CANOPY

by Rachael Carnes

Full-Length Play: Both characters are in their seventies, and played by a man and a woman — Two roles shared among four actors. A coin toss accents transitions throughout — So that the roles are assigned randomly from scene to scene. Not only are we seeing folks onstage who are older, because that’s rare as hen’s teeth, we’re also seeing a play about two men or two women or a man and a woman — In a slippery...

Full-Length Play: Both characters are in their seventies, and played by a man and a woman — Two roles shared among four actors. A coin toss accents transitions throughout — So that the roles are assigned randomly from scene to scene. Not only are we seeing folks onstage who are older, because that’s rare as hen’s teeth, we’re also seeing a play about two men or two women or a man and a woman — In a slippery, permeable random chance experiment. It’s just about love — And the patience love requires.

Featured in the Carlo Annoni Prize library, Italy.

Monologue included in the Smith & Kraus Best Men's Monologues of 2022.

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CANOPY

Recommended by

  • Aly Kantor: CANOPY

    There is such a sense of play in this script, which is notable because it's a vehicle for mature actors! The characters have a phenomenal, natural rapport that tells us so much about the longevity of their relationship. The action of the play is waiting, and the events of the play are utterly mundane, yet we care about these specific, flawed, lovable individuals from the start. The humor is the star, but there are so many surprisingly poetic lines throughout. Plus, this play is a 4D experience! As the play progresses, the theatricality in this brilliant doubling plot sings. Lovely!

    There is such a sense of play in this script, which is notable because it's a vehicle for mature actors! The characters have a phenomenal, natural rapport that tells us so much about the longevity of their relationship. The action of the play is waiting, and the events of the play are utterly mundane, yet we care about these specific, flawed, lovable individuals from the start. The humor is the star, but there are so many surprisingly poetic lines throughout. Plus, this play is a 4D experience! As the play progresses, the theatricality in this brilliant doubling plot sings. Lovely!

  • Rich Rubin: CANOPY

    An enormously clever and vibrant tour de force, packed with Stoppardian wordplay and cosmic rhythms.
    What an absolute treat for director and actors! Funny, profound and completely unique!

    An enormously clever and vibrant tour de force, packed with Stoppardian wordplay and cosmic rhythms.
    What an absolute treat for director and actors! Funny, profound and completely unique!

  • Kim E. Ruyle: CANOPY

    What fun! Four senior actors alternating primary and secondary roles based on a chance flip of the coin. Rachael Carnes nails the conversation between a couple of seniors; it moves along at a good pace, at times endearing, at times playfully silly, and at times whimsically erratic, as when one or the other naturally and seamlessly steps in and out of dialogue with their partner to engage in what is basically a stream of consciousness monologue. The roles will be engaging for senior actors and prove ultimately satisfying for the audience, as well.

    What fun! Four senior actors alternating primary and secondary roles based on a chance flip of the coin. Rachael Carnes nails the conversation between a couple of seniors; it moves along at a good pace, at times endearing, at times playfully silly, and at times whimsically erratic, as when one or the other naturally and seamlessly steps in and out of dialogue with their partner to engage in what is basically a stream of consciousness monologue. The roles will be engaging for senior actors and prove ultimately satisfying for the audience, as well.

View all 15 recommendations

Character Information

Two men AND two women, to play two roles.

  • FRANCES
    Character Age
    Adult
    Character Race/Ethnic Identity
    Any
  • DANA
    Character Age
    Adult
    Character Race/Ethnic Identity
    Any
    Character Gender Identity
    A man and woman — Two people for one role!

Development History

  • Type Reading, Organization WriteOn Festival, Cambridge, U.K. , Year 2019
  • Type Reading, Organization Parsons Nose Theatre, Pasadena, CA, Year 2019
  • Type Reading, Organization Relative Theatrics, semi-finalist, Playwrights Voiced Festival of New Works in Laramie, WY., Year 2019

Production History

  • Type Professional, Organization Gi60 - One-minute play festival , Year 2018
  • Type Professional, Organization WRiTEON Festival, Cambridge, U.K. — Shortlisted , Year 2018