Mother Earth
“Mother Earth” centers on Leo, a man in his late twenties living on the Lower East Side of Manhattan, in his mother’s first husband’s widow’s brownstone. He is obsessed with global climate change, and prepares a speech to deliver to his block association in order to convince them to give up their appliances. Meanwhile, he is entirely unable to come to terms with the long-term chronic illness of his mother.
Read Sample
Scene 3: Vase.
Leo visits his mother Anne. She is in bed. She smokes.
Leo has brought her a bouquet of flowers.
ANNE
Thank you. They’re beautiful.
LEO
Is that a new AC?
ANNE
Remote control. Your father installed it.
LEO
As cold as it is in here, it’s no wonder you’re tired.
ANNE
I like these purple ones especially. Purple’s my favorite.
LEO
They’re locally grown – upstate.
You pay a premium, but it’s worth it.
Do you want me to put them in a vase?
ANNE
Just lay them on the bed for now.
LEO
They’ll wet it.
ANNE
You used to do that.
LEO
When I was three.
ANNE
Later.
Five or six. Once even at seven.
You would have nightmares
Come running to our bed and nuzzle your furry little head in between us like a baby panda.
LEO
I’ll go get a vase.
Cast Requirements
Six actors (3m, 3f) playing multiple parts.
Set Description
Places:
Leo’s stoop, on a tree-lined New York City street.
The inside of Leo’s apartment – cluttered with old furniture.
Leo’s mother’s apartment with its giant bed.
The block association meeting.
Spaces should be suggested, and can blend one into the other. The play should move fluidly, the line between indoor and outdoor spaces blurring.
Production and Development History
Reading with Page 73 Productions.
Workshop at the Playlabs Conference.