Coastal Disturbances
by Tina Howe

Name: Coastal Disturbances
Brand: Tina Howe
SKU: 9780573690433
Rating: 3 (27 reviews)

BroadwayOff-Broadway

Coastal Disturbances Book Cover — Coastal Disturbances Cover

Highlights

Small Cast

Female

Male

120 mins1980sRoles for ChildrenExterior SetContemporary Costumes/Street ClothesAmerican Comedy

Awards & Recognition

Tony Award

Nominee: Three 1987 Tony Awards, including Best Play

What readers are saying

Readers have mixed opinions about the play, with some finding it heartwarming while others describe it as unpleasant and contrived. The narrative's shift from realism to absurdity fails to engage many viewers. Overall, the reception leans towards negative, with a few expressing a desire to see it performed live despite their critiques.

Heartwarming storylineEngaging charactersInteresting live performance potentialContrived and vagueLacks engagementShifts in tone are jarring

Synopsis

Cast - 3m, 4f, 1boy, 1girl.

Settings Of Play - A stretch of private beach on the North shore of Massachusetts somewhere between Marblehead and Gloucester.

A Broadway hit which gave Annette Bening and Tim Daly early stage roles, this charming ensemble play follows four generations of vacationers on a Massachusetts beach, focusing on a romance between a lifeguard and a kooky young photographer.

Press Reviews

"Will appeal only to play goers who like charming and sympathetic characters, tender romance, laughs and rueful wisdom about the pitfalls of love."
— Variety

"Whosoever's heart this play does not break, whosoever's soul it does not enthrall, may just lack those organs."
— New York Magazine

Characters

Character	Gender	Age	Description
Holly Dancer A photographer from new York, 24	—	—	A photographer from new York, 24
Faith Bigelow Five months pregnant, 35	—	—	Five months pregnant, 35
Miranda Bigelow Her adopted daughter, 7	female	—	Her adopted daughter, 7
Ariel Took Faith's guest, 36	—	—	Faith's guest, 36
Winston Took Her son, 8	female	—	Her son, 8
Dr. Hamilton Adams An eminant eye surgeon, now retired, 72	—	—	An eminant eye surgeon, now retired, 72
M.J. Adams His wife, an amateur painter, 68	female	—	His wife, an amateur painter, 68
Andre Sor Owner of the Andre Sor Gallery, European born, 49	—	—	Owner of the Andre Sor Gallery, European born, 49
Leo Hart The lifeguard, 28	—	—	The lifeguard, 28