Christopher Durang

Longer One Act Plays
(between 30 and 60 minutes)
 

Death Comes To Us All, Mary Agnes
  (45 minutes approximately)

PRODUCTION HISTORY:

Death Comes to Us All, Mary Agnes had its professional premiere at the Experimental Theatre at the Yale School of Drama in New Haven, Conn. on April 22, 1975, directed by Robert Lewis.

The play had its New York City premiere on May 13, 1988, off-off Broadway at the Wordplay Ensemble Theatre at 339 East 28th Street, directed by Anthony Koplin.

Some reviews included:

...brilliant, alternately funny, sick, and ultimately very sad.
      – Yale Graduate Professional

...a blend of grotesque visions and originality that both shocks and entertains.
      – Yale Daily News

THE STORY: The scene is a decaying mansion occupied by a family beset by all manner of problems: conceit, hatred, 

 selfishness, incest and cruelty--all dealt with in an ironic, highly theatrical manner which offers rare acting opportunities for the performers involved.  Throughout, and despite the horrors encountered, all exude a kind of bland innocence which, oddly enough, seems to excuse their otherwise inexcusable behavior--and underscores the biting irony of what takes place.

Vivien has returned to her childhood home because her father, the wealthy Mr. Jansen-Hubbell, is dying.  She is accompanied by her handsome twin sons, Tod and Tim, who seem to be involved with one another.  Tod and Tim tell Vivien how beautiful she is; she tells them how handsome they are.  They’re preposterously self-involved and narcissistic.  Also at the house are Vivien’s ex-husband Herbert, whom she barely speaks to her; and her rejected daughter, Margot, who she initially doesn’t even recognize.  Margot is in a fury at her treatment in this nutty family, and keeps trying to confront them all, without much success.  Other characters include the various servants, all of whom are rather messed up too.

Cast: 6 male, 6 female, 12 total.
Rights:  Dramatists Play Service

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