Synopsis
This Day and Age
Published by Dramatists Play Service
3 Male 3 Female
Affluent, newly widowed and wonderfully politically incorrect, Marjorie is enjoying life sitting by her pool
having imaginary conversations with her late husband, Jack, when both her grown-up children come calling: Ann with her British husband, Brian, and Tony with his Asian-American wife, Joy-an ex-ballet dancer
Neither sibling knows the other has the same plan: to come home and live with poor old Mom. When Marjorie's succinct reply is "No," they can't believe it
" Who ever heard of anyone wanting to live alone?" asks Ann. "Anyone who's tried it" is Marjorie's reply. Not only does she not want them living there but, she has decided to sell the estate and move to New Zealand
Family chaos ensues. Sibling rivalry reaches alarming propor- tions; brother-in-law begins to lust after sister-in-law, and even the water in the pool turns murky. Eventually Marjorie has an epiphany - including a visitation from her deceased husband
songwriter Jack, arrives in swimsuit and flippers, urging her to "let 'em go, let 'em all go." Her decision, which has nothing to do with New Zealand, takes everyone by surprise and gives her a new freedom and a new life
The surprise "hit" of the Oregon Shakespeare Festival's '95 season, this comedyaddresses very real and current issues with crackling wit and sometimes controversial reflections on American society in "this day and age"