Portmanteaux

by Deborah Yarchun

Liza, a recent college graduate and composer, works a manic number of odd jobs. When she’s not Duck Tour guiding, selling ads for a magazine about creepy places in Pennsylvania, catering, or tutoring, she creates soundscapes of her isolated existence in her now roommate-devoid, shelled out apartment. Her life-agenda is thrown into disarray when she collides with Dale, a young anarchist with a diametrically...

Liza, a recent college graduate and composer, works a manic number of odd jobs. When she’s not Duck Tour guiding, selling ads for a magazine about creepy places in Pennsylvania, catering, or tutoring, she creates soundscapes of her isolated existence in her now roommate-devoid, shelled out apartment. Her life-agenda is thrown into disarray when she collides with Dale, a young anarchist with a diametrically opposed concept of life. Through a series of misadventures ranging from an ill-fated attempt to fly a kite, urban spelunking, and an epic rideshare journey, Dale and Liza alter each other’s worlds. An exploration of life-altering intersections, virtual proximity, and that oh-so fine line between independence and isolation.

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Portmanteaux

Recommended by

  • Cheryl Bear: Portmanteaux

    A story of isolation, life exploration and adventures that will surely resonate as we make progress on the journey. Well done.

    A story of isolation, life exploration and adventures that will surely resonate as we make progress on the journey. Well done.

  • Nick Malakhow: Portmanteaux

    An inventive, original piece that explores loneliness, isolation, and connection in a multitude of ways. Liza and Dale are such vividly realized characters, and the ways they complement one another feel organic. The use of soundscapes; music; lyrical poetry; simultaneous private moments; digital connection; and natural, poignant, human, humorous scenes all coalesce into a cohesive theatrical aesthetic. I'd love to see a creative production team tackle this! Additionally, I really appreciated the vivid sense of time and place.

    An inventive, original piece that explores loneliness, isolation, and connection in a multitude of ways. Liza and Dale are such vividly realized characters, and the ways they complement one another feel organic. The use of soundscapes; music; lyrical poetry; simultaneous private moments; digital connection; and natural, poignant, human, humorous scenes all coalesce into a cohesive theatrical aesthetic. I'd love to see a creative production team tackle this! Additionally, I really appreciated the vivid sense of time and place.

  • Samantha Marchant: Portmanteaux

    A wonderful two-hander with a lot of great stuff for the actors, director, designers to dig in to! Movement and space is thoughtfully laid out. I particularly liked the juxtaposition of the scenes of Liza at her jobs and Dale at his post. Would love to hear Liza's compositions live.

    A wonderful two-hander with a lot of great stuff for the actors, director, designers to dig in to! Movement and space is thoughtfully laid out. I particularly liked the juxtaposition of the scenes of Liza at her jobs and Dale at his post. Would love to hear Liza's compositions live.

Character Information

  • Liz
    A meticulous type A personality; a former child prodigy. She dresses like a young professional, but more prim than hip.
    Character Age
    22
    Character Gender Identity
    Female
  • Dale
    An anarchist and alcoholic; he didn’t buy his clothes, he found them.
    Character Age
    22
    Character Gender Identity
    Male

Development History

  • Type Reading, Organization The Des Moines Social Club Theater, Year 2012
  • Type Reading, Organization The Great Plains Theater Conference, Year 2011
  • Type Reading, Organization Stony Brook University, Year 2011
  • Type Workshop, Organization WordBRIDGE Playwrights Laboratory, Year 2009

Production History

  • Type Workshop, Organization The Overtime Theater, San Antonio, Year 2014

Awards

  • John Gassner Award
    Stony Brook University
    Runner Up
    2011
  • Firehouse Theatre Project's New Play Festival
    Firehouse Theatre
    Finalist
    2012
  • The Hormel New Works Festival
    Phoenix Theater
    Finalist
    2012