Awaiting the Reaper

by Francis DiClemente

In the intimate setting of a modest ranch home in Rome, New York, Richard, a man in his early sixties, battles stage four lung cancer while his family struggles to come to terms with his impending fate. Richard lives with his elderly mother, Rose, who is showing signs of dementia. Richard implores his son, Marco, to find a place for Rose to live after he dies. Set in late summer 2007, the play delves into themes...

In the intimate setting of a modest ranch home in Rome, New York, Richard, a man in his early sixties, battles stage four lung cancer while his family struggles to come to terms with his impending fate. Richard lives with his elderly mother, Rose, who is showing signs of dementia. Richard implores his son, Marco, to find a place for Rose to live after he dies. Set in late summer 2007, the play delves into themes of family, loyalty, regret, reconciliation, and acceptance.

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Awaiting the Reaper

RICHARD, a man in his early sixties who has stage four lung cancer
MARCO, a man in his late thirties; Richard's son
ROSE, a woman in her late eighties; Richard's mother
ANGELO, a man in his late fifties; Rose's son and Richard's brother
HEIDI, a hospice nurse in her forties
FATHER BOBBY, a Catholic priest and childhood friend of Richard's; he's also in his early sixties

Development History

  • Reading, NYC Play Reading Festival, 2025
  • Reading, Armory Square Playwrights (Syracuse, NY), 2024