Comedy

Characters: 1 male, 1 female

Exterior Set

Originally broadcast on American Playhouse, this delightful adaptation is set in a Victorian garden and is structured as a series of diary entries by Adam and Eve. The play also works as a reader's theatre piece. At first, Adam is puzzled by the new arrival in the garden and he is suspicious of her disturbing appetite for fruit. Eve, believing herself to be some sort of experiment, is curious about another experiment in the garden, perhaps some sort of reptile or possibly architecture. Eve gives names to everything, much to Adam's annoyance. He tries to ignore her, so she seeks companionship among the animals particularly with a certain snake. Adam and Eve grow to love each other and, in the end, an elderly Adam is filled with a realization of that love as he stands at Eve's grave. "Sharp and resourceful...played with freshness and theatricality....charming." -Variety..".endearing...a reminder of Twain's storytelling genius and how much fun it can be...flavorful as apple cider, pungent, ironic." -The Los Angeles Times"Mark Twain isn't just for Hal Holbrook anymore. David Birney brings Mark Twain's words to life...in a romantic adventure for the ages." -Times Union, Albany, NY

Holiday Play with Music Character Descriptions: 3 male, 3 female, plus chorus of 8 to 12 singers Simple Set A Christmas celebration told in songs, stories, poems and tales by Dickens, Mark Twain, Frank McCourt, Emily Dickinson, Alfred Lord Tennyson, A.J. Carothers, and many others collected with a host of traditional carols and holiday songs. This piece provides a perfect evening to warm hearts, stir memories and give laughter during the holiday season. Also available from Samuel French: David Birney's original A Chrismas Pudding, which includes selections by Shakespeare, Shaw, Longfellow, St. Luke and many others! "David Birney's adaptation is an evening of song, poetry and stories that celebrates the spiritual dimensions of the season...from a diverse array of classic and modern texts, punctuated with musical interludes...[The] tone ranges from lighthearted whimsy to solemn reflection...humorous, wry...lighthearted...This is definitely a Christmas show...one (whose) openhearted sentiments send a message that's reassuringly inclusive." - The Los Angeles Times "A calorie-laden Christmas Pudding in Los Altos...a place to jump-start your holiday spirit as we enter the gratitude season of the year. " - The Daily News, Los Altos, California

Edited and adapted by David Birney / 3m., 3f., plus chorus 8 to 12 singers / Holiday Play with music /Simple Unit Set A Christmas celebration told in songs, stories, poems and tales by Dickens, Mark Twain, Shakespeare, Emily Dickinson, Shaw, Longfellow, St. Luke and many others collected with a host of traditional carols and holiday songs. This piece provides a perfect evening to warm hearts, stir memories and give laughter during the holiday season.