Dramatic Scenes for 2 Men
The Outsiders
by S.E. Hinton adapted for the stage by Christopher Sergel
Greasers Johnny and PonyBoy are in trouble. In a fight, Johnny stabbed a "Soc" named Bob. Though the killing may have been self defense, the boys are on the run and hiding in a church in the country because they don't believe they can defend themselves from the police. This scene could be for two boys or three. Later in the scene Dallas shows up and gives them poor advice. The key to acting this scene is to maintain the fear and isolation that stems from their low place in society and their youth and incompetence even while they try to make each other feel OK. Boring scene if they actually feel OK.
Dream of the Burning Boy
by David West Read
At the beginning modern drama, Dane a smart if not smart aleck high school student has a discussion about his grade on a paper with his English teacher, steps into the hallway and dies of a brain aneurysm. Larry, the stern and lonely teacher feels guilty, but more so because unbeknownst to ...anybody... Larry is Dane's father, a product of an affair with Dane's mother that they have managed to keep secret 18 years.
There are three scenes in the library from this play:
1) Rachel, Dane's sister, confronts Larry about the bizarre favoritism Larry has always shown Dane which eventually causes Larry to confess that Dane is his son.
2) Larry & Dane recreate the scene in Larry's imagination of what it would be like if he could relive his final conversation with Dane.
3) Rachel, Dane's sister, and Chelsea, Dane's girlfriend meet in the counselor's office. (Steve, the counselor is not present) While Chelsea has been making a public show of her grief, Rachel has been silently suffering. The girls try to help and empathize with each other but their personalities and their approaches to Dane's death are just too different.