Dr. Ride's American Beach House
by Liza Birkenmeier

Name: Dr. Ride's American Beach House
Brand: Liza Birkenmeier
SKU: 9780573708985
Rating: 3.97 (4 reviews)

Dr. Ride's American Beach House Book Cover — Dr. Ride's American Beach House Cover

Highlights

Female

90 mins 1980s Exterior Set Contemporary Costumes/Street Clothes Comedy

Synopsis

It’s 1983, the evening before Dr. Sally Ride’s historic space flight.

Hundreds of miles from the launch, a group of women with passionate opinions and no opportunities sit on a sweltering St. Louis rooftop watching life pass them by.

Their uncharted desires bump up against American norms of sex and power in this intimate snapshot of queer anti-heroines.

Press Reviews

"A revelation… I couldn’t stop grinning, partly because Liza Birkenmeier’s play is so witty and partly because it’s so weird. Both are welcome these days… Birkenmeier is exploring the power women achieve when they make themselves the subject of their stories instead of the object."
— Jesse Green, The New York Times

"A specific and evocative depiction of identity and power at a crossroads – of who can reach for the sky, and who gets left behind."
— Adam Feldman, Time Out NY

"Subtly Poignant. Discerning and Disarming."
— New York Stage Review

"Birkenmeier’s play probes what it means to live authentically."
— Curtain Up

Characters

Character	Gender	Age	Description
Harriet grumpier than usual, tired of herself	—	—	grumpier than usual, tired of herself
Matilda focal point of most parties	—	—	focal point of most parties
Meg loves metal music because it’s a burden to be this smart	—	—	loves metal music because it’s a burden to be this smart
Norma a martyr for building maintenance	—	—	a martyr for building maintenance
Radio Voices male	male	—	male