Trophies - Acting Edition

by John J. Wooten

• ISBN13: 9780822213826
• ISBN10: 0822213826
• Format: Paperback
• Copyright: 1994-04-19
• Publisher: DRAMATISTS PLAY SERVICE INC

Summary

THE STORY: David, the eldest of the three Stone children, returns home from college for an Easter visit. Moments after he enters the comfortable family room in his upper-middle-class home, we know all is not as serene as it appears. David and his father do not get along, and after a long absence, the family is eager but pensive about his arrival. His kid sister, Laura, spends as much time away from home as possible, risking punishment if she returns past the strict times her father has set. Mrs. Stone is determined to keep the peace at all costs and struggles to stay out of the Valium bottle. The younger son, Bobby-the golden boy, star football player and Dad's obvious favorite-was the glue that held the family together until an accident left him mildly brain damaged and the family torn apart. Through scenes in the present and flashbacks to the past, the dynamics of this troubled family become more apparent. Despite agreeing to a truce for the weekend to appease Mrs. Stone, David and his father continue to hammer away at each other, while Mrs. Stone fights a losing battle to save the weekend. Laura creates more of her own cocoon, and Bobby memorizes a passage from Hamlet to impress David, which he insists he do, much to the embarrassment of his parents. David desperately wants to prove himself as an actor, attends Carnegie Mellon, and makes clear his feelings about football, refusing to play as a child. The more Mr. Stone chides David about his life and choices, the more David undermines his father's authority until after one last blow-out, David and his father finally begin to accept their failure toward one another.