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Dorothy’s Dictionary

Full-Length Play, Dramatic Comedy  /  1w, 1m

E.M. Lewis

In this touching and inspirational two-hander, sparks fly when Zan, an angry high school student, works off his community service assignment by helping Dorothy, an ailing librarian.

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Dorothy’s Dictionary

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  • Cast Size
    Cast Size
    1w, 1m
  • Duration
    Duration
    75 Minutes
  • Audience
    Target Audience
    Adult

Details

Summary

Sparks fly when Zan, an angry high school student, is forced to work off his community service assignment helping Dorothy, an ailing librarian. But each of them might just have what the other needs... if they can only find the words.

History

Dorothy’s Dictionary premiered at Theatre Lab at FAU in Boca Raton, FL, on 19 November 2022. After regional productions in Colorado, Washington and Oregon, the play made its New York City premiere at A.R.T./New York Theatres on 13 June 2025.

Cast Attributes
Keywords
Performing Groups

DOROTHY ROSS – 45, F. A librarian. Smart, tough, bighearted. Loves books and helping people find them. She wears thick glasses that no longer help very much in the seeing department. 

LYZANDER “ZAN” HARDT – 15, M. A high school student. Smart, angry, headstrong. He was suspended and arrested two weeks ago, after a violent incident.

  • Time Period Present Day
  • Setting

    Dorothy’s room at Birchwood Convalescent Home and other locations. The present. 

  • Features Contemporary Costumes/Street Clothes
  • Additional Features No Intermission
  • Duration 75 Minutes
  • Cautions
    • No Special Cautions

Media

“Touching and life-affirming… a gentle, witty and moving example of a two-character play.” – DC Theater Arts

“Heartbreaking, heartwarming and funny… Dorothy’s Dictionary reminds us anew that positivity, human connection, humor and fiction can help us through hard times.” – Theatrical Musings

“That’s what this play is about, hope. The hope of more, no matter your past… E.M. Lewis gives us a play with strong themes and ideas… and at the end of the day, this is the kind of play that we need more of in the world… [a] beautiful little journey between these two people.” – South Florida Theater

“A special journey… The play is a reminder that, in a time when smartphones and the internet so dominate our lives, human interaction – and books – still matter.“ – Sarasota Magazine

“A perfect diversion… playwright Lewis has fashioned characters and dialogue that seem as real as can be.” – DC Theater Arts

Videos

  • Dorothy’s Dictionary – Theatre Lab Promo youtube thumbnail

    Dorothy’s Dictionary – Theatre Lab Promo

  • Dorothy’s Dictionary – Florida Studio Theatre Promo youtube thumbnail

    Dorothy’s Dictionary – Florida Studio Theatre Promo

Licensing & Materials

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

Authors

E.M. Lewis

E.M. Lewis

E.M. Lewis is an award-winning playwright, teacher and opera librettist. Her work has been produced around the world and is published by Samuel French/Concord Theatricals.

Lewis received the Steinberg Award for both How the Light Gets In and Song of Extinction, and the Primus ...

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