Better Half Dead
by Joan Torres

Name: Better Half Dead
Brand: Joan Torres
SKU: 9780573626548
Rating: 4 (1 reviews)

Highlights

Small Cast

Female

Male

Present Day Reduced Casting (Doubling Possible) Interior Set Contemporary Costumes/Street Clothes American Comedy

Rena is sick of her sinking beach house and her husband Dermot, a disinherited son of "The Landfill King."

She's packing, taking a gun and returning to her first husband, the artist Stanley Riverstein.

Stanley wants his painting returned with his ex wife.

Dermont protests, there is a struggle, the gun goes off and Rena falls to the floor dead.

Stanley will remove the body, for a price.

Dermot agrees.

Rena's sister Jodi, who was dumped by Dermot but still loves him, is told that Rena has gone back to Stanley.

Dermont fails to mention the gun, the body or blackmail.

But wait!

Things are not what they seem.

Who's shot and who's not?

And why?

Is another murder imminent?

The mayhem includes a storm, a disguise, a strangulation and a murderous fur coat.

"Wicked dialogue. Very clever."
— The Chicago Tribune

"Wonderfully wacky."
— DramaLogue

"A real twister! Hilarious!"
— The Star Telegram

"The play is a howl."
— WMAQ Radio

Character	Gender	Age	Description
Stanley Riverstein macho artist, once married to Rena.	—	—	macho artist, once married to Rena.
Dermot Braddock charming sportsman, married to Rena.	—	—	charming sportsman, married to Rena.
Gerald Levine gay attorney, friend of Stanley's.	—	—	gay attorney, friend of Stanley's.
Jodi Boyd unstable optimist, Rena's younger sister.	female	—	unstable optimist, Rena's younger sister.
Dr. Stahl Jodi's psychiatrist, over 70, Viennese lady.	female	—	Jodi's psychiatrist, over 70, Viennese lady.
Rena Braddock acidic sophisticate, married to Dermot.	—	—	acidic sophisticate, married to Dermot.