Ordinary People (play)

Ordinary People is a dramatic stage play written by American playwright Nancy Pahl-Gilsenan.New York Times Pahl-Gisenan Background accessed 07-28-23 Gilsenan published the adaptation in 1983, three years after the successful film version was released in 1980. The original novel was published by Judith Guest in 1976.Google Books Ordinary People accessed 07-28-23

Characters Conrad Jarrett, a boy in his late teens Calvin Jarrett, Conrad's father Beth Jarrett, Conrad's mother Joe Lanzenby, Conrad's best friend Stillman, Conrad's swim team acquaintance Jeannine Pratt, Conrad's girlfriend Karen Aldrich, Conrad's hospital acquaintance Doctor Berger, Conrad's psychiatrist Coach Salan, Conrad's swim coach

Production history The play is a popular choice for community theatres and schools, and has been produced around the world. A 1992 production by the Young Artists Ensemble in Thousands, Oaks, California was reviewed by the Los Angeles Times.Los Angeles Times Ordinary People Review accessed 07-28-23 Pelican Studios Theatre in New York City staged a production in 2004.Theatre Mania Ordinary People accessed 07-28-23 The Citadel Theatre Company in Lake Forest, Illinois staged a production in 2015 .Theatre in Chicago accessed 7-28-23 A reading was held by Almost Adults Productions in Santa Fe, New Mexico in 2018.BroadwayWorld Ordinary People to receive reading accessed 07-28-23

In review of a production in St. Louis, Missouri, the differences from the novel/film and the play were highlighted as "Gilsenan’s adaptation overall stays true to the source material, lifting much of the dialogue directly from the book. However, it also focuses much more on Conrad’s trajectory than that of Calvin and Beth’s. This is a subtle departure from the source material, which alternates between Conrad and Calvin’s points of view.".Ordinary People Review accessed 7-28-23Untimeley Death Haunts Family accessed 07-28-2023

References