Director's Notebook

Beyond Therapy by Christopher Durang
Act 1: Scene 6

"Gender Confusion"
Bruce is stuck between choosing his male or female lover and is further confused because his male lover - Bob - is more feminine and his female lover - Prudence - is more masculine, leading him to be stuck playing the more ambiguous role and switching genders when interacting with them separately.  Although I would have liked to have cast Prudence as a man, unfortunately there is a shortage of male actors currently, so I am going to cast them all as female so that the gender roles are still confused.

Cast:
Bruce - Sarah Jones
Prudence - Mary Pastro
Bob - Brenna Kennicker

Props:
Couch
Table
Doors
Bob's frilly pillow
Bruce's plain pillow
Two glasses of water
Bottle of wine
People magazine
Watch
Cell phone

Costumes:
Bruce:
Plain button-up shirt, nice tie, black slacks

Prudence:
Blue jeans and a t-shirt, very casual and tom-boyish

Bob:
Rob and pajama pants, much like Nathan Lane's character in The Birdcage

Lighting Ideas:
Normal lighting, subduing occasionally during the more intimate moments.  Getting a bit harsher when Bob enters.

Floor Plan:

Director's Journal:

Thursday practice -

Unfortunately, my Bob was unable to come in, so I am having to run without her. I talked with Prudence and Bruce (Mary and Sarah) about their roles and how they personally felt about their characters. Did a few talks through the script, blocked very lightly. Released them after about an hour of work.

Tuesday practice -

Once again, my Bob has been called away and I am forced to run without her. Luckily my Prudence and Bruce know their lines fairly well. I hate to force Sarah to do this, but because of the lack of a Bob, she is quickly learning the lines tonight and playing both parts. Cut the script down to right before it is all three of them in the room. Wish I had been able to get someone else in the Acting 2 class, but everyone else was too busy. Went over blocking for new cut of script. Was here for two, two and a half hours.

Wednesday class -

I love my Sarah! I can’t believe she pulled it off so well! I’m so impressed with her! Although there were some obvious flubs with things like chairs being left on the stage (gonna double check during final performance before they go live this time), things went pretty well! Not bad at all for a sudden change in things. Once again – I love my Sarah actress!

Friday practice -

Bob has arrived and things are much smoother! Changing the ending once again to include a bit more. Have extended past when Bob calls his mother, so things have a bit more of a definite ending that leads into the rest of the play. All my actors are learning their lines beautifully. Script drop is due tomorrow. Blocking is becoming solid as well. There are some very funny moments with pillows!

Monday practice -

Lines are getting perfect. I am so thrilled with my actors! Blocking is going perfectly as well. I am really excited about how things are going. My actors have internalized a lot of how their characters should behave. They’ve studied a lot in their own time, and are making me a very proud director. Still need some work on the last half of the scene, but that will come with a bit more practice. Going home and putting the finishing touches on the pillows tonight. Another few hours into the project, but it’ll be great this way.

Tuesday practice -

Still having some trouble with a few lines, but the actors are having fun. Brought pizza to thank them for all their hard work. Figured I’d feed the hungry actors while I was forcing them to meet for another straight stint of several hours. The blocking is definitely there, the costumes are looking great, my actors are confident in their roles. We’re going to meet right before performance and run through things, but only to double check a few blocking bits and to get them into the mindset before they go live. I have confidence in my actors, though!

Script:

Act 1, Scene 6

BRUCE

Fiddling with pillows on couch, looking at watch, etc. Doorbell. Lets PRUDENCE in. BRUCE kisses PRUDENCE’S cheek.

Hi. Come on in.

PRUDENCE

Hello. I brought some wine.

BRUCE

Oh thanks.

PRUDENCE

Looking around. You have a nice apartment.

BRUCE

Thanks.

PRUDENCE

It looks just like my apartment.

BRUCE

Yeah, I guess it does.

PRUDENCE

And like my therapist’s office. And like the lobby of my bank. Everything looks alike.

