Left on Tenth

A DRAMATISTS PLAY SERVICE TITLE

Left on Tenth

Full-Length Play, Dramatic Comedy  /  2w, 2m

By Delia Ephron
Based on her memoir

A romantic comedy about a novelist who reconnects with an old flame and finds love again, based on the memoir and life of author Delia Ephron.

Image: 2024 Broadway Production (Joan Marcus)

  • Cast Size
    Cast Size
    2w, 2m
  • Duration
    Duration
    105 Minutes
  • SubGenre
    Subgenre
    Biography, Romantic Comedy
  • Audience
    Target Audience
    Adult

Details

Summary

After Delia Ephron’s husband of more than thirty years passes away from cancer, Delia has to deal with logistical problems large and small – among them, cancelling her husband’s landline with Verizon. The frustrating experience becomes the basis of a New York Times op-ed, which in turn becomes the basis for a new relationship. Peter, a man she briefly dated in her twenties, contacts her after reading her piece and wants to reconnect. In classic romantic comedy style, emails become phone calls become cross-country flights become lasting love. But when Delia is faced with a devastating new challenge, her newfound relationship with Peter comes to mean more than a happy ending – it means winning the fight of her life.

History

Left On Tenth premiered on Broadway at the James Earl Jones Theatre on 23 October 2024. Directed by Susan Stroman, the production featured Julianna Margulies, Peter Gallagher, Kate MacCluggage, Peter Francis James and the dogs Nessa Rose and Charlie.

This character list reflects the Broadway cast in which one female actor and one male actor played all the female and male roles other than Delia and Peter. Productions can recreate the Broadway casting or can use individual actors to play one or any combination of the characters.

DELIA – Somewhere north of fifty, a writer, girlish, funny, emotional, and very alive.
PETER – Somewhere north of fifty, a psychiatrist/Jungian psycho-analyst, intense, confident, an outdoor guy.
HONEY – A small dog.
CHARLOTTE – Another small dog.

Additional female roles:
DEENA – Delia’s age, screenwriter and novelist, rabid Dodgers fan, a California woman, very pulled together.
JULIA – Delia’s age, English, a writer, theatrical.
JESSIE – A little younger than Delia, a writer/director, soulful, both compassionate and tough, spiritual and earthy.
ALICE – Delia’s age, one hundred percent Berkeley, a practicing psychologist.
DR. ROBOZ – Late forties to early fifties, a brilliant oncologist, a doctor with a touch of girlfriend.
VERIZON PHONE REPRESENTATIVES and ANNOUNCEMENTS
ROSIE
WAITRESS
BRIDE IN SEVEN BRIDES FOR SEVEN BROTHERS DANCE
PILOT
HOSPITAL VISITOR
NURSE

Additional male roles:
MITCH – Early sixties, Delia’s neighbor, cool, a designer.
RICHARD – Charming infirm older man, English.
DR. KOEN VAN BESIEN (also known as VB) – Fifties, head of the transplant unit, Belgian, dignified, brilliant, modest, fluent in English.
VERIZON PHONE REPRESENTATIVES
EYE DOCTOR
VERIZON REPAIR PERSON
WAITER
GROOM IN SEVEN BRIDES FOR SEVEN BROTHERS DANCE
PILOT
ORDERLY
MALE NURSE

If possible, the dogs should be real. Their independent actions can be limited to running out onstage if the actor offers a treat. Otherwise the dogs can be carried, handed from one actor to another, or fussed over (on the ground) so they are almost never running around loose.

This character list reflects the Broadway cast in which one female actor and one male actor played all the female and male roles other than Delia and Peter. Productions can recreate the Broadway casting or can use individual actors to play one or any combination of the characters.

If possible, the dogs should be real. Their independent actions can be limited to running out onstage if the actor offers a treat. Otherwise the dogs can be carried, handed from one actor to another, or fussed over (on the ground) so they are almost never running around loose.

  • Time Period Contemporary, New Millennium/21st Century
  • Setting

    Various locations in NYC. The 2010s.

  • Features Contemporary Costumes/Street Clothes
  • Additional Features Animal Spot, No Intermission
  • Duration 105 Minutes

Media

“Honest and deeply personal.” – Chicago Tribune

“Both hopeful and heartwarming… It’s clear why Ephron would wish to share their love story with the world.” – USA Today

“You may feel a comforting return to the world and framing of Ephronian romantic comedy.” – New York Magazine

“A moving and heartfelt portrait of romance and passion.” – The New York Times

Videos

  • Left On Tenth – Broadway Trailer youtube thumbnail

    Left On Tenth – Broadway Trailer

  • Left On Tenth on Broadway – What is the Show About? youtube thumbnail

    Left On Tenth on Broadway – What is the Show About?

  • Left On Tenth on Broadway – Director Susan Stroman Talks About the Show youtube thumbnail

    Left On Tenth on Broadway – Director Susan Stroman Talks About the Show

Photos

  • Left on Tenth

    Image: 2024 Broadway Production (Joan Marcus)

  • Left on Tenth

    Image: 2024 Broadway Production (Joan Marcus)

Licensing & Materials

  • Minimum Fee: £85 per performance plus VAT when applicable.

Scripts

Available Formats:

Authors

Delia Ephron

Delia Ephron is a novelist, screenwriter, essayist, and playwright. She is the author of the best-selling memoir, Left on Tenth: A Second Chance at Life. Her play, based on the memoir, directed by Susan Stroman, was produced on Broadway. Her novels include the best-selling Si ...
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