''The Scene'' is a

black comedy Black comedy, also known as black humor, bleak comedy, dark comedy, dark humor, gallows humor or morbid humor, is a style of comedy that makes light of subject matter that is generally considered taboo, particularly subjects that are normally ...

written by Theresa Rebeck which was first performed in 2006.

Plot summary

The play opens with a Manhattan party, where Clea, an attractive twenty-something Ohio native, is conversing with two men, Charlie, a middle-aged washed up actor, and Lewis, his best friend. Clea chatters (in her valley girl-esqe way of speaking) on about how "surreal" New York City is - advertising herself as the gorgeous but dumb girl. She rambles about how she doesn't drink, due to genetic alcoholism, but later accepts Lewis's vodka offer. After drinking down the vodka, Clea goes into a rant about this new job she took is absolutely empty, referring to it as a void. She also rants about her boss, Stella, calling her an infertile "Nazi Priestess" who is obsessed with her job and her current baby adoption process. It is revealed that Stella is Charlie's wife. Stella, Charlie, and Lewis are drinking at Stella and Charlie's apartment, listening to Stella's rant about Clea, calling her an idiot who can barely speak English but looks good from the back. Lewis is sent out to get drinks and Stella complains about how miserable she is at work. Charlie then goes on a rant about the party. Stella asks Charlie if he spoke to Nick, Charlie's arch-nemesis. Nick and Charlie went to high school together Clea first dates Lewis, soon moving to Charlie. His wife catches them in the act, and Charlie is unable to clear the situation. He loses his wife – Lewis is happy to console her – Clea drops him and moves on, and all he has left is his bottle and his misery.

Productions

The

world premiere A premiere, also spelled première, (from , ) is the debut (first public presentation) of a work, i.e. play, film, dance, musical composition, or even a performer in that work. History Raymond F. Betts attributes the introduction of the film ...

of the play was in March to April 2006 at the

Humana Festival of New American Plays Humana Festival of New American Plays was an internationally renowned festival which celebrated the contemporary American playwright. Produced annually in Louisville, Kentucky by Actors Theatre of Louisville, the festival showcased new theatrical ...

at the

Actors Theatre of Louisville Actors Theatre of Louisville is a non-profit performing arts theater located in downtown Louisville, Kentucky. Actors Theatre was founded in 1964 following the merging of two local companies, Actors, Inc. and Theatre Louisville, operated by Louis ...

, directed by Rebecca Taichman.Jones, Chris
" 'The Scene' steals the show at Humana"
''Chicago Tribune'', April 5, 2006Jones, Kenneth
"Theresa Rebeck Looks at 'The Scene' in NYC in Humana Fest Play, March 11-April 2"
Playbill, March 11, 2006 The play subsequently was produced

Off-Broadway An off-Broadway theatre is any professional theatre venue in New York City with a seating capacity between 100 and 499, inclusive. These theatres are smaller than Broadway theatres, but larger than off-off-Broadway theatres, which seat fewer tha ...

at the

Second Stage Theatre Second Stage Theater is a non-profit theater company that presents work by living American writers both on and off Broadway. It is based in Midtown Manhattan, New York City, and is affiliated with the League of Resident Theatres. Founded in 1979 ...

from December 12, 2006 in previews until February 11, 2007. The Off-Broadway production was also directed by Taichman." 'The Scene' "
lortel.org, retrieved October 4, 2017

Critical response

It was well received by ''

The New York Times ''The New York Times'' (''NYT'') is an American daily newspaper based in New York City. ''The New York Times'' covers domestic, national, and international news, and publishes opinion pieces, investigative reports, and reviews. As one of ...

'' reviewer, who wrote that it was a "sharp-witted, sharp-elbowed comedy about the savage economies of sex and show business in contemporary Manhattan." The ''Hollywood Reporter'' found that "Rebeck fails to lay the groundwork for Charlie's second-act disintegration."Greene, Alexi
"Theater Reviews"
''Hollywood Reporter'', January 11, 2007 The ''CurtainUp'' reviewer wrote that the play was "sharply written" and "Ms. ebeccaTaichman is again in charge for the very handsomely staged Second Stage production....an entertaining sendup of our celebrity conscious culture.""A CurtainUp Review 'The Scene' "
CurtainUp, January 16, 2007

Cast

Off-Broadway Cast: *Clea –

Anna Camp Anna Ragsdale Camp (born September 27, 1982) is an American actress. She portrayed the villainous Sarah Newlin in the HBO vampire drama ''True Blood'' (2009, 2013–2014), Aubrey Posen in the ''Pitch Perfect'' film series (2012–2017), and t ...

*Stella –

Patricia Heaton Patricia Helen Heaton (born March 4, 1958) is an American actress. She began her career appearing in a recurring role in the American Broadcasting Company, ABC drama series ''Thirtysomething'' (1989–1991) and later appearing in the comedy film ...

*Charlie –

Tony Shalhoub Anthony Marc Shalhoub ( ; ; born October 9, 1953) is an American actor. He is known for a variety of roles ranging from comedic to dramatic on stage and screen. He has received several accolades including five Emmy Awards, a Golden Globe Award, s ...

*Lewis – Christopher Evan Welch World Premiere Cast: *Clea –

*Stella – Carla Harting *Charlie – Stephen Barker Turner *Lewis – David Wilson Barnes

References

{{DEFAULTSORT:Scene 2006 plays Plays by Theresa Rebeck Plays set in New York City