Synopsis
Unchanging Love
Romulus Linney from Anton Chekhov
Published by Dramatists Play Service
1 Male 1 Female
He has recently brought about the marriage of one son, Avery, to a young woman, Leena, and has himself married a younger woman, Barbara. He means to get his other son, Shelby, married too, as insurance for the future
Shelby chooses Judy Musgrove, the daughter of a poor farming family, who also sing and dance for hire. Judy and Shelby have a baby, ensuring the continuance of the family line, but Shelby's learned apathy and greed commence a series of misdeeds which bring shame to the Pitman family
As time goes on, the whole family is slowly drawn under the influence of the increasingly dominating Leena Pitman, whose financial schemes clash with the values of some of the others, until a final catastrophe occurs
The play is filled with Appalachian music, sung a cappella by Judy and her mother and father
This Appalachian tale weaves music through the sad yet uplifting battle between morality and greed and life and compassion
" Mr Linney continues to be a poet of America's heartland" ~ NY Times
"Unchanging Love reasserts Linney's standing as a playwright of uncommon humanity and humor The dialogue is always at the service of his characters " ~ NY Newsday