Play Yourself

Synopsis:

Jean, an ex-movie star who left Hollywood some time ago, lives with Yvonne, her daughter. Their main activities together involve reenacting moments from Jean’s old movies, in which she always seemed to play the “other woman.” After placing an ad seeking more information about Jean, Selma is invited into their lives. Selma is obsessed with Jean — not with the real one, but with the one on screen — to the point that she hopes to learn how to become Jean. When not submerged in Jean’s past, Selma works with Brother Harmon, also a fan of Jean, running a shelter for “the hopeless.” While Jean seeks hope and faith, and Selma seeks Jean, and Harmon seeks love, Yvonne simply wants to be left alone. By the end of the play, Selma takes over Yvonne’s responsibilities as caregiver for Jean; and Harmon, with his sincerity, sweeps Yvonne off her feet.

Production History:

PLAY YOURSELF was first produced in New York by the New York Theater Workshop (James C. Nicola, Artistic Director, Lynn Moffat, Managing Director; Linda S. Chapman, Associate Artistic Director). It opened at the Century Center for the Performing Arts in New York City on July 10, 2002. It was directed by Craig Lucas with sets by John McDermott, lighting by Ben Stanton, costumes by Catherine Zuber, original music and sound design by David Van Tieghem. The production stage manager was Antonia Gianino. The cast was:

Selma: Ann Guilbert
Harmon: Juan Carlos Hernandez
Maryvonne: Elizabeth Marvel
Jean: Marian Seldes

Published:

Dramatists Play Service, 2004.

Reviews:

Ben Brantley, “The Sleepless Nights of a B-Movie Temptress,” New York Times, July 11, 2002.
Don Shewey, “3 Women, Take 2,” Greekworks.com, July 2002.

Production Photo:

Ann Guilbert, Elizabeth Marvel, and Marian Seldes

Ann Guilbert and Marian Seldes

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