The Daughters

by Patricia Cotter

A gutsy comedic romp over 60 years, from the first secret meeting of the first lesbian social club in San Francisco to closing night of the last lesbian bar. As women loving women gather in defiance of convention (and the law), they drink, debate, politicize, flirt, drink more, dance hard, makeout, fall in love, break up—and though they are entirely unaware—make history and change the world. A play about the...

A gutsy comedic romp over 60 years, from the first secret meeting of the first lesbian social club in San Francisco to closing night of the last lesbian bar. As women loving women gather in defiance of convention (and the law), they drink, debate, politicize, flirt, drink more, dance hard, makeout, fall in love, break up—and though they are entirely unaware—make history and change the world. A play about the transformation of identity, gender, and sexuality across generations in the queer epi-center of the universe.

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The Daughters

Recommended by

  • Kitchen Dog Theater: The Daughters by Patricia Cotter
    “

    We are pleased to support this play! It was a Finalist for the 2023 New Works Festival at Kitchen Dog Theater in Dallas, Texas.

    We are pleased to support this play! It was a Finalist for the 2023 New Works Festival at Kitchen Dog Theater in Dallas, Texas.

    ”
  • Nick Malakhow: The Daughters by Patricia Cotter
    “

    This is an exquisite exploration of lesbian culture and history (specifically) as well as key dynamics in queer culture (in general). Namely--questions of assimilation vs. standing out, tradition vs. progress, and the intersection of new understandings about gender and sexuality with old ideas that once felt empowering and important but that are being brought into question. Cotter manages to examine so many huge issues by putting 12 eclectic and well-defined lives under a microscope. I'd so love to see this in a full production onstage.

    This is an exquisite exploration of lesbian culture and history (specifically) as well as key dynamics in queer culture (in general). Namely--questions of assimilation vs. standing out, tradition vs. progress, and the intersection of new understandings about gender and sexuality with old ideas that once felt empowering and important but that are being brought into question. Cotter manages to examine so many huge issues by putting 12 eclectic and well-defined lives under a microscope. I'd so love to see this in a full production onstage.

    ”
  • Mardee Bennett: The Daughters by Patricia Cotter
    “

    Ms. Cotter has written a deeply funny and moving play featuring characters not often seen onstage. This is a bold play with great parts for six actresses. It would be ideal for a resident company. Excellent work.

    Ms. Cotter has written a deeply funny and moving play featuring characters not often seen onstage. This is a bold play with great parts for six actresses. It would be ideal for a resident company. Excellent work.

    ”
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Development History

Production History