Monica: This Play Is Not About Monica Lewinsky by Dianne Nora

Through a series of scenes between a woman--let's call her Monica--and different imagined lovers, this play asks what the cost of intimacy is, how we reckon with our past selves, and what we talk about when we talk about Other Women.
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Monica: This Play Is Not About Monica Lewinsky

Recommended by

  • Morey Norkin:
    11 Jan. 2024
    “ This may not be that Monica, but she could be any woman who achieves a certain level of public fame or notoriety where her sexuality or relationships define her more than her own accomplishments. The structure of this play, the brilliant dialogue, the depth of character combine for an amazing, emotional roller coaster. I’m officially a Dianne Nora fan! ”
  • Shelby Seeley:
    8 Dec. 2021
    “ I loved it! ”
  • David Hansen:
    2 Apr. 2021
    “ In this fictional version of Monica Lewinsky becomes an everywoman. Some suffer their abusers in private, others on full display, and the real Lewinsky is one of the most public examples of that. But this play is not about her specifically, but every woman’s journey toward feeling whole, to having a heart (as is described so poetically in the denouement) that can heal itself. Nora’s narrative jumps back and forth in time with a dry wit, passion, and alacrity, and I highly recommend a read. ”
View all 18 recommendations

Character Information

While the play draws some events from the life of Monica Lewinsky, the events portrayed are entirely fictional. The character Monica is new, and should be explored as a new character. Productions are encouraged to cast actors who do not resemble Ms. Lewinsky, and the actor playing Monica should not attempt to do an impression of Ms. Lewinsky's physicality or voice. If the production is interested in doubling, the roles of The Woman and The Lover can be played by the same actor, as can the roles of The Expat and The Yuppy. All efforts should be undertaken to assemble a cast that is racially diverse, and the inclusion of actors with disabilities is strongly encouraged.

  • Monica
    17-45,
    Any
    ,
    Female
    Can be played by:
    • Age: 
      20s, 30s, 40s
    • Race/Ethnicity: 
      Any race/ethnicity
    • Gender: 
      Female, Non-binary
  • Sam
    40s-50s,
    Any
    ,
    Male
    Can be played by:
    • Age: 
      30s, 40s, 50s
    • Race/Ethnicity: 
      Any race/ethnicity
    • Gender: 
      Male, Non-binary
  • The Youth
    17-28,
    Any
    ,
    Male
    Can be played by:
    • Age: 
      Teens, 20s
    • Race/Ethnicity: 
      Any race/ethnicity
    • Gender: 
      Male, Non-binary
  • The Woman
    40s,
    Any
    ,
    Female
    Should the production be interested in doubling, this role can be played by the actor who plays The Lover.
    Can be played by:
    • Age: 
      30s, 40s, 50s, 60s
    • Race/Ethnicity: 
      Any race/ethnicity
    • Gender: 
      Female, Non-binary
  • The Lover
    30s,
    Any
    ,
    Female
    Should the production be interested in doubling, this role can be played by the actor who plays The Woman.
    Can be played by:
    • Age: 
      20s, 30s, 40s
    • Race/Ethnicity: 
      Any race/ethnicity
    • Gender: 
      Female, Non-binary
  • The Expat
    30s-40s,
    Any
    ,
    Male
    Should the production be interested in doubling, this character can be played by the actor who plays The Yuppy.
    Can be played by:
    • Age: 
      20s, 30s, 40s
    • Race/Ethnicity: 
      Any race/ethnicity
    • Gender: 
      Male, Non-binary
  • The Yuppy
    30s,
    Any
    ,
    Male
    Should the production be interested in doubling, this role can be played by the same actor who plays The Expat.
    Can be played by:
    • Age: 
      20s, 30s, 40s
    • Race/Ethnicity: 
      Any race/ethnicity
    • Gender: 
      Male, Non-binary

Development History

  • Reading
    ,
    Normal Ave Theatre Company
    ,
    2019
  • Reading
    ,
    The Blank Theatre Living Room Series
    ,
    2019
  • Reading
    ,
    Chicago New Work Festival
    ,
    2018
  • Reading
    ,
    Chicago Dramatists
    ,
    2017
  • Reading
    ,
    Playwrights Horizons Downtown
    ,
    2017

Production History

  • Workshop
    ,
    The Theatre School at Depaul University
    ,
    2023
  • Fringe
    ,
    Edinburgh Festival Fringe
    ,
    2019

Awards

Selection
,
Normal Ave NAPSeries New Play Festival
,
Normal Ave
,
2019
Semi-Finalist
,
Bay Area Playwrights Festival
,
Bay Area Playwrights Festival
,
2019
Finalist
,
Artemisia Fall Fest
,
Artemisia Theatre
,
2019
Selection
,
Chicago New Work Festival
,
Three Cat Theatre
,
2018
Semi-Finalist
,
National Playwrights Conference
,
The Eugene O'Neill Theater Center
,
2018