The Zero Hour

by Madeleine George

Characters: 1 male, 2 female
Unit Set
Rebecca and her chronically unemployed butch girlfriend, O, have created a happy nest in their run-down walk-up in Queens, but things are starting to unravel. The more O pushes Rebecca to stop hiding their relationship, the more Rebecca's work life – writing a textbook for seventh graders about the Holocaust – begins to bleed into her personal life: She starts meeting World War II Nazis on the 7 train, passing as hipster professionals in New York City but hungry to come out about who they really are. Back home in Queens, O is also sparring with convincingly real visions: her long estranged – and recently dead? – mother keeps showing up to argue with her about her choices. This almost-love story explores the relationship between honesty and cruelty: How do you tell the truth about yourself when that truth might devastate the people you love? A tour-de-force for two actors playing eight different roles.

"A lucid drama. Appealingly brainy and messy, George's play never settles for an easy metaphor or emotion. It cross-examines our pat notions of history and love." – The New Yorker

"Grabs our interest from its first provocative line. The Zero Hour is a work to savor." – Back Stage

"Bold, thoughtful, and incredibly beautiful." – CurtainUp

"A striking new play. Refreshingly original." – TheatreMania

Genres: Plays

79 pages, Paperback

First published February 24, 2011

Reviews

[mckenna]

“You’re gonna regret this part later when you get back in touch with your dignity.”

[Bandit · Rating 2 out of 5]

Well written, but not really plot driven or affecting play about two profoundly unhappy and flawed women and their messed up relationship with each other and their mothers. Nazis are liberally thrown in for various metaphors and interpretations.

[Aaron Thomas · Rating 4 out of 5]

This is quirky and interesting. It's an odd exploration of Nazi Germany and modern lesbianism (?) I was into it, to be honest, but it is also quite a strange little piece.

[P.G. Kain · Rating 5 out of 5]

This is the most amazing and thoughtful play I have ever scene. It is equal parts chilling and hysterically funny. I saw the play years ago and I find myself still thinking about it from time to time. It had such a strong impact on me. The writing is, of course, hypnotic and alarming like all of Madeleine's work. The playwright understands that plays need to be theatrical. This isn't just spoken dialogue; it's a theatrical event. I can't wait until the next time I can see this play produced. The playwright is a colleague of mine but I can honestly say I love this piece. It's "Cloud 9" meets the Holocaust in the middle of an elementary school textbook.