Tallgrass Gothic

Tallgrass Gothic by Melanie Marnich

(2)
Productions (27)
Drama
|
75 - 80 minutes
2 W, 4 M, 
Content Notes: Adult language and content
Set: Minimal. Atmosphere is key. The sense of openness combined with claustrophobia. The set can never get in the way of transitions.

The longing, isolation, desire and fear of the classic Jacobean tragedy The Changeling are transported to the Great Plains of the Midwest in this haunting tale. At the center of the story is Laura, whose need to leave her small, rural home and controlling husband is ignited when she falls in love with a man who offers her escape and a future. But in this place where history and its ghosts populate the landscape, Laura's hunger for a new beginning sets off a violent chain of events that leads her not out of town, but to a profound (and terrifying) understanding of her true nature.

Pricing Information

Min. Performance Fee* $85
Standard Edition $13.99
Stage Manager Edition $24.99

*The per performance fee begins at $85. Your per performance fee will be provided during the ordering process.

Play Details

The longing, isolation, desire and fear of the classic Jacobean tragedy The Changeling are transported to the Great Plains of the Midwest in this haunting tale. At the center of the story is Laura, whose need to leave her small, rural home and controlling husband is ignited when she falls in love with a man who offers her escape and a future. But in this place where history and its ghosts populate the landscape, Laura's hunger for a new beginning sets off a violent chain of events that leads her not out of town, but to a profound (and terrifying) understanding of her true nature.

  • Drama
  • |
  • 75 - 80 minutes
  • 2 W, 4 M, 
  • Content Notes: Adult language and content
  • Set: Minimal. Atmosphere is key. The sense of openness combined with claustrophobia. The set can never get in the way of transitions.
  • Standard Edition ISBN: 978-1-62384-228-4

Published Reviews

"In Tallgrass Gothic, her lyric and strangely engrossing play...Marnich has sharply drawn some characters who may give the denizens of Wisteria Lane a run for their scandals... But the play is most exciting because of Marnich's promise as a writer. She has found a poetic, natural cadence for characters, and this heightened language is part of what makes Eugene O'Neill and August Wilson enduring figures."

