Bill W. And Dr. Bob
by Samuel Shem, Janet L Surrey, Stephen J Bergman, Janet Surrey

Bill W. And Dr. Bob Book Cover
Bill W. And Dr. Bob Cover

Highlights

120 mins 1950s Expandable Casting Unit Set/Multiple Settings American

Synopsis

Drama / 3m 3f (w/doubling) / Unit setNewly revised edition!

From the author of the best-selling novel The House of God this critically acclaimed version which played Off-Broadway in 2007 tells the amazing story of the two men who pioneered Alcoholics Anonymous and of their wives who founded Al Anon.

During the roaring '20s New York stockbroker Bill Wilson rides high on money fame and booze.

In '29 both he and the market crash and he becomes a hopeless drunk.

Dr. Bob Smith a surgeon

Press Reviews

"The play deals with relationships...The playwrights, through the script, don't attempt to teach, nor are they judgmental. They explore each man's relationship with his wife, with each other and in the final scenes, their relationship with other alcoholics. You don't have to be an alcoholic or a member of AA or Al-Anon to enjoy Bill W. and Dr. Bob. Bergman and Surrey have written a powerful script. The play begins and ends with an AA meeting's traditional opening and closing. However, what happens between those brief scenes is mesmerizing drama...This is a good, strong story that is well written"

— Talkin' Broadway

"Inspiring."

— Boston Globe

"Wonderful uplifting new play...a joyous drama of the triumph and survival of the humor spirit...filled with humor and grace."

— Examiner

"Top Cleveland Theatre Stories of 2010, Great Shows at the Cleveland Playhouse: Bill W and Dr. Bob. A sober but far from somber telling of the founding of Alcoholics Anonymous...a surprisingly fun and funny play...an intimate, balanced and intoxicating portrayal of the teamwork and tensions between the men who took the first 12 steps together...a metaphor for the AA phenomenon: The light of truth shining through the testimony of one drunk's experiences to another, a phenomenon that Bill W. and Dr. Bob makes sparkle."

— Tony Brown, The Plain Dealer

"A deeply human, audience embracing tale."

— Variety

Videos

Bill W. and Dr. Bob Original Off-Broadway 2007 Production

Publication

Publisher Samuel French
Year 2010
Binding Paperback
Edition Illustrated
Pages 96
Place New York
Language English
ISBN-13 9780573691744
ISBN-10 0573691746
LCCN 2002279010
LCC PS3569.H39374 B55 2000
DCC 812/.54

Bill W. And Dr. Bob is a American play written by Samuel Shem and published by Samuel French in New York (2010).

Digital editions available on Amazon Kindle .

Community Reviews

No community reviews yet

Rating

3.4

55 ratings · 86 reviews

Review

Buy Play

Performance Rights

Available for Licensing
Amateur & Professional
Fee: Minimum Fee: $120 per performance
Apply for Rights

Similar Plays

Plays with similar themes, style, and content.

More from Samuel Shem

More plays from Samuel Shem that we think you'll enjoy.