Open Meeting Closed

by Michael Perlmutter

4 women have closed their open AA meeting today to confront Helen, the woman who has slept with all their husbands . . . well, almost all. Enter the newcomer, looking for her first meeting, and you have the mix for an AA meeting / Intervention gone wrong.

4 women have closed their open AA meeting today to confront Helen, the woman who has slept with all their husbands . . . well, almost all. Enter the newcomer, looking for her first meeting, and you have the mix for an AA meeting / Intervention gone wrong.

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Open Meeting Closed

Recommended by

  • The Depot for New Play Readings: Open Meeting Closed by Michael Perlmutter
    “

    In Michael Perlmutter’s theatrical “Open Meeting Closed” four women in an AA group close one afternoon’s meeting to confront another woman about her behavior, and the intervention quickly derails into unpredictable chaos and bickering. The play’s strength lies in Perlmutter’s expert creation of unique characters. These women are tart in their own ways, yet through finely crafted monologues in which they reveal their traumas, they earn our sympathy. The action is well paced and the reversals and revelations by turns humorous and heartbreaking. A perfect vehicle for a strong ensemble of women...

    In Michael Perlmutter’s theatrical “Open Meeting Closed” four women in an AA group close one afternoon’s meeting to confront another woman about her behavior, and the intervention quickly derails into unpredictable chaos and bickering. The play’s strength lies in Perlmutter’s expert creation of unique characters. These women are tart in their own ways, yet through finely crafted monologues in which they reveal their traumas, they earn our sympathy. The action is well paced and the reversals and revelations by turns humorous and heartbreaking. A perfect vehicle for a strong ensemble of women. Highly recommended.

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    ”
  • Francis RTM Boyle: Open Meeting Closed by Michael Perlmutter
    “

    Open Meeting Closed has a hilarious situation and distinct characters. This ill-timed, ill-fated intervention rounds the comedic bases with biting insults, slapstick, gunplay, and the carrying of an unconscious person. The play has a great deal of promise and I hope to see it soon.

    Open Meeting Closed has a hilarious situation and distinct characters. This ill-timed, ill-fated intervention rounds the comedic bases with biting insults, slapstick, gunplay, and the carrying of an unconscious person. The play has a great deal of promise and I hope to see it soon.

    ”

Character Information

The ages of these women are relatively open with the caveat that RAVEN should appear young enough to be LETTI’s daughter (and conversely Lettie old enough to pass as Raven’s mother) - diversity casting encouraged
  • Rebecca
    the self appointed leader of the group, has a need for order
    open
    Any
    Female
    Can be played by:
    • Actor Age
      30s,
      40s,
      50s,
      60s
    • Actor Gender Identity
      Female
  • Lettie
    “wants” everything to be “ok”, willing to help, a nurturer under stress
    40s up
    Any
    Female
    Can be played by:
    • Actor Age
      40s,
      50s,
      60s
    • Actor Gender Identity
      Female
  • Marion
    not quite following along with everybody else although quite sincere and willing to help
    open
    Any
    Female
    Can be played by:
    • Actor Age
      30s,
      40s,
      50s,
      60s
    • Actor Gender Identity
      Female
  • Raven
    the newbie, an unknown to the group, being her first meeting she is very unsure and tries to stay in the background, asking questions only as needed
    teens / early twenties
    Any
    Female
    Can be played by:
    • Actor Age
      Teens,
      20s
    • Actor Gender Identity
      Female
  • Suzanne
    righteously indignant – she has come to these meeting to get answers and right a wrong
    open
    Any
    Female
    Can be played by:
    • Actor Age
      30s,
      40s,
      50s,
      60s
    • Actor Gender Identity
      Female
  • Helen
    a loner, she carries herself with a thick shell of “whateverworks” and a bit of an attitude
    open
    Any
    Female
    Can be played by:
    • Actor Age
      20s,
      30s,
      40s,
      50s
    • Actor Gender Identity
      Female

Development History

  • Workshop, Elite Theatre Company, 2016

Production History

  • Community Theater, Elite Theatre Company, 2016
  • Workshop, Elite Theatre Co, 2016