VERONICA'S POSITION

by Rich Orloff

Variety raved about the play, writing ""Orloff’s writing is sharp. He has an easy way with humor, and it’s more knowing than most of what passes for comedy in the theater today.”

An award-winning, star-spangled comedy about the intersection of politics, art and love. Set in Washington DC in 1990, VERONICA'S POSITION places a twice-married, twice-divorced Hollywood couple (inspired by Elizabeth Taylor and...

Variety raved about the play, writing ""Orloff’s writing is sharp. He has an easy way with humor, and it’s more knowing than most of what passes for comedy in the theater today.”

An award-winning, star-spangled comedy about the intersection of politics, art and love. Set in Washington DC in 1990, VERONICA'S POSITION places a twice-married, twice-divorced Hollywood couple (inspired by Elizabeth Taylor and Richard Burton) in the middle of a political controversy between the actress' politician fiancé and a controversial visual artist (inspired by Senator John Warner and photographer Robert Mapplethorpe). When Veronica's gay assistant falls in love with the photographer, conflicts rise until the fiercely apolitical Veronica is forced to take a position on the one subject she cares about - love.

Other critics have written:

"Rollicking fun. Reminiscent of a combination of Noel Coward, Oscar Wilde and Moss Hart, VERONICA'S POSITION tackles love, artistic freedom, plus social politics - all with sharply fashioned wit."
Easy Reader (Los Angeles)

"A Noel Coward-esque comedy. Orloff gives listeners a lot to think about. It works."
Los Angeles Times

"Orloff manages this resonant material, which knowingly evokes ghosts of the Taylor-Burton romance and the Robert Mapplethorpe controversy, with surprising nimbleness."
Indianapolis Star

"A smart, moving and very funny comedy with dialogue that crackles like a Coward script. A play filled with heart as well as hilarity, giving an audience plenty of food for thought."
Milwaukee Journal-Sentinel

"The laughter runs rampant. Incredibly entertaining and provocative."
Milwaukee Postscript

"A well-constructed romantic comedy. Polished banter with an edge."
Tampa Tribune

"Rich Orloff's witty play. Orloff's dialogue crackles throughout the play."
Portland Tribune (Oregon)

"There is more to this piece than one commonly encounters in comedies. An aggressively biting tale with richly sharp dialogue."
Der Neue Merkur (Vienna)

"Highly enjoyable, with beguiling punchlines. Recommended without reservation."
Xtra (Vienna)

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VERONICA'S POSITION

Recommended by

  • Deanna Strasse: VERONICA'S POSITION by Rich Orloff
    “

    I saw this play over a decade ago in Milwaukee and one line has stayed with me. "We need art that goes too far so we know how far too far is." At the risk of sounding dramatic (who am I kidding, I love to be dramatic) this script changed the way I view theatre and thus my life. This is a fantastic piece of art that should be produced as often as possible. Thank you, Mr. Orloff.

    I saw this play over a decade ago in Milwaukee and one line has stayed with me. "We need art that goes too far so we know how far too far is." At the risk of sounding dramatic (who am I kidding, I love to be dramatic) this script changed the way I view theatre and thus my life. This is a fantastic piece of art that should be produced as often as possible. Thank you, Mr. Orloff.

    ”
  • Matthew Weaver: VERONICA'S POSITION by Rich Orloff
    “

    Every word, every syllable, every PAUSE crackles for maximum effect. If Orloff had been born sooner than he was, we'd be watching this on all the black-and-white classic movie channels, and deservedly so.
    There's not a weak note in the cast, well, maybe Harvey, and he's there to serve the purpose of being deliberately awful and unredeeming. My favorite character is all the rest of them (OK, perhaps with an edge to Alan).
    You're having so much fun reading/watching the play, you don't realize you've fallen in love with the show until it's much, much too late.

    Every word, every syllable, every PAUSE crackles for maximum effect. If Orloff had been born sooner than he was, we'd be watching this on all the black-and-white classic movie channels, and deservedly so.
    There's not a weak note in the cast, well, maybe Harvey, and he's there to serve the purpose of being deliberately awful and unredeeming. My favorite character is all the rest of them (OK, perhaps with an edge to Alan).
    You're having so much fun reading/watching the play, you don't realize you've fallen in love with the show until it's much, much too late.

    ”

Production History

  • Professional, Island City Stage, Ft. Lauderdale, 2019
  • Professional, Evolution Theatre Company, Columbus OH, 2018
  • Professional, In Tandem Theatre, Milwaukee, 2012
  • Professional, Vienna's English Theatre, 2010
  • Professional, Theatre Forty, Beverly Hills, 2002
  • Professional, Triangle Productions, Portland OR, 2001
  • Professional, Playwrights Forum, Memphis, 2000
  • Professional, Shadowlands Theatre, Ellenville NY, 1996
  • Professional, Florida Studio Theatre, Sarasota FL, 1995
  • Professional, Phoenix Theatre, Indianapolis, 1994
  • Professional, Dayton Playhouse, 1993

Awards

  • Center Theatre New Play Contest
    Center Theatre, Chicago
    Winner
    1993
  • New Plays in America Festival
    Charlotte Rep, Charlotte NC
    Winner
    1995
  • InterPlay International Play Festival
    Rochester NY
    Winner
    1994
  • Festival of Emerging American Theatre
    Phoenix Theatre, Indianapolis
    Winner
    1994