Talk to Me

Chapter One

Lillian

David Cale

For Lillian



Lillian premiered at the Goodman Theatre (Robert Falls, Artistic Director; Roche Schulfer, Executive Director) in Chicago, Illinois, on October 27, 1997. It was directed by Joe Mantello; the designer was Robert Brill; the lighting design was by Beverly Emmons. The cast was as follows:

LILLIAN: David Cale

CHARACTER

LILLIAN: An Englishwoman in her early forties.

PART 1

The Present

Chrysanthemums

Stage is bare except for a stool, a microphone, and a small wooden table with a vase of yellow chrysanthemums and a glass of water. Wayne Shorter's "Moto Grosso Feio" plays. LILLIAN enters holding a single bloom. She stands at the microphone. Music ends.

LILLIAN

Chrysanthemums are considered to be late bloomers. Originating in China, they date back as far as five hundred years BC. The wild native version of the species has now almost disappeared. Having been completely overshadowed by its more colorful domesticated relative. For optimum results, chrysanthemums require a clay so ... read full excerpt from: Talk to Me ebook