THE SEEKER by William Ivor Fowkes

FULL-LENGTH PLAY (1 HOUR, 45 MINUTES). Tommy Hamilton is looking for God, love, and sex—but not necessarily in that order. At the moment, however, he’s in a coma, reviewing his life and wondering, “Is that all there is?” Spanning thirty years of gay history, this play examines the relationship between gay men and organized religion as well as the impact of the AIDS crisis.

HONORS:
...
FULL-LENGTH PLAY (1 HOUR, 45 MINUTES). Tommy Hamilton is looking for God, love, and sex—but not necessarily in that order. At the moment, however, he’s in a coma, reviewing his life and wondering, “Is that all there is?” Spanning thirty years of gay history, this play examines the relationship between gay men and organized religion as well as the impact of the AIDS crisis.

HONORS:
Semifinalist, Promising Playwright Award, Colonial Players, Annapolis, MD, 2015.
Semifinalist, Princess Grace Playwriting Award, 2015
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THE SEEKER

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Character Information

CAST: A cast of 6 playing 40 roles.
For a larger cast, some of the double casting can be eliminated.

  • Tommy Hamilton
    19-40s,
    White
    ,
    Male
    From Cleveland Heights, Ohio. Asthmatic. Curious. Well-read. Asks too many questions. Dry wit.
    Can be played by:
    • Age: 
      20s, 30s
    • Race/Ethnicity: 
      White
    • Gender: 
      Male
  • Molly McCormack
    30s-40s,
    White
    ,
    Female
    An Irish beauty. Sincere. A bit goofy. Copywriter. Member of The Master’s Way.
    Can be played by:
    • Age: 
      30s
    • Race/Ethnicity: 
      White
    • Gender: 
      Female
  • Christian Barrie
    19-40s,
    White
    ,
    Male
    From South Carolina. Endearing, though intense, troubled, and naïve. Struggling with his sexual identity. Tries to act like a “grownup” but is basically a child.
    Can be played by:
    • Age: 
      20s, 30s
    • Race/Ethnicity: 
      White
    • Gender: 
      Male
  • Actor #4 - 9 roles, including Professor Rosenstein, Pastor Dave, Master (Guruji Singh), Patrick
    Professor Rosenstein - 40s; Pastor Dave - early 30s; Master (Guruji Singh) - 60s; Patrick - 30s/40s,
    Any
    ,
    Male
    • Professor Rosenstein: entertaining philosophy professor at Columbia University.
    • Pastor Dave: Charismatic. A Christian fundamentalist who tries to relate to college kids. Sports a beard and Hippie-style clothing.
    • Master (Guruji Singh): Gentle, but charismatic. White hair and beard. Wears white robes and a turban.
    • Patrick: sensitive, pragmatic.
    Can be played by:
    • Age: 
      30s, 40s
    • Race/Ethnicity: 
      Any race/ethnicity
    • Gender: 
      Male
  • Actor #5 - 12 roles including Mrs. Hamilton, Aunt Mildred, Liza Minnelli, Doris Day, Peggy Lee, Dolly Parton
    Any age,
    Any
    ,
    Female
    • Mrs. Hamilton: Tommy’s mother. Loving and supportive, but a little overwhelmed,
    • Aunt Mildred: Tommy’s great aunt and owner of Book World. Supportive but concerned. Speaks with a Maine accent.
    • Liza Minnelli
    • Doris Day
    • Speaker: Professionally dressed “yuppie.”
    • Peggy Lee
    • Indian Dancer (non-speaking role)
    • Indian Woman with Tray (non-speaking role)
    • Voice #4
    • Jillian: an enthusiastic American Satsangi at the ashram
    • Dolly Parton
    • Woman at gym
    Can be played by:
    • Age: 
      Any adult age
    • Race/Ethnicity: 
      Any race/ethnicity
    • Gender: 
      Female
  • Actor #6 - 15 roles including Comic, Mr. Hamilton, Uvi
    Any age,
    Any
    ,
    Male
    • Comic: a Catskills-style comedian
    • Mr. Hamilton: Tommy’s father. Stern.
    • Teaching Assistant (non-speaking role)
    • Kevin: a student at Retreat House
    • Anonymous Man
    • Mr. Jeffries: Master’s assistant. Officious.
    • Uvi: Indian. Employee of the Master’s Way. Serious but silly.
    • Voice #5
    • Max: an American Satsangi; husband of Jillian
    • Man at Pier
    • Mourner
    • Barker: a carnival barker
    • Rosebud (non-speaking role)
    • Man at Gym
    • Doctor (non-speaking role)
    Can be played by:
    • Age: 
      Any adult age
    • Race/Ethnicity: 
      Any race/ethnicity
    • Gender: 
      Male

Development History

  • Reading
    ,
    Unitarian Universalist Congregation at Shelter Rock in Manhasset, NY
    ,
    2014

Awards

Semi-Finalist
,
Promising Playwright Award
,
Colonial Players, Annapolis, MD
,
2015
Semi-Finalist
,
Princess Grace Playwriting Award
,
New Dramatists, NYC
,
2015