2 w/ 2 m / 2 acts/ 90 minutes
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.
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.
Characters
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
Production and Award History
2011 – Theatre du Fou, Nice, France
2000 – New Jersey Rep.
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
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
Production and Award History
2011 – Theatre du Fou, Nice, France
2000 – New Jersey Rep.
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
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Backstage Review
- Backstage reviewed In Search of Red River Dog by noting that “Perlman’s well-written piece captures the frustration of men who see their jobs vanish and their women grow stronger than themselves. Sam Shepard-like in its starkness, realism and family dysfunction, Perlman, nevertheless has a voice of her own. New Jersey Rep once again has produced high quality theatre with an edge”
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Akron Beacon Journal
- "The play is about the conflict between illusion and reality.....
Bill O'Connor, Akron Beacon Journal -
Ausbury Park Press
- "Sam Shepardesque in a stark, reality driven, highly emotional way"
In Search of Red River Dog – Sandra Perlman – © ALL RIGHTS RESERVED REPRODUCTION WITHOUT SPECIFIC WRITTEN PERMISSION PROHIBITED
Caution: This script is provided for reading purposes only. Professionals and amateurs are hereby warned that [TITLE OF PLAY] is subject to royalty. It is fully protected under the laws of the United States of America, the British Empire, including the Dominion of Canada, and all other countries of the Copyright Union. All rights, including but not limited to professional, amateur, film, radio, and all other media (including use on the worldwide web) and the rights of translation into foreign languages are strictly reserved; and any unauthorized use of the material may subject the user to any and all applicable civil and criminal penalties.
Caution: This script is provided for reading purposes only. Professionals and amateurs are hereby warned that [TITLE OF PLAY] is subject to royalty. It is fully protected under the laws of the United States of America, the British Empire, including the Dominion of Canada, and all other countries of the Copyright Union. All rights, including but not limited to professional, amateur, film, radio, and all other media (including use on the worldwide web) and the rights of translation into foreign languages are strictly reserved; and any unauthorized use of the material may subject the user to any and all applicable civil and criminal penalties.
Red River Dog
