Best Behaviors

by Cassandra Rose

FKA At His Best. The morning of her wedding, a woman wakes up next to a man who asks her, "Are you still going to marry him?" Twentysomething years later, another girl, also getting ready for her wedding at the end of the week, opens the door to a man that says, "I used to know your mother." Two times are connected by one man's secrets. And the ghost of the house is not happy about his return.

FKA At His Best. The morning of her wedding, a woman wakes up next to a man who asks her, "Are you still going to marry him?" Twentysomething years later, another girl, also getting ready for her wedding at the end of the week, opens the door to a man that says, "I used to know your mother." Two times are connected by one man's secrets. And the ghost of the house is not happy about his return.

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Best Behaviors

Recommended by

  • Cheryl Bear: Best Behaviors

    A haunting story of one man's secrets that keeps us at the edge of our seat! Moving and well done.

    A haunting story of one man's secrets that keeps us at the edge of our seat! Moving and well done.

  • Emily Hageman: Best Behaviors

    AT HIS BEST is a play about the truest horror--horrible people who refuse to see their ugliness. Rose is a master at creating characters who are layered, but who have something true at the core of themselves--nobility, bravery, goodness, and pure cruelty. Thickly but expertly placed supernatural elements make this play truly leap off of the page. I find myself affected at the end of this play--both angry and hopeful. Rose is unforgiving in her portrayal of Sam Brogan, but he is believable and wholly real and perhaps that's what makes this show truly disturbing.

    AT HIS BEST is a play about the truest horror--horrible people who refuse to see their ugliness. Rose is a master at creating characters who are layered, but who have something true at the core of themselves--nobility, bravery, goodness, and pure cruelty. Thickly but expertly placed supernatural elements make this play truly leap off of the page. I find myself affected at the end of this play--both angry and hopeful. Rose is unforgiving in her portrayal of Sam Brogan, but he is believable and wholly real and perhaps that's what makes this show truly disturbing.

  • Jenny Seidelman: Best Behaviors

    I saw the 2014 production and found the script to be both lyrical and moving. "At His Best" is a lovely, haunting story of family secrets and reconciliation. Highly recommend!

    I saw the 2014 production and found the script to be both lyrical and moving. "At His Best" is a lovely, haunting story of family secrets and reconciliation. Highly recommend!

Character Information

No more than half of this cast should be played by white actors.
  • Brogan
    A friend of Ann's. Brogan and Sam are the same person at different times in their life. Each role should be played by a separate actor but kept link
    Character Age
    Mid-20s
    Character Race/Ethnic Identity
    Any
    Character Gender Identity
    he/him
  • Ann
    Caroline's mother
    Character Age
    Mid-20s
    Character Race/Ethnic Identity
    Any
    Character Gender Identity
    She/her
  • Toni
    Caroline's fiancé.
    Character Age
    Mid-20s
    Character Race/Ethnic Identity
    Any
    Character Gender Identity
    She/her
  • Caroline
    Ann's daughter
    Character Age
    Mid-20s
    Character Race/Ethnic Identity
    Any
    Character Gender Identity
    She/her
  • Sam
    A friend of Caroline's. Brogan and Sam are the same person at different times in their life. Each role should be played by a separate actor but kept link
    Character Age
    Mid-50s
    Character Race/Ethnic Identity
    Any
    Character Gender Identity
    he/him
  • Freddy
    Ann's husband.
    Character Age
    Mid-20s
    Character Race/Ethnic Identity
    Any
    Character Gender Identity
    he/him

Development History

  • Type Reading, Organization Cold Basement Dramatics, Year 2013
  • Type Reading, Organization Chicago Dramatists, Year 2013

Production History

  • Type Professional, Organization Cold Basement Dramatics, Year 2014

Awards

  • Project Playwright Festival
    Sanguine Theatre Company
    Semi-Finalist
    2018