Heroes of the Fourth Turning

by Will Arbery

It’s nearing midnight in Wyoming, where four young conservatives have gathered at a backyard after-party. They’ve returned home to toast their mentor Gina, newly inducted as president of a tiny Catholic college. But as their reunion spirals into spiritual chaos and clashing generational politics, it becomes less a celebration than a vicious fight to be understood. On a chilly night in the middle of America, Will...

It’s nearing midnight in Wyoming, where four young conservatives have gathered at a backyard after-party. They’ve returned home to toast their mentor Gina, newly inducted as president of a tiny Catholic college. But as their reunion spirals into spiritual chaos and clashing generational politics, it becomes less a celebration than a vicious fight to be understood. On a chilly night in the middle of America, Will Arbery’s haunting play offers grace and disarming clarity, speaking to the heart of a country at war with itself.

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Heroes of the Fourth Turning

Recommended by

  • Catherine Butterfield: Heroes of the Fourth Turning

    I saw a production of this play in Los Angeles and found it revelatory; to be able to see into a side of America that bewilders me was most enlightening and felt real and true. This play demands top-notch performers, and the LA production fortunately had them. Highly recommend.

    I saw a production of this play in Los Angeles and found it revelatory; to be able to see into a side of America that bewilders me was most enlightening and felt real and true. This play demands top-notch performers, and the LA production fortunately had them. Highly recommend.

  • Emilia Getzinger: Heroes of the Fourth Turning

    Arbery humanizes characters who are often antagonized on stage and does so with such nuance and grace that provides audiences both with an encounter of reality and a work of art.

    Arbery humanizes characters who are often antagonized on stage and does so with such nuance and grace that provides audiences both with an encounter of reality and a work of art.

  • John Medlin: Heroes of the Fourth Turning

    I went into reading this play pretty blind. I'm glad I did! Will Arbery has crafted characters that aren't often seen in theatre with such sincerity! I found myself on edge through most of this script thanks to the masterful dialogue and well-developed characters. The story yanked me immediately back to when I was in the evangelical church. The self-loathing of some of the characters was deeply relatable. The conversation on the conservative relationship with Trump is nuanced and fascinating. All in all, this is a piece of exceptional writing that belongs on the stage.

    I went into reading this play pretty blind. I'm glad I did! Will Arbery has crafted characters that aren't often seen in theatre with such sincerity! I found myself on edge through most of this script thanks to the masterful dialogue and well-developed characters. The story yanked me immediately back to when I was in the evangelical church. The self-loathing of some of the characters was deeply relatable. The conversation on the conservative relationship with Trump is nuanced and fascinating. All in all, this is a piece of exceptional writing that belongs on the stage.

View all 19 recommendations

Development History

  • Type Workshop, Organization Cape Cod Theater Project, Year 2018
  • Type Reading, Organization Vineyard Theater, Year 2018
  • Type Reading, Organization NYTW, Year 2018
  • Type Reading, Organization EST/Youngblood - Bloodworks, Year 2017

Production History

  • Type Professional, Organization Playwrights Horizons, Year 2019