Jeopardy Gaping
This
surreal dramatic comedy shows the progression of events that occur over the
course of twenty weeks in the waiting room of a physical therapy office. Valdisa must deal
with a wound marked by uncontrollable bleeding, while
The
realization of missed opportunities comes not in the plot, however, but in the
form. The twenty weeks are presented not
chronologically, but rather are grouped mathematically: Doubles (Scenes 1, 2, 4, 8, 16); Primes
(Scenes 3, 5, 7, 11, 13, 17, 19); Triples (Scenes 6, 9, 12, 15, 18); and Tens
(Scenes 10, 20). The scene that is
omitted in this scheme, Scene 14, is the site of those potential but lost
opportunities, as though it were neglected by the characters themselves. Its absence may only be noticed by the
audience, if at all, after the play is over and a recounting is done. The names
of the characters refer to past lost opportunities, as well. Valdisa originates
from the name of the grounded oil tanker, the Exxon Valdez.
Play Structure: |
19 scenes divided into 4
mathematically-grouped acts |
Cast size: |
5 – 6 3 main characters, 2-3
doubled supporting roles |
Gender: |
All female; multi-racial
casting acceptable |
Period: |
The present. |
Location: |
Waiting room of a physical
therapy clinic. |
Displays: |
Before each scene, a sign,
banner, or projection is displayed, showing the number of the week |
Production History
Jeopardy Gaping received its premiere production in the Mae West
Fest IX, on the Main Stage at the |
VAldisa |
Teresa Widner |
|
Mandy Delashmitt |
Nurse |
Andrea Bonner |
Dorothy |
Kris Keppeler |
Laura |
Cathleen O’Neill |
Shelley |
Amie St.Amour |
ASL Interpreters |
Bridget Lombardo Dawn McKenna Jenn Hamblin |
Technical Director |
Sara McChristian |
|
Randy Engstrom |