THE HUDSON FAMILY GUIDE TO TABLE MANNERS

by William Ivor Fowkes

FULL-LENGTH PLAY (1 HOUR, 45 MINUTES). Michael Hudson is a remarkable man. At least that’s what many people say. Even his detractors acknowledge the extent of his influence. For some his legacy is physical—the family business they’d like to get their hands on. For others, it’s psychological—the obsessions and urges that lead to a range of problematic behavior, from sexual compulsion to infidelity. In eight...

FULL-LENGTH PLAY (1 HOUR, 45 MINUTES). Michael Hudson is a remarkable man. At least that’s what many people say. Even his detractors acknowledge the extent of his influence. For some his legacy is physical—the family business they’d like to get their hands on. For others, it’s psychological—the obsessions and urges that lead to a range of problematic behavior, from sexual compulsion to infidelity. In eight scenes—from Buenos Aires to Chicago, Santa Monica to London and beyond—we see his influence at work. When Michael dies prematurely, family secrets are exposed, and the heir to the company is announced.

AWARDS/HONORS:

- FINALIST, 2013 REVA SHINER COMEDY AWARD (as A Field Guide to Table Manners), Bloomington Playwrights Project, Bloomington, IN

- FINALIST, 2012 W. KEITH HEDRICK PLAYWRITING CONTEST (as A Field Guide to Table Manners), HRC Showcase Theatre, Hudson, NY

- SEMI-FINALIST, 2015 NEW AMERICAN VOICES READING SERIES, The Landing Theatre Company, Houston, TX.

- RUNNER-UP, 2011 NEW WORKS PROJECT (as Table Manners), T. Schreiber Studio, New York City

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THE HUDSON FAMILY GUIDE TO TABLE MANNERS

This play is designed for a cast of 5 playing 23 parts. However, the cast size may be increased by eliminating all or some of the cast doubling
Actor #1 Male Age 50s-60s
Actor #2 Female Age 50s-60s
Actor #3 Male Age 30s
Actor #4 Female Age 30s-40s
Actor #5 Female Age 20s-30s

Development History

  • Reading, Faculty Drama Club, Bloomington, IN, 2018
  • Reading, Unitarian Universalist Congregation at Shelter Rock, Manhasset, NY, 2015

Production History

  • Community Theater, "Table Manners in Chicagoland" presented in a staged reading at Vermont Actors' Repertory Theatre, Rutland, VT, 2017
  • Community Theater, "Table Manners in Tribeca" presented at Cone Man Running Productions' 5-Minute Mile Play Festival, 2016
  • Professional, "Table Manners in Santa Monica" broadcast on KUSF 90.3FM, San Francisco, and the Public Radio Satellite Network, 2016
  • Professional, "Table Manners in Mexico City" broadcast by Spokane Radio Theatre on Spokane Public Radio (KPBX), 2014
  • Community Theater, "Table Manners in Chicagoland" (Chicago, Lake Forest + Evanston) presented at Catch a Star Theatrical (CAST) Players' National One Act Playwriting Competition, Beaumont, CA (Audience Favorite + Third Prize), 2012
  • Community Theater, "Table Manners in Mexico City" presented at American Globe Theater's 15-Minute Play Festival, New York City, 2012
  • University, "Table Manners in Buenos Aires" presented at Salve Regina Theatre Arts Program’s New Play Festival, Newport, RI, 2012
  • Workshop, "Table Manners in Buenos Aires" presented at The Blue Slipper 10-Minute Play Festival, Livingston, MO, 2012
  • Workshop, "Table Manners in Santa Monica" presented at Artistic New Directions’ Eclectic Evening of Shorts, Theatre 54, New York City, 2011
  • Workshop, "Table Manners in Santa Monica" (as "Table Manners in NoHo") presented at Turtle Shell Theater's Summer Shorties Festival, New York City, 2010
  • Workshop, "Table Manners in Tribeca" presented at Turtle Shell Productions’ 8-Minute Madness Festival, Shell Theatre, New York City, 2010

Awards

  • Nor'Eastern Play Writing Contest (Table Manners in Chicagoland)
    Vermont Actors' Repertory Theatre
    Winner
    2017
  • New Works Project (as Table Manners)
    T. Schreiber Studio, New York, NY.
    Runner Up
    2011
  • New American Voices Reading Series (as A Field Guide to Table Manners)
    The Landing Theatre Company, Houston, TX
    Semi-Finalist
    2015
  • W. Keith Hedrick Playwriting Contest (as A Field Guide to Table Manners)
    HRC Showcase Theatre, Hudson, NY
    Finalist
    2012
  • Reva Shiner Comedy Award (as A Field Guide to Table Manners)
    Bloomington Playwrights Project, Bloomington, IN
    Finalist
    2013