The Month of May
prequel to Weep No More Today
(a three act drama)

(writing sample)  (return to plays)

Production History:
Developed at the Abingdon Theatre Company writer's group,  NYC, 2007.
Story:

The play takes place in Clover, Mississippi, 1919.  The war to end all wars is over and May and June Clayton and their step cousin Dora anticipate pursuing their dreams in this new world despite the plans of the domineering Papa Finis.  Unlike her sister and cousin, May has no interest in marrying.  Her only desire is to own and run the family hardware store and then she meets John Marshall Delaney, a returning soldier.  This war shattered man blindly starts off a series of events that  changes the texture of Papa Finis' plans for the girls and molds the politics of their community  for the next four decades. 

Setting:  The dining room-parlor, and front porch of Finis Clayton’s house in Clover, Mississippi

 Characters:

  • Katherine (May) Clayton, 21 years old, sister of June.
  • Jennifer (June) Clayton, 16 years old, sister of May.
  • Robert (Finis) Clayton, near 60 years old, their father.
  • (John Marshall) Delaney, 26 years old, an ex-soldier and farmer.
  • (Wilton) Morris, 21 years old, soon to be law student, old friend of May.
  • (Dora) Rogers, 15 years old, stepdaughter of Finis’ cousin from Clarksdale, Mississippi.

RECORDED VOICES/SOUNDS OFF STAGE:

  • Old Joe Collins and his brush wagon and old mule.
  • AmEdEe Collins. Old Joe’s son.
  • Towns people for the celebration:  cheers, various band instruments warming up, gun fire, cannon fire, marching band, fireworks.
  • Elemental sounds of yard day and night: cicadas, birds, crickets, passing carriage or wagons. 

 

Entr’acte:          Morning of Saturday, May 3, 1919

ACT ONE:

Scene One:      Same time.
Scene Two:      Later that afternoon.
Scene Three:    Later that evening.
Scene Four:     Later that night.

ACT TWO:

Scene One:       Evening of Sunday, May 4, 1919

INTERMISSION

ACT THREE:

Scene One:      Early evening of Thursday, May 29, 1919.
Scene Two:      Later that night.
Scene Three:    Morning of Friday, May 30, 1919
Scene Four:     Later that night.
Scene Five:      Morning of Saturday, May 31, 1919