Turning Night in the Dying House

Full-length
Drama
2m
College, Community, Pro

Overview

In the waning twilight of his acclaimed career, a Pulitzer Prize-winning playwright grapples with the insatiable nature of desire and his elusive quest for fulfillment. When he meets an idealistic young writer who seeks affirmation from his mentor, they embark on a dangerous exploration of their intertwined fates, where longings yearned for by one are held tightly by the other. Their relationship begins with a meeting that oscillates between provocation and playfulness, laying the groundwork for a dynamic that defies the boundaries of mentorship. As the years pass, their relationship shifts from reverence to rivalry and admiration to aggression, culminating in a haunting reckoning that leaves us questioning whether the pursuit of our desires or the fear of their attainment truly defines and fulfills.

Casting & Production

Casting

Cast of Characters
(2M)

THE MAN
60s-70s. Formidable, fit, and well-groomed, his effortless gravitas immediately commands respect. He wears khakis, a smart button-down shirt, and eyeglasses. He has an unusual cadence in his speech, an irregularity in his stride—hinting at unstable complexities behind his famous, reclusive life.

THE BOY
20s. He is not really a boy, but his handsomely bedraggled appearance might deceive one into thinking he is younger. With filthy shoes, little sleep, and a lot of anxiety, he is on the verge of falling apart, it would seem. Despite this, there’s a charm to him, a curiosity and innocence that exposes the raw hunger for identity he seeks in the shadow of his mentor.

Setting

Place: New York City
Time: 2000s
Five years pass between Act I and Act II