LISTEN! THE RIVER (full length)

by Robin Rice

A Maine Coon Cat tells a tale of love, loss and new beginnings. Torn from his Dear One in Vermont, he adjusts with great difficulty to being relocated in New York City. As Dear One's health goes downhill, her sister in NYC finds her life unwravelling. An angry cat doesn't help. Neither does a clueless doorman. Love and acceptance are found in unexpected places. Note: this is not a children's play.

A Maine Coon Cat tells a tale of love, loss and new beginnings. Torn from his Dear One in Vermont, he adjusts with great difficulty to being relocated in New York City. As Dear One's health goes downhill, her sister in NYC finds her life unwravelling. An angry cat doesn't help. Neither does a clueless doorman. Love and acceptance are found in unexpected places. Note: this is not a children's play.

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LISTEN! THE RIVER (full length)

Recommended by

  • Jarred Corona: LISTEN! THE RIVER (full length) by Robin Rice
    “

    There is something magic, heartbreaking, and poetic about misery and loss. It upends our lives. Things end. But when things end, other things are born. Maybe those new things are good, and perhaps they aren't. But either way, we have to keep going. We have to feel and mourn and try again. And hurt. We have to accept the hurt. A beautifully written play starring a very smart and handsome cat.

    There is something magic, heartbreaking, and poetic about misery and loss. It upends our lives. Things end. But when things end, other things are born. Maybe those new things are good, and perhaps they aren't. But either way, we have to keep going. We have to feel and mourn and try again. And hurt. We have to accept the hurt. A beautifully written play starring a very smart and handsome cat.

    ”
  • Playwrights Foundation: LISTEN! THE RIVER (full length) by Robin Rice
    “

    Playwrights Foundation enthusiastically recommends this play, LISTEN! THE RIVER, as a Semi-Finalist for the Bay Area Playwrights Festival 2020. We were moved by the quality of the writing and the relevant and compelling themes that spoke to the mission of our festival. It excelled in a competitive process of 735 plays submitted this year and rose to the top after a six month long process discussing its merits with both national and local Bay Area readers, and we hope it moves swiftly towards production.

    Playwrights Foundation enthusiastically recommends this play, LISTEN! THE RIVER, as a Semi-Finalist for the Bay Area Playwrights Festival 2020. We were moved by the quality of the writing and the relevant and compelling themes that spoke to the mission of our festival. It excelled in a competitive process of 735 plays submitted this year and rose to the top after a six month long process discussing its merits with both national and local Bay Area readers, and we hope it moves swiftly towards production.

    ”
  • Kirsten Hopkins: LISTEN! THE RIVER (full length) by Robin Rice
    “

    Funny, original, sweet, and sad. A beautiful play and just a treat for actors (not to mention the audience).

    Funny, original, sweet, and sad. A beautiful play and just a treat for actors (not to mention the audience).

    ”
View all 6 recommendations

Character Information

TURBO - A young, male cat - half Maine Coon, half Vermont barn cat. Handsome. Agile. Full of attitude.
CYNTHIA DUGAN - 30. Turbo's "dear one." Caucasian. Native Vermonter. Slender, graceful, loving, brave, delicate, playful. Very sick. Cynthia morphs into AMY LOU (Southern belle orchid plant), FRESH FLO (cat fountain), and BIRDIE (a thrush).
DARLENE DUGAN - 33. Caucasian. Cynthia's sister. Vermonter living in New York City. Guarded. Isolates herself so she can't harm anything. Glass half empty.
LARRY LOPEZ - 35-40. Hispanic heritage. New York doorman. Born and raised in The Bronx. Emotional. Clueless. Hunky. A dreamer. A man in love.
ANGELA MARTINEZ - 30-35. Puerto Rican heritage. Veterinary assistant in New York. Does for others. Puts her dreams on hold. A natural caretaker. Extremely buxom. Glass half full.
  • Turbo.
    Young, male cat. Handsome. Agile. Full of attitude.
    Actor's age: teen-20s.
    Any
    Presents Male
    Can be played by:
    • Actor Age
      Teens,
      20s
  • Cynthia Dugan
    30. Caucasian. Vermonter. Turbo's "dear one." Slender, graceful, loving, brave, delicate, playful. An old soul. Very sick. Cynthia morphs into: a southern belle orchid, a sexy French pet fountain, a hermit thrush. Her spirit is in these three. The roles may not be played by anyone but the Cynthia actor.
    30.
    White
    Female
    Can be played by:
    • Actor Age
      20s,
      30s
    • Actor Race/Ethnic Identity
      White
    • Actor Gender Identity
      Female,
      Non-binary
  • Darlene Dugan
    33. Caucasian. Cynthia's sister. From Vermont but spent adult life in New York City. Guarded. Isolates herself so she won't cause harm to others. Discovers love (Angela). Glass half empty.
    33.
    White
    Female
    Can be played by:
    • Actor Age
      20s,
      30s,
      40s
    • Actor Race/Ethnic Identity
      White
    • Actor Gender Identity
      Female,
      Non-binary
  • Larry Lopez
    35-40. Hispanic heritage but born and raised in The Bronx, NY. New York doorman. Emotional. Clueless. Hunky. A dreamer. A man in love.
    35-40.
    Hispanic heritage.
    Male
    Can be played by:
    • Actor Age
      30s,
      40s
    • Actor Race/Ethnic Identity
      Latinx/o/a or Hispanic
    • Actor Gender Identity
      Male
  • Angela Martinez
    30-35. Puerto Rican heritage. Larry's girlfriend, but love blooms with Darlene. Veterinary assistant in NYC. Does for others, putting her own dreams on hold. Extremely buxom. A natural caretaker. Glass half full.
    30-35.
    Puerto Rican heritage.
    Female
    Can be played by:
    • Actor Age
      20s,
      30s,
      40s
    • Actor Race/Ethnic Identity
      Latinx/o/a or Hispanic
    • Actor Gender Identity
      Female,
      Non-binary

Development History

  • Reading, DreamCatcher Entertainment, NYC, 2013
  • Reading, Community Theatre of Pittsfield (MA), 2013

Production History

  • Workshop, Articulate Theatre Company (NYC), 2017

Awards

  • Outstanding Acting and Sound Design (4 nominations)
    Planet Connections Theatre Festivity
    Selection
    2017