Edgar & Ellen: Bad Seeds!
Philip Dawkins
Bad Seed
by William March, Maxwell Anderson
Broadway
Highlights
Awards & Recognition
Pulitzer Prize
Shortlist: 1955 Pulitzer Prize for Drama
What readers are saying
Readers appreciate the gripping and haunting nature of the play 'Bad Seed', which delves into the unsettling character of Rhoda Penmark, a child psychopath. Many commend the portrayal of her manipulative behavior and the exploration of her mother's struggles with the truth about her daughter. The adaptation is noted as a compelling stage production that captures the dark themes of the original work. However, some find it lacks a certain depth in certain dramatic moments compared to the source material.
Gripping and suspenseful story Compelling character development Haunting themes of evil Dark yet engaging melodrama Pacing issues in some scenes Lacks depth in dramatic moments Stage directions are overwhelming
Synopsis
Colonel and Christine Penmark live in a small Southern town with their daughter, Rhoda.
On the surface, little Rhoda Penmark is sweet, charming, full of old-fashioned graces, loved by her parents and admired by all her elders.
But Rhoda’s mother has an uneasy feeling about her.
When one of Rhoda’s schoolmates is mysteriously drowned at a picnic, Mrs. Penmark is alarmed, since the boy who was drowned was the one who had won the penmanship medal that Rhoda felt she deserved.
Bad Seed grew from the novel by William March to the Broadway stage, and later the Academy Award-nominated film The Bad Seed.
Press Reviews
"Chilling... It is solely and honestly meant to entertain… As purely purposeful diversion, it ranks with Dracula and sometimes sets your spine to as much tingling."
— New York Telegram
Characters
| Character |
|---|
| Col. Kenneth Penmark |
| Christine Penmark |
| Monica Breedlove |
| Emery Wages |
| Leroy |
| Miss Fern |
| Reginald Tasker |
| Mrs. Daigle |
| Mr. Daigle |
| Messenger |
| Richard Bravo |
| Rhoda Penmark |
Publication
Publisher Dramatists Play Service
Year 2026
Binding Paperback
Edition # 847
Pages 84
Language English
ISBN-13 9780822200888
ISBN-10 0822200880
LCCN 57002260
LCC PS3505.A53157 36 1957
Bad Seed is a American mystery play written by William March and published by Dramatists Play Service (2026).
Digital editions available on Amazon Kindle .
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Performance Rights
Available for Licensing
Amateur & Professional
Fee: Minimum Fee: $130 per performance
Restrictions: Major Markets Plus (US) / Standard Plus Add'l Postcodes (UK)
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