BRUCE

Yes, I guess it does.

PRUDENCE

I’m sorry, I’m just rattling on.

BRUCE

That’s alright. Sit down.

They sit.

Can I get you a drink?

PRUDENCE

Ummm, I don’t know.

BRUCE

Do you want one?

PRUDENCE

I don’t know. Do you want one?

BRUCE

Well I thought I might have some Perrier.

PRUDENCE

Oh that sounds good.

BRUCE

Two Perriers?

PRUDENCE

Well, do you have Poland water?

BRUCE

I think I do. Wait here. I’ll be right back.

BRUCE exits. After a moment, BOB enters. BOB sees PRUDENCE, is rattled, ill at ease.

BOB

Oh. You’re here already. Slams door behind himself. I . . . didn’t hear the bell ring.

PRUDENCE

Oh. Hello. Are you Bob?

BOB

Yes. At a loss, making an odd joke. And you must be Marie of Roumania.

PRUDENCE

Gets up.  I’m Prudence.

BOB

Yes, I know. Is Bruce in the kitchen?

PRUDENCE

Yes.

BOB

Oh. Starts to go there. Stops. Oh, well, never mind. When he comes out would you tell him I want to see him in the other room?

PRUDENCE

Alright.

BOB

Excuse me.

Exits back to bedroom. Enter BRUCE with two glasses of water.

BRUCE

Well here we are. One Perrier, and one Poland water.

They sit again

PRUDENCE

I thought you said Bob was away.

BRUCE

Oh, you met Bob already? Yes, he was going away, but then he changed his mind and I’d already bought the lamb chops.

PRUDENCE

You mean he’s going to be here all through dinner?

BRUCE

Oh I don’t think so. He said he was going to his mother’s for dinner. He has a very funny mother. She’s sort of like Auntie Mame.

PRUDENCE

Oh, yes?

BRUCE

Now don’t let Bob upset you.

PRUDENCE

Well he seemed very uncomfortable. He asked me if I was Marie of Roumania.

BRUCE

Oh he always says that. Don’t take it personally. Raises drink. Well, cheers.

PRUDENCE

Remembering. Oh. He said he wanted to see you in the other room.

BRUCE chokes on water.

BRUCE

Oh. Well, alright. I’ll just be a minute. Looks around, gets up and gets magazine off table. Here, why don’t you read a magazine?

PRUDENCE

People, how nice.

BRUCE

Be right back.

Exits. PRUDENCE reads magazine for a few seconds, then looks around. Looks disgusted at pillows and hides BOB’S pillow with BRUCE’S. Conversation in other room is initially just a buzz of voices, but it grows into anger and shouting. PRUDENCE looks a little uncomfortable but intrigued. Gets up and heads slightly to the door in order to hear it better.  When crash occurs, quickly retreats to the couch.

BRUCE

This isn’t the time to talk about this, Bob.

BOB

Well, when is the time?

BRUCE

We can talk about this later.

BOB

That’s obviously very convenient for you.

BRUCE

Bob, this isn’t the time to talk about this.

BOB

Well, when is the time?

BRUCE

Come on, Bob, calm down. Softer. Now I told you this doesn’t have anything to do with us.

BOB

Very angry. Oh God!

BRUCE

I’m sick of this behavior, Bob!

BOB

Well I’m sick of it too!

There’s a crash of something breaking. Pause. Then reenter BRUCE.

BRUCE

Everything’s fine now. Pause. We broke a vase. Well Bob broke it.

PRUDENCE

Maybe I should to. Stands up.

BRUCE

No, everything’s fine now. Once Bob vents his anger then everything’s fine again.

PRUDENCE

I thought you told me that Bob didn’t mind about your seeing me, and that the two of you had broken up anyway. Slow movement towards door.

BRUCE

Well, I lied. Sorry. Some members of Bob’s group therapy wrote me a note

Digs out note and unfolds it

saying they thought if I wanted to see women, I should just go on and see women, and so I just sort of presumed they’d convince Bob eventually, but I guess they haven’t yet.

