What I Did Last Summer
Encyclopedia
What I Did Last Summer is a play by the American
playwright A.R. Gurney.
It is written as a memory play, as an older Charlie Higgins looks back on the summer he was 14, during World War II
, when he vacationed on Lake Erie
with his mother Grace and older sister Elsie. His father was away fighting in the war.
That summer, Charlie goes to work for Anna Trumbull, also known as the "Pig Woman," a supposedly crazy, eccentric art teacher. By getting to know Anna, Charlie comes to resent his wealthy upbringing, and clashes with Grace. It is revealed that Anna used to be Grace's art teacher, and she is sad that Grace has settled down into the life of a conventional wife and mother. Grace and Anna eventually make up.
At the same time, Charlie and his best friend Ted fight for the attentions of a pretty girl named Bonny. Though Ted is more aggressive and self-confident, Bonny eventually chooses Charlie.
Throughout the play, Charlie has longed to learn how to drive--for him, driving represents freedom, but Grace will not allow it. Anna lets Charlie fix up and drive her old car, which results in Charlie and Bonny having a minor car accident. Because of this, Charlie must stop working for Anna. They part on amicable terms, and even Grace is saddened that Anna will no longer be in their lives.
in New York City
at the Spoon Theater. This production was attended and praised by A.R. Gurney and his extended family, and directed by Ric Sechrest.
A professional revival was staged in Houston, Texas
in 2003, directed by Kelley Williams.
People of the United States
The people of the United States, also known as simply Americans or American people, are the inhabitants or citizens of the United States. The United States is a multi-ethnic nation, home to people of different ethnic and national backgrounds...
playwright A.R. Gurney.
It is written as a memory play, as an older Charlie Higgins looks back on the summer he was 14, during World War II
World War II
World War II, or the Second World War , was a global conflict lasting from 1939 to 1945, involving most of the world's nations—including all of the great powers—eventually forming two opposing military alliances: the Allies and the Axis...
, when he vacationed on Lake Erie
Lake Erie
Lake Erie is the fourth largest lake of the five Great Lakes in North America, and the tenth largest globally. It is the southernmost, shallowest, and smallest by volume of the Great Lakes and therefore also has the shortest average water residence time. It is bounded on the north by the...
with his mother Grace and older sister Elsie. His father was away fighting in the war.
That summer, Charlie goes to work for Anna Trumbull, also known as the "Pig Woman," a supposedly crazy, eccentric art teacher. By getting to know Anna, Charlie comes to resent his wealthy upbringing, and clashes with Grace. It is revealed that Anna used to be Grace's art teacher, and she is sad that Grace has settled down into the life of a conventional wife and mother. Grace and Anna eventually make up.
At the same time, Charlie and his best friend Ted fight for the attentions of a pretty girl named Bonny. Though Ted is more aggressive and self-confident, Bonny eventually chooses Charlie.
Throughout the play, Charlie has longed to learn how to drive--for him, driving represents freedom, but Grace will not allow it. Anna lets Charlie fix up and drive her old car, which results in Charlie and Bonny having a minor car accident. Because of this, Charlie must stop working for Anna. They part on amicable terms, and even Grace is saddened that Anna will no longer be in their lives.
On Stage
"What I Did Last Summer" was recently produced by Retro ProductionsRetro Productions
Retro Productions is a New York City based Off-Off-Broadway theater company. It's artistic director is Heather E. Cunningham, an actress and producer whose performance as Cheryl in the Retro production Still Life by Emily Mann was recently named a Performance to Remember, 2007 by Marc Miller of...
in New York City
New York City
New York is the most populous city in the United States and the center of the New York Metropolitan Area, one of the most populous metropolitan areas in the world. New York exerts a significant impact upon global commerce, finance, media, art, fashion, research, technology, education, and...
at the Spoon Theater. This production was attended and praised by A.R. Gurney and his extended family, and directed by Ric Sechrest.
A professional revival was staged in Houston, Texas
Houston, Texas
Houston is the fourth-largest city in the United States, and the largest city in the state of Texas. According to the 2010 U.S. Census, the city had a population of 2.1 million people within an area of . Houston is the seat of Harris County and the economic center of , which is the ...
in 2003, directed by Kelley Williams.