COUNTING DAYS

Two women in an office looking at a globe

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

Character Breakdown
Scene Sample
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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

Harold & Mimi Steinberg / American Theatre Critics Association New Play Award & Citations, Nominee – 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

  • "...solidly conceived theater. Kohler's writing is as full of well-developed recurring themes as a finely-tuned symphony."

    – Shepherd Express, May 1995

  • "Marie Kohler has written a delicately funny play with a serious foundation and an upbeat ending."

    – City Edition (Milwaukee), May 1995

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