danse macabre : a kiss of death

by Melissa Toomey

at a run down strip club in the American West, a freight-train-hopping Maiden joins with the lost soul of a missing indigenous woman to seek vengeance against her stalker, their enemy: a vagabond known as Death. in a surreal acid-Western ghost story spanning through time, we are questioned : How lost do we have to become to finally be free? And are we born to die?

at a run down strip club in the American West, a freight-train-hopping Maiden joins with the lost soul of a missing indigenous woman to seek vengeance against her stalker, their enemy: a vagabond known as Death. in a surreal acid-Western ghost story spanning through time, we are questioned : How lost do we have to become to finally be free? And are we born to die?

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danse macabre : a kiss of death

Recommended by

  • Shaun Leisher: danse macabre : a kiss of death by Melissa Toomey
    “

    An excellent modern anti-Western. PRODUCE THIS PLAY!!!

    An excellent modern anti-Western. PRODUCE THIS PLAY!!!

    ”

Character Information

  • The Maiden
    fell in love with Death. not afraid. a fair maiden but also a freight train hopper hobo and a former stripper
    20s
    White or Latino
    Female
    Can be played by:
    • Actor Age
      20s,
      30s
    • Actor Gender Identity
      Woman
  • Coyote
    a missing Indigenous woman.
    closed the Door of Death.
    locked herself out. a fair maiden but also a stripper and a trickster god. a devil. in a good way.
    20s
    Indigenous/Native American/First Nations
    Female
    Can be played by:
    • Actor Age
      20s,
      30s
    • Actor Race/Ethnic Identity
      Indigenous, First Nation, or Native American
    • Actor Gender Identity
      Woman
  • Madame Madonna
    The Sin Eater. a brothel madam. a mother. eats sins and souls.
    Female
    Can be played by:
    • Actor Age
      30s,
      40s,
      50s,
      60s
    • Actor Gender Identity
      Woman
  • Death/The Men
    Death himself. wears a watch. has a heinous scar. fell in love with the Maiden. wants to be human. lonely. a dangerous vagabond.
    30s
    Male
    Can be played by:
    • Actor Age
      20s,
      30s,
      40s
    • Actor Gender Identity
      Man
  • The Crone
    a hobo woman. Musical role (singing and instrumentation) but not a speaking role.
    55+
    Female
    Can be played by:
    • Actor Age
      50s,
      60s,
      70s+
    • Actor Gender Identity
      Woman

Production History

  • Workshop, Playdate at Pete's @ Pete's Candy Store, 2023
  • Workshop, INKubator @ Art House Productions, 2022