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:
Semifinalist, Promising...

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

read more
  • Inquire About Rights
  • Recommend
  • Download
  • Save to Reading List

THE SEEKER

Character Information

CAST: A cast of 6 playing 40 roles.
For a larger cast, some of the double casting can be eliminated.
  • Tommy Hamilton
    From Cleveland Heights, Ohio. Asthmatic. Curious. Well-read. Asks too many questions. Dry wit.
    19-40s
    White
    Male
    Can be played by:
    • Actor Age
      20s,
      30s
    • Actor Race/Ethnic Identity
      White
    • Actor Gender Identity
      Male
  • Christian Barrie
    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.
    19-40s
    White
    Male
    Can be played by:
    • Actor Age
      20s,
      30s
    • Actor Race/Ethnic Identity
      White
    • Actor Gender Identity
      Male
  • Molly McCormack
    An Irish beauty. Sincere. A bit goofy. Copywriter. Member of The Master’s Way.
    30s-40s
    White
    Female
    Can be played by:
    • Actor Age
      30s
    • Actor Race/Ethnic Identity
      White
    • Actor Gender Identity
      Female
  • Actor #4 - 9 roles, including Professor Rosenstein, Pastor Dave, Master (Guruji Singh), Patrick
    • 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.
    Professor Rosenstein - 40s; Pastor Dave - early 30s; Master (Guruji Singh) - 60s; Patrick - 30s/40s
    Any
    Male
    Can be played by:
    • Actor Age
      30s,
      40s
    • Actor Gender Identity
      Male
  • Actor #5 - 12 roles including Mrs. Hamilton, Aunt Mildred, Liza Minnelli, Doris Day, Peggy Lee, Dolly Parton
    • 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
    Any age
    Any
    Female
    Can be played by:
    • Actor Age
      20s,
      30s,
      40s,
      50s,
      60s,
      70s+
    • Actor Gender Identity
      Female
  • Actor #6 - 15 roles including Comic, Mr. Hamilton, Uvi
    • 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)
    Any age
    Any
    Male
    Can be played by:
    • Actor Age
      20s,
      30s,
      40s,
      50s,
      60s,
      70s+
    • Actor Gender Identity
      Male

Development History

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

Awards

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