Queen For A Day
by Robin Rice Lichtig

Without much choice in the matter, Arnie, age twelve, has taken the responsibility of taking care of his mother, an alcoholic and TV junkie who’s starved for affection.

Her favorite show is one in which the woman contestant with the most tragic life wins.

Remarkably, Arnie has maintained this balancing act and does well in school, too.

On this afternoon, as a blizzard approaches, Neil shows up at Arnie’s house to compare stamp books.

Arnie is desperate to have this friend, but Arnie’s mother wants Neil for herself.

A strange tug-of-war results between mother and son, and Neil is the rope.

The play won a competition at Playwrights Horizons where the boys were very successfully played by young women, and won a national competition at TADA!

Children’s Theatre in New York City.