PRUDENCE

They wrote you a letter? Pause, a bit intrigued.

BRUCE

It’s a very intense group Bob is in. They’re always visiting each other in the hospital and things.

Slowly refolds it and puts it away

PRUDENCE

But what shall we do about this evening?

BRUCE

I think you and Bob will really like one another once you get past this initial discomfort. And besides, I’m sure he’ll be going to his mother’s in a little while.

Movement back towards the couch through this, then lightly pulling PRUDENCE down.

PRUDENCE

Maybe we should go to a restaurant. Up off couch.

BRUCE

Light push back down on couch. No, really, I bought the lamb chops. It’ll be fine. Sits, then shoots back up Oh my God, the rice. I have to go see about the rice. It’s wild rice; well, Rice-A-Roni. I have to go see about browning it. I won’t be a minute.  Runs to kitchen

PRUDENCE

No, no, don’t leave . . . Up to follow.

BRUCE

It’s alright. As he leaves. Bob will come talk to you . . .

Exits.

PRUDENCE

As she sees he’s gone. I know . . . Oh dear. Back down on couch.

Enter BOB.

BOB

Hello again.

PRUDENCE

Gets up

Oh hi.

BOB

I didn’t mean to make you uncomfortable about Marie of Roumania. It’s just something I say.

PRUDENCE

Oh that’s alright.

BOB

Offering it as information. I just broke a vase.

PRUDENCE

Being pleasant. Oh yes, I thought I heard something.

BOB

Bruce says that I will like you if I can just get past my initial hostility.

Sits on edge of couch, drags pillow out from behind Bruce's.

PRUDENCE

Oh. Well I hope so.

BOB

Bruce is really a very conflicted person. I really suffer a lot dealing with him.

PRUDENCE

Oh I’m sorry.

BOB

And now this latest thing of having women traipse through here at all hours.

PRUDENCE

Ah.

BOB

Did you ever see the movie Sunday Bloody Sunday?

Leans across to PRUDENCE.

PRUDENCE

No I didn’t. I meant to.

BOB

Well I sure wish Bruce had never seen it. It had a big effect on him. It’s all about this guy played by Murray Head who’s having an affair with Peter Finch and with Glenda Jackson.

PRUDENCE

Oh. Good actors.

BOB

Yes, well the point is that it’s a very silly movie because I don’t think bisexuality exists, do you?

PRUDENCE

Well it’s hard to know really.

BOB

I mean, I think that Bruce is just trying to prove something with all these ads in the paper for women. That’s what my mother says about Bruce. She tells me I should just be patient and understanding and that it’s just a phase Bruce is going through. I’ve put a lot of work into this relationship. And it’s so difficult meeting new people, it’s just thoroughly intimidating.

PRUDENCE

Moves towards BOB a step

It is hard to meet people.

BOB

I think everyone is basically gay, don’t you?

PRUDENCE

Retreats back two steps.

Well, no, not really.

BOB

You just say that because you haven’t come out yet. I know lots of lesbians who’d like you a lot. I’d be happy to give them your number.

PRUDENCE

Thank you, but no. Stand up, move towards door.

Enter BRUCE

BRUCE

Well I burned the rice. Sorry. We’ll just have more salad.  Moves towards PRUDENCE, stops at center.

PRUDENCE

Oh that’s alright.  Moves back towards BRUCE a bit.

BRUCE

So have you two been getting to know one another?

PRUDENCE

Yes.  Step forward to look at Bob.

BOB

Truly being conversational, not trying to be rude; to BRUCE: Don’t you think Prudence would be a big hit in a lesbian bar? Pull BRUCE center right.

BRUCE

Yes, I guess she would.

BOB
I know Liz Skinner would certainly like her.

BRUCE

Yes, she is Liz’s type.

