Benefit of a Doubt
by Edward Clinton

Name: Benefit of a Doubt
Brand: Edward Clinton
SKU: 9780573619076

Benefit of a Doubt Book Cover — Benefit of a Doubt Cover

Highlights

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120 mins Present Day Ensemble Cast Interior Set Contemporary Costumes/Street Clothes Comedy

Synopsis

This thought provoking dramatic comedy by Edward Clinton raises questions about the ills of modern society, ranging from the breakdown of the family unit to the treatment of retarded children and our sometimes harsh attitudes, as a society towards the older members of our own families.

Mr. Clinton cleverly uses comedy to demonstrate how easily we are led to dream, even when that dream is out of our reach.

The play quietly shows how easily we might trade in our own values for a franchised set of values.

It is a contemporary tragedy, bending with twists of comedy arising out of natural situations.

Mr. Clinton has drawn his characters with care, etching their personalities with compassion, insight, and most importantly, a sharp but gentle sense of humor.

Press Reviews

"Sensitive and compelling"
— Cincinnati Post

"[Clinton's] style of probing into his created people would do credit to Edward Albee or Tennessee Williams. He lets you see inside them a line at a time. And many of the revelations come through anger. The use of anger is psychologically sound since so much of it is actually used against ourselves. Thus we get simultaneous truths… The play is impressive. While exploring a tragic human situation, Clinton is humorous without a Neil Simon Brittleness. And his feeling for the way people explain their own problems is right to the point. We are, he suggests, trapped inside ourselves like a prison, and it takes another person to set us free… His characters and words are sensitive and compelling. His play should be seen."
— Dale Stevens, Cincinnati Post

Characters

Character	Gender	Age	Description
Sadie Eileen's Mother, in her seventies, quarrelsome, white hair.	female	—	Eileen's Mother, in her seventies, quarrelsome, white hair.
John Cassidy Husband, a very big guy, quite charming and likable, strong and simple.	male	—	Husband, a very big guy, quite charming and likable, strong and simple.
Kay Forty-two years old, tired from constant over-work, not pretty at all, quite plain as a matter of fact, quite sure of herself.	—	—	Forty-two years old, tired from constant over-work, not pretty at all, quite plain as a matter of fact, quite sure of herself.
Eileen Cassidy Wife, very pretty (esp. in comparison to Kay), very smart.	female	—	Wife, very pretty (esp. in comparison to Kay), very smart.
Dandelion Old black man who sweep up at the record shop. Drinks gin, but is not your average drunk. Is very proud with a slight streak of sadness in him. He loves to laugh and to entertain.	male	—	Old black man who sweep up at the record shop. Drinks gin, but is not your average drunk. Is very proud with a slight streak of sadness in him. He loves to laugh and to entertain.
Laurie Cassidy Daughter, was born prematurely. Her brain denied oxygen for a short period of time, which caused brain damage. Her memory is affected, her concentration.	female	—	Daughter, was born prematurely. Her brain denied oxygen for a short period of time, which caused brain damage. Her memory is affected, her concentration.