Loose Ends: A Play

by Michael Weller

A dramatic comedy with parts for 7 males and 4 females. Set in the turbulent 1970's, this bittersweet romance by the author of Moonchildren and Spoils of War, starred Kevin Kline at Circle-In-The-Square on Broadway. Paul is a Peace Corps dropout and Susan is in freefall when they meet on a beach in Bali. Later in Boston, they live together and then marry. Separating briefly, then reconciling in a New York penthouse, she has become a successful photographer; he a successful film editor. Paul wants children and Susan does not. Recriminations follow as Paul bitterly denounces her for having had an abortion six months earlier without his knowledge or consent as her birthday celebration turns a shambles. One final, brief reunion is attempted but the couple comes to terms with the failure of their once romantic notions.

Genres: Plays, Fiction

120 pages, Paperback

First published January 1, 1980

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

[وائل المنعم · Rating 1 out of 5]

بطء الاحداث والحوار القائم في معظمه حول الحكي عن أحداث ماضية جعلاها مسرحية مملة ومزعجة، خاصة مع أصوات الأبطال ذات النبرة الواحدة فاقدة الإحساس بالموقف.

[Bradley Noell · Rating 5 out of 5]

I read this years ago in college and hung on to it for years after. It was just in a box with the rest of my college books but when I was cleaning out my closet I found this and something made me pick it up to read it again. It may be the nostalgia but I was glad that I did. The play is short and I feel like discussing it in any detail would give away more than I want to give away but it was something that I really enjoyed.

[Shelley Macgregor · Rating 4 out of 5]

Saw this at Steppenwolf in 1982 with Gary Sinise and Laurie Metcalf. Didn't remember it clearly except for the opening scene with the two of them sitting on the stage. Naked. Great to read it and try to recapture the feelings brought by the live performance so long ago.

[Marsha · Rating 5 out of 5]

I saw this play at the Circle in the Square Theater in Manhattan in 1979. It was one of the reasons I fell in love with the theater. This play starred a young Kevin Kline. It would be in 1982 that he made his movie debut in "Sophie's Choice." But, when I saw him on stage, I knew this man would become famous. He played the role of Paul, who in the beginning of the play meets Susan. Actress Roxanne Hart played her part and she went on to roles on film and television.

In this story, Paul and Susan meet on a beach in Bali. She is much more free-spirited than the more practical Paul. But there is a connection and they would keep in touch and date. Eventually, they fall in love and marry. Paul indicates that he would like to one day start a family. However, Susan is not so sure, as she is making it as a career woman as a photographer. This was the 70s, and women putting more emphasis on career than family was not the norm just yet. Paul was making it a career as a film editor. There are friends and family who come in and out of scenes. I enjoyed reading the dialogue in the play.

Paul and Susan are having their problems. They seem not to communicate well, since they are both busy with their careers and traveling.

No spoiler alert here, but let's just say that Kline's acting in the climactic scene towards the end of the play was why I just knew that he was going to be a star.

[sophia · Rating 2 out of 5]

a less good version of scenes from a marriage

[Em Stern · Rating 4 out of 5]

a play about following a couple fall in love and out of love.
Pretty good, and a few solid scenes in here as well.

[Abdullah · Rating 1 out of 5]

من أسوأ ما قرأت

[Peyton Smith · Rating 5 out of 5]

I couldn’t decide if I should log plays on here or not. For one, my book count would go up tenfold since they are usually such short reads, but for now I’ve decided: yes. Especially since this play in particular is so brilliant.

Its always interesting to *read* a play since it is not the intended medium, but this story holds so strong and Michael Weller’s dialogue is on the mark. Though set in the 70’s this is still an accurate look at searching for what it means to be successful in a marriage; kids, money, things, sex, jobs… all or none of the above? Brilliant. The climax had my heart racing like I was there and I was READING it. Picked it up because I was assigned a scene in an acting class and this tops the chart of my favorites.

[Joe · Rating 2 out of 5]

Typical theater fare: artsy guy in New York is misunderstood.

[Abbey · Rating 4 out of 5]

Great play, loved performing a scene from it!

[Tia · Rating 4 out of 5]

Natural dialogue that covers some of the realistic downfalls of relationships.