend, Harriet Cornwall. Both are struggling to escape from lingering parental domination and to establish their own lives and identities. In Janie’s case this leads to an inconclusive involvement with a young Jewish doctor who calls her “Monkey,” while Harriet assails the world of big business and has an affair with her hard-driving (and married) boss. Told in a fast-moving series of inventive, alternately hilarious and touchingly revealing scenes, the play explores their parallel stories with uncommon wit and wisdom—resulting, ultimately, in a heightened awareness which, while not providing all the answers, goes a long way toward achieving the maturity and self-assuredness that both protagonists so desperately desire.
Character Breakdown
Janie Blumberg (F, late 20s)
Harriet Cornwall (F, late 20s)
Marty Sterling (M, late 20s-30s)
Tasha Blumberg (Janie's Mom)
Simon Blumberg (Janie's Dad)
Lillian Cornwall
Paul Stuart
Teacher Notes
Scene between Janine and Harriet. Harriet has just surprised everyone by announcing that she is marrying a man she has known for only two weeks. When these two friends are alone, Janie lets Harriet know that she is frustrated with and feels betrayed by this simplistic solution to the career/family puzzle. Janie feels particularly vulnerable because she has just broken up with Paul, the doctor everyone thought was Mr. Right. Start, Janie: “She’s in a good mood.” End, Janie: “Do you really think anyone ever met someone throwing out the garbage?”