Conscience
by Joe Dipietro

Name: Conscience
Brand: Joe Dipietro
SKU: 9780822244899
Rating: 3.67 (3 reviews)

Conscience Book Cover — Conscience Cover

Highlights

Female

Male

90 mins 1950s Strong Role for Leading Woman (Star Vehicle) Bare Stage/Simple Set Period Costumes

Synopsis

Margaret Chase Smith was a woman of firsts: In 1940, she was the first woman elected by the state of Maine to serve in Congress; nine years later she was the first woman the state elected to the Senate.

And in 1950, she became the first senator to stand on the Senate floor and publicly rebuke Senator Joseph McCarthy of Wisconsin, who rose to power using post–World War II anti-Communist hysteria and ruined the lives of those who opposed him.

Margaret Chase Smith’s “Declaration of Conscience” speech was a public act of defiance at a time when both Democrats and Republicans were cowed into silence for fear of retribution.

It came at a cost: She was shunned by her colleagues, challenged in a primary, all while McCarthy threatened to expose her personal secrets.

C onscience is the story of a remarkable woman who stood up for what was right and refused to back down.

Press Reviews

"A timely boxing match of a history play…Conscience portrays [Margaret Chase] Smith…as a dry-witted hero with the rare courage to take on a lying bully who is sowing chaos, ruining reputations and threatening the very fabric of the nation."
— New York Times

"Conscience presents a slice of history, one that will resonate with a modern audience. The show portrays an insightful view of McCarthyism while thoughtfully addressing themes of women in politics, the dangers of demagoguery, and how truth and reason must prevail in society."
— BroadwayWorld“…DiPietro avoids cheap political shots, focusing instead on the intense interpersonal dynamics. [Margaret Chase] Smith is a powerful, complex character and…McCarthy slowly unravels before your eyes. Front Row Center

Characters

Character	Gender	Age	Description
Senator Joe Mccarthy early forties. The junior senator from Wisconsin. Loud, crass, reckless, unmannered, unmarried, and very, very effective.	—	—	early forties. The junior senator from Wisconsin. Loud, crass, reckless, unmannered, unmarried, and very, very effective.
William Lewis Jr. midthirties. Senator Chase’s executive assistant and her right hand. Thin and handsome, bright and educated, impeccably dressed. He knows the ins and outs of Washington.	female	—	midthirties. Senator Chase’s executive assistant and her right hand. Thin and handsome, bright and educated, impeccably dressed. He knows the ins and outs of Washington.
Jean Kerr early twenties. A young acolyte of McCarthy’s. Bright and educated and fiercely loyal. She has grown accustomed to being underestimated.	female	—	early twenties. A young acolyte of McCarthy’s. Bright and educated and fiercely loyal. She has grown accustomed to being underestimated.
Margaret Chase Smith fifties. The junior senator from Maine. No nonsense with a firm elegance and a caustic wit. A committed moderate, forever independent.	—	—	fifties. The junior senator from Maine. No nonsense with a firm elegance and a caustic wit. A committed moderate, forever independent.