Ripcord

by David Lindsay-Abaire

"A lyrical and understanding chronicler of people who somehow become displaced within their own lives…Mr. Lindsay-Abaire has shown a special affinity for female characters suddenly forced to re-evaluate the roles by which they define themselves."— New York Times Set in the Bristol Place Assisted Living Facility, this glorious and biting new comedy from David Lindsay-Abaire centers around Abby, who takes pride in her residence in one of the most coveted rooms in the rest home. Things turn sour quickly when she must take in Marilyn, a new roommate to share her precious space. In a satirical conflict of territory and control, Lindsay-Abaire spins a benign, typically mundane setting into an absurdist, colorful battleground. This high-stakes comedy examines our expectations of what it means to grow old in twenty-first century America, and what happens when a sense of possession collides with a mania of obsession. David Lindsay-Abaire 's plays include Good People , Fuddy Meers , Kimberly Akimbo , Wonder of the World , High Fidelity , A Devil Inside , and Rabbit Hole , winner of the 2007 Pulitzer Prize for Drama. Lindsay-Abaire wrote the book for Shrek the Musical , and the screen adaptation of Rabbit Hole starring Nicole Kidman. Lindsay-Abaire is a proud New Dramatists alum, a graduate of Sarah Lawrence College and the Juilliard School, as well as a member of the WGA and the Dramatists Guild Council.

Genres: Plays, Drama

144 pages, Kindle Edition

First published August 9, 2016

About the author

David Lindsay-Abaire is an American playwright and lyricist. He received the Pulitzer Prize for Drama in 2007 for his play, Rabbit Hole.

Reviews

[David Eden · Rating 4 out of 5]

This is a fun read. Having dealt with parents in retirement/nursing homes, I could relate to the situation. While delightful, the play is not a serious discussion of people in nursing homes, although it does leave some questions for the audience. Two great roles for actresses who are 70 plus. I would certainly enjoy seeing this on stage.

[Doug · Rating 5 out of 5]

Aside from his 2007 Pulitzer Prize-winning 'Rabbit Hole' and his recent 'Good People', I haven't really liked many of Lindsay-Abaire's plays, especially his early seemingly Durang-influenced comedies. This however, I genuinely found to be LOL funny, as well as disarmingly touching. Wish I had seen the perfectly cast initial NY production with Holland Taylor and Marylouise Burke starring.

[Greg Talbot · Rating 5 out of 5]

The weight of the world seems to lumber and impede the women in David Linsay-Abaire's tragicomedy plays. In pultizer prize paly "Rabbit hole", Rebecca confronts the passing of her four year old child with the domineering optimism from mother, goodwill contacts from the manslaughterer, and a husband itching to rebuild a shattered life. Rebecca attempts to be a responsible adult, but finds little solace in any parts of life, and her inability to confront her loss tears her up. As stated in Macbreh"Give sorrow words. The grief that does not speak whispers the o'er-fraught heart and bids it break". We wait for the opportunity for her heart to awaken.

"Good People", having won a Tony for best actress with Frances MacDormand, is another example of a character confronting the life that never materialized. Margie Walsh is nicked and dimed to a place where her only options in standing up for herself are taking other people down with her. Her language and demeanor is hostile and reactive when she fights for a job, her daughter and her truth. Life has given her few opportunities...and given the opportunity to confront a past boyfriend about his escape from poverty is a reckoning of hurt, pride, and honesty. Abaire brillantly tackles with class with enough humor and drama interlaced like a well worn pair of shoes

"Ripcord" may be his most comedic and generous pieces. It's a story of two women forced to share a room at a senior center, that goes from shared to hostility to game-paly to a more heartfelt place. As usual, the humor pricks, and hurts...often coming from places of humiliation or cringeworthiness...but the audacity of characters Abby and Marilyn make for an edgy fight all the way. Reckless adult children, playful senior staff, and settings that are at times extrodinary.. make it a revealing and fascinating read.

[Steve · Rating 4 out of 5]

An angry woman in a nursing home has to share her room with a woman who is sunshine and kindness. Hmmmm how will this turn out??

