Asylum or Madness & the Whole Thing There

by Patricia Krahnke

An Exceptionally Dark Comedy in Twelve Scenes

Anne’s husband David, a narcissistic, emotionally abusive immigration lawyer, is harboring Rafiq, a young Afghan refugee, in their cramped New York apartment. This fact alarms Anne's fiercely loyal childhood friend Savannah, a meddling, bigoted free spirit, who asks with dark suspicion, “Where will this refugee go? What will this refugee do?”.

Long exhausted from...

An Exceptionally Dark Comedy in Twelve Scenes

Anne’s husband David, a narcissistic, emotionally abusive immigration lawyer, is harboring Rafiq, a young Afghan refugee, in their cramped New York apartment. This fact alarms Anne's fiercely loyal childhood friend Savannah, a meddling, bigoted free spirit, who asks with dark suspicion, “Where will this refugee go? What will this refugee do?”.

Long exhausted from negotiating peace between her warring husband and friend, Anne has entered her own safe harbor -- heroin addiction. As she struggles with longing for family, nurture, peace, and safety, she finds an unexpected ally in the mysterious, sweet young stranger who sleeps on her sofa and prays in her living room.

When Anne watches David and Savannah finally come to blows and their deaths leave her alone and oddly at peace, “Where will she go? What will she do?”

ACKNOWLEDGMENTS
Throughout the development of this play, in readings and workshops, the following individuals have played important roles in getting it right:

Humaira Ghilzai, Afghan Cultural Consultant
Carson Grace Becker, Dramaturg, Artistic Director, Chicago Dramatists
Will Dunne, Instructor, Scene Work, Chicago Dramatists

Kate Hendrickson, Director, Trap Door Theater, Chicago
Emilio Williams, Playwright, Essayist, & Educator, Chicago
Audrey Sheffield, Director, London, UK
Telling Humans Playwright Studio
John Elmore, Director, Brown County Playhouse
Brown County Playhouse (IN)
Steve Krahnke, Producer, Indiana University
Pony Boy Speakeasy Theatre Production Team

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Asylum or Madness & the Whole Thing There

Recommended by

  • Steve Nordmark: Asylum or Madness & the Whole Thing There

    While this is a realistic drama with both feet on the ground in terms of time and place, there is a dreamlike quality to this play that wondrously communicates the emotions and experiences of the characters. Rich experiences lie ahead for actors and directors.

    While this is a realistic drama with both feet on the ground in terms of time and place, there is a dreamlike quality to this play that wondrously communicates the emotions and experiences of the characters. Rich experiences lie ahead for actors and directors.

  • Kelsey Austin: Asylum or Madness & the Whole Thing There

    This is an exquisite piece with all the characteristics we hope for in a drama. What makes Asylum particularly unique is its ability to reverberate. We're hit not only by great empathy, but great anguish and fear. It's dark, but it's glorious.

    This is an exquisite piece with all the characteristics we hope for in a drama. What makes Asylum particularly unique is its ability to reverberate. We're hit not only by great empathy, but great anguish and fear. It's dark, but it's glorious.

Development History

  • Type Reading, Organization Pony Boy Speakeasy Theatre, Year 2022
  • Type Reading, Organization Chicago Dramatists Master Class, Year 2021
  • Type Workshop, Organization Telling Humans Playwright Studio, Year 2021
  • Type Reading, Organization Chicago Dramatists Master Class, Year 2020
  • Type Reading, Organization Goddard College, Year 2005

Production History

  • Type Workshop, Organization Telling Humans Playwright Studio, Year 2021
  • Type Professional, Organization Chicago Dramatists, Year 2020
  • Type Workshop, Organization Chicago Dramatists, Year 2020
  • Type University, Organization Goddard College, MFA in Playwrighting, Year 2005