Park Benches

by Darrin Friedman

SHORT-PLAY (10 pages): A man struggling with the decision to let his comatose wife go sits on a park bench when a serene woman approaches and engages him in conversation. Through their talk, she discusses things she could not possibly know. But know, she does. In so doing, she helps him reflect on his love for his wife and the pain of holding on. Will he be able to let go and listen to this stranger about a...

SHORT-PLAY (10 pages): A man struggling with the decision to let his comatose wife go sits on a park bench when a serene woman approaches and engages him in conversation. Through their talk, she discusses things she could not possibly know. But know, she does. In so doing, she helps him reflect on his love for his wife and the pain of holding on. Will he be able to let go and listen to this stranger about a possible new future with a chance for closure, or will he be stuck in the agony of the present?

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Park Benches

Recommended by

  • Michele Clarke: Park Benches

    A moving script - and one that may take courage on the part of a director and actors not to rush it. Because these words are so well written that experiencing their full strength - all the emotion and poignancy - will mean also letting the spaces between the characters breathe.

    A moving script - and one that may take courage on the part of a director and actors not to rush it. Because these words are so well written that experiencing their full strength - all the emotion and poignancy - will mean also letting the spaces between the characters breathe.

  • Nora Louise Syran: Park Benches

    Lovely. As David grapples with accepting the inevitable passing of his wife who is "in-between" this life and the next, he is joined on a park bench by Agnes. "It's okay. I'm Agnes." I love the simplicity of this. The light in the darkness. The hope. And her character serves as a beautiful tool of exposition allowing us to understand David's predicament without him hardly saying a word. Bravo.

    Lovely. As David grapples with accepting the inevitable passing of his wife who is "in-between" this life and the next, he is joined on a park bench by Agnes. "It's okay. I'm Agnes." I love the simplicity of this. The light in the darkness. The hope. And her character serves as a beautiful tool of exposition allowing us to understand David's predicament without him hardly saying a word. Bravo.

  • Claudia Haas: Park Benches

    Friedman captures all the beauties and heartbreak in a life succinctly and sweetly in a scant ten minutes. Nobody escapes from an unspeakable sorrow in this life but Friedman finds light in the hardest challenge. There are times when you really need the park bench surrounded by whistling ducks and if you’re lucky, Agnes is by your side.

    Friedman captures all the beauties and heartbreak in a life succinctly and sweetly in a scant ten minutes. Nobody escapes from an unspeakable sorrow in this life but Friedman finds light in the hardest challenge. There are times when you really need the park bench surrounded by whistling ducks and if you’re lucky, Agnes is by your side.

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Character Information

All roles can be cast as any race or color. Any male-identifying person may be cast as David.
  • DAVID
    A good man facing an unspeakable sorrow.
    Character Age
    30s+
    Character Race/Ethnic Identity
    Any Race or ethnicity
    Character Gender Identity
    Male
  • AGNES
    A woman from another place.
    Character Age
    50s+
    Character Race/Ethnic Identity
    Any Race or ethnicity
    Character Gender Identity
    Female

Development History

  • Type Reading, Organization Equity Library Theatre Festival, Year 2024