Elaine has had enough. Ralph, her exasperating, risk-taking husband has got to go. With the help of Pookie, her younger sister; Anthony “Prettyboy” Ferrari, her father; and Rudy Gambruzzo, her father’s personal assistant, she sets out to stage an accident that will rid her of marital stress. In the space of one morning, she accidentally kills the pool guy and the mailman before finally clobbering Ralph. Then she learns that Ralph must be alive that afternoon to sign a vital contract or she will be not only happily widowed, but unhappily bankrupt. Pookie and Elaine lash Ralph’s inert form into a wheelchair and frantically hide him until he is made to appear to sign the contract. Her dreams of widowhood are dashed when it is discovered that Ralph was merely passed out and her third murder victim was actually the meter reader. One interior set, 10 men ages 18-55, 6 women ages 20-55.
This farce is ideal for theatres looking to expand their talent base. The weight of the play is carried by two women–one young, one middle-aged–and all other roles are cameos or small parts with several entrances but few lines. Perfect for giving beginning actors a taste of theatre without an overwhelming burden of memorization. And fun, too. Available soon from Eldridge Plays & Musicals.