PRUDENCE

Bruce, could I speak to you for a moment, please? To BOB. I’m sorry, excuse me. Motion BOB out to the bedroom door. BOB leaves, reluctantly. Bruce, I’m getting very uncomfortable. Now, you told me that Bob wasn’t going to be here and that he wasn’t jealous about your seeing women, and I don’t want to be told which lesbians would like me. BOB peek out of the bedroom door. PRUDENCE move forward to glare at him. BOB quickly ducks back in. So I think maybe I should forget the whole thing and go home. Move towards the door.

BRUCE

No, please, don’t go. Bob needs help to get over his feelings about this, and I’m sure he’ll go to his mother’s in a little while. So please just be nice to him for a little longer. For our sake.

PRUDENCE

I don’t know.

BOB slowly comes out of the bedroom.

BRUCE

Really, it’ll be fine.

PRUDENCE

Deciding to try. Alright. Alright. Move back towards the couch. To BOB. Sorry.

BOB

Don’t be sorry. I realize I make you uncomfortable.

PRUDENCE

No, no, really it’s not that.

BRUCE

Prudence likes you, Bob. She isn’t like the other women you know.

PRUDENCE

Yes, I do . . . I like lots of men. Laughs nervously.

BOB

We have that in common.

Moves to couch arm, grabs pillow

PRUDENCE

Yes . . . Laughs, very uncomfortable.

BRUCE

Making big transition into “conversation”. So, Prudence, did you finish writing your interview with Joyce De Witt?

PRUDENCE

Oh, she’s the brunette actress on the TV show “Three’s a Crowd.” Pause, looks mortified.  BRUCE sits center of couch, holding pillow I mean, “Three’s Company.” Long pause. They all feel awful.

BRUCE

So, did you finish the article?

PRUDENCE

Yes, I did. Right on time. Pause, to BOB. Bruce tells me your mother is like Auntie Mame.

BOB glares at BRUCE.  Throws pillow at him

Oh, I’m sorry. Was that a bad thing to say?

BOB

It depends on what you mean by Auntie Mame.

PRUDENCE

I don’t know. Bruce said it.

BOB

My mother has a certain flair, if that’s what he means.

BRUCE

Your mother acts like a transvestite. I’m sorry, she does.  Up off couch

BOB

Just because my mother has a sense of humor is no reason to accuse her of not being feminine. To PRUDENCE, pulls her beside him. Don’t you agree that women theoretically can have senses of humor?

PRUDENCE

Yes, indeed.

BRUCE

Sense of humor isn’t the issue.

PRUDENCE

Trying to help conversation. I’ve always hated transvestites.  BOB turns to BRUCE for comfort. It’s such a repugnant image of women.

BOB looks disapproving. I’m sorry, I don’t mean to imply anything about your mother. I . . . I liked Jack Lemmon as a woman in Some Like It Hot.

BOB

My mother does not resemble Jack Lemmon in Some Like It Hot.

PRUDENCE

I’m sure she doesn’t. I didn’t mean to imply . . . I don’t know what I meant to imply . . .

BRUCE

Change the subject, Prudence. This is getting us nowhere.

PRUDENCE

Oh, alright. Thinks. What does Bob do for a living?

BOB

I’m still in the room.

PRUDENCE

Oh, I’m sorry. I know you are. Mortified pause. What do you do for a living, Bob?

BOB

I’m a pharmacist.

PRUDENCE

Oh really?

BOB

Do you need any pills?

PRUDENCE

No, thank you. Pause. Maybe later.

BRUCE

To PRUDENCE. Can I freshen your Poland water?

Crosses to PRUDENCE

PRUDENCE

No thank you. I’m fine. Pause. So, you’re a pharmacist.

BRUCE puts the glass on the table

BOB

Yes.

BRUCE

I wish I hadn’t burned the rice. Whispers to PRUDENCE.  BOB turns away. Say something to him, he’s starting to sulk.

PRUDENCE

Ummmmm . . . What exactly is in Di-Gel, I wonder.

BOB

That’s alright. I realize I’m making everyone uncomfortable. Excuse me. Exits in a huff.

