Reeking of Indiscretion: Madame X's Allerton

by Patrick Thomas McCarthy ptmc

Reeking of Indiscretion: Madame X's Allerton ... The Chicago Tribune’s Madame X, society doyenne Caroline Kirkland (1865-1930) declared Robert Allerton (1873–1964) Chicago’s most eligible bachelor in 1906. His personal relationship with Caroline Kirkland, and his intimate relationship with John Wyatt Gregg Allerton (1899-1986), his longtime companion, and adopted-as-an-adult son, are best imagined by inventing...

Reeking of Indiscretion: Madame X's Allerton ... The Chicago Tribune’s Madame X, society doyenne Caroline Kirkland (1865-1930) declared Robert Allerton (1873–1964) Chicago’s most eligible bachelor in 1906. His personal relationship with Caroline Kirkland, and his intimate relationship with John Wyatt Gregg Allerton (1899-1986), his longtime companion, and adopted-as-an-adult son, are best imagined by inventing what their correspondence might have been. Bridging two centuries, what words might have passed between these three brightly shining stars that helped shape the course of art, landscape architecture, the future of celebrity journalism and LGBTQ issues that were only imagined in the early 20th century. An epistolary intrigue of historical truth and fiction and LGTBQ issues for two men and one woman.
Staging
Like A. R. Gurney’s Love Letters, Madame X’s Allerton can be staged very simply, with the three actors sitting at a writing table where they simply read the script. Using projections of the news items, locations, and people in the stories would certainly enhance the storytelling but is not essential.

Cast: 2 Men 1 Woman

Robert Henry Allerton / Bob – reads his imagined letters to Caroline Kirkland / Madame X & John G.
Madame X / Caroline Kirkland / X – reads her imagined correspondence to Robert Allerton and feature stories about him
John Wyatt Gregg / John G. – reads imagined correspondence to Robert Allerton & Caroline Kirkland/Aunt Carrie

https://www.pinterest.com/ptmcptmc9442/madame-xs-allerton/

New Title ... Reeking With Indiscretion: Madame X's Allerton Jan. 1, 2019

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Reeking of Indiscretion: Madame X's Allerton

Recommended by

  • Doug DeVita: Reeking of Indiscretion: Madame X's Allerton

    I love mixing fiction with historical characters, and McCarthy's epistolary play is a wonderful romp, imagining what words might have been passed between three of Chicago's elite, circa the turn of the last century. With its simple staging requirements, its three actors are free to have a field day with vocal pyrotechnics. Good, bitchy fun.

    I love mixing fiction with historical characters, and McCarthy's epistolary play is a wonderful romp, imagining what words might have been passed between three of Chicago's elite, circa the turn of the last century. With its simple staging requirements, its three actors are free to have a field day with vocal pyrotechnics. Good, bitchy fun.

Character Information

  • Robert Henry Allerton
    Robert Allerton, 1874-1964, was heir to industrial fortune, artist, philanthropist, art collector, donated Allerton Park & Estate to the University of Illinois in 1946
    Character Age
    32-56 from 1906-1930
    Character Race/Ethnic Identity
    Historically White
    Character Gender Identity
    Male
  • Caroline Kirkland / Madame X
    Caroline Kirkland was the never married society columnist for the Chicago Tribune writing under the surname Madame X, born in 1865, died of a cerebral hemorrhage in 1930
    Character Age
    41-65, 1906 to 1930
    Character Race/Ethnic Identity
    Historically White
    Character Gender Identity
    Female
  • John Wyatt Gregg
    John Wyatt Gregg Allerton, architect, met Robert Allerton in 1922 after being drafted then returning from War World I at a fraternity Father/Son luncheon at the University of Illinois. They develop a longtime companion / father-son relationship that lasts 42 years, and is adopted by Robert Allerton in 1959 when the law allowing adult adoption in Illinois is instituted. John Gregg is responsible for architectural design functions for both Allerton Park and National Tropical Botanic Garden (NTBG), Allerton Garden (Lawaii-Kai) in Hawaii.
    Character Age
    22 - 30, 1922-1930 Born in 1899 died in 1986
    Character Race/Ethnic Identity
    Historically White
    Character Gender Identity
    Male

Development History

  • Type Reading, Organization ZOOM on Facebook Live May 24, 2020 Directed by Patrick Aran with Mary O'Brady as CarolineKirkland; Terry Caza as RobertAllerton & Drew Bolander as John Wyatt Gregg, Year 2020
  • Type Reading, Organization Theatre Lab, NYC, NY March 31 & Sept. 24, 2019 Full Reading with Mary O'Brady as Madame X, Terry Caza as Robert Allerton, Drew Bolander as John Gregg, 87 minute runtime, Year 2019
  • Type Reading, Organization Grounded GoodWife, Woodbury, CT 7/13/19 With #SheriBresson as #MadameX, #MilesEverett as #RobertAllerton, #SamBass as #JohnGregg, Year 2019
  • Type Reading, Organization ALL OUT ARTS FreshFruitFestival @TheWildProject 7/16/19 with #AnnaCody as #MadameX, #JordanTierney as #JohnGregg & #ptmc as #RobertAllerton, Year 2019
  • Type Workshop, Organization FringeNYC BYOB - at CHAIN Studio Theatre, NYC Oct 7-21, 2019 Directed by Patrick Aran with *AnnaCody as #CarolineKirkland/Madame X; *RikWalter as #RobertAllerton; JordanTierney as #JohnWyattGregg *Members AEA, Year 2019
  • Type Reading, Organization Vermont Studio Center, Johnson, VT Redmill DiningRoom Presentation Series Nov 28, 2018 & Dec. 10, 2018 with Mary Clark as Madame X/Caroline Kirkland and ptmc as Robert Allerton & John Gregg, Year 2018
  • Type Residency, Organization Vermont Studio Center, Johnson, VT - December 2018 - Development Residency for Madame X's Allerton , Year 2018
  • Type Reading, Organization Waukesha Civic Theatre, WIS 12/27/18 Full Reading with SharonSohner as MadameX, TomBriggs as JohnGregg, ptmc as RobertAllerton 91 minutes runtime, Year 2018
  • Type Reading, Organization Eastpoint Commons, Milwaukee, Wis 12/30/18 Full reading with Donna Lobacz as Madame X, Don Lobacz as John Gregg & ptmc as Robert Allerton 93 minute runtime, Year 2018

Production History

  • Type Workshop, Organization FringeNYC BYOB - at CHAIN Studio Theatre, NYC Oct 7-21, 2019 Directed by Patrick Aran with *AnnaCody as #CarolineKirkland/Madame X; *RikWalter as #RobertAllerton; JordanTierney as #JohnWyattGregg *Members AEA, Year 2019