SHORT AND NOT SO SWEET

Lebensraum has received two performances, the first at FirstStage in Los Angeles and the second by the New Vision Theater Company at the Sunshine Brooks Theater in Oceanside, California. In both instances it was selected in national calls for plays. It was well received at both venues.

In writing Lebensraum I sought to express my concern about over-population in the world. I remembered how Japanese hotels offer sleeping cubicles that are only a little larger than coffins. I also remembered the marvelous stateroom scene in the Marx Brothers’ “A Night at the Opera.”To that mix I added a future extrapolation of Jonathan Swift’s “A Modest Proposal.”

Theatres and individuals interested in doing the following play or reading any of my other plays, please contact me at:  WilliamS.E.Coleman@att.net 

This version runs 15 minutes. A ten minute version is also available.

    Royalties for any of my plays – long and short – can be adjusted to your theatre’s limitations and needs.

NOTE: Synopses and production information for more of my long and short plays will be posted soon.

LEBENSRAUM

an immodest proposal in one act

             

by William S. E. Coleman

© Copyright 2004 by William S. E. Coleman

FOR PRODUCTION RIGHTS CONTACT:

William S. E. Coleman

1137-37th Street    Des Moines, IA 50311

TELEPHONE: 515-277-8893

E-MAIL: WilliamS.E.Coleman@att.net

WEBSITE: https://williamsecoleman.com/

CAST

(3 women and 3 men)

JASON BRODY (early 30s)

CONNIE WELLMAN (late-20s)

GEORGE WELLMAN (late 30s, her husband)

BETTY BRODY (late 20s, Jason's wife)

HARRY BENNETT (mid-30's)

MARTI BENNETT (early 30s, Harry's wife)

        

TIME

Late 21st century. 

PLACE

A very, very large city.

SCENE

“Lebensraum” can be simply staged with a few set pieces and clever pantomime.

                                                 

A soon to be duplex apartment that measures eight feet long and six feet wide. It's just about the size of that Marx Brothers' stateroom.

The apartment sits diagonal to the audience with the outside door upstage. The DOWN STAGE side is cut away to waist level This allows us to see in to the stage action.

UP STAGE are triple decked bunk beds - each about 18 inches wide. There is little head room. Under the lower bunk are two large drawers.

DOWN STAGE is a nicely carpentered waist high unit that contains a tiny fridge, a drawer that holds a stove. Beside it is a tiny desk. On it is a laptop computer. Pantomime indicates there is storage above this.

The CENTER AISLE is 18 inches wide. UPSTAGE is a heavy door to the outside. It has multiple bolts and locks.

DOWNSTAGE at the end is a tiny toilet. The tank has no lid. Instead, a water pipe with a spigot that points down into the tank.

lebensraum - space required for life, growth, or activity.