The Chateau Rainbeau Holiday Door Decorating Contest

by Donald E. Baker

A short one-set play about rivalry, grief, and love after 70.

30-MINUTE PLAY. After Ray loses his husband, he moves into Chateau Rainbeau, a gay retirement facility where his friend George lives. James, Ray’s long-time nemesis also lives there. Their enmity breaks out into the open when they both enter the facility’s annual holiday door decorating contest. The play deals with issues of rivalry, coping with...

A short one-set play about rivalry, grief, and love after 70.

30-MINUTE PLAY. After Ray loses his husband, he moves into Chateau Rainbeau, a gay retirement facility where his friend George lives. James, Ray’s long-time nemesis also lives there. Their enmity breaks out into the open when they both enter the facility’s annual holiday door decorating contest. The play deals with issues of rivalry, coping with grief, and, perhaps, finding love in one's seventies.

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The Chateau Rainbeau Holiday Door Decorating Contest

Recommended by

  • Debra A. Cole: The Chateau Rainbeau Holiday Door Decorating Contest by Donald E. Baker
    “

    Humor, heart, and a dash of delicious camp... this delightful and touching short play by DON BAKER will make audiences feel so many things. I was lucky enough to hear this read at the Playwrights Thriving Reading Series, and the performances were stellar. THIS is the perfect choice for a festival or senior acting troupe to bring to colorful life.

    Humor, heart, and a dash of delicious camp... this delightful and touching short play by DON BAKER will make audiences feel so many things. I was lucky enough to hear this read at the Playwrights Thriving Reading Series, and the performances were stellar. THIS is the perfect choice for a festival or senior acting troupe to bring to colorful life.

    ”
  • Julie Brandon: The Chateau Rainbeau Holiday Door Decorating Contest by Donald E. Baker
    “

    A lovely and poignant story about grief, change and new possibilities. This gem by Don Baker reminds us that while we're all different, we are very much the same. The gentle humor combined with a honest look at aging is skillfully portrayed in this wonderful play.

    A lovely and poignant story about grief, change and new possibilities. This gem by Don Baker reminds us that while we're all different, we are very much the same. The gentle humor combined with a honest look at aging is skillfully portrayed in this wonderful play.

    ”
  • Sam Heyman: The Chateau Rainbeau Holiday Door Decorating Contest by Donald E. Baker
    “

    I love the world Don Baker creates in this play so much. The all-gay-male retirement community of Chateau Rainbeau could support so many diverse stories, but I am thankful that it gave birth to this poignant comedy about moving beyond one’s grief. I would gladly pass many half hours with Ray, George, and James Randall James and audiences will delight in this play’s heartfelt and humorous storyline. Presented as part of the Playwrights Thriving Reading Series, it was a delight for all involved.

    I love the world Don Baker creates in this play so much. The all-gay-male retirement community of Chateau Rainbeau could support so many diverse stories, but I am thankful that it gave birth to this poignant comedy about moving beyond one’s grief. I would gladly pass many half hours with Ray, George, and James Randall James and audiences will delight in this play’s heartfelt and humorous storyline. Presented as part of the Playwrights Thriving Reading Series, it was a delight for all involved.

    ”
View all 12 recommendations

Character Information

3 M, Playing Age 70+
  • George Delaney
    Gay Male, Age 70+, any race or ethnicity. Retired accountant. An established resident of the Chateau Rainbeau Retirement Community.
    70+
    Any
    Male
    Can be played by:
    • Actor Age
      60s,
      70s+
    • Actor Gender Identity
      Man
  • Ray Kaminsky
    Gay Male, Age 70+. Retired florist and recent widower. An old friend of George but a new resident of Chateau Rainbeau. In decent physical shape.
    70+
    Any
    Male
    Can be played by:
    • Actor Age
      60s,
      70s+
    • Actor Gender Identity
      Man
  • James Randall James
    Gay Male, Age 70+, any race or ethnicity, slender and good-looking. Long-term resident of Chateau Rainbeau. Thinks he’s God’s gift to interior decoration and to other gay men.
    70+
    Any
    Male
    Can be played by:
    • Actor Age
      60s,
      70s+
    • Actor Gender Identity
      Man