The Roommate is a stage play written by American playwright Jen Silverman.[1] The play is a two-person character study.[2]

The Roommate
Written byJen Silverman
CharactersSharon
Robyn
Date premiered2015
Place premieredActors Theatre of Louisville
Original languageEnglish
GenreDrama
SettingA big old house in Iowa City, Iowa, present day, summer.

Synopsis

edit

Sharon is recently divorced and lives in Iowa and invites Robyn, relocating from New York City to be her roommate. As the two get to know each other better, secrets are revealed and they learn more about themselves in the process.

Original cast and characters

edit
Character Louisville Sarasota San Francisco Williamstown Chicago Broadway
2015 2016 2017 2017 2018 2024
Sharon Margaret Daly Jo Twiss Susi Damilano S. Epatha Merkerson Sandra Marquez Mia Farrow
Robyn Tasha Lawrence Rita Rehn Julia Brothers Jane Kaczmarek Ora Jones Patti LuPone

Production history

edit

The play was first performed at the Actors Theatre of Louisville in the 2015 Humana Festival of New American Plays, directed by Mike Donahue. In 2016, it was performed at the Florida Studio Theatre.[3][4] In 2017, the play was performed at the San Francisco Playhouse from May 23 to July 1, directed by Becca Wolff.[5] In 2017, the play was performed during the Williamstown Theatre Festival from June 27-July 16.[6] In 2018, the play was performed by the Steppenwolf Theatre Company, directed by Phylicia Rashad.[7] In 2019, Long Wharf Theatre produced the play, with Tasha Lawrence reprising her role from the original production and also directed by Donahue.[8] Mia Farrow and Patti LuPone are set to star in a Broadway mounting directed by Jack O’Brien, opening on Thursday, September 12 at the Booth Theatre.[9]

References

edit
  1. ^ Burleson, Ryan (February 12, 2017). "Williamstown Theater Fest Announces Lineup". The New York Times. Retrieved April 13, 2024.
  2. ^ "Jen Silverman—Plays". Retrieved April 13, 2024.
  3. ^ Fugate, Marty (July 15, 2016). "Theater review: 'The Roommate'". Sarasota Observer. Observer Media Group. Retrieved April 13, 2024.
  4. ^ Kramer, Elizabeth (March 7, 2015). "'The Roommate' opens Humana Festival with laughs". Courier Journal. Retrieved April 13, 2024.
  5. ^ "The Roommate - Play Tickets at San Francisco Playhouse".
  6. ^ "The Roommate".
  7. ^ "Jen Silverman's "The Roommate" Updates the Narrative for Middle-Aged Women". 20 July 2018.
  8. ^ https://v.playbill.com/article/cast-set-for-jen-silverman-comedy-the-roommate-opening-long-wharf-season [bare URL]
  9. ^ https://theroommatebway.com/ [bare URL]

Further reading

edit
edit