A Ticket To The City
by Donald Elser

A Ticket To The City Book Cover
A Ticket To The City Cover

Synopsis

Among the strangers waiting for a late train to the city are a young girl and young man.

She is full of fantasies about making a place for herself in a world of brave but hopeless dreams.

He has no illusions about the grim and mortal destination.

A stranger from the girl's past arrives and it becomes apparent that her history is illusory.

Others are drawn into the vortex of her future, but it is the young man who, being most willing to help, finds his own future reoriented.

At last, the philosophical ticket agent announces the arrival of the train.

Characters

Character
A Lady

In her forties, prim, somewhat lonely, but wants to be friendly with others in a guarded way. Her clothes are somewhat dated and used to traveling. A nice person who means well though.

A Soldier

An enlisted man in one of the armed forces.

A Young Man

Mid-twenties, alternating between pleasant nostalgia and despair/ Well-dressed, but not overly so in a suit and tie. A demanding role.

An Older Man

Tall, dignified, middle-aged and well dressed. For the most part in a world of his own and he seems impervious to the trials and tribulations of others, but would be helpful if asked.

A Girl

Nineteen or twenty, pretty, and wearing her best clothes for traveling. Trying to forget the past, her future is a dream, and the present does not exist. Doesn’t not always tell the truth.

A Woman

Loud and somewhat coarse, obviously not a pleasant person to have around. In her early forties, somewhat heavy, and not overly neat.

Ticket Agent

In his sixties, oftentimes gruff but equally sympathetic. Inclined to be tolerant and understanding. He is somebody of importance in the play and cannot be taken indifferently.

Publication

Publisher Samuel French
Year 1966
Pages 26
Language English
ISBN-13 9780573625398
ISBN-10 0573625395

A Ticket To The City is a American play written by Donald Elser and published by Samuel French (1966).

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Fee: Minimum Fee: $65 per performance

Restrictions: Major Markets Only (US) / Standard Restriction (UK)

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