By Ellen Byron - Graceland and Asleep on the Wind (1998-01-16) [Paperback]

by Ellen Byron

GRACELAND. The place is the front entrance of Graceland, the late Elvis Presley's Memphis mansion, the time, five o'clock in the morning, three days before the estate is to be opened to the public. Two ardent Presley fans, Bev and Rootie, are camped out before the gates, each determined to be the first to enter the sacred precincts. Bev is a bewigged, middle-aged lady with too much make-up and a brassy down-home style; Rootie is young and shy and somewhat intimidated by the raucous Bev. Wary at first, the two soon progress from dispute to shared confidences and a growing compassion that, in the end, moves the essentially warm-hearted Bev to defer the place of honor to her waif-like and touchingly sincere rival. (2 women.) ASLEEP ON THE WIND. The time is ten years before the time of GRACELAND, the place, a small clearing in Bayou Teche, Louisiana, the "special place" that Rootie refers to in the other play. This is where Rootie and her favorite brother, Beau, a handsome, sensitive and restless young man of thirty come to talk in private and to escape her other brothers, two high-spirited hot rodders who seem to delight in pestering their shy, reclusive sister. This time Beau has a double purpose for their to persuade Rootie to try to stick it out at home and in school and to reach beyond him for companionship; and also to tell her that he has enlisted in the army and has requested service in Vietnam. Inevitably the news comes as a deep shock to Rootie, but it is the way of its telling that makes the play so touching and evocative and that in the end allows Rootie to accept the fact that her life, for better or worse, will never again be the same. (1 man, 1 woman.)"

Genres: Plays

Paperback

First published January 1, 1998

About the author

Ellen is the bestselling, Agatha Award-winning author of the Cajun Country Mysteries, the Vintage Cookbook Mysteries, and the Catering Hall Mystery series, which she writes under the name Maria DiRico.

Ellen is also award-winning playwright, and non-award-winning TV writer of comedies like WINGS, JUST SHOOT ME, and FAIRLY ODD PARENTS. She has written over two hundred articles for national magazines but considers her most impressive credit working as a cater-waiter for Martha Stewart.

She is a lifetime member of the Writers Guild of America.

Reviews

[Madeline Bennett · Rating 5 out of 5]

Wonderful show to read and even better to be in! Such a great experience.

[Sunshine · Rating 2 out of 5]

Rating: 2/5
Recommendation: I honestly can't think of any reason to recommend this, sorry!

Graceland was like a 3.3/5. Asleep on the Wind was a 1/5. Then, because of the backstory Asleep provided, it turned Graceland into a 2.5. Sometimes less is more, and it is certainly true in this case.

[Ariana S. · Rating 4 out of 5]

Graceland takes place outside of Elvis Presley's mansion in Memphis, Tennessee. Two women, Bev and Rootie, are fighting to try to get into the mansion first and win the special prize. During the course of their dialogue, Bev and Rootie share their personal stories with each other. After discussing their families and relationships, they both realize that there is more to life than being first or winning a prize. This heartwarming and humorous story addresses the true meaning of friendship.

Asleep On The Wind revolves around thirteen year old Rootie, who routinely escapes from her house to her “special place” in the woods. Beau, Rootie’s favorite brother, breaks the news to her that he has enlisted in the army and is being sent to Vietnam. This touching story spans the relationship of two siblings and their love for each other.

I loved reading these scripts for several reasons. First, Graceland was one of my first oral interpretation pieces, and I performed as Rootie. As a result, I feel very connected to her character and the story. Next year, I am planning to perform as Rootie in Asleep On The Wind. Also, both of these stories are very interesting and enjoyable.

[Ann · Rating 3 out of 5]

Have read 'Graceland' several times and used scenes for class. Never read 'Asleep on the Wind' until recently and found that I like it much more. Great short play/scenes for a young man and woman.

[river · Rating 1 out of 5]

Read Graceland & performed a scene from it for John Amples' freshmen acting class

[Ren · Rating 5 out of 5]

These two short plays have just become some of my all time favorite pieces.