THE STANDBY LEAR by
AUGIE (late 60s), an actor understudying the role of KING LEAR, rehearses on the stage where the production is playing. While running its first scene, AUGIE is joined by ANNA (early 60s), his wife, also an actor, though now retired. As husband and wife go over lines and sections that are troubling AUGIE, they learn that the star is indisposed, and AUGIE will have to go on that evening. Confronted with this...
AUGIE (late 60s), an actor understudying the role of KING LEAR, rehearses on the stage where the production is playing. While running its first scene, AUGIE is joined by ANNA (early 60s), his wife, also an actor, though now retired. As husband and wife go over lines and sections that are troubling AUGIE, they learn that the star is indisposed, and AUGIE will have to go on that evening. Confronted with this monumental challenge, AUGIE realizes that he may no longer have the emotional and physical resources to assume the role, and becomes paralyzed with fear. AUGIE announces his intention to quit, and ANNA tries desperately to prevent her husband from committing what is tantamount to career suicide. Together, they must come to grips with what may be the beginning of the end of their lives in the theatre, and perhaps the end of even more than that, though in their uncertainty and confusion, they affirm that whatever they face, they will face together.