SALLY AND GLEN AT THE PALACE

by Peter Hardy

This play has been successfully produced in Georgia and Florida, and only seems to have become more timely and relevant as time has gone by. It’s a two-character, single-set comic drama set in 1973, when the term “date rape” did not yet exist, and it follows the growing friendship between two college students working together in the lobby of a movie theater in a university town. It is not a play ABOUT trauma...

This play has been successfully produced in Georgia and Florida, and only seems to have become more timely and relevant as time has gone by. It’s a two-character, single-set comic drama set in 1973, when the term “date rape” did not yet exist, and it follows the growing friendship between two college students working together in the lobby of a movie theater in a university town. It is not a play ABOUT trauma, it is a play about friendship, and the ways that friends can help us through the worst experiences of our lives. Much of the play is light and funny as Sally and Glen get to know and care for each other, over a period of months, talking about life and love and movies. But when Sally is forced into sex by a popular fraternity boy she’s long had a crush on, she doesn’t understand what’s happened and blames herself. Glen tries to tell her that she’s been raped, and she angrily rejects the idea, quitting her job. On her last day at the theater, Glen tells her the plot of a film script he's been writing (that is clearly a painful and confusing story from his own past), which helps her to see that what happened to her had not been her own fault.
"Through his principle characters, Mr. Hardy explores the bonds and separations of friendship, evoking the wonder of youthful innocence while all too quickly these two young college students confront the harsh realities of growing up into adulthood. The results are many comic vignettes that morph into moments of great poignancy." Bob Farley, Artistic Director, Georgia Ensemble Theatre (Roswell)
"Really, really enjoyed the show last night! Lovely production of a sweet, moving play." Clifton Guterman, Associate Artistic Director, Theatrical Outfit (Atlanta)
"We had the honor of being in the opening night audience last night for Essential Theatre's Sally and Glen at the Palace. Peter Hardy has given us a touching and intimate work that's an absolute must for cinephiles!"
Scott Poythress, Co-Founder of Drama, Inc. (Atlanta)
"If you love film, or theater, do yourself a favor and go see Sally and Glen at the Palace. Saw it last night and loved it! Congratulations to all involved, that was some beautiful storytelling!" Claire Bronson, Co-Founder of Drama, Inc. (Atlanta)
"Saw Sally and Glen at the Palace tonight. The direction is elegant, the performances are sincere and achingly human, and the writing manages wit without snark, and compassion without being saccharine."
Topher Payne, Author of PERFECT ARRANGEMENT, EVELYN IN PURGATORY, MORNINGSIDE

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SALLY AND GLEN AT THE PALACE

Recommended by

  • Matt Hoffman: SALLY AND GLEN AT THE PALACE by Peter Hardy
    “

    Peter leads us down a seemingly harmless, enjoyable path powered by the pitch-perfectly awkward banter and growing rapport between Glen and Sally. Much like life, just when we're feeling comfortably entertained, the dark turn comes so quietly and suddenly, so perfectly cloaked in first-glance normalcy, we're not quite sure it's landed. "Did that really happen?" you feel the characters asking, and like Glen and Sally we too feel ourselves unmoored and grasping for something solid to hang on to.

    Peter leads us down a seemingly harmless, enjoyable path powered by the pitch-perfectly awkward banter and growing rapport between Glen and Sally. Much like life, just when we're feeling comfortably entertained, the dark turn comes so quietly and suddenly, so perfectly cloaked in first-glance normalcy, we're not quite sure it's landed. "Did that really happen?" you feel the characters asking, and like Glen and Sally we too feel ourselves unmoored and grasping for something solid to hang on to.

    ”
  • Jacob York: SALLY AND GLEN AT THE PALACE by Peter Hardy
    “

    It's the kind of play that can change your life as an actor. It's tender, hilarious, and heartbreaking. It's eminently producible. I can't recommend it highly enough. I love this play and your audiences will too.

    It's the kind of play that can change your life as an actor. It's tender, hilarious, and heartbreaking. It's eminently producible. I can't recommend it highly enough. I love this play and your audiences will too.

    ”

Development History

  • Reading, New Southern Theatre Festival, Nashville, Tennessee, 2001
  • Workshop, Mountainside Theatre Canteen, Cherokee, North Carolina, 2000

Production History

  • University, Theatre Southeast, Florida State University, 2001
  • Professional, The Essential Theatre, Atlanta, Georgia, 2010
  • Professional, Out of Box Theatre, Marietta, Georgia, 2015

Awards

  • Playwriting Award
    Summer Appalachian Festival for Plays and Playwrights
    Finalist
    2002
  • Playwriting Award
    New Southern Theatre Festival, Nashville, Tennessee
    Winner
    2001