The Secretaries
by Lisa Kron, Babs Davy, Dominique Dibbell, Peg Healey, Maureen Angelos

Name: The Secretaries
Brand: Lisa Kron
SKU: 9780573697012
Rating: 3.77 (71 reviews)

The Secretaries Book Cover — The Secretaries Cover

Highlights

Female

105 mins1990sAll WomenUnit Set/Multiple SettingsContemporary Costumes/Street ClothesLGBTQ Comedy

What readers are saying

Readers have a deep appreciation for the compelling themes and bold storytelling in the play. Many find it an important commentary on misogyny and workplace dynamics, particularly in the 1980s, and express a desire to direct or perform in it themselves. The play's unique blend of dark humor, explicit content, and satire resonates with audiences, leaving a lasting impact on their artistic journey.

Bold and provocative themesStrong commentary on misogynyEngaging and darkly funnyInspiring for aspiring directorsContent may be too explicit for some

Synopsis

Something's rotten in Big Bone!

Pretty Patty Johnson is thrilled to join the secretarial pool at the Cooney Lumber Mill under the iron-fisted leadership of sultry office manager Susan Curtis.

But she soon begins to feel that all is not right—the enforced diet of Slim-Fast shakes, the strange clicking language between the girls, the monthly disappearance of a lumberjack.

By the time Patty discovers murder is part of these office killers' skill set, it's too late to turn back!

In the guise of satiric exploitation-horror, The Secretaries takes an unflinching look at the warping cultural expectations of femininity.

Press Reviews

"The Secretaries is a sustained, amusing look at the fine line between aggression and assertiveness."
— The New Yorker

"The Five Lesbian Brothers render their satirical portraits with a deft but merciless eye."
— The Los Angeles Times

"95 minutes of gritty, bawdy, bloody humor pregnant with incisive social commentary."
— San Francisco Examiner

"A mordantly cheerful slice of Grand Guignol."
— The New York Times

Characters

Character	Gender	Age	Description
Ashley Elizabeth Fratangelo Susan’s sycophant, bulimic.	—	—	Susan’s sycophant, bulimic.
Patty Johnson the new girl.	—	—	the new girl.
Susan Curtis offi ce manager/cult leader.	—	—	offi ce manager/cult leader.
Peaches Martin sweet, clueless, slow-moving target.	—	—	sweet, clueless, slow-moving target.
Buzz Benikee sensitive lumberjack.	—	—	sensitive lumberjack.
Hank And Sandy sexually harassing lumberjacks (slow).	—	—	sexually harassing lumberjacks (slow).
Mr. Ron Kembunkscher the boss.	—	—	the boss.
Dawn Midnight office lesbian.	—	—	office lesbian.