Becky Shaw

by Gina Gionfriddo

I'm also going to give you some advice. Your husband is not the Red Cross. The last time he started consoling a cute, suicidal chick, he married her. Becky Shaw is an amusing and cleverly constructed comedy about ambition, the cost of being truthful, and the perils of a blind date.  The fast and funny dialogue navigates between five distinctively perverse and disingenuously dysfunctional characters.The plot is as from the moment that Becky arrives overdressed for her blind date with straight-talking Max, it's clear the evening won't go to plan. In the immediate fallout, Becky becomes an object of devotion for her boss Andrew, who appears to have a fetish for vulnerable women. In turn Andrew's wife Suzanna turns to her step-brother Max for comfort, and their mutual desire begins to resurface.Gina Gionfriddo's masterful play is a biting American comedy with sharp, witty dialogue and a carefully crafted yet unforced story arc.  Cha

Genres: Plays, Drama, Theatre, Fiction, Womens, American

71 pages, Paperback

First published March 28, 2010

Reviews

[Lorma Doone · Rating 4 out of 5]

Very dark comedy. I'm still thinking about it over a day later. Really sharp.

[Nick Barakos · Rating 4 out of 5]

Mind blowing. Had to read this one for Acting 2. Incredible characters and terrifyingly manipulative. It does what every great drama should do while staying innovative and magnetic. A bit upsetting and it's sometimes hard to choose who to root for (which is probably what makes it so wonderful).

[Erin · Rating 4 out of 5]

Great modern manners play - hints of Vanity Fair. Can't wait to costume it!

[Michelle · Rating 5 out of 5]

Some great lines in this one...sharp dialogue and a very vague ending

[Juanita Johnson · Rating 3 out of 5]

While the plot roams, this is a hilarious short listen about dysfunction at its best!

[Mark Johnson · Rating 3 out of 5]

Have you ever read a novel, and realized at some point (usually chapter 3) that what you are reading is a pilot for a movie? Reading 'Becky Shaw', I had the distinct impression that the playwright was auditioning for a gig writing for TV. Not schlock TV, mind you, but good, serious TV that you only get to watch if you can afford premium cable. The dialogue is wonderful: contemporary, sparkling with wit and insight (this play is worth the read for gems like Suzanna's definition of love when Max tells her that he never let's the girls he takes home for sex stay the night: "That's what loving someone is, Max. It's doing stuff you don't want to do. It's staying in bed all night. It's listening when you can't help.") The individual scenes are beautifully constructed, with clearly defined conflicts and ever escalating stakes. The cast consists of five people: Suzanna, her step brother Max, her mother Susan, her new husband Andrew, and the eponymous Ms. Shaw, a temp at Andrew's office who Andrew thinks would make an ideal girlfriend for Max. There is lots of back story, which is dribbled out on a need-to-know basis via unobtrusive exposition. My only problem with the play is its overall structure. Whose story is this, anyway? The only character who actually makes a decision that indicates a change of heart and mind is Suzanna. I am not criticizing the choice of title. Shakespeare probably should have named 'Julius Caesar' 'Brutus' instead. I felt, rather, that this play was the first episode of a TV series. None of the possibilities that existed at curtain rise are eliminated by the time the curtain falls. The ending is, therefore, satisfying only as a teaser. You expect 'scenes from our next episode' to run after the play's conclusion. I recommend this play for all the good things I said about it earlier. I believe Ms. Gionfriddo is going to have an amazing career writing for AMC or HBO in the not-too-distant future. And I will be tuning in.

[Dominic · Rating 4 out of 5]

This play took a little while to simmer before it hit a rolling boil, but it finally did. In my opinion, it would make an excellent film or feature length movie and has that kind of sensibility. While it is easy to blame Becky Shaw, the title character, for all the conflict and strife, it is ultimately as the Giofriddo suggests i nth preface not very fair. Truly, "every character in this play manipulates other people to get their own needs met," and watching they ways they own up to this fact is where this drama of manners really succeeds.

[Jenna · Rating 3 out of 5]

As I have mentioned before, I really stink at reading plays. However, I will give a review based upon what I was able to observe.

Basically, this is a play about awful people doing awful things while also trying to do good things (so they are all essentially human). This play is not for those looking for a feel-good performance. It is offensive, blunt, bittersweet and shocking. Tread carefully.

[Allison · Rating 5 out of 5]

The first time I read it, I was underwhelmed but I couldnt stop thinking about it so I read it again and loved it. I love the almost non-ending which is kinda becoming a theme in contemporary theater. It kinda reminds me of Gillian Flynn in a weird way in that it’s one of those stories where no one is the likable protagonist but neither is anyone an evil villian; it is a play of flawed human beings.

[Bobby Sullivan · Rating 1 out of 5]

I've read plays before where I thoroughly disliked all the characters, but this play is just pointless. The action is driven by Max, a consummate narcissist who insults just about everyone he meets, constantly. He's way too impressed with himself and his ability to make money, and he makes zero apologies for his stunted emotions. Sociopath. Everyone around him is utterly pathetic. They should all tell him to piss off, but they don't. They deserve what they get by letting him infest their lives.

[Charlie · Rating 3 out of 5]

This play needs a different ending. MINI SPOILER: It sets itself up to be a tragedy, and everything kind of works out "meh-okay" in the end. A real let-down. And why is the play called Becky Shaw? She's just a catalyst for problems that already exist.

I wish the first 50-odd pages were the same, but the ending be different. It's almost awesome, but it's a letdown.

