AT THE DAKOTA by William Ivor Fowkes

FULL-LENGTH PLAY (1 HOUR, 35 MINUTES). In 1999, when a closeted married gay man shows up at New York’s infamous Dakota Apartments for a sex hook-up with a virile bodybuilder he met online, he is shocked to discover that the man is actually a 71-year-old recluse. Eager to see the inside of this historic building, he hides his disappointment and lets his host regale him with reminiscences of life among the Dakota...
FULL-LENGTH PLAY (1 HOUR, 35 MINUTES). In 1999, when a closeted married gay man shows up at New York’s infamous Dakota Apartments for a sex hook-up with a virile bodybuilder he met online, he is shocked to discover that the man is actually a 71-year-old recluse. Eager to see the inside of this historic building, he hides his disappointment and lets his host regale him with reminiscences of life among the Dakota’s glitterati. When their encounter turns ugly, a woman arrives and demands that the whole story be re-told differently. As alternate versions of the story battle, the play exposes the price people pay for living lives in denial and explores possibilities for inter-generational relationships.
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AT THE DAKOTA

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Character Information

  • Earl Mumford
    Early 70s,
    Any
    ,
    Male
    A retired architect. Distinguished and charming.
    Can be played by:
    • Age: 
      60s, 70s+
    • Race/Ethnicity: 
      Any race/ethnicity
    • Gender: 
      Male
  • Mark Manning
    Early 40s,
    Any
    ,
    Male
    An accountant. Cocky and suspicious.
    Can be played by:
    • Age: 
      30s, 40s, 50s
    • Race/Ethnicity: 
      Any race/ethnicity
    • Gender: 
      Male
  • Marjorie
    60s,
    Any
    ,
    Female
    Gracious, but cold and controlling. (In scene 6 – warmer and more sympathetic)
    Can be played by:
    • Age: 
      50s, 60s
    • Race/Ethnicity: 
      Any race/ethnicity
    • Gender: 
      Female
  • Elizabeth Mumford Allen
    30s,
    Any
    ,
    Female
    Smart and accomplished, but insecure and defensive.
    Can be played by:
    • Age: 
      20s, 30s
    • Race/Ethnicity: 
      Any race/ethnicity
    • Gender: 
      Female
  • Gary
    Mid 20s,
    Any
    ,
    Male
    Sexy, romantic, and a bit naïve.
    Can be played by:
    • Age: 
      20s
    • Race/Ethnicity: 
      Any race/ethnicity
    • Gender: 
      Male

Development History

  • Reading
    ,
    William Inge Theater Festival, Independence, KS - a reading of an excerpt ("AN ACCIDENT IN THE PARK")
    ,
    2017
  • Reading
    ,
    Pittsburgh New Works Festival, Original Play Readings, Carnegie, PA - a reading of an excerpt ("AN ACCIDENT IN THE PARK")
    ,
    2017

Production History

  • Workshop
    ,
    Black Box Festival, Gallery Players, Brooklyn, NY - production of an excerpt ("AN ACCIDENT IN THE PARK")
    ,
    2016
  • Workshop
    ,
    Downtown Urban Theater Festival, Cherry Lane Theatre--production of an excerpt ("THE DAKOTA")--winner of BEST SHORT PLAY AWARD
    ,
    2005
  • Workshop
    ,
    Octoberfest, Ensemble Studio Theatre, New York--production of an excerpt ("THE DAKOTA")
    ,
    2005

Awards

Honorable Mention
,
16th Annual New Voice Play Festival -- award for an excerpt ("AN ACCIDENT IN THE PARK")
,
The Old Opera House Theatre Company, Charles Town, WV
,
2016
Winner
,
Best Short Play Award for an excerpt ("THE DAKOTA")
,
Downtown Urban Theater Festival
,
2005