Obessiah

by Suzanne Willett

Gloria and Dale Rowe are struggling with the obesity of their son, Blandon. Gloria has just come home with Blandon from the doctor. Blandon was supposed to agree to a gastric bypass. From Friday night until Saturday noon, the tensions in the house slowly come to a head as Blandon attempts to leave. He gets stuck in the front door. As he struggles under the brutal Florida sun, Gloria and Dale attempt to...

Gloria and Dale Rowe are struggling with the obesity of their son, Blandon. Gloria has just come home with Blandon from the doctor. Blandon was supposed to agree to a gastric bypass. From Friday night until Saturday noon, the tensions in the house slowly come to a head as Blandon attempts to leave. He gets stuck in the front door. As he struggles under the brutal Florida sun, Gloria and Dale attempt to free him while their neighbor, Frank, records and uploads the family’s trauma on the internet. Blandon, as he struggles to survive, becomes an inadvertent messiah.

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Obessiah

Recommended by

  • Cheryl Bear: Obessiah by Suzanne Willett
    “

    A modern day look at the struggles a family are facing in a world with obesity on the rise and social media insanity. Memorable and well done.

    A modern day look at the struggles a family are facing in a world with obesity on the rise and social media insanity. Memorable and well done.

    ”
  • Emma Goldman-Sherman: Obessiah by Suzanne Willett
    “

    A remarkable play that is moving and inspiring, a family drama that sheds light on today's America. Willett has a sharp eye and tells this story with compassion.

    A remarkable play that is moving and inspiring, a family drama that sheds light on today's America. Willett has a sharp eye and tells this story with compassion.

    ”
  • Eugene O'Neill Theater Center: Obessiah by Suzanne Willett
    “

    It is the Eugene O'Neill Theater Center's pleasure to recommend Suzanne Willett and their play Obessiah as a finalist for our 2014 National Playwrights Conference. The play rose through a competitive, anonymous, multileveled selection process that took nearly nine months to execute. As one finalist out of hundreds of submissions, the strength of this play’s writing has allowed this work to prosper in such a competitive selection process.

    It is the Eugene O'Neill Theater Center's pleasure to recommend Suzanne Willett and their play Obessiah as a finalist for our 2014 National Playwrights Conference. The play rose through a competitive, anonymous, multileveled selection process that took nearly nine months to execute. As one finalist out of hundreds of submissions, the strength of this play’s writing has allowed this work to prosper in such a competitive selection process.

    ”

Development History

  • Reading, Keegan Boiler Room Series, 2108
  • Reading, Hollins University, 2014
  • Workshop, Hollins University, 2013
  • Workshop, Will It Productions, 2012

Awards

  • National Playwrights Conference Finalist
    Eugene O'Neill
    Finalist
    2014