Eh?
Henry Livings
Stairs to the Roof
by Tennessee Williams
Synopsis
Much of the play is set in a shirt factory in St. Louis and chronicles the daily frustrations of white-collar workers who find themselves stuck in dead-end jobs that stifle creativity.
Williams' protagonist, Benjamin Murphy, finds release through frequent trips to the washroom, where he writes poetry, and through a romantic affair with a co-worker.
He finds his ultimate escape hatch when he discovers an unused staircase that leads to the roof -- and a wide world beyond.
William's called it a prayer for the wild of heart who are kept in cages and dedicated it to all the wage earners of the world.
It features a fantastic, sci-fi style ending that predates the likes of 2001: A Space Odyssey and Star Trek by several decades.
The theme is clear and still resounds today: whether man can control technology or technology controls man.
Characters
| Character |
|---|
| MR. GUM ALFRED |
| JOHNNIE the office boy |
| A DESIGNER |
| BENJAMIN D. MURPHY |
| MR. WARREN B. THATCHER |
| THE GIRL |
| JIM |
| THE BARTENDER |
| BER T |
| ALMA (Ben's wife) Ben's wife |
| HELEN |
| A YOUNG SOLDIER |
| EDNA (Jim's wife) Jim's wife |
| THE POLICEMAN |
| A VAGRANT |
| THE NIGHT WATCHMAN also plays THE ZOOKEPER |
| TWO ZOO GUARDS |
| THE CLOWN |
| FIRST MUMMER reader |
| BEAUTY |
| THE BEAST |
| MRS. HOTCHKISS |
| ALMA's MOTHER |
| MESSERS. P, D, Q, T company stockholders |
| MR. E |
Publication
Stairs to the Roof is a play written by Tennessee Williams and published by Samuel French .
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Performance Rights
Available for Licensing
Amateur Only
Fee: Minimum Fee: $130 per performance
Restrictions: Major Markets Only (US) / Standard Restriction (UK)
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