Kurt Vonnegut's Slaughterhouse-Five

Kurt Vonnegut's Slaughterhouse-Five (or The Children's Crusade) adapted by Eric Simonson

(0)
Productions (21)
Comedy/Drama
|
85 - 95 minutes
3 W, 12 M,  (12-23 actors possible: 2-3 W, 10-20 M)
Content Notes: Adult language
Set: Spare. The setting can be suggested through light and sound.

Based on Kurt Vonnegut's classic novel, Slaughterhouse-Five introduces us to Billy Pilgrim, a man who becomes "unstuck in time" after he is abducted by aliens. In a plot-scrambling display of virtuosity, we follow Pilgrim simultaneously through all the phases of his life. Concentrating on his (and Vonnegut's) shattering experience as an American prisoner of war who witnesses the firebombing of Dresden, this satirical and horrifying anti-war story carries a unique poignancy -- and humor.

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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

Based on Kurt Vonnegut's classic novel, Slaughterhouse-Five introduces us to Billy Pilgrim, a man who becomes "unstuck in time" after he is abducted by aliens. In a plot-scrambling display of virtuosity, we follow Pilgrim simultaneously through all the phases of his life. Concentrating on his (and Vonnegut's) shattering experience as an American prisoner of war who witnesses the firebombing of Dresden, this satirical and horrifying anti-war story carries a unique poignancy -- and humor.

  • Comedy/Drama
  • |
  • 85 - 95 minutes
  • 3 W, 12 M,  (12-23 actors possible: 2-3 W, 10-20 M)
  • Content Notes: Adult language
  • Set: Spare. The setting can be suggested through light and sound.
  • Standard Edition ISBN: 978-1-62384-657-2

Published Reviews

"The show moved me so much I couldn't speak for ten minutes after."

The Chicago Reader

"Skillfully adapted by Eric Simonson of the Steppenwolf Theatre Company in Chicago, this stage version faithfully retains the novel's pivotal moments... This is theatre, which is supposed to awaken our emotion. Here, it goes well."

Andy Webster, New York Times

"Brings Mr. Vonnegut's story to life in a way that seems compelling and contemporary."

Wall Street Journal

"Skillfully pared down by Eric Simonson, Slaughterhouse-Five's short vignettes become hot stage moments that come and go with cinematic swiftness."

U.S.A. Today

"By capturing so vividly the anarchy of Vonnegut's novel, along with its despair (and faint flicker of hope), Simonson makes the story sink in silently."

Chicago Daily Herald

Production History

MAR 24, 2023 - MAR 26, 2023
Jeremy Torres Lab Theatre
San Marcos, TX United States
 Jeremy Torres Lab Theatre San Marcos, TX United States
APR 15, 2022 - APR 24, 2022
Indiana Musical Theatre Foundation
Fort Wayne, IN United States
 Indiana Musical Theatre Foundation Fort Wayne, IN United States
FEB 22, 2019 - FEB 23, 2019
Roycemore School
Evanston, IL United States
 Roycemore School Evanston, IL United States
OCT 27, 2017 - OCT 28, 2017
Hudsons Bay High School
Vancouver, WA United States
 Hudsons Bay High School Vancouver, WA United States
AUG 16, 2017 - AUG 26, 2017
None
Hamilton, ON Canada
 None Hamilton, ON Canada
SEP 18, 2015 - OCT 10, 2015
Subversive Theater Collective
Buffalo, NY United States
 Subversive Theater Collective Buffalo, NY United States
NOV 12, 2014 - NOV 23, 2014
Little Mountain Lion Productions
Vancouver, BC Canada
 Little Mountain Lion Productions Vancouver, BC Canada
SEP 12, 2014 - OCT 12, 2014
Custom Made Theatre Co.
San Francisco, CA United States
 Custom Made Theatre Co. San Francisco, CA United States
SEP 05, 2013 - SEP 15, 2013
The Theatre Of Western Springs
Western Springs, IL United States
 The Theatre Of Western Springs Western Springs, IL United States
FEB 01, 2013 - FEB 02, 2013
Glacier High School
Kalispell, MT United States
 Glacier High School Kalispell, MT United States
MAR 08, 2012 - MAR 10, 2012
Curio Theatre Company
Philadelphia, PA United States
 Curio Theatre Company Philadelphia, PA United States
FEB 02, 2012 - MAR 03, 2012
Curio Theatre Company
Philadelphia, PA United States
 Curio Theatre Company Philadelphia, PA United States
NOV 11, 2011 - NOV 19, 2011
Oddfellows Playhouse
Middletown, CT United States
 Oddfellows Playhouse Middletown, CT United States
JUL 28, 2011 - JUL 31, 2011
Des Moines Social Club
Des Moines, IA United States
 Des Moines Social Club Des Moines, IA United States
MAR 24, 2011 - MAR 25, 2011
Communications High School
Wall Township, NJ United States
 Communications High School Wall Township, NJ United States
MAR 18, 2011 - MAR 26, 2011
R. Dean Acheson Theatre
Birmingham, MI United States
 R. Dean Acheson Theatre Birmingham, MI United States
MAR 10, 2011 - MAR 12, 2011
Upper Arlington High School
Upper Arlington, OH United States
 Upper Arlington High School Upper Arlington, OH United States
NOV 19, 2010 - DEC 05, 2010
Stage Two
Sacramento, CA United States
 Stage Two Sacramento, CA United States
SEP 25, 2010 - OCT 23, 2010
Action! Theatre Company
Los Angeles, CA United States
 Action! Theatre Company Los Angeles, CA United States
JAN 11, 2008 - FEB 17, 2008
Godlight Theatre Company
New York, NY United States
 Godlight Theatre Company New York, NY United States
SEP 18, 1996 - NOV 10, 1996
Steppenwolf Theatre Company
Chicago, IL United States
 Steppenwolf Theatre Company Chicago, IL United States
No upcoming productions.
MAR 08, 2012 - MAR 10, 2012
Curio Theatre Company
Philadelphia, PA United States
 Curio Theatre Company Philadelphia, PA United States
FEB 02, 2012 - MAR 03, 2012
Curio Theatre Company
Philadelphia, PA United States
 Curio Theatre Company Philadelphia, PA United States
JAN 11, 2008 - FEB 17, 2008
Godlight Theatre Company
New York, NY United States
 Godlight Theatre Company New York, NY United States
SEP 18, 1996 - NOV 10, 1996
Steppenwolf Theatre Company
Chicago, IL United States
 Steppenwolf Theatre Company Chicago, IL United States

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