The Redwood Cage

Synopsis:

After a particularly trying child custody case, Gussie, a family lawyer, begins to rethink her understanding of family and motherhood. Her husband Hugh, an artist, has always expressed his own views on this subject through his work, but now Gussie thinks it may be time for life to mirror art. But when Hugh's estranged half-brother shows up from London, a chance to build bridges goes wrong and her plans for a functional family run aground. Hugh's blossoming friendship with a young painter makes the situation even more difficult, until, turning to her sister for help, Gussie realizes that Hugh isn't the only one who will have to face the skeletons in the closet, and that families aren't perfect.

Actors: monologue excerpts from this play are posted on this site.

Character List:

Gussie (F, 30s) Family lawyer, wife to Hugh
Hugh (M, 40) Sculptor, husband to Gussie
Alan (M, 30s) Hugh's estranged half brother, a London businessman
Bridget (F, 30s) Gussie's older sister, mother of 2
Courtney (F, 20s) a waitress and painter, apprenticed to Hugh

Setting & Requirements:

Set in San Francisco and surrounds, present day. The set can be simple to accomodate flow between various locations, the main two of which are Hugh's studio and Hugh and Gussie's lounge room. Other locations can be played on an apron or down stage. Running time: 105 minutes.

Production History:

The Redwood Cage is unproduced. It had two developmental readings with The Playwrights' Center of San Francisco (Nov, 2001 & Aug, 2003) and was a quarter-finalist for the Amerian Theatre Co-op's Spring Contest (July, 2003). The play was then put away for two years. It is currently under revision and received fourth place in the 2005 Writers Digest Literary Awards -- Stage Script Division.

Sample Dialogue:

Available on request, and/or see monologue for Courtney posted on this site.