These are adaptations of four short stories and one novella by Edith Wharton that can be produced or stage-read in any combination or separately. Three are comedies, one is tragic, and one is just profound. Four are in the 10-20 minute range; one runs for 40 minutes.

Comedies:
“The Mission of Jane”-- A man who is contemptuous of his wife’s skills and intelligence is destined for a comeuppance. Cast: 1 woman, 2 men.
“The Donkey” (Wharton’s title is “The Verdict”)--An arts devotee asks a fashionable painter why he has suddenly quit working. The artist tells him that a glimpse of a simple, perfect sketch of a donkey by a truer artist has convinced him he is an imposter. Cast: 1 woman, 2 men.
“Xingu”—A pretentious book group is scornful of a newcomer until she turns the tables on them. Cast: 6 women.

The profound play is “The Fullness of Life”—A woman entering the afterlife must choose to spend eternity either with a perfect soulmate or with her husband, who was definitely not her soulmate. Cast: 2 women, 3 men; with doubling, 2 women, 2 men.

The tragedy is “Bunner Sisters,” a 40-minute play—Two unmarried women nearing middle age are fairly content running their tidy shop. A man to whom they are both attracted enters their world and poses a threat to their tender relationship. Cast: 4 women, 2 men; with doubling, 3 women, 1 man.

For information or samples, please write: carkeetdavid@gmail.com