A SAMUEL FRENCH, INC. TITLE

Real American Dinner Party

10 Minute Play, Dark Comedy  /  2w, 2m

Jen Silverman

In Jen Silverman's potent, absurdist short play, a typical American upper-class dinner between two
jealous sisters and their boyfriends takes a dark turn when the
characters' eyeballs start popping out.

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Real American Dinner Party

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  • Cast Size
    Cast Size
    2w, 2m
  • Duration
    Duration
    10 minutes
  • Audience
    Target Audience
    Adult, Teen (Age 14-18)

Details

Summary

Sometimes you lose your keys, sometimes you lose your temper, and sometimes you lose the most unexpected of things. A particularly tense dinner party can change everything in the blink of an eye...

In Jen Silverman's potent, absurdist short play, a typical American upper-class dinner between two jealous sisters and their boyfriends takes a dark turn when the characters' eyeballs start popping out.

Real American Dinner Party appears in the collection Real American Dinner Party & Other Short Plays.

History
This version of Real American Dinner Party premiered in 2020 as an audio play by Playing On Air under Producing Artistic Director Claudia Catania. Directed by Rachel Chavkin, the production featured Quincy Tyler Bernstine, April Matthis, Sean Carjaval and Matthew Rauch.
Performing Groups

MARCY – (female, early twenties) Mousy, easily intimidated, trying so hard to please.
SAIDEE – (female, late twenties) Her sister, who does not approve of her life choices. They are always competing.
THOM – (male, late twenties) Saidee’s boyfriend, affable and non-confrontational. He wants everybody to think he’s a nice guy.
GRANT – (male, early forties) Marcy’s boyfriend, rich, pushy. He doesn’t respect her.

Characters can be played by actors of any race, ethnicity and gender identity.

  • Time Period Contemporary, Present Day
  • Setting Saidee and Thom’s new apartment. Posh but minimal. Thrillingly ugly taxidermy if possible.
  • Features Contemporary Costumes/Street Clothes
  • Duration 10 minutes

Licensing & Materials

  • Minimum Fee: £30 per performance plus VAT when applicable.

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Authors

Jen Silverman

Jen Silverman

Jen Silverman (they/them) is a playwright, novelist and screenwriter. Plays include: The Roommate (Broadway: The Booth Theatre; Regionally: Williamstown Theatre Festival, Actor’s Theatre of Louisville Humana Festival, Steppenwolf, South Coast Repertory Theatre, etc.); Highway ...

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