PRUDENCE

Really, Bruce, this isn’t very fair to me. This is a problem the two of you should work out together.  Moves BRUCE towards door, pause by couch

BRUCE

Well you’re right, actually. You’re always right. That’s why I like you so much. Pulls her down on the couch.

PRUDENCE

Maybe I should go.

BRUCE

Oh you’re too sensitive. Besides, he’ll be leaving soon.

BOB

Reenters. My mother’s on the phone.

BRUCE

I didn’t hear it ring.  Up off couch.

BOB

I called her. To PRUDENCE. She wants to speak to you.  Hands PRUDENCE phone, walks to table.  BRUCE follows.  PRUDENCE moves down left past door, wandering a bit while on the phone.

PRUDENCE

I don’t understand. I . . .

BOB

Hands her the phone. Here.

PRUDENCE

It’s happening too fast to stop. Hello. Who is this? Oh, hello. Yes. Laughs uncomfortably. Yes, thank you. What? No, I don’t want to ruin your son’s life. What? No, really, I’m not trying to . . .  BRUCE moves to rescue PRUDENCE.

BRUCE

Takes phone away from PRUDENCE, talks into it. Now, look, Sadie, I’ve told you not to meddle in my life. It doesn’t do anybody any good when you do, including Bob. Don’t sing when I’m talking to you, that’s not communication to sing when someone is talking to you. Sadie . . . Sadie! Hands phone to BOB. She’s singing “Rose’s Turn” from Gypsy, it’s utterly terrifying.

BOB

Hello, Mother.

BRUCE

To PRUDENCE, moves back to her. She’s an insane woman.

BOB

Mother, it’s me, you can stop singing now. Okay, well, just finish the phrase. Listens.

PRUDENCE

Where’s Bob’s father?

BRUCE

She killed him.

BOB

That’s not funny, Bruce. Okay, Mother, wrap the song up now. Yes, I’m alright. Yes, I’ll tell them. To the two of them. My mother thinks your both very immature. Back to the phone. Yes, I think she’s a lesbian too.

PRUDENCE

I’m going to go home now.  Move to door.

BRUCE

No, no, I’ll fix this. Takes phone away from BOB. Finish this conversation in the other room, Bob. Then please get out of here, as we agreed you would do earlier, so Prudence and I have our dinner. I mean, we agreed upon this, Bob.

BOB

You mean you agreed upon it.

BRUCE

I’ve finished with this conversation, Bob. Go in the other room and talk to your mother. Listens to the phone.  PRUDENCE confused as to stay or leave.   What’s she singing now, I don’t recognize it?

BOB

That’s “Welcome to Kanagawa” from Pacific Overtures.

BRUCE

Keep singing, Sadie. Bob is changing phones. It was good hearing from you.

BOB

I just don’t understand your behavior. I just don’t.

Exits.

PRUDENCE

BRUCE moves towards PRUDENCE by door.  Bruce, I can’t tell you how uncomfortable I am. Really, I must go home, and the two of you should go to a marriage counselor or something.

BRUCE

I am sorry. I should have protected you from this. Listens to phone, hangs it up.

PRUDENCE

I mean we’re only seeing one another casually, and you and Bob have lived together, and his mother calls up and she sings . . .  Moves PRUDENCE back towards couch

BRUCE

I’m not feeling all that casual anymore. Are you?

PRUDENCE

Well I don’t know. I mean, probably yes, it’s still casual.

BRUCE

It needn’t be.

PRUDENCE

Bruce, I just don’t think your life is in order.

BRUCE

Of course it’s not. How can life be in order? Life by its very nature is disordered, terrifying, That’s why people come together, to face the terrors hand in hand.  Takes her hand

PRUDENCE

You’re giving me my rash again.

BRUCE

You’re so afraid of feeling.

PRUDENCE

Oh, just put the lamb chops on.  Sits, giving up

BRUCE

Throws BOB'S pillow.

I feel very close to you.

Lights down