A SAMUEL FRENCH, INC. TITLE

Pluto

Full-Length Play, Drama  /  3w, 2m

Steve Yockey

"Imbuing his ripped-from-the-headlines material with the horrific impulse of Tracy Letts and Martin McDonagh — with a dash of Tony Kushner’s hushed and prophetic intelligence — Yockey delivers an American tragedy as important as it is disturbing." - Atlanta Journal-Constitution

Pluto

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  • Cast Size
    Cast Size
    3w, 2m
  • Duration
    Duration
    90 minutes
  • SubGenre
    Subgenre
    Not Applicable
  • Audience
    Target Audience
    Adult

Details

Summary
In the wake of a local tragedy involving gun violence at a community college, single mother Elizabeth Miller and her withdrawn son, Bailey, try to jump-start their relationship across the breakfast table. But with berserker appliances, shifting astronomy, and the talkative new family dog’s interruptions, Elizabeth might not be able to really “see” the person she needs to see most.

History

Pluto was originally commissioned by SF Playhouse in San Francisco, CA. It was developed with assistance from the National New Play Network, Oregon Shakespeare Festival, and Playwriting Australia.

Keywords
Performing Groups

ELIZABTEH MILLER - A woman, 40s, a widow, a single mother; strong, steadfast, capable, but sarcastic and definitely not the best communicator; honestly trying to do right by her son and make this day like any other.  
BAILEY MILLER - A man; early 20s, sarcastic, hipster, a bit sullen, but pleasant enough if pushed & hungry to fit in. Struggling to find his footing in life. Dissociative. And probably very dangerous.
MAXINE SAILORS - A woman; early 20s, beautiful, full of promise, erratic & really not as nice as she could be - but given the circumstances, it’s hard to fault her. 
CERBERUS - A woman; laid-back therapist vibe, pretty with a pedigree, but not snooty, the personification of the mythic, three-headed dog guarding the entrance to the underworld.
RADIO VOICE / DEATH - A “man;” good natured with a wry, warm humor to take the edge off; sharp in look with a good flow, but a bit out of sorts. A force of nature.

  • Time Period Contemporary
  • Setting A suburban kitchen.
  • Features Contemporary Costumes/Street Clothes
  • Additional Features No Intermission
  • Duration 90 minutes
  • Cautions
    • Strong Language
    • Mild Adult Themes

Media

REVIEWS 

"Imbuing his ripped-from-the-headlines material with the horrific impulse of Tracy Letts and Martin McDonagh — with a dash of Tony Kushner’s hushed and prophetic intelligence — Yockey delivers an American tragedy as important as it is disturbing." - Atlanta Journal-Constitution, Read More 

"[Pluto's] style attacks the audience with a fierce combination of kitchen realism and Jean Cocteau’s off-the-wall conflation of dream and daily life. The results are rivetingly funny, bizarre, emotionally raw, and intellectually provocative." - MD Theatre Guide, Read More 

"Like a well-written sci-fi novel, [Pluto] does have its own peculiar logic. And it’s a logic that Yockey works meticulously." - Cincinnati Enquirer, Read More 


Videos

  • Interview with Steve Yockey on Pluto youtube thumbnail

    Interview with Steve Yockey on Pluto

  • Orlando Shakespeare Theatre Trailer for Pluto youtube thumbnail

    Orlando Shakespeare Theatre Trailer for Pluto

Licensing & Materials

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

Scripts

Available Formats:
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Authors

Steve Yockey

Steve Yockey
Steve Yockey is a Los Angeles based writer with work produced throughout the US, Europe, and Asia. His plays Pluto, Bellwether, Afterlife, Octopus, Large Animal Games, CARTOON, Subculture, Very Still & Hard to See, The Fisherman’s Wife, Wolves, Disassembly, and Niagara Falls ...
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