Don't Give Up the Ship

by Laura Neill

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.

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: Don't Give Up the Ship by Laura Neill
    “

    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.

    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: Don't Give Up the Ship by Laura Neill
    “

    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

    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: Don't Give Up the Ship by Laura Neill
    “

    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.

    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

  • Diana
    Takes on the persona of COMMODORE OLIVER HAZARD PERRY, 20s.
    40s-50s
    She/her
    Can be played by:
    • Actor Age
      40s,
      50s,
      60s
    • Actor Gender Identity
      Female,
      Non-binary
  • Olive
    Diana's daughter. Also acts as Perry's Lieutenant SAUNDERS, 20s.
    20s
    She/her
    Can be played by:
    • Actor Age
      Teens,
      20s,
      30s
    • Actor Gender Identity
      Female,
      Non-binary
  • Martha
    Diana's daughter. Also acts as Perry's nemesis ELLIOT, 30s.
    20s
    She/her
    Can be played by:
    • Actor Age
      Teens,
      20s,
      30s
    • Actor Gender Identity
      Female,
      Non-binary
  • Lizzie
    Diana's nurse and lover. Also acts as Perry's wife ELIZABETH C. MASON, 20s.
    20s
    She/her
    Can be played by:
    • Actor Age
      20s,
      30s
    • Actor Gender Identity
      Female,
      Non-binary
  • Rob
    Diana's ex-husband. Also acts as Perry's son OLLIE HAZARD, 4.
    40s-50s
    he/him
    Can be played by:
    • Actor Age
      40s,
      50s,
      60s
    • Actor Gender Identity
      Male,
      Non-binary

Development History

  • Reading, Wilbury Theatre Group, 2016
  • Reading, Fresh Ink Theatre, 2016
  • Reading, Playwrights' Reading Room, 2015

Production History

  • Fringe, Fresh Ink Theatre, 2017