Talley's Folly -- by Lanford Wilson (1980)

Description

The two-hander takes place in an old boathouse in Lebanon, Missouri (Wilson's hometown) on July 4, 1944. No intermission is included, which Matt emphasizes in his opening monologue wherein he sets the parameters of the show: it is only to last 97 minutes. A little specific? Yeah.

Matt and Sally had a summer fling in 1943 and Matt has returned to further their relationship. However, Sally has sent Matt mixed signals over the course of the previous year. To profess his love, Matt appeared at her workplace, the hospital, wherein she evaded him completely.

On the night of the play, he went to her house and was immediately threatened and thrown off the property by her family due to his cultural background. Sally finds him in the abandoned, crumbling boathouse, and they argue for . . . 97 minutes . . .

Both Sally and Matt search for truth in discovering each other's histories. Both individuals have traumatic pasts which inform their attitudes and outlooks on life. Sally continuously offers Matt gasoline so that he can refuel his car and leave the premises. By the end of their conversation, a new resolution is drawn as they better understand each other.

Characters

 Matt Friedman, 42
Sally Talley, 31

In 2013, the Roundabout Theater Company staged a revival in NYC with Danny Burstein and Sarah Paulson. Watch an abridged version of the play here. Watch them discuss the play here.

 Candid Reaction

  • Okay, I have no idea what some of these words mean: louvers, lambent, creels
  • Why is the artificiality of the set emphasized? How does this add to the theme(s) of the play?
  • Time is clearly of the essence in this play
  • Matt seems cognizant of the role of setting in his life. 
  • Matt's adage is timely: "It's hard to use your peripheral vision when you're being led by the nose" (5). 
  • Matt is just hyper-aware of circumstance. 
  • What do you mean Matt had it coming, Sally?
  • Optimism appears to be a necessity in their lives
  • Some of these one-liner responses are HILARIOUS
  • They really used the phrase "the bee's knees" in 1944?
  • "There is always something thrilling about the broad canvas of a European story, isn't there?" Matt asserts. I don't know if I agree, but his story was thrilling. 
  • Matt fights for an ideal world with human compassion: "People do not scream and yell and kick. People are blessed with the beautiful gift of reason and communication" (42). That statement is one of the most moving assertions I have read in any play so far. 
  • THEY ARE BOTH SMILING!
  • Wow, fear is really the motivator here. 
  • This whole egg analogy is surprisingly effective
  • How vulnerable of a moment for someone to ask them about their fears. 
  • That resolution was SUPER quick. Kinda too quick. 
Top Two Aspects/Reasons for Winning

 1. Historical Context 

The play captures a time of racial/societal tension with anti-Semitism bleeding into the USA. I am no history buff, but the play seems to address sensitive cultural issues regarding prejudice and stereotyping.

2. Feminism 

 While most of the play seems to focus on race issues, the latter half of the play unveils feminist issues as Sally reveals her history.

Classroom Implications

This text would not be ideal as a stand-alone text, but perhaps it could be a paired-text. I would only use this for grades 9 and above. I would focus on reading from a historical lens.

Personal Takeaway

There are specific challenges with limiting plays to a certain time frame (plot-wise, how much resolution can be done? How high do the stakes need to be? etc.).

Ranking

Dialogue
Characters
Plot/Conflict
Symbol/Literary Devices
Overall Enjoyment
TOTAL SCORE





5.5
0
Unfollowable; unrealistic; diction does not match character
Undeveloped; does not reflect humanity
Not engaging; predictable; reader can step away from text because it isn’t gripping
Devices are apparent for cleverness and do not enhance the story
Reader has no interest in re-reading play (.5)
1
Not consistently realistic
Well-developed; most depictions reflect humanity
Semi-engaging; some unnecessary plot-points (1)
Devices somewhat enhance story (1) 
Reader would re-read with pleasure and reminded of work
2
Realistic; connotative; diction matches characters (1.5)
Fully-developed; depictions reflect humanity (1.5)  
Engaging; unique; reader finds it impossible to put down text because the conflict is so gripping!
Devices seamlessly enhance the story and provide rich interpretation
Reader would re-read the play on own volition, enthusiastically  

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Rankings

9.75 -- Fences by August Wilson ( 1987 ) 9.5 -- The Subject Was Roses by Frank D. Gilroy (1965) 9.25 -- Cat on a Hot Tin Roof by Tennessee Williams (1955) 9.25 -- The Gin Game by D.L. Coburn (1978) 9.25  --   Long Day's Journey into Night  by Eugene O'Neill  (1957) 9.25 -- Rabbit Hole by David Lindsay-Abaire (2007) 9.25 -- Topdog/Underdog by Suzan-Lori Parks ( 2002 ) 9.0 -- Angels in America, Part 1: Millennium Approaches: A Gay Fantasia on National Themes by Tony Kushner (1993)   9.0  --  Anna Christie  by Eugene O'Neill  (1922) 9.0 -- Cost of Living by Martyna Majok ( 2018 ) 9.0 -- Death of a Salesman by Arthur Miller (1949) 9.0 -- Doubt by John Patrick Shanley (2005) 9.0 --  The Flick by Annie Baker (2014) 9.0 -- 'night, Mother by Marsha Norman (1983) 9.0 -- Water by the Spoonful by Quiara Alegria Hudes ( 2012 ) 8 .75 --  Beyond the Horizon by Eugene O'Neill (1920) 8.75 -- How I Learned to Drive by Paula Vogel ( 1998 ) 8.75 -- ...
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