Three Viewings

by Jeffrey Hatcher

A funeral parlor in a small Midwestern town is the setting for these three darkly funny and touching short plays. In Tell Tale, we enter the private thoughts of a respectable married mortician, lost in passion for a beautiful real estate broker who markets to the bereaved. In Thief of Tears, we meet Mac, the attractive daughter of an upper-class WASP family who frequents the Viper Room and steals jewelry from corpses. And in Thirteen Things about Ed Carpolotti, a newly widowed suburban matron finds her world crashing about her only to be rescued by love from beyond the grave. A L.A. Theatre Works full-cast performance Bruce Davison, Laura San Giacomo, Rue McClanahan

Genres: Plays, Theatre

63 pages, Paperback

First published October 1, 1996

Reviews

[Joe · Rating 5 out of 5]

I just learned about this trio of monologues that revolve around death in a small midwestern town. The concept intrigued me, so I thought I’d give the audiobook version a try, especially as it was on sale for less than $2. It was the best money that I’ve spent in a long time and it still would have been worth it if I had spent ten times the amount. The material written by Jeffrey Hatcher is often hilarious while being balanced by some poignant, heartbreaking moments. The performances of each of the actors were fantastic. I can’t recommend this enough and I’m sure I’ll be listening to the play many more times!

[Yulia Bronstein · Rating 4 out of 5]

I just watched this performed in a theater. A great play made out of 3 pieces.

[Barbara · Rating 4 out of 5]

3 stories all very good

[behsforensics]

Cutting is for The Thief of Tears
By Jeffrey Hatcher

Another cutting is for 13 Things about Ed Carpolotti
By Jeffery Hatcher

Yet another cutting is for Tell Tale
By Jeffrey Hatcher

[Nena · Rating 5 out of 5]

(Audiobook) This book should be added to the L.A. Theatre Works group of audiobook plays since they have a rather large collection of performances, yet Goodreads does not have the complete listing.

I can listen to this over and over again and I do. The performances are outstanding. This is a trilogy of vignettes taking place in a funeral home in small town somewhere in the Midwest, beginning with "Tell Tale". Bruce Davison does a fine job portraying the long married funeral director who falls in love with a local single woman and is terrified to express his feelings.

In the second story, "Thief of Hearts", we meet a young woman performed by Laura San Giacomo who makes a living by stealing jewelry from corpses.

The final story entitled "Thirteen Things about Ed Carpolotti" revolves around a newly widowed woman outstandingly played by Rue McClanahan whose entire life is collapsing around after the sudden death of her husband.

Each of these stories involved laughter and tears with an unexpected twist as the cherry on top. Get out your Kleenex, you are in for a bumpy ride.

I won't say anything further except this is one of my all-time favorites and no matter how many times I listen to it, it never goes stale. Highly recommended 5 stars.

[Ed · Rating 4 out of 5]

A play that I've re-read several times as it's one of my favorites. Three monologues that take place in a funeral home. "Tell-Tale" about an undertaker secretly in love with one of the townspeople, "The Thief of Tears" about a 'bi-polar bi-sexual drug addict' jewel thief. And "13 Things About Ed Carpolotti" about a widow coming to terms with her late husband's business dealings. Each is touching in its own way, though the third is by far the stand-out.

[Chalise · Rating 5 out of 5]

So I have heard of this play but never read it. I sat down this afternoon and read it...I was so moved. Each piece hits home without and you want to cry because it is so simple. I know that sounds kind of lame but there is not a better way to explain it, so just go with me on this one :)