Ugly Lies the Bone

A SAMUEL FRENCH, INC. TITLE

Ugly Lies the Bone

Full-Length Play, Drama  /  3w, 2m

In Lindsey Ferrentino's honest, theatrical and compelling drama, a wounded war veteran uses virtual reality game therapy to build a breathtaking new world where she can escape her pain.

Image: 2015 Roundabout Theatre Company Production (Joan Marcus)

  • Cast Size
    Cast Size
    3w, 2m
  • Duration
    Duration
    90 minutes
  • Audience
    Target Audience
    Adult
Accolades
Accolades
  • Winner! 2016 Kesserling Prize for Playwriting
    Winner! 2015 Laurents/Hatcher Special Citation of Excellence
    2015 Kilroys List
    Winner! 2014 Woodward/Newman Drama Award

Details

Summary

Newly discharged soldier Jess has finally returned to her Florida hometown. She brings with her not only vivid memories of Afghanistan, but painful burns that have left her physically and emotionally scarred. Jess soon realizes that things at home have changed even more than she has. Through the use of virtual reality video game therapy, she builds a breathtaking new world where she can escape her pain. As Jess advances farther in the game, she begins to restore her relationships, her life, and, slowly, herself.

Lindsey Ferrentino's transformative play was inspired by a real video game therapy called “Snow World,” currently being used to treat burn survivor veterans living in a state of perpetual pain.

History
Ugly Lies the Bone premiered at Roundabout Underground in New York City on September 10, 2015. Directed by Patricia McGregor, the production featured Mamie Gummer, Karron Graves, Caitlin O'Connell, Chris Stack and Haynes Thigpen.

JESS – early  30s. Severly distorted by third degree burns, uses a walker. Quick-witted, intelligent, tough. Trying to have strength in her body, vulnerability in her life.
KACIE – Jess' older sister by a few years. Was probably beautiful once. Sweet, trying hard for positivity.
STEVIE – early 30s. An inviting smile that makes you want to live in it. Life just keeps happening to him.
KELVIN – Kacie's boyfriend. Older than Kacie. Too comfortable in his own skin.
VOICE/THEIR MOM – 60's. Passionate, powerful, maternal. Strong vocal quality.

Author's note: Cast can be any race and should hopefully reflect some diversity in the world.

Cast can be any race and should hopefully reflect some diversity in the world.

  • Time Period Contemporary, Present Day, New Millennium/21st Century
  • Setting Titusville, Florida. The heart of Florida's space coast.
  • Features Contemporary Costumes / Street Clothes
  • Additional Features No intermission
  • Duration 90 minutes
  • Cautions
    • Mild Adult Themes

Media

CRITICS' PICK! “A bracing drama that confronts an achingly topical issue with hardheaded honesty and admirable compassion.” – The New York Times

“Brave... The play itself, about a severely wounded war veteran attempting to put together a new life, confirms that Lindsey Ferrentino is a writer of dauntless conviction. ” – The New York Times, Read More 

“Powerful. Uncommonly compelling depiction of not merely recovery but also repentance and renewal. Transformative and exhilarating.” – TheatreMania, Read More 

“Raw and inescapably moving... A play of small moments that hide big emotions.” – The New York Observer, Read More 

“Pain is personal in Lindsey Ferrentino’s thoughtful meditation on trauma... Ferrentino reminds us that our internal landscape, like our pain, is ours alone.” – The New Yorker, Read More

Ugly Lies The Bone is clearly the work of a young talent with plenty ahead of her. It’s timely, compelling and as current as you could want; brava to a playwright who focuses on the combat experiences of a woman.” – Deadline Hollywood, Read More 

ON BREAKING CHARACTER

UGLY LIES THE BONE: A Story of Healing, Small Town America and Magical Realism
by Courtney Kochuba and David Kimple 
April 8, 2016

Videos

  • About Ugly Lies the Bone youtube thumbnail

    About Ugly Lies the Bone

  • Ugly Lies the Bone on BBC Radio youtube thumbnail

    Ugly Lies the Bone on BBC Radio

  • Ugly Lies The Bone: Designing a Projected Landscape youtube thumbnail

    Ugly Lies The Bone: Designing a Projected Landscape

  • Ugly Lies the Bone Trailer - Garden Theatre youtube thumbnail

    Ugly Lies the Bone Trailer - Garden Theatre

Photos

  • Ugly Lies the Bone

    Image: 2015 Roundabout Theatre Company Production (Joan Marcus)

Licensing & Materials

  • Minimum Fee: £55 per performance plus VAT when applicable.

    Please submit a license request to determine availability.

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Authors

Lindsey Ferrentino

Lindsey Ferrentino is a New York-based playwright originally from the sunny state of Florida, where many of her plays are set.

Her play Ugly Lies the Bone was a New York Times Critic Pick and played a sold-out extended run off-Broadway at Roundabout Theater Company in the Unde ...

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