Rohan Preston, Minneapolis Star Tribune

Production History

MAR 10, 2017 - APR 09, 2017
California State University Fullerton
Fullerton, CA United States
California State University Fullerton Fullerton, CA United States
MAR 11, 2016 - MAR 14, 2016
Production Workshop
Providence, RI United States
Production Workshop Providence, RI United States
AUG 04, 2015 - AUG 13, 2015
Ohlook Performing Arts Center
Grapevine, TX United States
Ohlook Performing Arts Center Grapevine, TX United States
OCT 10, 2013 - OCT 12, 2013
Northwestern Oklahoma State University
Alva, OK United States
Northwestern Oklahoma State University Alva, OK United States
JUN 11, 2013 - JUN 11, 2013
Wide Eyed Productions
New York, NY United States
Wide Eyed Productions New York, NY United States
APR 05, 2013 - APR 13, 2013
Grey Room
New York, NY United States
Grey Room New York, NY United States
MAY 16, 2012 - MAY 19, 2012
Carte Blanche Studios
Milwaukee, WI United States
Carte Blanche Studios Milwaukee, WI United States
MAR 30, 2012 - MAR 31, 2012
University Of Puget Sound
Tacoma, WA United States
University Of Puget Sound Tacoma, WA United States
JUL 21, 2011 - JUL 21, 2011
East 15 Acting School
Loughton, United Kingdom
East 15 Acting School Loughton, United Kingdom
MAR 03, 2011 - MAR 05, 2011
Oklahoma City University School Of Theatre
Oklahoma City, OK United States
Oklahoma City University School Of Theatre Oklahoma City, OK United States
OCT 21, 2010 - OCT 24, 2010
Brooklyn College Department Of Theater
Brooklyn, NY United States
Brooklyn College Department Of Theater Brooklyn, NY United States
JUN 17, 2009 - JUN 17, 2009
Art House Productions
Jersey City, NJ United States
Art House Productions Jersey City, NJ United States
MAR 09, 2009 - APR 12, 2009
Caffeine Theatre At Raven Theatre West
Chicago, IL United States
Caffeine Theatre At Raven Theatre West Chicago, IL United States
DEC 16, 2008 - DEC 16, 2008
Echo Theatre
DALLAS, TX United States
Echo Theatre DALLAS, TX United States
NOV 20, 2008 - NOV 23, 2008
Department Of Theatre Arts
Louisville, KY United States
Department Of Theatre Arts Louisville, KY United States
NOV 14, 2008 - DEC 20, 2008
Impact Theatre
Berkeley, CA United States
Impact Theatre Berkeley, CA United States
MAY 12, 2008 - JUN 03, 2008
5th Floor Productions
Chicago, IL United States
5th Floor Productions Chicago, IL United States
APR 01, 2008 - MAY 07, 2008
Sacred Fools Theatre
Los Angeles, CA United States
Sacred Fools Theatre Los Angeles, CA United States
NOV 29, 2007 - DEC 01, 2007
Sarah Lawrence College Theatre Program
Bronxville, NY United States
Sarah Lawrence College Theatre Program Bronxville, NY United States
OCT 22, 2007 - OCT 22, 2007
Red Bull Theater
New York, NY United States
Red Bull Theater New York, NY United States
SEP 28, 2007 - OCT 03, 2007
Slippery Rock University
Slippery Rock, PA United States
Slippery Rock University Slippery Rock, PA United States
NOV 30, 2006 - DEC 10, 2006
University Of Iowa Theater Department
Iowa City, IA United States
University Of Iowa Theater Department Iowa City, IA United States
MAR 01, 2006 - MAR 31, 2006
Emirant Theatre
Minneapolis, MN United States
Emirant Theatre Minneapolis, MN United States
FEB 01, 2006 - FEB 28, 2006
Virginia Tech
Blacksburg, VA United States
Virginia Tech Blacksburg, VA United States
MAR 01, 2004 - MAR 31, 2004
Actors Theatre of Louisville
Louisville, KY United States
Actors Theatre of Louisville Louisville, KY United States
JUL 01, 2003 - JUL 31, 2003
Portland Center Stage, Just Add Water Festival (staged reading)
Portland, OR United States
Portland Center Stage, Just Add Water Festival (staged reading) Portland, OR United States
JUL 01, 1999 - JUL 31, 1999
PlayLabs, The Playwrights' Center (staged reading)
Minneapolis, MN United States
PlayLabs, The Playwrights' Center (staged reading) Minneapolis, MN United States
No upcoming productions.
MAR 09, 2009 - APR 12, 2009
Caffeine Theatre At Raven Theatre West
Chicago, IL United States
Caffeine Theatre At Raven Theatre West Chicago, IL United States
MAY 12, 2008 - JUN 03, 2008
5th Floor Productions
Chicago, IL United States
5th Floor Productions Chicago, IL United States
OCT 22, 2007 - OCT 22, 2007
Red Bull Theater
New York, NY United States
Red Bull Theater New York, NY United States
MAR 01, 2006 - MAR 31, 2006
Emirant Theatre
Minneapolis, MN United States
Emirant Theatre Minneapolis, MN United States
MAR 01, 2004 - MAR 31, 2004
Actors Theatre of Louisville
Louisville, KY United States
Actors Theatre of Louisville Louisville, KY United States
JUL 01, 1999 - JUL 31, 1999
PlayLabs, The Playwrights' Center (staged reading)
Minneapolis, MN United States
PlayLabs, The Playwrights' Center (staged reading) Minneapolis, MN United States

Awards (1)

Best New Script of 2006 (Minneapolis Star Tribune)