[Michele Bolay · Rating 4 out of 5]

Wickedly "gunny?" Please edit the description! :-/

[Gabrielle Filloux · Rating 4 out of 5]

Really awesome and complex characters!

[Jesse Field · Rating 4 out of 5]

Just dipping into the LA Theatre Works archive again -- what a wonderful resource they are, with incredible full-cast productions made especially for audiobook. Gina Gionfriddo's comedy of social manners reminds us of George Bernard Shaw in the best ways, with two pairs of men and women mixed up in thorny ethical situations, and each exploring the options. A. and I just recently watched the first few episodes of season six of "Rick and Morty," so Susana's husband Andrew really read like the anti-machismo dad, Jerry. I read this during two bicycle rides and one strength-training workout, and yet come out feeling that sense of refreshment and optimism one gets from going to a really good play or movie.

[Shawn Deal · Rating 5 out of 5]

Fabulous, amazingly witty. Fun from beginning to end. Loved this play.

[clumsyplankton · Rating 3 out of 5]

A dark comedy and a quick read

[Frederike · Rating 4 out of 5]

Becky Shaw is only one of the dysfunctional characters in this fast-paced comedy of modern manners which I thoroughly enjoyed listening to wondering what it would look like on stage

[Timur Markowitz · Rating 4 out of 5]

This play made me want to go out and do good deeds

[Alex Chapes · Rating 3 out of 5]

3.5/5⭐️

[Abbie Harris · Rating 5 out of 5]

Incredibly sharp and full of insight into family and romantic relationships that are beyond anything I’ve ever read. It’s especially well done in the play format, only this medium could tell a story like this. People could argue that every character is unlikable - but being too quick to label them as bad when faced with their flaws is what this play is getting at. We all hurt, we all betray, we all envy. It’s the kindnesses and loyalty in unexpected moments that remains.

[Steven Brandt · Rating 1 out of 5]

Dramatic plays are still relatively new to me. I’ve listened to a few that I really liked, and a few that just didn’t do anything for me. Becky Shaw falls into the latter category.

Based on the publisher’s summary, I was skeptical about Becky Shaw from the start. It kind of sounded like one of those romantic comedies that rarely appeal to me. It wasn’t the story, however, that turned me off, it was the rough language and the loose morals of the characters. There were some funny moments in the play, I could tell because the audience was laughing, but really this just wasn’t my kind of thing.

As far as the acting goes, I thought the performers did a decent job. They were convincing in their roles. I was particularly glad to see the name of Mandy Siegfried whom I have heard on audiobooks before and enjoyed. The full cast is Emily Bergl, Matt Letscher, Marsha Mason, Mandy Siegfried, and Josh Stamberg

Steven Brandt @ Audiobook-Heaven

[Sarah · Rating 3 out of 5]

A bracing comedy about relationships with friends or lovers, who may in fact turn out to be complete strangers to us -- and themselves.

The first scene of the play perfectly sets up why the further adventures of a couple of friends and their third wheels will lead to poisonous ends. Outside of not quite sticking the landing, to the point where I couldn't out who precisely the play was about, Gionfriddo entertains throughout and makes you ask hard questions about the people you're closest to, so this work goes in the win column for me.

[Kristy · Rating 2 out of 5]

I do not understand what I am supposed to come away with here. It felt like the only interesting things happened in the last three pages, and it just wasn't enough to justify reading the whole thing. Also, I can't tell if Gionfriddo is grimly fascinated with conservatism/objectivism, or if she really is positioning herself as an apologist for that point of view? Halting half-measures in every direction but nothing ever lands. Rapture Blister Burn was similarly unsatisfying and uncomfortable. Reminds me of Neil LaBute.

[Tiffany Day · Rating 4 out of 5]

I don't love it, but there's something about it... all of the characters are fantastic -- really developed -- and I can't stop thinking about it (and that's always a good sign) - it has something to say and makes some great points, and while not overly sad, it's not happy, either... I'd like to see it performed by a solid cast - probably around 3 1/2 stars; I rounded to 4, since it definitely merits more than 3

[Waterxpolo · Rating 1 out of 5]

Intense relationships and communication but no real storyline. This play felt generic to me and very unmemorable. The lack of character development is probably the reason I have to give it such a low rating. Nobody changes. Everybody is stuck and although this can be intentional there is just so little written here it's hard to say if the static nature of the characters has actually been tested. In the end Max and Becky seem to change toward one another, foreshadowing a change in Max perhaps.

[Katharine · Rating 4 out of 5]

Smart, crisp and tightly written. Touches on class issues I find interesting. "Don't be racist" is written in there twice and the title character Becky Shaw tells two stories that explain why she fears black men. Racially tone deaf? A bit. There's probably a way to cast this with a non-white ensemble.

[Adrian Collins · Rating 4 out of 5]

This play is a delicious puzzle. With despicable and frustrating characters around every corner, the drama of this play is messy and thick. Histories are tested and questioned. Relationships blur lines between friends of equal status, savior and victim, manipulator and whatever else. This play keeps you guessing and trying to figure out if there is hope for any of these desperate characters.

[Sarah Kosar · Rating 5 out of 5]

HILARIOUS and Dark! Best kind of combo in a play. Exciting and excellent excellent dialogue! Well worth reading. If you can see, then GO and see it!

[Selena Pigoni · Rating 1 out of 5]

Most definitely not my thing. I didn't like any of the characters, didn't much care for the plot... Just didn't do anything for me. Thank goodness it was short.

[Pinky · Rating 4 out of 5]

This is a fantastic play. Excellent commentary on relationships and what we do to keep them or destroy them.