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.
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Dr. Ride's American Beach House

Recommended by

  • Emma Goldman-Sherman:
    25 Aug. 2021
    “ 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:
    6 Apr. 2021
    “ 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. ”
  • Robert Robinson:
    6 Apr. 2020
    “ I would like to be able to recommend this play, but the script is nowhere to be found. Can't recommend it if I can't read it. Can you help? ”

Development History

  • Commission
    ,
    Ars Nova
    ,
    2017

Production History

  • Professional
    ,
    Ars Nova
    ,
    2019

Awards

Finalist
,
LGBTQ Drama
,
Lambda Literary
,
2020