Balloon

by Karen Sunde

On the eve of his departure from Paris, Benjamin Franklin and his French contemporaries avoid goodbyes by engaging in charades and parlor games. The passions of revolution are overshadowed by the intensity of personal relationships in this structurally inventive play within a play.“… the power of BALLOON is its density … magnificence … poignancy … Encountering BALLOON bears some resemblance to being overwhelmed while assembling a giant jigsaw puzzle, but then relishing its finished design.” —The Times London“It’s absolutely first-rate … serious, intelligent, challenging, a play that’s humane in its concerns, vividly theatrical, and gracefully written with one sharp epigram after another … full-blooded drama, layered with meaning … intriguing conceit … the individual in history, both as shaper and thing shaped … a play about the shapes of lives and the fates of nations.” —The Record“… intriguing … arresting ideas … full of an engaging playfulness, an admirable seriousness.” —Women’s Wear Daily“[Sunde] converts our text book history into flesh and blood passions … People achieving greatly, now and then crippled by arrogance and intolerance, suffering mightily, dazzled by possibilities, devastated by disappointments yet continuing and surviving are what she dramatizes.” —The Villager“The extremely high quality … is apparent throughout — it bubbles with crisp language, depth, and humor. Your “actor’s ear” serves you so truthfully and consistently. So rich … And thus so rare. Coming to the BALLOON for the third time just now leaves me in awe … Truly.” —Richard Dysart

94 pages, Paperback

First published March 1, 1983