The JonBenét Game

by Tori Keenan-Zelt

What do you remember about JonBenét Ramsey?

When they were 12, best friends Molly and Rae played a secret game at sleepovers: reenacting JonBenét Ramsey’s murder. Twenty years later, Rae works as a guidance counselor at their old middle school, determined to leave the past behind. But after Molly’s death, her 12-year-old daughter finds their old playbook; the game resurfaces, and Rae finds herself playing again...

What do you remember about JonBenét Ramsey?

When they were 12, best friends Molly and Rae played a secret game at sleepovers: reenacting JonBenét Ramsey’s murder. Twenty years later, Rae works as a guidance counselor at their old middle school, determined to leave the past behind. But after Molly’s death, her 12-year-old daughter finds their old playbook; the game resurfaces, and Rae finds herself playing again. The JonBenét Game examines the uneasy space that true crime opens up for women to explore the violence and grief they’re not supposed to talk about.

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The JonBenét Game

Recommended by

  • Everett Robert: The JonBenét Game by Tori Keenan-Zelt
    “

    I saw this show in Kansas City at The Unicorn theater as part of the new play networks rolling premier and holy s**t seems to be an appropriate respo se. Dangerous, intense theater but wickedly funny theater like this reminds you of what you can do on stage that you can't I'm any other medium. Highly recommended

    I saw this show in Kansas City at The Unicorn theater as part of the new play networks rolling premier and holy s**t seems to be an appropriate respo se. Dangerous, intense theater but wickedly funny theater like this reminds you of what you can do on stage that you can't I'm any other medium. Highly recommended

    ”
  • Douglas Gearhart: The JonBenét Game by Tori Keenan-Zelt
    “

    I just saw this live in Kansas City and I found it to be a powerful, moving, and (truly) theatrical experience. Tori Keenan-Zelt trusts the audience to figure things out, and her scenes keep the play moving, not in a straight line, but masterfully all the same.

    I just saw this live in Kansas City and I found it to be a powerful, moving, and (truly) theatrical experience. Tori Keenan-Zelt trusts the audience to figure things out, and her scenes keep the play moving, not in a straight line, but masterfully all the same.

    ”
  • Shaun Leisher: The JonBenét Game by Tori Keenan-Zelt
    “

    I really loved this play. It's a play that looks at how we handle grief at different ages in our lives. Molly and Rae definitely needed each other to navigate through the world of girlhood. Later on, Rae finds a kindred spirit in Molly's daughter, Hazel. Rae reaches out and tries to help Hazel, even when that goes against school protocol. This is such a moving play about getting through life and the adults in our lives that impact us along the way. Produce this play!!

    I really loved this play. It's a play that looks at how we handle grief at different ages in our lives. Molly and Rae definitely needed each other to navigate through the world of girlhood. Later on, Rae finds a kindred spirit in Molly's daughter, Hazel. Rae reaches out and tries to help Hazel, even when that goes against school protocol. This is such a moving play about getting through life and the adults in our lives that impact us along the way. Produce this play!!

    ”
View all 5 recommendations
ACTOR ONE (F, 30s):

RAE -- At 35, she's a smart, kind guidance counselor who is deeply alone. At 12, she's coltish and always out of place.



ACTOR TWO (F, Teens or early 20s):

HAZEL (12) -- A girl with intense focus and intense need.

MOLLY (12) -- Rae's best friend. A force. She survives on charm and making herself adoptable.

JONBENET (6)



ACTOR THREE (F, 50s):

MISS KAY (50s) -- A small-town pillar of the community, she wields charm as a weapon.

PATSY RAMSEY (40s)

RAE'S MOM (30s)

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