Second Overture

by Maxwell Anderson

Short Drama / In a cellar in a Russian city a group of refugees await the coming of the official who is to decide their fate. Among them are a princess and her two young daughters; a distinguished lawyer; a lad of twenty; a former officer in the army; a bishop; and an exile escaped from the Siberian mines. They have committed no crime, but know they are marked for execution by the revolutionaries. Gregor, the former exile, learning the name of the Commissar, assures the others they need not fear. He knew fought beside him in a former revolution, and his word will surely be sufficient to free them all. When the Commissar comes, however, he is deaf to Gregor's pleas. The group is to die—all but Gregor, who may come with the Commissar. But Gregor refuses, and then, through daring ruse, he frees his fellow refugees, but he remains to face the firing squad. ( 10 men, 3 13 total)

Paperback

Published January 1, 2000

About the author

Maxwell Anderson was an American playwright, poet, and journalist. He won a Pulitzer Prize in Drama in 1933, for Both Your Houses, and the New York Drama Critics Circle Award for both Winterset and High Tor.

Several of his plays were adapted into successful movies, including Anne of the Thousand Days and Key Largo.

Reviews

[Rachel · Rating 5 out of 5]

Wonderfully written and Impactful commentary - I think more play people should take a look at Maxwell Anderson’s work