This 2015 article from the Samuel French archives breaks down Samuel D. Hunter’s The Few (US/UK), diving into what’s compelling about the play, and why you might want to produce it in this moment. Read on for a quick overview on the touching piece.
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What’s It All About
Four years ago Bryan abandoned his labor of love, a newspaper for truckers. Now he’s returned — with no word of where he’s been — and things have changed. His former lover is filled with rage, his new coworker is filled with incessant adoration, and his paper is filled with personal ads. As he considers giving up for good, Bryan searches for what he couldn’t find on the road: a way to keep faith in humanity.
Why You Should Do This Play
This story of homecoming is differentiated from the pack by the way that Samuel D. Hunter’s characters and settings exist in a world so realistic that it becomes theatrical. His characters are gritty, nuanced. They resonate as people we know far too well in a way that is rarely achieved in the theatre. Additionally, the small cast and single set make the production of this show achievable for even the smallest of venues without sparing the artistry of a theatrical design. With 1999 as the backdrop, we are given a rare opportunity to reflect on the recent past and what changes time brings with it. The AOL free-trial CD’s and days of personal ads being placed in newspapers may be long gone (or at least fewer and farther between) but designers will have a blast curating pieces from the period.
The Particulars
2 men, 1 woman
Need To Know
From Samuel D. Hunter, the award winning author of The Whale (US/UK) and A Bright New Boise (US/UK), and the 2014 recipient of the MacArthur Foundation “Genius” Grant. The Few premiered at Rattlestick Playwrights Theatre in 2014.
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Discover more of Mr. Hunter’s deeply moving and disarmingly humorous plays at the Concord Theatricals website in the US or UK.
Noël Coward’s Travels
In celebration of the 125th anniversary of Noël Coward’s birth, here’s a look at the many places visited by the globetrotting playwright, interspersed with brief summaries of the classic stage works he created while traveling.
Kate Chopin in New Orleans: Mother-Daughter Author Duo Collaborate on Historical Book
Playwright Rosary Hartel O’Neill (author of Degas in Paris, The Awakening of Kate Chopin and other plays) and her daughter Rory O’Neill Schmitt discuss their latest collaboration, the nonfiction book Kate Chopin in New Orleans.
Heathers The Musical: 10 Facts for 10 Years
10 years have passed since Heathers The Musical’s explosive off-Broadway premiere! To celebrate anniversary, here are 10 facts about this hilarious, heartfelt and homicidal hit musical.