HEART
by Judd Lear Silverman
HEART is a black comedy, seemingly about an artificial heart recipient, but ultimately it is about all affairs of the heart. Robert Bixler, a plumbing contractor who dreams of being a tap dancer, has actually been tap dancing around his life until he brings on a massive heart attack. Now continually drugged for pain, his body lies in repose (as people talk over and around him) while his mind (played by a separate actor) fantasizes about his present and future while ruefully re-examining his past. Family and friends visit while the medical community treats him as their guinea pig. In the first act, the decision is whether or not to be the recipient of the artificial heart. In the second, the results of the “experiment” kick in, along with the side-effects and aftermath. Along the way, numerous questions are raised: if one could extend one’s natural time, should one? What are our obligations to our families and friends? And what, ultimately is our true heart?
- Cast Size: 8M 4W 2ANY
- Running Time: 90+ minutes
- Royalty Rate: $75 per performance
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About the Playwright
JUDD LEAR SILVERMAN (playwright) is a Berrilla Kerr Foundation grant recipient and has been published by ArtAge, Samuel French, The Pirandello Society of America, Applause Theatre Books’ Best American Short Plays (three times), Bonita Springs’ Stage It! Series (five times), and Fresh Words’ Hello, Godot! Vols 2 & 10, as well as on the New Play Exchange (NPX). Recent productions have been seen at the KNOW Theatre in Binghamton, NY, the Rising Sun Performance Company (RSP) in NYC, and the Reading Theater Project in Reading, PA. His full-length play PROUD is published by Next Stage Press. A member of the Dramatists Guild, he recently retired from teaching English and Playwriting at Pace University in NYC. Website: www.juddlearsilverman.com.
Review HEART.