HJLDesign

//Philadelphia// 1. What is meant to be the relationship of the performers to the audience? The performers are intended to be viewed as characters enacting their story; the audience is viewing a private conversation between two close friends.

2. Are the performers and audience meant to occupy the same room? Yes, it's important that the audience occupy the same room in order to convincingly pull the audience into the piece. The audience should feel as if they are members of the clientele of the cafe.

3. What is the period of the dramatic action? How does that effect movement? The period is most likely modern day, although due to its lack of specificity, many other time periods could be applied. Movement is limited; only the waitress moves back and forth. Mark and Al spend the majority of the story sitting at a table.

4. What is the geographical location of the action? The story takes place within New York, and it can be inferred that it must be New York City. The story mentions America extensively, citing Baltimore, Philadelphia, and Cleveland.

5. What time of day is it? It is not quite clear on the time of the day, but the reader can assume it is most likely noon and lunch time. It is most definitely day time, and one can infer from their choice of food that it may very well be midday.

6. How are the personalities of the characters reflected in the set, lights, costumes, and music? Each of these qualities is very subjective to the individual performance. Setting, lighting, costuming, and the music is not mentioned in detail or at all within the script and is left to the discretion of the director. The sunny qualities of Al could be expressed through lighting, and the depressed, confused qualities of Mark can be expressed through his costuming. Music can add to the atmosphere of the restaurant.

7. What is the weather? Is it hot or cold? Is it bright or dull? It is not noted within the play what the weather is outside, but because they never mention rain and the costuming never suggests bad weather, one can assume it is nice weather outside. It is also most likely not very cold, as he orders a cold beer, and due to the suggestion of nice weather, one can assume it is bright outside.

8. What is the socio/economic status of the characters? Al and Mark are not rich by any means, as they are indeed eating in a cafe, and they seem to not have much job security. However, they are most likely middle-class, as is the waitress. Al and Mark are probably slightly higher in status than the waitress.

9. What are the occupations of the characters? Clearly, the occupation of the waitress is her waitressing. Mark and Al's profession is not clearly defined, but Al is spoken of as dealing with garments and clothing. Mark's is not mentioned, but it may be he is a businessman.

10. How old are the characters? The characters are not clearly defined in their age, but it is not a wrong assumption to say they are probably in their thirties or late twenties. They have jobs, girlfriends, and places to live. The waitress is more difficult to determine in age, but she is probably near the same age as the other men.

11. What is the relationship of the characters to each other? Al and Mark are best friends, and they clearly confide in each other. The waitress has probably served Al and Mark before, but they are not very close by any means.

12. Which characters are to be emphasized. Which are to be subordinated? Al and Mark are the two most important characters, as they have the most dialogue. The waitress is a more subordinate character, and she really only acts as a supporting character.

13. Where the entrances and exits? As it is a restaurant, there is typically one entrance and exit. Therefore, depending on the discretion of the director, the entrance for Mark could be one side, and the waitress could enter and exit from the other side.

14. What are the furniture and property needs of the play and how do they reflect the characters and their actions? Tables and chairs are important for the needs of the play, and restaurant props would be very helpful to fully complete the illusion of the play. The set should appear as a restaurant or bar would, with a background of a similar type.