The Woodsman
by Steven Fechter

Name: The Woodsman
Brand: Steven Fechter
SKU: 9780573697074
Rating: 3.5 (18 reviews)

The Woodsman Book Cover — The Woodsman Cover

Highlights

Female

Male

90 mins Present Day Reduced Casting (Doubling Possible) Bare Stage/Simple Set Contemporary Costumes/Street Clothes

Synopsis

Walter is a quiet man who must lead a quiet life.

As a convicted sex offender fresh out of state prison, he sees no choice.

He works in a warehouse.

He lives alone.

He sees a therapist named Rosen.

His only visitor is his brother-in-law Carlos.

He also gets visits from a demon in the form of a beautiful Girl.

Often brooding by his window, Walter watches children as they head for school.

One day Nikki, a tough-talking woman from work, drops by.

She doesn't waste time making the first move.

Next morning Walter confesses his dark past.

But Nikki doesn't run away.

Things are looking up – until Walter follows a twelve-year-old girl named Robin into a city park.

Nothing happens, but Walter is scared.

Then police Sgt. Lucas pays Walter a visit applying some rough intimidation.

Walter disappears.

A panicky Nikki asks Rosen to help her find him.

Walter is back at the park, waiting.

When Robin arrives Walter is gently seductive.

But the seduction is aborted when Robin reveals a shocking secret.

Forced to confront his past, Walter finds the compassion to help and not hurt.

In doing so, he grabs a chance for redemption.

Press Reviews

"An interesting, valuable and insightful play"
— The Stage, London

"I loved this clear-sighted, balanced, non-judgmental, no-frills, linear story... It's seriously thought-provoking, and all the more gripping for its restraint."
— British Theatre Guide

"A clear-eyed yet disturbing quality permeates The Woodsman, and attendees who abandon their preconceptions may find it hard to shake off." - Backstage West"The Woodsman is an unsettling play, but one that deals with important and thought-provoking issues of rehabilitation and forgiveness." - Cherry and Spoon"The Woodsman is about a monster. Steven Fechter's play centers on a man, Walter, who has returned after spending 12 years in prison after molesting a string of 10- to 12-year-old girls... All of this heaviness could be unbearable, but Fechter's script offers such a fascinating character that we can't turn away."
— Minneapolis City Pages

Characters

Character	Gender	Age	Description
Girl 12	—	—	12
Rosen early 30s	—	30s	early 30s
Carlos late 30s	—	30s	late 30s
Nikki early 30s	—	30s	early 30s
Lucas 40s	—	40s	40s
Robin 11	—	—	11
Walter early 40s	—	40s	early 40s