Theophilus North
by Matthew Burnett, Thornton Wilder

Theophilus North Book Cover
Theophilus North Cover

Highlights

120 mins 1920s Ensemble Cast Bare Stage/Simple Set Period Costumes American Historical Comedy

Synopsis

It is the spring of 1926.

Thirty year old Theophilus North quits his teaching post in New Jersey and embarks on a quest for fun, adventure and his place in the world.

His used car breaks down in Newport, Rhode Island, and he is stranded in this city of renowned wealth.

Theophilus becomes involved in the lives and troubles of Newport's residents and is changed by the lessons he learns through them.

Effective with minimal sets, properties and costumes, this touching, funny and insightful charmer is exceptionally easy to produce

Press Reviews

"Hope pulses so strongly through Theophilus North... Burnett injects his script with cosmic scope... imaginative, forceful theater... charming and breathtaking all at once...iIn the spirit of Wilder and with a dramatic vigor all its own, the play turns large-hearted living into art."

— Variety

"Undaunted, [it] evokes... tender, unforced humanity... rich in dry humor, and in Wilder's... philosophy that the cosmic permeates the quotidian... gently funny, spryly wise."

— Time Out New York

"Charming... captures Wilder's spirit of genial humor and tempered optimism... ignites sparks of surprisingly deep emotion."

— New York Daily News

"Excavates the Wilder play buried in the novel.... this Theophilus North is unmistakably a cousin of Our Town... There are muscles rippling under the play's rose-scented skin."

— New York Sun

"Five stars... Purely sparkles with intelligence, wit and humanity... This is a play both for the head and the heart."

— Talkin' Broadway

Characters

Character
Man 1
Man 2
Man 3
Woman 1
Woman 2
Woman 3
Theophilus North

Lead, male, 30s, daring, intelligent, but emotionally reserved adventurer who quits his job in search of excitement

Videos

Theophilus North - TAMUCC Theatre

Publication

Publisher Samuel French
Year 2007
Binding Paperback
Pages 114
Place New York
Language English
ISBN-13 9780573630415
ISBN-10 0573630410
LCCN 2006491718
LCC MLCS 2006/43375 (P)

Theophilus North is a American historical play written by Matthew Burnett and published by Samuel French in New York (2007).

Digital editions available on Amazon Kindle .

Community Reviews

No community reviews yet

Rating

3.9

19 ratings · 26 reviews

Review

Buy Play

Performance Rights

Available for Licensing
Amateur & Professional
Fee: Minimum Fee: $130 per performance

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

Apply for Rights

Similar Plays

Plays with similar themes, style, and content.

More from Matthew Burnett

More plays from Matthew Burnett that we think you'll enjoy.