When Diana, a middle-aged mother of two, wakes up as Commodore Oliver Hazard Perry, hero of the War of 1812, she suddenly commands much more of her life than she used to. Imagining that her daughters are warring lieutenants, her ex-husband is her four-year-old son, and her nurse Lizzie is her darling wife, Diana establishes an identity that is much closer to her true self than anyone expected.
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Don't Give Up the Ship
Recommended by
Ginger Lazarus:
30 Jun. 2017
“
I love the bold experimentation with questions of gender identity, sexuality, and race, mixed in with a epic romp through history and very real family drama. ”
Greg Lam:
19 Jun. 2017
“
This is a loopy character based comedy in which a woman comes out of an accident convinced she's a naval war hero from the 19th century. Her fractured family of two daughters and ex-husband are forced to play along with the reality that the recovering woman is manufacturing, playing the roles assigned to them. And their nurse Lizzie becomes the Commodore's beloved wife and all consuming passion. This play presents its delightful oddball premise and never gives up its momentum. Featured on an episode of Boston Podcast Players https://www.bostonpodcastplayers.com/updates/2018/11/7/laura-neill ”
Livian Yeh:
19 Jun. 2017
“
This play is witty and thought-provoking. The dialogue is so smart, and the emotions between the characters are palpable and heart-felt. The Diana/Commodore Perry moments are laugh-out-loud funny, yet her heartbreak remains devastating. "Don't Give Up the Ship" has important and poignant things to say about love, sexuality and the bounds that tie a family together. ”
Character Information
Please cast a multiracial family. Under no circumstances should either Jeff or Martha be the only character of color.
Diana
40s-50s,
She/her
Takes on the persona of COMMODORE OLIVER HAZARD PERRY, 20s.
Can be played by:
Age:
40s, 50s, 60s
Race/Ethnicity:
Any race/ethnicity
Gender:
Female, Non-binary
Martha
20s,
She/her
Diana's daughter. Also acts as Perry's nemesis ELLIOT, 30s.
Can be played by:
Age:
Teens, 20s, 30s
Race/Ethnicity:
Any race/ethnicity
Gender:
Female, Non-binary
Olive
20s,
She/her
Diana's daughter. Also acts as Perry's Lieutenant SAUNDERS, 20s.
Can be played by:
Age:
Teens, 20s, 30s
Race/Ethnicity:
Any race/ethnicity
Gender:
Female, Non-binary
Lizzie
20s,
She/her
Diana's nurse and lover. Also acts as Perry's wife ELIZABETH C. MASON, 20s.
Can be played by:
Age:
20s, 30s
Race/Ethnicity:
Any race/ethnicity
Gender:
Female, Non-binary
Rob
40s-50s,
he/him
Diana's ex-husband. Also acts as Perry's son OLLIE HAZARD, 4.