Dr. Ride's American Beach House

by Liza Birkenmeier

It’s 1983, the evening before Dr. Sally Ride’s historic space flight. Hundreds of miles from the launch, a group of women with passionate opinions and no opportunities sit on a sweltering St. Louis rooftop watching life pass them by. Their uncharted desires bump up against American norms of sex and power in this intimate snapshot of queer anti-heroines.

It’s 1983, the evening before Dr. Sally Ride’s historic space flight. Hundreds of miles from the launch, a group of women with passionate opinions and no opportunities sit on a sweltering St. Louis rooftop watching life pass them by. Their uncharted desires bump up against American norms of sex and power in this intimate snapshot of queer anti-heroines.

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Dr. Ride's American Beach House

Recommended by

  • Melinda Gros: Dr. Ride's American Beach House by Liza Birkenmeier
    “

    I saw a production of this play in New York pre-pandemic and I was totally blown away - it is a fabulous play!

    I saw a production of this play in New York pre-pandemic and I was totally blown away - it is a fabulous play!

    ”
  • Emma Goldman-Sherman: Dr. Ride's American Beach House by Liza Birkenmeier
    “

    This beautifully written piece is a dream play that imagines naturalism in such a way that stirs my soul. As a period piece in a period I lived through and remember, this moment in time is now included in my own memories of that moment because it is so evocative and moving. The desire the characters carry and can't articulate aches and resonates.

    This beautifully written piece is a dream play that imagines naturalism in such a way that stirs my soul. As a period piece in a period I lived through and remember, this moment in time is now included in my own memories of that moment because it is so evocative and moving. The desire the characters carry and can't articulate aches and resonates.

    ”
  • Shaun Leisher: Dr. Ride's American Beach House by Liza Birkenmeier
    “

    BUY THIS PLAY!!! PRODUCE THIS PLAY!!! I could spend so much more time with all these characters but Birkenmeier has given us a perfect peek into their lives. A play about a huge moment in history and big themes that is sooooo intimate.

    BUY THIS PLAY!!! PRODUCE THIS PLAY!!! I could spend so much more time with all these characters but Birkenmeier has given us a perfect peek into their lives. A play about a huge moment in history and big themes that is sooooo intimate.

    ”
View all 4 recommendations

Development History

  • Commission, Ars Nova, 2017

Production History

  • Professional, Ars Nova, 2019

Awards

  • LGBTQ Drama
    Lambda Literary
    Finalist
    2020