Overview
Synopsis
Prudence and Bruce are two Manhattanites looking for love, stability, and sanity. On the advice of his therapist, Bruce places a personal ad in the newspaper; on the advice of her therapist, Prudence answers it. At first, it seems as though the two couldn’t be less suited to each other: Prudence is a perfectionist, cautious and closed off from the world, while Bruce, who lives with his jealous lover, Bob, is emotional and spontaneous. But fate (and their therapists) continue to bring the two together. Much to their surprise, Prudence and Bruce find they might actually like each other. Can they survive neuroses, jealousy, and their crazy therapists? Christopher Durang’s off-the-wall comedy, Beyond Therapy, is a hilarious exploration of finding love in the modern world and accepting the little bit of crazy in all of us.
Show Information
- Book
- Christopher Durang
- Category
- Play
- Age Guidance
- Thirteen Plus (PG-13)
- Number of Acts
- 2
- First Produced
- 1981
- Genres
- Comedy, Farce
- Settings
- Contemporary, Multiple Settings
- Time & Place
- Manhattan, New York City, 1980s
- Cast Size
- small
- Licensor
- Samuel French
- Ideal For
- College/University, Community Theatre, Professional Theatre, Regional Theatre, Star Vehicle Female, Star Vehicle Male, Mostly Male Cast, Includes Adult Characters, Small Cast
Context
Beyond Therapy premiered off-Broadway on January 1, 1981, at the Phoenix Theatre. Directed by Jerry Zaks, the production starred Sigourney Weaver (Prudence), Stephen Collins (Bruce), Jim Borrelli (Stuart), Kate McGregor-Stewart (Charlotte), and Jack Gilpin (Bob). The off-Broadway run ran for 30 performances.
The play made its Broadway debut at the Brooks Atkinson Theatre on May 26, 1982. The production was directed by John Madden, and starred Dianne Wiest (Prudence), John Lithgow (Bruce),
to read the context for Beyond Therapy and to unlock other amazing theatre resources!Plot
ACT ONE
Prudence arrives at the restaurant and tentatively introduces herself to Bruce. They’ve met through an ad Bruce placed in the personals column. He swears he’s never posted one before, and Prudence swears that she’s never answered one. The date seems ill-fated from the start, when Bruce compliments Prudence on her breasts. Uncomfortable, Prudence tries to signal for a waiter, but there isn’t one to be found. Bruce tells her that she reminds him of Bob, his lover. Prudence is
to read the plot for Beyond Therapy and to unlock other amazing theatre resources!Characters
| Name | Part Size | Gender | Vocal Part |
|---|---|---|---|
|
Lead |
Male |
Spoken |
|
|
Lead |
Female |
Non-singer |
|
|
Supporting |
Female |
Spoken |
|
|
Supporting |
Male |
Spoken |
|
|
Supporting |
Male |
Spoken |
|
|
Featured |
Male |
Spoken |
Songs
A song with an asterisk (*) before the title indicates a dance number; a character listed in a song with an asterisk (*) by the character's name indicates that the character exclusively serves as a dancer in this song, which is sung by other characters.
Monologues
Scenes
Key Terms
Sorry! We do not currently have terms for this guide.
Videos
Quizzes
Themes, Symbols & Motifs
Sorry! We do not currently have learning modules for this guide.
Quote Analysis
Sorry! We do not currently have learning modules for this guide.
Guide Written By:
