COUNTING DAYS
A Comic-Drama of Self-Discovery
"Kohler's writing is as full of well-developed recurring themes as a finely-tuned symphony." – Shepherd Express (May 1995)
Can books be an aid in a spiritual journey? Or do they become yet another form of escape? Katherine Mansfield mesmerized 1920s readers with her glamorous life and crystalline writing. Mary Kniesen, a contemporary, divorced empty-nester, becomes obsessed with Mansfield's journals. Snatches of the journals punctuate Mary’s flounderings until the spirit of Mansfield aids Mary on her journey of self-discovery — a journey that also includes some old friends, doctors, a watercolor teacher, a flamenco dancer, a handyman, and a travel agent. By play’s end, Mary begins to embrace her own bittersweet life experiences and takes steps toward acting for herself.
CASTING: 4 actors (1M, 3W). Diversity welcome.
SET REQUIREMENTS: Simple, single unit set
RUN TIME: 90 minutes
Production History
Produced:
Renaissance Theaterworks, Milwaukee, WI – 1995 (Premiere)
Readings:
Avenue Theatre, NJ – 2006
American Theater Company, Chicago, IL – 2001
Chicago Dramatists, Chicago, IL – 1997
Victory Gardens Theatre, Chicago, IL –1997
Awards
Best New Regional Play, American Theatre Critics Association – 1995
New Play Festival, Charlotte Repertory Theatre, Finalist – 1995
Susan Smith Blackburn Prize, Nominee – 1995
Reviews
"Worthy of a wide audience" – Backstage, The Performing Arts Weekly, June 1995
"[COUNTING DAYS] is solidly conceived theater. Kohler's writing is as full of well-developed recurring themes as a finely-tuned symphony." – Shepherd Express, May 1995
"COUNTING DAYS deserves productions beyond Milwaukee." – Milwaukee Journal Sentinel, May 1995
"Marie Kohler has written a delicately funny play with a serious foundation and an upbeat ending." – City Edition (Milwaukee), May 1995