The LEARS: Fools of Fortune

by Patrick Thomas McCarthy ptmc

The LEARS: Fools of Fortune Suggested by Shakespeare's KING LEAR, this contemporary American telling has an Alzheimers addled Captain of Industry, Edgar Reginald Lehman Lear, gathering those closest to him for an advance reading of his last will & testament at Thanksgiving dinner. He has sold the family estate, and will go to live with those that love him best. Will his daughters Anneril and Reagan retain...

The LEARS: Fools of Fortune Suggested by Shakespeare's KING LEAR, this contemporary American telling has an Alzheimers addled Captain of Industry, Edgar Reginald Lehman Lear, gathering those closest to him for an advance reading of his last will & testament at Thanksgiving dinner. He has sold the family estate, and will go to live with those that love him best. Will his daughters Anneril and Reagan retain the family wealth & to what lengths will they go to do so? Will disinherited gay son Cord, reappear as home health care nurse, Cordelia Learson? And will the Storr family, Glen Storr Esquire, Edmond "Monty" Storr, and Edgar "Ned" Storr find their way into the tangle? Homicide, a blinding, poisonings, betrayal, abuse, sibling rivalries, cross dressing, arm wrestling and even loyalty, redemption & love find their way into the turbulent mix.
Characters: 5 men 2 women

Mr. Edgar Reginald Lehman Lear – patriarch, man of business

Ms. Anneril Lehman Lear – oldest daughter

Ms. Reagan Lehman Lear – the other daughter

Mr. Cord Lehman Lear/ Ms. Cordelia Learson – youngest child

Mr. Glen Storr, Esquire – business partner, family attorney

Mr. Edgar “Ned” Storr/ Ned o’ Bedlam – primary son, not straight

Mr. Edmond “Monty” Storr – bastard son, personal trainer, escort, straight

Settings: Homes of wealth on the heath, two locations on the heath

Scene 1: Thanksgiving – Lear’s Dining Room
Scene 2: Breaking Promises – Cord & Ned’s Bedroom - The Storr House
Scene 3: Arm Wrestling – Lear’s Bedroom
Scene 4: Help Me Get Dressed – Cord & Ned’s Bedroom - The Storr House
Scene 5: Cordelia’s Here - Lear’s Bedroom
Scene 6: We Will See the Sisters – Cord & Ned’s Bedroom –The Storr House
Scene 7: The Sister’s Lair – The Family Room - Reagan’s Home on the Heath

Scene 8: Blow Winds The Heath
Scene 9: Another Half of the Heath The Heath
Scene 10: The Foreclosed Family Room – Reagan’s Home on the Heath
Scene 11: The Eternal Flame - The Heath
Scene 12: The Foreclosed Family Room – Reagan’s Home on the Heath
Scene 13: Nine Months to One Year Later - The Storr House

Running Time: 92 minutes [No Intermission]

http://thelears.weebly.com/

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The LEARS: Fools of Fortune

Character Information

  • Mr. Edgar Reginald Lehman Lear – patriarch, man of business
    Character Age
    50s, 60s
    Character Race/Ethnic Identity
    Any
    Character Gender Identity
    Male
  • Ms. Anneril Lehman Lear – oldest daughter
    Character Age
    30s,40s,50s
    Character Race/Ethnic Identity
    Any
    Character Gender Identity
    Female
  • Ms. Reagan Lehman Lear – the other daughter
    Character Age
    30s,40s,50s
    Character Race/Ethnic Identity
    Any
    Character Gender Identity
    Female
  • Mr. Cord Lear/ Ms. Cordelia Learson – youngest child, gay
    Character Age
    20s
    Character Race/Ethnic Identity
    Any
    Character Gender Identity
    Male
  • Mr. Glen Storr Esquire – business partner, family lawyer
    Character Age
    40s,50s
    Character Race/Ethnic Identity
    Any
    Character Gender Identity
    Male
  • Mr. Edgar “Ned” Storr/ Ned o’ Bedlam – primary son, not straight
    Character Age
    20s
    Character Race/Ethnic Identity
    Any
    Character Gender Identity
    Male
  • Mr. Edmond “Monty” Storr – bastard son, personal trainer, escort, straight
    Character Age
    20s,30s
    Character Race/Ethnic Identity
    Any
    Character Gender Identity
    Male

Development History

  • Type Reading, Organization At TAI TheActor'sInstitute W30thSt NYC March2012 Cast: JC Hoyt/LEAR, KatrinaFerguson/ANNERIL, KateKonigisor/REAGAN, RobertMeksin/GLEN, NickDalton/NED, PaulMartinKovic/MONTY, JoshuaWarr/CORD-CORDELIA, Year 2012

Production History

  • Type Workshop, Organization ALL OUT ARTS FreshFruitFestivalJuly2015 CAST:DavidPalmerBrown*/EdgarReginaldLehmanLear;JeanBrassard*/GlenStorr;Cynthia Granville*/Anneril; Catherine Goodman*/Reagan:Tim Shelton*/Edmond“Monty”Storr;DrewBolander/NedStorr;CameronMoser/Cord/Cordelia *AEA, Year 2015

Awards

  • Outstanding Lead Performance: David Palmer Brown as Lear; Outstanding Production Design: Katherine Hammond, Warehouse of Theatre
    ALL OUT ARTS Fresh Fruit Festival
    2015