Arwen Anderson as Young Molly and Jay Moore as John at Venue 9
Alison Gal as Young Molly and Danny Jones as Pat in the UAA Production
Lily Oglesby as Lois and Jayson Matthews as Brad at Venue 9
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Arwen Anderson as Young Molly and Jay Moore as John at Venue 9 |
Alison Gal as Young Molly and Danny Jones as Pat in the UAA Production |
Lily Oglesby as Lois and Jayson Matthews as Brad at Venue 9 |
In this epic exploration of women and alienation spanning 350 years and crossing two continents, we follow the ghost of 17th century fishmonger, Molly Malone, as she tries to help a young Chicago drop-out, called Lois, find herself. The timelines of this story run side by side, showing us both the young Molly Malone who loses her family in the Irish wars and flees to England for a life on the streets and in the theatre, as well as her contemporary counterpart, Lois who gets in over her head with a seedy porn director.
Actors: monologue excerpts from this play are posted on this site.
This play has over 30 characters and has been carefully structured so that doubling enables production with a minimum ensemble of 8 actors (5 F ages 20-50, and 3 M ages 30-50), though it can be played with more.
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There are many scenes both in 17th century Ireland and England, and in 21st century Chicago. A simple, flexible set with platforms and raised ares is best. This play requires more extensive costuming and props. Running time is about 105 minutes.
Somewhere In Between had its first staged reading at the June 2001 Last Frontier Theatre Conference in Valdez, AK, where it won both the Yukon Pacific Playwright Award and the Audience Choice Award for best play. The cast included Van Horn Ely, Dawson Moore, and Angela Littleton, for whom some of the parts were written. Panelists included Arnold Wesker, Michael Warren Powell, David Edgecombe (who went on to produce it in Alaska) and Elizabeth Ware.
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The cast included Michaela Greeley, Arwen Anderson, Lily Ogelsby, Danielle Ozymandias, Kate Sheehan, Treacy Corrigan, Jay Moore, Jayson Matthews, David Fenerty, and Michael Symonds. Zanne Gerrard directed. Poster for the San Francisco
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In December 2002, the University of Alaska Anchorage produced Somewhere In Between on their main stage as part of their participation in the American College Theatre Festival. The play, described as "Somewhere in between brilliant and amazing," by the Anchorage Daily News, was selected to compete at the ACTF Regional Finals and toured to Seattle the following March. (other reviews also available) The production was then remounted again in June 2003 for the Last Frontier Theatre Conference. This production lead to a nomination for an American Theatre Critics' Association New Play Award.
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Alison Gal, Stuart Matthews & Krista Schwarting |
Rick Barreras & Alison Gal as John and Molly |
Somewhere In Between (or) The Ghost of Molly Malone was also a Silver Medalist for the 2004 Pinter Review Prize for Drama.
More sample scenes available on request, and two monologues for LOIS posted on this site.
At rise. A middle-aged/old woman, MOLLY shabbily dressed in several layers, enters through the audience dragging a small shopping cart loaded with junk, plastic bags, a tattered blanket, a cardboard box, etc.
MOLLY (singing): In Dublin's fair city, where the girls are so pretty, I first set my eyes on sweet Molly Malone. As she pushed her wheelbarrow, through the streets broad and narrow (she stops, in front of the stage and stretches) Ah, the streets of Dublin. Well, it's a fact that where you start ain't always where you end up.(a pause and then she resumes singing and dragging the cart) As she pushed her wheelbarrow, through the streets, broad and narrow. Crying /
Enter a NEWSPAPER VENDOR.
NEWSPAPER VENDOR (holding up a newspaper and calling, he cuts off Molly's song): Tribune, Tribune. Chicago Tribune. Senator caught in sex romp. Four die in plane crash. Homeless crisis worsens. Blizzard. Tribune.
Enter a BUSINESSMAN, with a briefcase and mobile phone.
BUSINESSMAN (into phone):I don't have time for that Janet, just have the report on my desk by midday.(hangs up, then to vendor) Any good news today?
NEWSPAPER VENDOR: None, Sir.
BUSINESSMAN: God bless America.
BUSINESSMAN hands VENDOR coins, takes paper and exits
NEWSPAPER VENDOR: And you, Sir. (calls) Tribune, get your copy of the Chicago Tribune.
MOLLY(calling to him from audience):You giving them away, Sonny?
NEWSPAPER VENDOR: Forty cents, Ma'am.
MOLLY: For the paper or for God's blessing?
NEWSPAPER VENDOR: The newspaper, Ma'am.
MOLLY: Tell you what, seeing as I don't have forty cents, you could just lend it to me. I'll give the paper back tomorrow.(she approaches him)
NEWSPAPER VENDOR: Sorry Ma'am.
MOLLY: You're not sorry. Give me one, you selfish pig.
NEWSPAPER VENDOR: Forget it. And excuse me for saying so, but you could use a bath.
MOLLY: I could use a bleedin' paper!
NEWSPAPER VENDOR: Tribune. Chicago Tribune...
VENDOR exits, still calling.MOLLY(muttering): Piss off then, you lousy bastard. (she hauls the cart on stage and addresses the audience) Who does he think he is to tell me I need a bath or any other damn thing. These days there's no compassion for a little old lady with nice manners. I used to have no trouble getting me own way. Well, less trouble, at any rate. Back in Dublin, in 1650, I had quite the set of pins on me. (she lifts her skirt and poses. A pause) They built a statue to me and all. The Tart with The Cart, they call it--right out front of the Trinity College. (a beat) Then again, I suppose me legs aren't quite what they once were. (she pulls the cart and resumes singing) She wheels her wheelbarrow, through the streets broad and narrow, Crying cockles, and mussels, alive, alive-oh.
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Old & New worlds side by side: Kate Sheehan, Jay Moore, Arwen Anderson, Jayson Matthews and Lily Oglesby |
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