Amy and the Orphans

A SAMUEL FRENCH, INC. TITLE

Amy and the Orphans

Full-Length Play, Dramatic Comedy  /  4w, 2m

Lindsey Ferrentino

A crowded car, 100 miles, three newly orphaned siblings, a chatty stranger, and a whopper of a family secret make for an extraordinarily uncomfortable road trip.

Image: 2018 Roundabout Theatre Company Production (Joan Marcus)

Amy and the Orphans

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  • Cast Size
    Cast Size
    4w, 2m
  • Duration
    Duration
    120 minutes (2 hours)
  • Audience
    Target Audience
    Adult, Teen (Age 14-18)
Accolades
Accolades
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Andy and the Orphans

Details

Summary
When their 85-year-old father dies, sparring siblings Maggie and Jake must face a question: How to break the bad news to their sister Amy, who has Down syndrome and has lived in a state home for years? Along the way, the pair find out just how much they don’t know about their family and each other. It seems only Amy knows who she really is.
History
Amy and the Orphans was commissioned and originally produced by Roundabout Theatre Company at the Laura Pels Theatre on March 1, 2018. The production was directed by Scott Ellis.
Keywords
Performing Groups

SARAH – married to Bobby
BOBBY – married to Sarah
JACOB – tightly wound and clenching to keep it that way
MAGGIE – unspooled and unspooling
KATHY – Italian-American, heavy New York accent, visibly pregnant, the walking embodiment of Long Island, New York
AMY – strong-willed woman with Down syndrome*

*Finding a talented actor with Down syndrome isn’t difficult, so please do it.

Gail Williamson of Down Syndrome in Arts & Media is familiar with this play’s casting needs and specifically represents talented actors with Down syndrome across the country.

Finding a talented actor with Down syndrome isn’t difficult, so please do it. Gail
Williamson of Down Syndrome in Arts & Media is familiar with this
play’s casting needs and specifically represents talented actors with
Down syndrome across the country.

  • Time Period Present Day
  • Setting A plain room that is both nowhere and everywhere. Then and now.
  • Duration 120 minutes (2 hours)

Media

“Features enough hilarious one-liners to fuel a Neil Simon comedy. A play that boasts a rich, aching humanity.” – The Hollywood Reporter

“An astonishing play that is likely to alter your preconceptions. This touching drama questions the bonds of family and limits of love.” – Roma Torre, NY1

“A riotous, audacious blend of pathos and humor. There's a powerful beating heart in Lindsey Ferrentino's writing. A play that boasts a rich, aching humanity.” – The Hollywood Reporter

“An endearing new play that wisely reminds us of that all-important dictum: to treat others with as much respect and consideration as we’d like ourselves to be treated.” – The Village Voice

“Insightful... defiant... remarkable... [with] heartbroken resonance.” – Ben Brantley, The New York Times

ON BREAKING CHARACTER

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September 5, 2019

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April 8, 2019

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Lawrence Haynes
January 7, 2019

Videos

  • Amy and the Orphans - Montage youtube thumbnail

    Amy and the Orphans - Montage

  • NY Post Feature on Amy and the Orphans youtube thumbnail

    NY Post Feature on Amy and the Orphans

Photos

  • Amy and the Orphans

    Image: 2018 Roundabout Theatre Company Production (Joan Marcus)

Licensing & Materials

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

Scripts

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Authors

Lindsey Ferrentino

Lindsey Ferrentino

Lindsey Ferrentino is a New York-based playwright originally from the sunny state of Florida, where many of her plays are set.

Her play Ugly Lies the Bone was a New York Times Critic Pick and played a sold-out extended run off-Broadway at Roundabout Theater Company in the Unde ...

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