A young Ohio girl's journey begins with nursery rhymes and ends when her search for her lost dog leads her to confront her husband's fears and lies, her mother's manipulation and her father's lost dreams. From the deserted mines of her childhood to the poisoned landscape of her marriage, Paulette follows a trail of choices. Could they have lied to the people about what they were dumping in the ground? Could her husband Denny have lied to her about the stars? Why hasn't their dog Red returned home? Paulette's Mother sees that her daughter's search for the truth is only driving her further away from her husband. Bertie's solution leads Denny to confront his own dark fears , insecurities, and ultimately, the very sanctity of their marriage bed. Paulette finally confronts the reality of her father's despair and drink while forcing her to decide which path her life will take and which truth she will pursue.
Paulette a young woman (wife) Denny a young man (husband) Bertie Paulette's mother John Sr. Paulette's father The playwright encourages the use of an inter-racial/ethnic cast
SETTING The back yard of Paulette and Denny's trailer in Deerfield Ohio
TIME One hot summer day in August 1978
2000 New Jersey Rep. World Premier 1997 Jane Chambers National Playwriting Award, Honorable mention 1997 American College Theatre Festival Regional Representative 1997 Muskingum College (OH) 1996 Cleveland Women's Project, staged reading 1993 Eugene O'Neill Theater Center (finalist under title LOOKING FOR RED) 1984 University of Dayton (OH) 1983 Ohio Arts Council Individual Artist Fellowship
Reviews of New Jersey
Rep. production
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"Red River Dog' a simple yet complex drama"
Akron Beacon Journal
For an excerpt of this play click this link IN SEARCH OF RED RIVER DOG
© 1998 Halem Studios
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