The Firestorm

by Meridith Friedman

Gaby and Patrick, an interracial political power couple hot on the campaign trail, are thrust into the center of a media frenzy when a racially charged incident from Patrick’s past surfaces. As the pressure intensifies, the political becomes explosively personal and the foundation of their seemingly picture-perfect marriage begins to fracture.

Gaby and Patrick, an interracial political power couple hot on the campaign trail, are thrust into the center of a media frenzy when a racially charged incident from Patrick’s past surfaces. As the pressure intensifies, the political becomes explosively personal and the foundation of their seemingly picture-perfect marriage begins to fracture.

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The Firestorm

Recommended by

  • Cheryl Bear: The Firestorm by Meridith Friedman
    “

    A powerful place about the tensions of a couple in politics when a past racial indiscretion is brought to the surface. It shakes everything including their marriage. Well done.

    A powerful place about the tensions of a couple in politics when a past racial indiscretion is brought to the surface. It shakes everything including their marriage. Well done.

    ”
  • Emma Goldman-Sherman: The Firestorm by Meridith Friedman
    “

    Well-written piece that kept me guessing the whole time. Meridith really understands how to create tension in the audience. Such a light touch on some very tough material, and yet all the confrontations we want are there.

    Well-written piece that kept me guessing the whole time. Meridith really understands how to create tension in the audience. Such a light touch on some very tough material, and yet all the confrontations we want are there.

    ”
  • Jason Parrish: The Firestorm by Meridith Friedman
    “

    Florida Rep selected this play for a reading in out 2015 PlayLab Festival. It is a great script. Full of nuance, suspense, and raises a lot of sadly relevant questions about race and politics. The dialogue is fresh and the characters layered and believable. Looking forward to working on it.

    Florida Rep selected this play for a reading in out 2015 PlayLab Festival. It is a great script. Full of nuance, suspense, and raises a lot of sadly relevant questions about race and politics. The dialogue is fresh and the characters layered and believable. Looking forward to working on it.

    ”
View all 5 recommendations

Character Information

  • Gaby
    An antitrust attorney. Partner at a well-respected firm in Columbus, Ohio. She’s got a quick, dry wit. A well-practiced pokerface. She is strategic–not to be confused with manipulative–in all aspects of her life.
    mid to late 30's
    African American/Black
    Female
    Can be played by:
    • Actor Age
      30s,
      40s
    • Actor Race/Ethnic Identity
      Black, African, Caribbean, or African American
    • Actor Gender Identity
      Woman
  • Patrick
    Candidate for Governor of Ohio. Married to Gaby. While impressive and magnetic, his inner geek still surfaces from time to time. He’s got a let’s-roll-up-our-sleeves-and-get-to-work approach to politics. But that doesn’t mean he doesn’t know the game. Or how to play it.
    late 30’s to mid 40’s
    White
    Male
    Can be played by:
    • Actor Age
      30s,
      40s
    • Actor Race/Ethnic Identity
      White
    • Actor Gender Identity
      Man
  • Leslie
    Patrick’s assistant campaign manager. High energy. A little awkward. Sometimes her mouth moves a step faster than her brain. But she is neither ditzy nor dumb. Knows when to take charge. Her career takes top billing in her life.
    late 20’s
    White
    Female
    Can be played by:
    • Actor Age
      20s,
      30s
    • Actor Race/Ethnic Identity
      White
    • Actor Gender Identity
      Woman
  • Jamal
    The CEO and founder of a successful software company in Atlanta. A father of two. A quiet kid who grew into himself. He walks into a room and commands attention. Not because he’s aggressive or insistent–it’s because he knows exactly who he is.
    late 30’s to mid 40’s
    African American/Black
    Male
    Can be played by:
    • Actor Age
      30s,
      40s
    • Actor Race/Ethnic Identity
      Black, African, Caribbean, or African American
    • Actor Gender Identity
      Man

Development History

  • Reading, LOCAL Theatre Company, 2015
  • Workshop, Stage Left - Playwriting Residency and Workshop , 2014
  • Reading, Kitchen Dog Theatre - New Works Festival, 2014
  • Workshop, The Dramatist Guild Fellowship , 2014

Production History

  • Professional, First Folio, 2019
  • Professional, LOCAL Theatre Company, 2016
  • Professional, Theatre on the Lake/Stage Left Remount, 2016
  • Professional, Kitchen Dog Theatre, 2015