ABIGAIL

by Sarah Tuft

ABIGAIL's world is that of today’s American Theatre. The play is set in motion when renowned stage diva Savannah Wainscot funds an out-of-town try-out of “The Crucible” hoping to resurrect her once-legendary director husband Ben Meyers’ career. However when Ben wants to cast Ashley Rose—a beauty influencer with no acting experience—in the role of Abigail, Savannah pushes back until Ben promises to recruit...

ABIGAIL's world is that of today’s American Theatre. The play is set in motion when renowned stage diva Savannah Wainscot funds an out-of-town try-out of “The Crucible” hoping to resurrect her once-legendary director husband Ben Meyers’ career. However when Ben wants to cast Ashley Rose—a beauty influencer with no acting experience—in the role of Abigail, Savannah pushes back until Ben promises to recruit Broadway star Kai Banks to play Proctor. But as Ashley digs into the history of the play, her objections to the play’s misogyny disrupt an early rehearsal. In their private meeting, Ben gets personal, then retaliates by bullying Ashley in front of everyone until she loses it during a rehearsal, upending the play and all its players. ABIGAIL explores intergenerational conflict around #MeToo issues and exposes how the excuses we make for our revered giants work to perpetuate the cycle of predatory behavior.

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ABIGAIL

Recommended by

  • John Mabey: ABIGAIL

    This is a an urgent and compelling work of art with layers upon layers of meaning that are revealed throughout. In ABIGAIL by Sarah Tuft, the backdrop of The Crucible connects so vividly and sharply with a modern-day production of that work, bridging together two worlds that aren't so very far apart. With incredible clarity and vision, Tuft brings fresh insight to a classic work while creating a new play that entertains on multiple levels.

    This is a an urgent and compelling work of art with layers upon layers of meaning that are revealed throughout. In ABIGAIL by Sarah Tuft, the backdrop of The Crucible connects so vividly and sharply with a modern-day production of that work, bridging together two worlds that aren't so very far apart. With incredible clarity and vision, Tuft brings fresh insight to a classic work while creating a new play that entertains on multiple levels.

  • Karen Saari: ABIGAIL

    What a compelling piece! More than a generational disagreement, this play forces us to consider the ugly truths that sometimes lie behind our favorite art and artists ... while also taking a look at cancel culture and its implications on art. Taut writing, rich characters ... I didn't just read this play. I devoured it! Would love to see this in production!

    What a compelling piece! More than a generational disagreement, this play forces us to consider the ugly truths that sometimes lie behind our favorite art and artists ... while also taking a look at cancel culture and its implications on art. Taut writing, rich characters ... I didn't just read this play. I devoured it! Would love to see this in production!

  • Atim Udoffia: ABIGAIL

    Fantastic play. I will never look at The Crucible the same way again. This piece deals with multiple topics and relationships in a nuanced way: social media, gender and power, and the actor-director relationship and the ways it approaches - and then crosses - the line. Plus, what a great role for a young actor to delve into different worlds and spend time with the likes of Abigail Williams on the one hand and Marilyn Monroe on the other!

    Fantastic play. I will never look at The Crucible the same way again. This piece deals with multiple topics and relationships in a nuanced way: social media, gender and power, and the actor-director relationship and the ways it approaches - and then crosses - the line. Plus, what a great role for a young actor to delve into different worlds and spend time with the likes of Abigail Williams on the one hand and Marilyn Monroe on the other!

View all 19 recommendations

Character Information

  • ASHLEY ROSE
    a beauty influencer
    Character Age
    21
    Character Race/Ethnic Identity
    AAPI
    Character Gender Identity
    Cis female
  • SAVANNAH WAINSCOTT
    a renowned stage diva
    Character Age
    Late 40s to late 50s
    Character Race/Ethnic Identity
    White
    Character Gender Identity
    Cis female
  • BEN MEYERS
    a theater director
    Character Age
    late 50s to late 60s
    Character Race/Ethnic Identity
    White
    Character Gender Identity
    Cis male
  • KAI BANKS
    a Broadway star
    Character Age
    late 30s to early 40s
    Character Race/Ethnic Identity
    Black
    Character Gender Identity
    Cis male

Development History

Awards

  • New Plays Festival
    Broad Horizons Theatre Company
    Finalist
    2022
  • Title Wave New Works Festival
    Bay Street Theatre
    Finalist
    2022
  • The O'Neill National Playwrights Conference
    Finalist
    2021
  • Ashland New Plays Festival
    Finalist
    2020