“Threnody”

Barnes, David-Matthew (American playwright, director, writer, 1970-____), “Threnody,”

a 25-minute drama in English, set in a farm house inCentral California, U.S.A., beginning of summer, 1989,

1m1f

;  •  ©1999 by David-Matthew Barnes;  •  script/rights available from DNPAC Productions, Attention: Nick A. Moreno, Literary Manager, 2221 West Giddings Street, Chicago, Illinois 60625, U.S.A., telephone 773-784-0344, fax 773-784-4530, e-mail nmoreno@davidmatthewbarnes.com; contact David-Matthew Barnes at www.davidmatthewbarnes.com. • Cited by David-Matthew Barnes, February 24, 1996, and November 14, 1999.  •  Also cited by Nick A. Moreno, June 30, 2002; Moreno says,

  §  Dramatis Personae Dana (f), 19, poetic, volatile, desperate ; Jake (m), 21, sensual, enigmatic, ashamed.

  §  Synopsis “A young couple, Dana and Jake, are horribly addicted to speed and to each other in an obsessive violent affair, have been up for three days. As they consume more drugs, Dana reflects on their relationship. She recalls when they met in a night club, when Jake first admitted his love to her, and when he brutally raped her in an orchard during a graduation party for some of his friends. Dana and Jake cling to each other, searching for mutual forgiveness and acceptance from their families. Dana crumples as she realizes that she has lost Jake forever: he goes to sleep and she cannot wake him.

  §  Comment “The young couple’s desperation reveals two people who have let reality go and sunk into a grave of sorrow and pain.  •  Nominated for two 1997 Elly Awards, including Best Original Script! Critical acclaim includes: ‘In the Tennessee Williams-flavored “Threnody, the dialogue sings with poetic flashes!’—Sacramento News & Review. ‘“Threnody” is manic, emotionally-distraught psyche to boot!’—The Festival of Emerging American Theatre. ‘Realistic, detailed and well done! “Threnody” is powerful and strongly written with an important subject!’—Nantucket One-Act Festival. ‘A gritty tale of urban love and drug addiction!’—Sacramento Bee. ‘In “Threnody,” Barnes’ nascent talent starts to bloom. His will surely be a career to watch and enjoy.’—Sean Scott, Theatre Critic. ‘The energy of sixty horses jumping off the top of a saloon in New Orleans: one feels his heart wailing in every line. One barely gets out of this play alive. . . .’—American River Literary Review.”

  §  Themes acceptance, addiction, death, drugs, family, forgiveness, rape, reality, sleep deprivation, speed.

See also David-Matthew Barnes’

• "Are You All Right in There?," a 23-minute teenage comedy-drama in English, set in the upstairs master bathroom of an American home, almost midnight, Friday, in spring, 1995, 1m2f
• "Baby in the Basement," a 15-minute drama in English, set in the basement of an old, abandoned warehouse in an unnamed American city, a night in March, present, 1m1f
• "Clean," a 15-minute comedy-drama in English, set at a bus stop in Beverly Hills, California, U.S.A., a Wednesday afternoon, 2002, 2f
• "False Hopes," a 20-minute drama in English, set in the break room of a corporate office, 2001, 3f
• "Hour Glass," a 20-minute drama in English, set in the formal dining room of the Caulwells' home, somewhere in Connecticut, U.S.A., Saturday evening, on the brink of spring, present, 1m1f
• "I Ate Lunch Alone Today," a 25-minute comedy-drama in English, set in a modest one-bedroom apartment, New York City, April, 2002, 2m2f
• "Number 76," a 10-minute teenage Latino drama in English, set on a bus stop on a city street in Chicago, Illinois, U.S.A., a Sunday night in the middle of October, 1999, 1m1f
• "Stronger Than This," a 20-minute drama in English, set in a modest apartment in Seattle, Washington, U.S.A., a rainy night in March, present, 2m1f
• "Unrequited," a 15-minute comedy-drama in English, set in a high school supply room, during a high school dance, 2001, 1m1f
• "Wendy's Hurricane," a 15-minute drama in English, set in a studio apartment near a university in the city of Chicago, middle of January, present, 1m1f

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Page updated February 26, 1997, May 19, 1998, March 26, 1999, April 7, May 6, 2001, July 3, 19, 2002, July 12, September 28, 2003, February 26, March 1, 2004, by the site Webmaster.

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