A Marriage

by Tom Swift

On a quiet, lonely night, two unlikely men make the unlikely decision to fall in love. The play tells the story of that night and the forty years that follow.

The play within the play tells the story of the underfunded Bay Area theatre company producing A Marriage, the day after opening night. A botulism incident has upended the production, requiring the House Manager to take control, playing all ancillary...

On a quiet, lonely night, two unlikely men make the unlikely decision to fall in love. The play tells the story of that night and the forty years that follow.

The play within the play tells the story of the underfunded Bay Area theatre company producing A Marriage, the day after opening night. A botulism incident has upended the production, requiring the House Manager to take control, playing all ancillary roles and serving as dramaturg.

The play is written in three acts for three actors. Two actors play the primary characters (and the actors playing the primary characters). The third actor plays the House Manager and all ancillary characters: mother, neighbor, nephew, therapist, Alexa, etc.

Minimal sets.

Running time two hours and twenty minutes, including two intermissions.

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A Marriage

Recommended by

  • Evelyn Jean Pine: A Marriage

    A witty, emotional look at how two men grow and change throughout their marriage. Deceptively simple, the play takes on the shifting views and experiences of LGBTQ relationships -- including a wonderful nephew who embodies the clash of generations. Very funny and deeply moving, the play lets the audience revel in the gift of time with those we love.

    A witty, emotional look at how two men grow and change throughout their marriage. Deceptively simple, the play takes on the shifting views and experiences of LGBTQ relationships -- including a wonderful nephew who embodies the clash of generations. Very funny and deeply moving, the play lets the audience revel in the gift of time with those we love.

Development History

  • Type Workshop, Organization TheatreFirst, Year 2022
  • Type Reading, Organization PlayGround San Francisco (Multiple Table Readings), Year 2013
  • Type Reading, Organization PlayGround San Francisco, Year 2011
  • Type Commission, Organization PlayGround San Francisco, Year 2010

Production History

  • Type Community Theater, Organization TheatreFirst, Year 2023
  • Type Community Theater, Organization TheatreFirst, Year 2021
  • Type Professional, Organization Ashland New Play Festival (Finalist - no production), Year 2009
  • Type Professional, Organization Aurora Global Age Project (Finalist - no production), Year 2009
  • Type Professional, Organization San Francisco Playwrights Foundation (Top 50 - no production/reading), Year 2008

Awards

  • Commendation: for especially courageous and distinguished work online during COVID-19's devastating forced closures.
    San Francisco Bay Area Theatre Critics Circle
    Winner
    2021