Snapshots
- 45 Minutes
- 2 Male, 1 Female, Min/Max 2
Competitions, Simple Props, Simple Set
$7.00 – $50.00
Snapshots is a three-actor touching comedy that captures the high and low points of a 30-year marriage. Maggie ages from 27 to 60’s and Sy, her husband, ages 32 to 60’s. The Man represents various pivotal figures in their lives. Great for competitions, high schools, community theaters. Simple set: 3 cubes and a coat rack.
Play Details
Overview
Placed 3rd in the Kernoble One-Act Competition at the University of Arkansas.
The events in this play are those that didn’t make it into the family picture album but formed pivotal moments in the ongoing relationship.
Maggie and Sy discover each other on a park bench near the University at which they have both come to teach. What follows is a whimsical and musical overview of their struggles during courtship, marriage, parenthood, and eventual widowhood, orchestrated by a park employee (or is he?) who assumes various roles: obstetrician, wedding party guest, and mysterious messenger.
From the director Josie O’Laughlin at Concordia University in Nebraska:
O’Laughlin said she chose to direct “Snapshots” because she believed many people could relate to its portrayal of simplicity. The play illustrates how moments that are seemingly small and insignificant can have a much larger impact, she said.“I also fell in love with the story it conveys to its audience,” she said, “showing snapshots of memories found within the confines of two individual’s lives. I believe that this one act, in particular, portrays beauty in the simple moments that make our relationships. It’s not in the life-changing events, but the subtle words and looks.”
Written by Jean Klein. First produced at The Venue on 35th in Norfolk, Virginia.
From the Play
Play Excerpt:
The Stage: There are three cubes which will represent a variety of things: a bench, a table, etc. One cube can serve as a prop table and hold a Yarzeit candle, a phone, a picture album, etc. There is also a coat rack on which there are items of clothing which the characters will put on as they age. When the lights go up, MAGGIE is sitting on a bench. MAGGIE is young, in her mid- twenties, wearing a casual top and holding a rosary. Occasionally MAGGIE looks around as if expecting someone. Someone offstage coughs. MAGGIE looks around, expectantly and half-rises. SY enters, a little older than MAGGIE and dressed in a suit and tie;. MAGGIE sits and turns back, disappointed. They freeze for a moment as we hear the sound of a camera snap and possibly see a brief flash of light. SY drops a cigarette butt and puts it out with his foot before he continues walking. He has his head down and moves his lips as if rehearsing something. He trips over her feet.
SY
Oy! Tsedreyt in kop [Se drayt in cop]
MAGGIE
What did you call me?
SY
What? Oh, no, not you. I’m just, I don’t know, I wasn’t watching where I was going . . .
MAGGIE
Are you all right? You want to sit down? (She moves over on the bench.)
SY
I really don’t have much time.
MAGGIE
I hope I don’t, either.
(MAGGIE continues with her rosary.)
SY
Are you waiting for someone?
MAGGIE
(looking at a ring on her finger)
Yes. And no. If he comes, I’ll have to answer a question.
SY
Do you have an answer?
MAGGIE
No. And it makes me nervous.
SY
Then the answer better be “no.” Always say “no” when something gives you schpielkes [shpeelkiss]?
MAGGIE
Gives me what? I certainly don’t have . . . What are speelkes?
SY
SCHPielkes. Jewish ants in the pants.
MAGGIE
Oh! (pause) What makes them Jewish?
SY
I don’t know. Maybe they’re circumcised. (He looks at the rosary in her hands.) You’re not Jewish, are you?
MAGGIE
What gave you that clue?
SY
Things just come to me sometimes.
Productions
Concordia University - April 2 8 - 10. 2021
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