Grand Concourse

A SAMUEL FRENCH, INC. TITLE

Grand Concourse

Full-Length Play, Drama  /  2w, 2m

Having dedicated her life to religious service, Shelley runs a Bronx soup kitchen with unsentimental efficiency, but lately her heart’s not quite in it. Her brisk nature masks an unsettling fear that her efforts are meaningless. 
  • Cast Size
    Cast Size
    2w, 2m
  • Duration
    Duration
    90 minutes
  • SubGenre
    Subgenre
    Not Applicable, Faith-Based, Romantic Comedy
  • Audience
    Target Audience
    Adult, Teen (Age 14-18)
Accolades
Accolades
  • Finalist! 2015 Susan Smith Blackburn Prize
    Nominee: 2015 Lucille Lortel Award
    The Kilroys List, 2014
Grand Concourse

Details

Summary
Having dedicated her life to religious service, Shelley runs a Bronx soup kitchen with unsentimental efficiency, but lately her heart’s not quite in it. Her brisk nature masks an unsettling fear that her efforts are meaningless. When Emma – an idealistic but confused college dropout – arrives to volunteer, her reckless mix of generosity and self-involvement pushes Shelley to the breaking point. With keen humor and startling compassion, Heidi Schreck’s play navigates the mystery of faith, the limits of forgiveness, and the pursuit of something resembling joy.

History
Grand Concourse received its world premiere production at Playwrights Horizons in New York City, under the direction of Kip Fagan in 2014. 
SHELLEY – A nun, and the administrator of the soup kitchen.
EMMA – 19. A college dropout who volunteers for Shelley. 
OSCAR – The handsome janitor of the soup kitchen.
FROG – One of the homeless patrons. 
  • Time Period Contemporary, Present Day, New Millennium/21st Century
  • Setting A soup kitchen off the Grand Concourse in The Bronx.
  • Features Contemporary Costumes/Street Clothes
  • Additional Features No Intermission
  • Duration 90 minutes
  • Cautions
    • Mild Adult Themes

Media

“Heidi Schreck’s beautiful tragicomedy of life... reminds you of why you go to the theater in the first place.” – Chicago Sun Times

Grand Concourse may well break your heart. You may need tissues by the end.” – New York Post, Read More

“Insightful with a moving, even shocking epiphany.” – Huffington Post, Read More

“[Heidi Schreck] writes fluid, natural dialogue and creates detailed characters that offer generous opportunities for actors... the words have the ring of plain truth.” – The New York Times, Read More

“While most stories about nuns can’t resist being feel-good and sincere, the best thing about Schreck’s story is its dry-eyed lack of sweetness and sentiment. Amen to that.” – New York Daily News, Read More

“Heidi Schreck's Grand Concourse, [is] a brutal response to the notion of unconditional forgiveness and never-ending charity. With its pointed perspective and merciless plot, Grand Concourse is likely to rouse flashes of anger and sadness. A master provocateur of a playwright, it's nearly impossible to walk away unscathed by Schreck's harrowing tale.” – TheaterMania, Read More

“Heidi Schreck’s beautiful tragicomedy of life... reminds you of why you go to the theater in the first place.” – Chicago Sun Times, Read More

ON BREAKING CHARACTER

Our Picks for 2019 Fall Plays
Samuel French  
March 27, 2019

Between Intention and Action: Playwright Heidi Schreck, Director Yasen Peyankov, and Dramaturg Dassia Posner discuss GRAND CONCOURSE
by Dassia Posner
October 27, 2015

The Pursuit of Forgiveness & Joy: GRAND CONCOURSE
by Julia Izumi
May 22, 2015

Videos

  • Grand Concourse- Audience Reaction  youtube thumbnail

    Grand Concourse- Audience Reaction

  • Scene From GRAND CONCOURSE - Playwrights Horizons, 2014 youtube thumbnail

    Scene From GRAND CONCOURSE - Playwrights Horizons, 2014

  • GRAND CONCOURSE trailer - Playwrights Horizons, 2014 youtube thumbnail

    GRAND CONCOURSE trailer - Playwrights Horizons, 2014

  • Heidi Schreck on Grand Concourse - Playwrights Horizons youtube thumbnail

    Heidi Schreck on Grand Concourse - Playwrights Horizons

  • Meet Heidi Schreck, playwright of GRAND CONCOURSE youtube thumbnail

    Meet Heidi Schreck, playwright of GRAND CONCOURSE

  • Grand Concourse- Trailer  youtube thumbnail

    Grand Concourse- Trailer

Show more +

Licensing & Materials

  • Minimum Fee: £55 per performance plus VAT when applicable.

Scripts

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Authors

Heidi Schreck

Heidi Schreck is a writer and performer living in Brooklyn. Her critically-acclaimed play What the Constitution Means to Me played an extended, sold-out run on Broadway in 2019, and was nominated for two Tony Awards. It had subsequent runs at the Kennedy Center in Washington ...
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