Fish in the Dark: A Play
By Larry David
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About this ebook
Fish in the Dark marked Seinfeld co-creator Larry David’s playwriting debut, his Broadway debut—and his first time acting on stage since eighth grade. David starred as Norman Drexel, a man in his fifties who is average in most respects, except for his hyperactive libido. As Norman, his more successful brother Arthur, their elderly mother, and a host of other characters try to navigate the death of a loved one, old acquaintances and unsettled arguments resurface—with hilarious consequences.
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Book preview
Fish in the Dark - Larry David
Fish in the Dark
Larry David
Grove Press
New York
Copyright © 2015 by Larry David
Excerpts from My Fair Lady and I Could Have Danced All Night
are used by permission of the Alan Jay Lerner Testamentary Trust and the Frederick Loewe Foundation, Inc.
Cover design and illustration by BLT Communications, LLC
All rights reserved. No part of this book may be reproduced in any form or by any electronic or mechanical means, including information storage and retrieval systems, without permission in writing from the publisher, except by a reviewer, who may quote brief passages in a review. Scanning, uploading, and electronic distribution of this book or the facilitation of such without the permission of the publisher is prohibited. Please purchase only authorized electronic editions, and do not participate in or encourage electronic piracy of copyrighted materials. Your support of the author’s rights is appreciated. Any member of educational institutions wishing to photocopy part or all of the work for classroom use, or anthology, should send inquiries to Grove Atlantic, 154 West 14th Street, New York, NY 10011 or permissions@groveatlantic.com.
CAUTION: Professionals and amateurs are hereby warned that Fish in the Dark is subject to a royalty. It is fully protected under the copyright laws of the United States, Canada, United Kingdom, and all British Commonwealth countries, and all countries covered by the International Copyright Union, the Pan-American Copyright Convention, and the Universal Copyright Convention. All rights, including professional, amateur, motion picture, recitation, public reading, radio broadcasting, television, video or sound taping, all other forms of mechanical or electronic reproduction, such as information storage and retrieval systems and photocopying, and rights of translation into foreign languages, are strictly reserved.
Stock and amateur applications for permission to perform Fish in the Dark must be made in advance to William Morris Endeavor Entertainment, LLC, Attn: John Buzzetti (1325 Avenue of the Americas, New York, NY 10019, telephone: 212-586-5100) and by paying the requisite fee, whether the plays are presented for charity or gain and whether or not admission is charged. First Class and professional applications must be made in advance to William Morris Endeavor Entertainment, LLC, Attn: John Buzzetti (1325 Avenue of the Americas, New York, NY 10019, telephone: 212-586-5100) and by paying the requisite fee.
Printed in the United States of America
ISBN 978-0-8021-2440-1
eISBN 978-0-8021-9128-1
Grove Press
an imprint of Grove Atlantic
154 West 14th Street
New York, NY 10011
Distributed by Publishers Group West
groveatlantic.com
PRODUCTION CREDITS
Fish in the Dark received its world premiere at the Cort Theatre on Broadway, with previews beginning on February 2 and opening on March 5, 2015. The production was directed by Anna D. Shapiro. Todd Rosenthal, Scenic Design; Ann Roth, Costume Design; Brian MacDevitt, Lighting Design; Rob Milburn and Michael Bodeen, Sound Design; Alan D’Angerio, Wig Design; Caparelliotis Casting, Casting; Rolt Smith, Production Stage Manager; Penelope Daulton, Company Manager; Aurora Productions, Production Management; Philip Rinaldi, Press Representative; Van Dyke Parks, Original Music. Fish in the Dark was originally produced on the stage by Scott Rudin, Lloyd Braun, Eli Bush, Roger Berlind, William Berlind, Roy Furman, Jon B. Platt, Ruth Hendel, the Shubert Organization, Catherine and Fred Adler, Jay Alix and Una Jackman, Scott M. Delman, Jean Doumanian, Sonia Friedman, Tulchin Bartner Productions, Heni Koenigsberg, Daryl Roth, True Love Productions. Executive Producers: Joey Parnes, Sue Wagner, John Johnson. The cast was as follows:
Norman Larry David
Brenda Rita Wilson
Arthur Ben Shenkman
Michelle Jenn Lyon
Doctor Stiles Richard Topol
Gloria Jayne Houdyshell
Fabiana Rosie Perez
Natalie Molly Ranson
Greg Jonny Orsini
Rose Marylouise Burke
Harry Kenneth Tigar
Stewie Lewis J. Stadlen
Sidney Jerry Adler
Nurse Maria Elena Ramirez
Jay Leventhal Jeff Still
Jessica Rachel Resheff
Diego Jake Cannavale
Doctor Meyers Joel Rooks
CHARACTERS
NORMAN DREXEL
Early to mid-50s, average in every respect except for his hyperactive libido.
BRENDA DREXEL
A few years younger than Norman; honest, cheery, and optimistic, all qualities sorely lacking in her husband.
ARTHUR DREXEL
Norman’s brother, two years younger than him; much wealthier, better-looking, and divorced.
MICHELLE
A voluptuous, full-of-life blonde who is dating Arthur and works as a notary for their father’s lawyer.
DOCTOR STILES
A doctor at the hospital where Sidney is staying.
GLORIA
Mother of Norman and Arthur, early to mid-70s, bad wig and all.
FABIANA
Puerto Rican housekeeper at Norman and Brenda’s house, early 40s.
NATALIE
Norman and Brenda’s daughter, early 20s.
GREG
Natalie’s goofy boyfriend.
ROSE
Sidney’s sister.
HARRY
Rose’s husband.
STEWIE
Sidney’s blustery, bull-in-a-china-shop younger brother.
SIDNEY
Norman and Arthur’s father, now dying in hospital.
NURSE
A nurse at the hospital.
JAY LEVENTHAL
Lawyer and estate planner to Sidney, and employer of Michelle, in his mid-50s.
JESSICA
Arthur’s precocious fourteen-year-old daughter.
DIEGO
Fabiana’s son, young and handsome.
DOCTOR MEYERS
Gloria’s doctor at the hospital.
Fish in the Dark
ACT ONE
Scene 1
We open on a darkened stage. It’s the middle of the night and a couple, NORMAN and BRENDA DREXEL, are fast asleep.
Norman, early to mid-50s, average in every respect, except for his hyperactive libido, which, due to the exigencies of marriage, is hardly a blessing. Brenda is a few years younger than Norman. She’s honest, cheery, and optimistic, all qualities sorely lacking in her husband.
After a few beats, the ringing of a phone breaks the silence.
The scene is played in the dark with voiceovers.
NORMAN (bolting awake) Oh my God! Who’s dead?!
BRENDA Answer