The Widow of Tom's Hill

by Aleks Merilo

2nd Place Winner, The Julie Harris Playwriting Award
Finalist, Woodward/Newman Award For Playwriting, Bloomington Playwrights Project

[Full-Length] In 1918, the worst plague in human history hit America. When a small Washington town finds itself the subject of a military quarantine, a young sailor and a 19 year-old widow from opposite sides of the blockade engage in a dangerous game of cat-and-mouse, putting...

2nd Place Winner, The Julie Harris Playwriting Award
Finalist, Woodward/Newman Award For Playwriting, Bloomington Playwrights Project

[Full-Length] In 1918, the worst plague in human history hit America. When a small Washington town finds itself the subject of a military quarantine, a young sailor and a 19 year-old widow from opposite sides of the blockade engage in a dangerous game of cat-and-mouse, putting their lives, and souls, in the balance.

“A haunting play [and] truly a distinctive piece of theatre… See this intriguing play. It is a cautionary tale that you will think about long after the curtain call.” -Broadwayworld.com

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The Widow of Tom's Hill

Recommended by

  • Kate Danley: The Widow of Tom's Hill by Aleks Merilo
    “

    A haunting script filled with atmospheric tension and mystery. Aleks paints this world so vividly, you can almost hear the sea and taste the fog. It's a love story and a ghost story and an apocalyptic tale from a century ago. Perfect fall fare!

    A haunting script filled with atmospheric tension and mystery. Aleks paints this world so vividly, you can almost hear the sea and taste the fog. It's a love story and a ghost story and an apocalyptic tale from a century ago. Perfect fall fare!

    ”
  • Emma Goldman-Sherman: The Widow of Tom's Hill by Aleks Merilo
    “

    I love the way Merilo starts out conspiratorially bringing us into the story as witnesses. Then a fairy tale. Then blood and gore. All bring us deeper into the mysteries and magic of this beautifully unfolding story.
    A blending and blurring of boundaries that speaks to the past year of quarantine and the future in terms of how and who do we trust? I enjoyed every syllable of this exquisite play, so theatrical in its images and language.

    I love the way Merilo starts out conspiratorially bringing us into the story as witnesses. Then a fairy tale. Then blood and gore. All bring us deeper into the mysteries and magic of this beautifully unfolding story.
    A blending and blurring of boundaries that speaks to the past year of quarantine and the future in terms of how and who do we trust? I enjoyed every syllable of this exquisite play, so theatrical in its images and language.

    ”
  • Cheryl Bear: The Widow of Tom's Hill by Aleks Merilo
    “

    A gorgeous love story, so beautifully written that captures a whirl of emotion swirling out of a pandemic. Well done!

    A gorgeous love story, so beautifully written that captures a whirl of emotion swirling out of a pandemic. Well done!

    ”
View all 8 recommendations

Character Information

  • Aideen
    A 19 year old widow and young mother, in a rural coastal Washington, 1919. A mix a feral and frail.
    19
    Female
    Can be played by:
    • Actor Age
      Teens,
      20s
    • Actor Gender Identity
      Female
  • The Sailor
    A sailor who has not been home for years. A once soft man who has adapted for hard times.
    mid 20's
    Any (but probably white)
    Male
    Can be played by:
    • Actor Age
      20s
    • Actor Gender Identity
      Male

Development History

  • Workshop, Luna Stage, 2014

Production History

Awards

  • Woodward/Newman Award For Playwriting
    Finalist
    2014
  • Julie Harris Award -2nd place
    Beverly Hills Theater Guild
    Winner
    2015