A Guide for the Homesick

by Ken Urban

2 Men (doubling)

On his way home after a year in East Africa, a young aid worker goes back to a shabby Amsterdam hotel room with a fellow American. Over beers, the two strangers confess their shared fear that they betrayed the friends who needed them most.

Genres: Plays

70 pages, Paperback

Published January 1, 2018

Reviews

[Doug · Rating 3 out of 5]

Although this apparently 'plays' quite well, from the excerpted reviews on the back cover, I felt it went melodramatically over the top at several points ... and the conceit of having the two actors each portray two characters that alternate quickly could get very confusing for the audience. Also I was not quite clear at the end WHAT has actually happened to the Ed character - it's left frustratingly unclear. And as stated, the onstage 'rain' requirements would seem to be difficult for any small company to realize.

[nathan]

reading plays is so fun guysssss omg. gay ones too

[Dee Dee OConnor · Rating 3 out of 5]

Is guilt easier to bear when you share it with someone else? I'm not sure the play ever answers this but that seems to be the main question that the characters of this two-hander deal with. Both characters abandon a friend in a time of need and they struggle to deal with their guilt. What I found most interesting and engaging about the play was how it explored the way American religious interference incited homophobia and legal oppression in African nations and I wanted read more about that.

[Precociousp · Rating 4 out of 5]

I had the opportunity to see the off-broadway production of the screen play. Though I found the writing to be stale at times. I would have preferred the ending of this screenplay instead of the alternate ending of the play. Very inspiring and thought provoking.

[mengwe · Rating 4 out of 5]

heartbreaking, i like how things were revealed and expanded upon bit by bit throughout; the conversations that were repeated hit harder when revisted bc of all the layers that were added. super sad though 😭

[Nick K · Rating 4 out of 5]

A great piece for two actors. It hooked me all the way to the end.

[John Perine · Rating 5 out of 5]

brutal