The One-Act version of Memories in Blue Chiffon
Winner in the New England New Play Competition

by STEVE RUSSO

Showcase two of your best in a challenging acting duet.

Norma has always liked to make home movies.  She can wave at the kids and imagine they are still small and waving back to her.  So she's glad when she sees Carl has set up the video camera.

But Norma is so forgetful that she doesn't remember her husband's plan -- that they are to explain to the camera why they did it.  So their son and daughter will know, and maybe understand why they decided to kill themselves.

Hardly a time for humor, except that Norma's endless, quirky comments and questions so exasperate Carl that he can't get started with the filming of their final moments.   And she won't stop, despite his dour, though often humorous responses.  She keeps remembering moments from their past -- good and, much to Carl's chagrin, not so good.   As they reenact these shared moments -- their first honeymoon, their second honeymoon, their separation, their reconciliation, and finally, the night they went to the prom -- even Carl is in danger of revising his grim version of life.

Their timeless story of life and love is comic, touching, tender, and knowing.

No set; multi-purpose carry-on props, simple costuming.

(1m., 1 f.)