Better Half Dead
by Joan Torres

Better Half Dead Book Cover
Better Half Dead Cover

Highlights

Present DayReduced Casting (Doubling Possible)Interior SetContemporary Costumes/Street ClothesAmericanComedy

Synopsis

Rena is sick of her sinking beach house and her husband Dermot, a disinherited son of "The Landfill King."

She's packing, taking a gun and returning to her first husband, the artist Stanley Riverstein.

Stanley wants his painting returned with his ex wife.

Dermont protests, there is a struggle, the gun goes off and Rena falls to the floor dead.

Stanley will remove the body, for a price.

Dermot agrees.

Rena's sister Jodi, who was dumped by Dermot but still loves him, is told that Rena has gone back to Stanley.

Dermont fails to mention the gun, the body or blackmail.

But wait!

Things are not what they seem.

Who's shot and who's not?

And why?

Is another murder imminent?

The mayhem includes a storm, a disguise, a strangulation and a murderous fur coat.

Press Reviews

"Wicked dialogue. Very clever."

— The Chicago Tribune

"Wonderfully wacky."

— DramaLogue

"A real twister! Hilarious!"

— The Star Telegram

"The play is a howl."

— WMAQ Radio

Characters

Character
Stanley Riverstein

macho artist, once married to Rena.

Dermot Braddock

charming sportsman, married to Rena.

Gerald Levine

gay attorney, friend of Stanley's.

Jodi Boyd

unstable optimist, Rena's younger sister.

Dr. Stahl

Jodi's psychiatrist, over 70, Viennese lady.

Rena Braddock

acidic sophisticate, married to Dermot.

Publication

PublisherSamuel French
Year1998
BindingPaperback
Pages94
PlaceLondon
LanguageEnglish
ISBN-139780573626548
ISBN-100573626545
LCCN99200357
LCCPS3570.O398 B48 1989
DCC812/.54

Better Half Dead is a American comedy play written by Joan Torres and published by Samuel French in London (1998).

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Paperback

Samuel French · 1998 · 94 pp

Performance Rights

Available for Licensing
Amateur & Professional
Fee:Minimum Fee: $110 per performance

Restrictions: Major Markets Only (US) / Standard Restriction (UK)

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