The Scene (play)
Encyclopedia
The Scene is a black comedy
written by Theresa Rebeck
that was first performed in 2006.
people in Manhattan
, the unemployed actor Charlie, his successful wife Stella, and his friend Lewis. Enter Clea from Ohio, who presents as a pretty but dumb, seemingly naive newcomer to the scene. First dating Lewis, she soon moves to Charlie. His wife catches them in the act, and Charlie is unable to clear the situation. He loses his wife - Lewis is happy to console her - Clea drops him and moves on, and all he has left is his bottle and his misery.
at the Actors Theatre of Louisville
; it was directed by Rebecca Taichman. The play subsequently went to off-Broadway
where it was well received and beyond.
Black comedy
A black comedy, or dark comedy, is a comic work that employs black humor or gallows humor. The definition of black humor is problematic; it has been argued that it corresponds to the earlier concept of gallows humor; and that, as humor has been defined since Freud as a comedic act that anesthetizes...
written by Theresa Rebeck
Theresa Rebeck
Theresa Rebeck is an American playwright, television writer and novelist. Her work has appeared on the Broadway and Off-Broadway stage, in film, and on television. Among her awards are the Mystery Writers of America’s Edgar Award.-Biography:...
that was first performed in 2006.
Plot summary
The characters in the play are show businessShow business
Show business, sometimes shortened to show biz, is a vernacular term for all aspects of entertainment. The word applies to all aspects of the entertainment industry from the business side to the creative element ....
people in Manhattan
Manhattan
Manhattan is the oldest and the most densely populated of the five boroughs of New York City. Located primarily on the island of Manhattan at the mouth of the Hudson River, the boundaries of the borough are identical to those of New York County, an original county of the state of New York...
, the unemployed actor Charlie, his successful wife Stella, and his friend Lewis. Enter Clea from Ohio, who presents as a pretty but dumb, seemingly naive newcomer to the scene. First dating Lewis, she soon moves to Charlie. His wife catches them in the act, and Charlie is unable to clear the situation. He loses his wife - Lewis is happy to console her - Clea drops him and moves on, and all he has left is his bottle and his misery.
Performances
The world premiere of the play was in 2006 at the Humana Festival of New American PlaysHumana Festival of New American Plays
Humana Festival of New American Plays is an internationally renowned festival that celebrates the contemporary American playwright. Produced annually in Louisville, Kentucky by Actors Theatre of Louisville, this prestigious event showcases new theatrical works and draws producers, critics,...
at the Actors Theatre of Louisville
Actors Theatre of Louisville
Actors Theatre of Louisville is a performing arts theater located in downtown Louisville, Kentucky. It was founded in 1964 by Louisville native Ewel Cornett, local producer Richard Block and actor Ken Jenkins of Scrubs fame, and was designated the "State Theater of Kentucky" in 1974. It is run as a...
; it was directed by Rebecca Taichman. The play subsequently went to off-Broadway
Off-Broadway
Off-Broadway theater is a term for a professional venue in New York City with a seating capacity between 100 and 499, and for a specific production of a play, musical or revue that appears in such a venue, and which adheres to related trade union and other contracts...
where it was well received and beyond.