Ridgway

by Charlie O'Leary

Decades ago in Western Pennsylvania, a gay love affair ended with a murder in the woods - or so it’s rumored. But when a white podcaster returns home with his Latino boyfriend to investigate, the past and present start to look eerily similar. A ghost story about who can live safely in rural America.

Decades ago in Western Pennsylvania, a gay love affair ended with a murder in the woods - or so it’s rumored. But when a white podcaster returns home with his Latino boyfriend to investigate, the past and present start to look eerily similar. A ghost story about who can live safely in rural America.

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Ridgway

Recommended by

  • Abraham Johnson: Ridgway

    Hairy and haunting with gorgeously spare dialogue, this play’s craft is palpable at every turn. The emotional core of the script is subtle and misty and dark, with so many foreshadowings that whisper into the final world-reinventing scene. I adore this play and would be *thrilled* to see it onstage!

    Hairy and haunting with gorgeously spare dialogue, this play’s craft is palpable at every turn. The emotional core of the script is subtle and misty and dark, with so many foreshadowings that whisper into the final world-reinventing scene. I adore this play and would be *thrilled* to see it onstage!

  • Cary Simowitz: Ridgway

    This play is excellent! The dialogue is exceptional and highly artistic, at times cleverly emulating the chatroom language of Facebook Messenger and/or Grindr, but mostly adopting a truthful naturalistic patter. The characters leap off of the page. The playwright maintains a high level of tension throughout that never evaporates and works well to sustain a Baker-esque longer piece. Part of the tension is borne from the plays' highly theatrical elements, including a possessed walkie talky and several interesting time and body jumps. Themes run the gamut of pressing issues faced today. Produce...

    This play is excellent! The dialogue is exceptional and highly artistic, at times cleverly emulating the chatroom language of Facebook Messenger and/or Grindr, but mostly adopting a truthful naturalistic patter. The characters leap off of the page. The playwright maintains a high level of tension throughout that never evaporates and works well to sustain a Baker-esque longer piece. Part of the tension is borne from the plays' highly theatrical elements, including a possessed walkie talky and several interesting time and body jumps. Themes run the gamut of pressing issues faced today. Produce/Develop this play!

  • Peter Ruiz: Ridgway

    From beginning to end this play feels like a taut rope that is beginning to fray. The naturalistic dialogue and clears characters are juxtaposed with this overwhelming sense of danger. Daniel in particular is fascinating. The tensions between what he wants, what he accepts, and what is fulfilling is palpable."

    From beginning to end this play feels like a taut rope that is beginning to fray. The naturalistic dialogue and clears characters are juxtaposed with this overwhelming sense of danger. Daniel in particular is fascinating. The tensions between what he wants, what he accepts, and what is fulfilling is palpable."

View all 7 recommendations

Character Information

  • Daniel
    Character Age
    early 30s
    Character Race/Ethnic Identity
    Latino
    Character Gender Identity
    Male
  • Ryan
    Character Age
    early 30s
    Character Race/Ethnic Identity
    White
    Character Gender Identity
    Male
  • Monica
    Character Age
    early 30s
    Character Race/Ethnic Identity
    Black
    Character Gender Identity
    Female
  • The Man
    Character Age
    60s
    Character Race/Ethnic Identity
    White
    Character Gender Identity
    Male
  • The Voice on the Walkie Talkie
    Character Age
    20s
    Character Race/Ethnic Identity
    Black
    Character Gender Identity
    Male

Development History

  • Type Reading, Organization Alliance Theatre, Year 2023
  • Type Reading, Organization Dartmouth College, Year 2021
  • Type Reading, Organization The Flea Theater, Year 2019

Awards

  • Alliance/Kendeda National Graduate Playwriting Competition
    Alliance Theatre
    Finalist
    2023
  • DVRF Playwrights Program
    The Dennis & Victoria Ross Foundation
    Finalist
    2019