Anna Ziegler Plays Two

Amber and Tom, finding their way as freshmen at Princeton, spend a night together that alters the course of their lives. They agree on the drinking, they agree on the attraction, but consent is foggy, and if unspoken, can it be called consent? With lyricism and wit, ACTUALLY investigates gender and race politics, our crippling desire to fit in, and the three sides to every story.

"[Her] dialogue bristles with smart, eloquent talk...Ms. Ziegler's quietly lyrical language has a luminous beauty, and her talent for creating characters whose complicated depths are just visible on their surfaces is still more remarkable." (The New York Times) This second play collection from one of America's most successful theatre writers brings together four plays that offer differing perspectives on family and the human condition. Each play has enjoyed successful productions in cities across America, cementing Ziegler's position as one of the world's most exciting contemporary dramatists. The Wanderers: A funny, insightful, and mysterious new drama explores the hidden connections between seemingly disparate people, drawing audiences into an intriguing puzzle and a deeply sympathetic look at modern love. "As perfect a piece of theater as I've seen in many years. The script by Anna Ziegler is a revelation, touching on family truths, marriage, and personal histories...Go see this show. It's magnificent." (DC Theatre Scene) The Great Moment: A personal and poignant meditation on beginnings and endings, birth and age, and the moments of transition that mark our passage from life to death. "A reflection on family, love, life, expected loss, and the peculiarity of our relationship with time, The Great Moment blends moments of sweetness, sadness, nostalgia, delight, and humor to create a delightful evening of theater." (Seattle Pockets) Another Way Home: A funny, moving, and uplifting examination of what it means to be a family. "a laugh-packed serio-comedy that shoves family life under a microscope. The dialogue is ironic, sardonic, poignant, insightful and funny - with each sensation rapidly piling atop the next." (Marinscope) Actually: Investigates gender and race politics, our crippling desire to fit in, and the three sides to every story. “Gripping. Beautifully rendered and complex. Destined to trigger discussion.” (LA Times)

Inspired by a true story, Anna Ziegler’s BOY explores the tricky terrain of finding love amidst the confusion of sexual identity, and the inextricable bond between a doctor and patient. In the 1960s, a well-intentioned doctor convinces the parents of a male infant to raise their son as a girl after a terrible accident. Two decades later, the repercussions of that choice continue to unfold.

Played out under the bright lights of the US Open semifinals, THE LAST MATCH pits rising Russian star Sergei Sergeyev against American great Tim Porter in an epic showdown that follows two tennis titans through pivotal moments in their lives both on and off the court. This gripping, fast-paced story captures the intense world of competitive sports, and human rivalry, and what it means to want something—and the lengths we will go to in order to feel relevant, important, and young.

"Ziegler's thoughtful, empathetic play brings home with bitter comedy the unlovely male-domination of this world in the 1950s ... glorious." Independent London 1953. Scientists are on the verge of discovering what they call the secret of life: the DNA double helix. Providing the key is driven young physicist Rosalind Franklin. But if the double helix was the breakthrough of the 20th century, then what kept Franklin out of the history books? A play about ambition, isolation, and the race for greatness. Photograph 51 premiered in the UK in London's West End in 2015 in a production which starred Nicole Kidman, where it won the WhatsOnStage Award for Best New Play. Published for the first time in Methuen Drama's Modern Classics series, this edition features a brand-new introduction by Mandy Greenfield.

"[Her] dialogue bristles with smart, eloquent talk...Ms. Ziegler's quietly lyrical language has a luminous beauty, and her talent for creating characters whose complicated depths are just visible on their surfaces is still more remarkable." (The New York Times) This second play collection from one of America's most successful theatre writers brings together four plays that offer differing perspectives on family and the human condition. Each play has enjoyed successful productions in cities across America, cementing Ziegler's position as one of the world's most exciting contemporary dramatists. The Wanderers: A funny, insightful, and mysterious new drama explores the hidden connections between seemingly disparate people, drawing audiences into an intriguing puzzle and a deeply sympathetic look at modern love. "As perfect a piece of theater as I've seen in many years. The script by Anna Ziegler is a revelation, touching on family truths, marriage, and personal histories...Go see this show. It's magnificent." (DC Theatre Scene) The Great Moment: A personal and poignant meditation on beginnings and endings, birth and age, and the moments of transition that mark our passage from life to death. "A reflection on family, love, life, expected loss, and the peculiarity of our relationship with time, The Great Moment blends moments of sweetness, sadness, nostalgia, delight, and humor to create a delightful evening of theater." (Seattle Pockets) Another Way Home: A funny, moving, and uplifting examination of what it means to be a family. "a laugh-packed serio-comedy that shoves family life under a microscope. The dialogue is ironic, sardonic, poignant, insightful and funny - with each sensation rapidly piling atop the next." (Marinscope) Actually: Investigates gender and race politics, our crippling desire to fit in, and the three sides to every story. “Gripping. Beautifully rendered and complex. Destined to trigger discussion.” (LA Times)

THE STORY: A haunting love triangle triggers an unexpected chain of events in this poetic play. In the early stages of a new relationship, Sarah and Sam are lovers happily discovering each other. Sarah and Nate know everything about each other, best of friends since childhood and maybe something more. But when Nate shows up unannounced on Sarah’s doorstep, she’s left questioning what and who she wants in this humorous and heartbreaking look at love, memory, and the decisions that alter the course of our lives.

THE STORY: A funny and moving portrait of the unrequited life of Rosalind Franklin, one of the great female scientists of the twentieth century, and her fervid drive to map the contours of the DNA molecule. A chorus of physicists relives the chase,

The first collection of plays from a major American playwright, Plays One includes: Photograph 51, A Delicate Ship, Boy and The Last Match Photograph 51: Does Rosalind Franklin know how precious her photograph is? In the race to unlock the secret of life it could be the one to hold the key. With rival scientists looking everywhere for the answer, who will be first to see it and more importantly, understand it? Anna Ziegler’s extraordinary play looks at the woman who cracked DNA and asks what is sacrificed in the pursuit of science, love and a place in history. A Delicate Ship: A haunting love triangle triggers an unexpected chain of events in this poetic play. A humorous and heartbreaking look at love and memory. This play received its world premiere in March 2014 at Cincinnati Playhouse in the Park. Boy: Inspired by a true story, Boy explores the complicated terrain of trying to find love in a new body, and the inextricable bonds between doctor and patient – creator and creation. Commissioned by the Manhattan Theatre Club and the Sloan Foundation. The Last Match: The semifinals of the U.S. Open are underway. Sergei Sergeyev, an up-and-coming Russian phenom, and Tim Porter, a great American superstar in the twilight of his career, battle under the lights on center court. As the intense, back-and-forth action unfolds, Anna Ziegler take us inside the minds of these two extraordinary players to contemplate athleticism, masculinity and marriage. And by match point, much more has been won and lost than a game of tennis.

THE STORY: Four Jewish kids struggle to survive high school in this delightful comedy. Leah loves Tom...probably. Mike loves Leah--or maybe still Dana--or maybe just soccer. Tom--the brainy Asian kid--isn't sure about Leah or love or his Jewish parents.