Oregon and Other Short Plays - Acting Edition

by Peter Hedges

In OREGON, Mike, a born-again Christian, wants to "see the world, get to know people," so he hitchhikes to Bible college in Oregon. He’s picked up by two punk rockers and in nine short scenes the three find a common language, which leads Mike to do the unthinkable. (2 men, 1 woman). Brother and sister, ANDY AND CLAIRE, are very close. Claire brings home her new boyfriend, the formidable Eddie, and over six scenes it’s a fight between Andy and Eddie for who will get Claire. (2 men, 1 woman). FOOD RELATED is a series of short sketches that all deal with, well, food. There is that alluring stalk of celery (1 man, 1 woman, 1 stalk); we find an intoxicating orange (2 men, 1 woman, 1 orange); we delight in the surprising birthday cake (1 man, 1 woman, 1 cake); we are mystified by a half-dozen eggs (2 man, 6 eggs); and a serious plate of noodles prompts an urgent plea (1 man, 1 woman, 1 plate of noodles). (FOOD RELATED can be performed by a total of 2 men and 1 woman or each sketch can be cast accordingly.) In a loving send-up of support groups, THE AGE OF PIE climaxes with an unusual and exhilarating celebration of luscious cream pies. (4 men, 4 women).

72 pages, Paperback

First published September 1, 1999

About the author

Peter Hedges is an American novelist, screenwriter, and film director. His novel What's Eating Gilbert Grape was adapted into a critically acclaimed movie of the same title, which launched his film career.

In 2002 he received an Academy Award nomination for Best Adapted Screenplay for About a Boy. In the same year, he wrote and directed Pieces of April, starring Katie Holmes, which he dedicated to his mother.

Reviews

[James Binz · Rating 4 out of 5]

nifty short pieces