Fishing: A drama in two acts

by Michael Weller

Bill and Shelley, youngish married couple, are living in a Pacific Northwest log cabin. They've already failed at farming so now, they're trying deep sea fishing along with a friend, Robbie. They don't have the money, but they're negotiating with Reilly, a dying fisherman, about buying his boat. The threesome are joined by another couple, Mary Ellen and Dane. Events, comic, poignant and futile take place. Robbie produces money for the boat and then attempts suicide. Then Reilly is killed in an auto accident and the boat deal is also dead. In the climax, Robbie breaks down admitting to living off his rich father and off his friends' dreams. Full of surprises, gripping moments and with highly articulate characters. The play portrays the "Moonchildren", nearing thirty, and their tentative attempts to come to terms with life and reality.

Genres: Plays

56 pages, Paperback

First published January 1, 1975

About the author

Michael Weller studied music composition at Brandeis University, then worked as a jazz pianist before taking his graduate degree in theater at the University of Manchester, England. His best-known plays are Moonchildren, Fishing, Loose Ends and Spoils Of War. His films include Hair and Ragtime and a teleplay of Spoils of War. He co-founded (with Angelina Fiordelissi and Suzanne Brinkley) and serves now as supervising mentor of the Mentor Project of the Cherry Lane Theatre, currently in its tenth season.

Mr. Weller's work has received an Academy Award nomination, an N.A.A.C.P. Outstanding Contribution Award, Critics Outer Circle Award, a Rockefeller Foundation Grant and a Kennedy Center Fund for New American Plays Award, and has been honored by The Broken Watch Theatre Company which gave their playhouse his name. He is on the counsel of the Writer's Guild Fund and the Dramatists Guild of America. He lives in Brooklyn.

Reviews

[Zach · Rating 4 out of 5]

It's a small play, but it works. It feels very of the 70s, with a group of friends figuring out what they want. Robbie's monologue about choosing life was solid, but I enjoyed the interactions.