Doris to Darlene
by Jordan Harrison

Name: Doris to Darlene
Brand: Jordan Harrison
SKU: 9780573662393
Rating: 4.12 (8 reviews)

Doris to Darlene Book Cover — Doris to Darlene Cover

Highlights

Female

Male

105 minsPresent DayEnsemble CastUnit Set/Multiple SettingsContemporary Costumes/Street ClothesComedy

What readers are saying

Readers appreciate the exploration of music and emotional connection in the play. Some suggest it serves as a good introduction for new audiences, especially when paired with other works by the playwright. It's noted for its thematic depth and relevance to those who cherish music.

Deep exploration of music's impactCompelling emotional connectionsBest experienced with accompanying works

Synopsis

Doris to Darlene, A Cautionary Valentine : In the candy-colored 1960s, biracial schoolgirl Doris is molded into pop star Darlene by a whiz-kid record producer who culls a top-ten hit out of Richard Wagner's "Liebestod."

Rewind to the candy-colored 1860s, where Wagner is writing the melody that will become Darlene's hit song.

Fast-forward to the not-so-candy-colored present, where a teenager obsesses over Darlene's music - and his music teacher.

Three dissonant decades merge into an unlikely harmony in this time-jumping pop fairy tale about the dreams and disasters behind one transcendent song.

Jordan Harrison is a 2009 Guggenheim Fellowship Recipient

Press Reviews

"Doris to Darlene: A Cautionary Valentine is a quirky and enjoyable love letter to music and its seductive power to make us lose ourselves...Harrison's language is by turns so punchy, poetic and observant."
— New York Daily News

"Mr. Harrison's play has an affectionate, music-loving heart."
— New York Times

"Doris to Darlene has much going for it: Harrison's intelligence, originality and passion."
— Time Out New York

"Harrison's teasing, rapturous chamber opera of a play spins and crackles like a beloved old 78 under a bamboo needle...Doris to Darlene is that rare thing: a rarefied theatrical experiment that has the glow of pure entertainment and the warmth of a folktale."
— Newsday

Characters

Character	Gender	Age	Description
DORIS a girl singer, mixed race, from 16-41	female	16-41	a girl singer, mixed race, from 16-41
VIC WATTS a record producer, white from 22 to 47	—	22-47	a record producer, white from 22 to 47
RICHARD WAGNER a composer, about 50	—	50	a composer, about 50
LUDWIG II King of Bavaria, 18	—	—	King of Bavaria, 18
MR. CAMPANI a dapper teacher, early 40's	male	40	a dapper teacher, early 40's
THE YOUNG MAN 16	—	—	16
DORIS'S GRANDMOTHER played by Mr. Campani	—	—	played by Mr. Campani
RECEPTIONIST played by the actress playing Ludwig	female	—	played by the actress playing Ludwig
MISS LUFTUS played by Wagner	female	—	played by Wagner
PROM DATE played by Ludwig	—	—	played by Ludwig
TALK SHOW HOST played by Wagner	—	—	played by Wagner
BILLY ZIMMER played by Vic Watts	—	—	played by Vic Watts
JOURNALISTS 1 & 2 played by Mr. Campani and the Young Man	male	—	played by Mr. Campani and the Young Man
STABLE BOY played by the Young Man	male	—	played by the Young Man
PFORDTEN played by Doris	—	—	played by Doris
PFISTERMEISTER played by Vic Watts	—	—	played by Vic Watts
MAKEUP GIRL played by Ludwig	—	—	played by Ludwig