Reframing Frances

by Andy Wertner

Frances Stuben, eccentric founder of a local Pennsylvania historical society, has been missing for months. In her absence, the disgruntled board voted to reformat her beloved museum as an “interactive” children’s art exhibit (of all things)! Catching wind of this betrayal, Frances resurfaces and traps the offending board members - her niece, her best friend, and her secret admirer - in the museum itself during...

Frances Stuben, eccentric founder of a local Pennsylvania historical society, has been missing for months. In her absence, the disgruntled board voted to reformat her beloved museum as an “interactive” children’s art exhibit (of all things)! Catching wind of this betrayal, Frances resurfaces and traps the offending board members - her niece, her best friend, and her secret admirer - in the museum itself during an ice storm on New Year’s Eve! With only hours until the changes take effect, Frances must confront her closest friends - and 70+ years of their grievances against her - in a last-ditch effort to force a new vote and save her life’s work!

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Reframing Frances

Recommended by

  • Cheryl Bear: Reframing Frances by Andy Wertner
    “

    A hilarious standoff as Frances fights to save what she built! Will it be destroyed or is there something marvelous brewing to top before? Endearing and very funny!

    A hilarious standoff as Frances fights to save what she built! Will it be destroyed or is there something marvelous brewing to top before? Endearing and very funny!

    ”
  • Kara Emily Krantz: Reframing Frances by Andy Wertner
    “

    This is a play I would love to see performed in all the local theaters. Wertner has a flair for comedy as well as creating characters who are quirky, love-able, and certainly laughable (in the best of ways!). REFRAMING FRANCES is cozy enough that the audience feels right at home in this quirky museum with these genuine people, but ridiculous enough for the viewer to remain properly bewildered, entertained, and thoroughly guffawed. Great job!

    This is a play I would love to see performed in all the local theaters. Wertner has a flair for comedy as well as creating characters who are quirky, love-able, and certainly laughable (in the best of ways!). REFRAMING FRANCES is cozy enough that the audience feels right at home in this quirky museum with these genuine people, but ridiculous enough for the viewer to remain properly bewildered, entertained, and thoroughly guffawed. Great job!

    ”
  • Austin Fitzhugh: Reframing Frances by Andy Wertner
    “

    Just fantastic. Perfect for community theater. Insightful, heartwarming, funny, and every character has the potential to become a jewel in the right hands. You won't regret reading this, and putting it on it's feet!

    Just fantastic. Perfect for community theater. Insightful, heartwarming, funny, and every character has the potential to become a jewel in the right hands. You won't regret reading this, and putting it on it's feet!

    ”
View all 4 recommendations

Development History

  • Reading, New Hampshire Institute of Art, 2017