Doppelgänger

by Victoria Z. Daly

FULL-LENGTH. Vanessa, the mother of only child Shelley, faces a midlife crisis when Shelley's angry, teenage rebellion forces her to question her own identity. Vanessa's mother returns from the dead, an imaginary daughter shows up, and her therapist won't let her off the hook. Will Vanessa jump off the roof? Will she kill her daughter with a chicken? Or will imaginary daughter kill her? A dark comedy set in...

FULL-LENGTH. Vanessa, the mother of only child Shelley, faces a midlife crisis when Shelley's angry, teenage rebellion forces her to question her own identity. Vanessa's mother returns from the dead, an imaginary daughter shows up, and her therapist won't let her off the hook. Will Vanessa jump off the roof? Will she kill her daughter with a chicken? Or will imaginary daughter kill her? A dark comedy set in the middle of Vanessa's troubled mind.

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Doppelgänger

Recommended by

  • Cheryl Bear: Doppelgänger by Victoria Z. Daly
    “

    A mother who sacrifices and loves her daughter beyond reason, the daughter who complains. Relatable right? What happened to the lovey dovie days? What happens when you realize you've completely lost your identity in being a parent? An incredibly funny and fascinating exploration of all of it. Fantastic!

    A mother who sacrifices and loves her daughter beyond reason, the daughter who complains. Relatable right? What happened to the lovey dovie days? What happens when you realize you've completely lost your identity in being a parent? An incredibly funny and fascinating exploration of all of it. Fantastic!

    ”
  • Maximillian Gill: Doppelgänger by Victoria Z. Daly
    “

    A theatrical dissection of a protagonist's personality with the use of "head characters" has never been done in such a bold, innovative fashion as in this tour-de-force by Daly. The author chronicles the unraveling of the main character's psyche with dazzling stage-craft that keeps you completely unprepared for what is coming next. You have probably never seen a refrigerator function as such a vital character. And within it all is a poignant study of a woman's difficult relationships with her mother and daughter. A staged version would be absolutely stunning.

    A theatrical dissection of a protagonist's personality with the use of "head characters" has never been done in such a bold, innovative fashion as in this tour-de-force by Daly. The author chronicles the unraveling of the main character's psyche with dazzling stage-craft that keeps you completely unprepared for what is coming next. You have probably never seen a refrigerator function as such a vital character. And within it all is a poignant study of a woman's difficult relationships with her mother and daughter. A staged version would be absolutely stunning.

    ”
  • Unicorn Theatre: Doppelgänger by Victoria Z. Daly
    “

    This play was a SEMIFINALIST for the 2019-2020 In-Progress New Play Reading Series at Unicorn Theatre in Kansas City, Missouri. It is our pleasure to support DOPPELGANGER.

    This play was a SEMIFINALIST for the 2019-2020 In-Progress New Play Reading Series at Unicorn Theatre in Kansas City, Missouri. It is our pleasure to support DOPPELGANGER.

    ”
View all 4 recommendations

Character Information

The actor playing Daughter plays 2 different roles: Imaginary Daughter and Real Daughter.
  • Vanessa
    Completely invested in her role of mother.
    '40's
    Any (but probably white)
    Female
    Can be played by:
    • Actor Age
      30s,
      40s,
      50s
    • Actor Gender Identity
      Female
  • Daughter (aka Shelley)
    Loving and disdainful.
    17-18
    Any (but probably white)
    Female
    Can be played by:
    • Actor Age
      Teens,
      20s
    • Actor Gender Identity
      Female
  • Therapist
    Forthright, but also a touch crazy herself.
    40's to 60's
    Any
    Female
    Can be played by:
    • Actor Age
      40s,
      50s,
      60s,
      70s+
    • Actor Gender Identity
      Female,
      Non-binary
  • Vanessa's Mother
    Patrician.
    60's
    Any
    Female
    Can be played by:
    • Actor Age
      50s,
      60s,
      70s+
    • Actor Gender Identity
      Female

Development History

  • Reading, (Excerpts,) NYU/Tisch School of the Arts, New York, NY, 2015
  • Reading, The 9th Floor at TAI Studios, New York, 2014
  • Reading, (Excerpts,) The Actors Studio, New York , 2014
  • Reading, (Excerpts,) The Actors Studio, New York , 2013

Production History

  • University, (Excerpt,) Berrie Center New Play Festival at Ramapo College, Mahwah, NJ, 2014

Awards

  • In-Progress New Play Reading Series
    Unicorn Theatre, Kansas City, Mo.
    Semi-Finalist
    2019