TABLE MANNERS IN CHICAGOLAND

by William Ivor Fowkes

A tale about desire and responsibility—involving a man, a disabled wife, a mistress, and miscellaneous offspring—weaves its way through three settings in the greater Chicago area.

Length = 45 minutes

TABLE MANNERS IN CHICAGOLAND was a WINNER at Vermont Actors' Repertory Theatre's Nor'Eastern Play Writing Contest, Rutland, VT, 2017. It also won "Audience Favorite" and "Third Prize" Awards at Catch a Star...

A tale about desire and responsibility—involving a man, a disabled wife, a mistress, and miscellaneous offspring—weaves its way through three settings in the greater Chicago area.

Length = 45 minutes

TABLE MANNERS IN CHICAGOLAND is excerpted from the full-length play, THE HUDSON FAMILY GUIDE TO TABLE MANNERS by William Ivor Fowkes.

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TABLE MANNERS IN CHICAGOLAND

Recommended by

Cheryl Bear: TABLE MANNERS IN CHICAGOLAND by William Ivor Fowkes

“

An intriguing play about infidelity and the agreements we make in relationships to preserve the status quo. Of course it never remains as uncomplicated. Fantastic work!

An intriguing play about infidelity and the agreements we make in relationships to preserve the status quo. Of course it never remains as uncomplicated. Fantastic work!

”

Character Information

With cast doubling: 5 actors. [ACTOR #1: Michael.] [ACTOR #2: Lori + Hilary.] [ACTOR #3: Quinn + Todd.] [ACTOR #4: Karen + Kate + Janet.] [ACTOR #5: Becca + Waitress.]

Todd

(Michael’s son.) Attentive to his mother, but snobbish and selfish.

Character Age

30s

Character Race/Ethnic Identity

Any Race/Ethnicity

Character Gender Identity

Male
Can be played by:
- Actor Age
  
  20s,
  
  30s,
  
  40s
- Actor Gender Identity
  
  Male
Janet

(Michael’s daughter.) A competent professional woman currently stressed out.

Character Age

30s

Character Race/Ethnic Identity

Any Race/Ethnicity

Character Gender Identity

Female
Can be played by:
- Actor Age
  
  30s,
  
  40s
- Actor Gender Identity
  
  Female
Becca

(The daughter of Michael’s mistress.) Pleasant, polite, and eager to please.

Character Age

20s

Character Race/Ethnic Identity

Any Race/Ethnicity

Character Gender Identity

Female
Can be played by:
- Actor Age
  
  20s
- Actor Gender Identity
  
  Female
Michael

The family patriarch. Charming. A “ladies’ man.” Fit and vigorous.

Character Age

60s

Character Race/Ethnic Identity

Any Race/Ethnicity

Character Gender Identity

Male
Can be played by:
- Actor Age
  
  40s,
  
  50s,
  
  60s,
  
  70s+
- Actor Gender Identity
  
  Male
Karen

Sexy, flirtatious, and mercurial.

Character Age

40s

Character Race/Ethnic Identity

Any Race/Ethnicity

Character Gender Identity

Female
Can be played by:
- Actor Age
  
  30s,
  
  40s,
  
  50s
- Actor Gender Identity
  
  Female
Quinn

Socially pushy and creepy.

Character Age

30s

Character Race/Ethnic Identity

Any Race/Ethnicity

Character Gender Identity

Male
Can be played by:
- Actor Age
  
  20s,
  
  30s,
  
  40s
- Actor Gender Identity
  
  Male
Lori

Well put together, but gossipy and insincere.

Character Age

50s

Character Race/Ethnic Identity

Any Race/Ethnicity

Character Gender Identity

Female
Can be played by:
- Actor Age
  
  30s,
  
  40s,
  
  50s,
  
  60s
- Actor Gender Identity
  
  Female
Kate

(Michael’s mistress.) Sincere, but a bit secretive.

Character Age

40s

Character Race/Ethnic Identity

Any Race/Ethnicity

Character Gender Identity

Female
Can be played by:
- Actor Age
  
  30s,
  
  40s,
  
  50s
- Actor Gender Identity
  
  Female
Waitress

Character Age

Any adult age

Character Race/Ethnic Identity

Any Race/Ethnicity

Character Gender Identity

Female
Can be played by:
- Actor Age
  
  20s,
  
  30s,
  
  40s,
  
  50s,
  
  60s,
  
  70s+
- Actor Gender Identity
  
  Female
Hilary

(Michael’s widow.) Wheelchair-bound. Hardened by life, but wise & gracious.

Character Age

60s

Character Race/Ethnic Identity

Any Race/Ethnicity

Character Gender Identity

Female
Can be played by:
- Actor Age
  
  50s,
  
  60s,
  
  70s+
- Actor Gender Identity
  
  Female

Development History

Type Reading, Organization Vermont Actors' Repertory Theatre, Rutland, VT, Year 2017

Production History

Type Workshop, Organization Catch a Star Theatrical (CAST) Players, Beaumont, CA, Year 2012

Awards

Nor'Eastern Play Writing Contest

Vermont Actors' Repertory Theatre, Rutland, VT

Winner

2017
Third Prize, National One Act Playwriting Competition

Catch a Star Theatrical (CAST) Players, Beaumont, CA.

2012
Audience Favorite Award, National One Act Playwriting Competition

Catch a Star Theatrical (CAST) Players, Beaumont, CA.

Winner

2012