In all seriousness, you really don't know if it will go the standard 'we find out about each other and learn to become friends' or someplace else and David Lindsay-Abaire's writing will certainly surprise you in one way or another. There's a lot of fun with shared characters (like Wonder of the World) and various situations to keep this interesting. I always enjoy reading Lindsay-Abaire's works.

[Denise · Rating 4 out of 5]

I liked that Abby was a very flawed person. She was mean but honest. Marilyn would annoy me just as much though. I should have known when they said what her family did. It got creepy at times, right from the start; There was no reason to go, just buy the ticket. I didn’t feel any deep themes or moving moments but it would be fun to see.

[E. · Rating 4 out of 5]

A funny and very short read, I'd love to see this on the stage as I think it would be so great to support older actresses. While this doesn't really do anything particularly inventive (I could tell pretty much right away that Abby and Marilyn would end up being friends), it does make you root for each of the characters to have a happy ending.

[Zachary · Rating 5 out of 5]

Comedic and heart-warming all at the same time, Mr Lindsay-Abaire hit a home run with this play on aging, strange friendships, and the lifelong struggle of satisfaction versus disappointment. Thoroughly enjoyable from the first line to the last!

[Valerie · Rating 4 out of 5]

I think this might be my favorite script that we’re producing this year. The characters are well developed and a great balance between humor and drama. I found myself equally drawn to both of the lead characters, which makes the story both heart-warming and heart-breaking at the same time.

[Reagan Townley · Rating 5 out of 5]

Wow. More people need to read this-by far one of my new favorite straight plays, and that’s coming from someone who prefers musical far more than straight plays. Absolutely dark but hilarious and had me crying laughing. I recommend to theatre folk and not, it’s so freaking good!!

[Kate Grant-Blair · Rating 4 out of 5]

4.5/5 Ridiculous and hilarious in the best possible ways. I love the dynamic between Abby and Marilyn and the ways all of the other characters interact with them trying to one-up each other in their bet.

[Marilyn Mann · Rating 5 out of 5]

This play is such a fun piece of literature! The characters of Abby and Marilyn are a (seniors) actor’s dream! The plot is fun and a bit in the dark side. As a retired theatre teacher/ director I would enjoy either directing or acting in this show!

[Gretta · Rating 5 out of 5]

So moving and fun! I can't wait to see it done!

[Gregory · Rating 5 out of 5]

Delightful play about frenimies who become just friends. Does every thing a play should do!

[Brandon Leatherman · Rating 3 out of 5]

Not bad. There were a few laugh-out-loud moments.

[Daniel Pivonka · Rating 5 out of 5]

4.5/5

[Matthew Archibald · Rating 5 out of 5]

This play is hysterical. I'd love to see it performed.

[Lauren Olson · Rating 4 out of 5]

If you like dark humor and a dose of chaos this one is for you.

[Mia · Rating 5 out of 5]

This show is so good. Love David Lindsay-Abaire's work. It is very different from Rabbit Hole in the best way.

[Marc · Rating 4 out of 5]

4.5. As I was reading, I could imagine Holland Taylor delivering the hilarious one liners throughout this very funny play.

[Michelle · Rating 4 out of 5]

Excerpt -- On Mothers and Sons
ABBY. ...don't wag your finger at me and tell me I'm done. I'm not done.
BENJAMIN. You're just done with me.

[Sarah · Rating 4 out of 5]

I really enjoyed this comedic play about two women living in an assisted living facility

[Tony Loyer · Rating 4 out of 5]

Highly enjoyable. Great pace, good humor, fun characters, clippy dialogue. Some nuggets of heartful reality. Wide appeal. A very good play.

[Cassie · Rating 3 out of 5]

A cute play, a little fluffy. The characters are pleasant, even when they aren't behaving as such

[Jordan · Rating 5 out of 5]

I absolutely LOVED this play. It was crammed full of biting humor and charm and finished off with a semi-heartwarming ending. I laughed out loud the entire time I read it. The author-noted talk-overs made it a bit hard to read solo, but once you got past that it was smooth and hilarious sailing. I would be first in line to buy tickets for a performance of this one.