Sunday, January 20, 2013

152 Quiz Answer

Here’s the answer. Thornton Wilder’s Pulitzer Prize-winner “Our Town” is a classic American play. It was described by Edward Albee as “The greatest American play ever written.”
We had seven bloggers who came up with the right answer: Roger Owen Green, Lyn, Ginny Brannan, Lydia, Melanie Boudwin, Josie Two Shoes and Altonian. Congratulations all!

(Also for Three-Word Wednesday and ABC Wednesday: "B" is for "Beyond")
Here’s the weekly Berownial quiz. Had enough Shakespeare for a while? Then how about this? I wrote the following, basing it on a famous American play.
Your assignment - should you choose to accept it – is this: which American play?

[There’s a group of people sitting in a dozen or so ordinary chairs, facing the audience. Fran enters from the right.]
Fran: Hi, everyone. (She sees a vacant chair and sits down.)
The Group (politely): Hello, Fran.
Fran: And there’s Mrs. Wyatt.
Mrs. Wyatt: Fran.
Fran: It’s been raining hard.
The Group: Yes, we know.
Fran: I’m sort of nervous.
One of the Group: Calm down; you’ll get used to it.
Fran: I don’t like being the new person here.
Mrs. Wyatt: Just relax, dear. Rest yourself.
Fran: You know, Mrs. Wyatt, thanks to you, John and I have really made over the house. Talk about remodeling! I don't like to brag but you’d like the way it looks now. We were able to do it because of the money you left us.
Mrs. Wyatt: I’m glad to hear it, dear.
Fran: My son is spending the day at the Bolger house. Oh, there’s Mr. Bolger. My son is spending the day at your place.
Bolger: That’s good, Fran.
Fran: How long does it take for the feeling to go away that..?
Mrs. Wyatt: Just wait and be patient.
One of the Group: Little cooler than it was. Those northeast winds always do the same thing, don’t they? If it isn’t rainy it’s windy.
Fran: Mrs. Wyatt, let me ask you something. You can go back, can’t you?
Mrs. Wyatt: Well, technically yes. But Fran, all I can say is – don’t.
Fran: I can go back! Why not?
One of the Group: Some have tried, but they soon come back here.
Mrs. Wyatt (icily): Fran, don’t. It’s not what you think it’d be.
(Note: the above scene takes place "beyond"; in other words all the above characters are dead.)

Go ahead; have a go. It’s based on which American play?

39 comments:

Gail said...

Alas, I do not read nor see plays. I'm letting the world pass me by while I read unimportant fictional choices.

Other Mary said...

I'm quite sure I don't get out enough... no idea B.

Roger Owen Green said...

My guess is Our Town; I was in a production almost 30 years ago.

AM Zafaran said...

I do not know either! :-)
Thank you for your visit and comments.
Will check back to find out the answer.

Berowne said...

We have a winner! Roger Owen Green is the first to come up with the correct answer. Who's next?

Sueann said...

Sadly, it won't be me! Sigh!m I am unsure which play this is.
Hugs
SueAnn

kaykuala said...

I'll be a silent observer, Berowne! The Bard was difficult enough what more an American play! Nicely!

Hank

izzy said...

No, -I appreciate your visiting- but (unless there is a pun here for Antigone going on I am not in on any guess!)
I do miss theatre-theater ( my Mothers European influences)Can hardly afford any plays nowadays
unless we luck out on a matinee!
I did go when I was younger and
drama was more accessible- :)

Helena said...

I'm stumped!

pssst.......does anyone have Roger Owen Green's cellphone number...?

Lyn said...

I started to think it's "Our Town", immediately. I'm impulsive, so I'll stick with that!! But I really like your"play".

Berowne said...

Another winner! Lyn - wouldn't you know it would be Lyn? - provided us with the correct answer.

Helen said...

I'm going to join the ranks of those who need to wait for the answer .... Happy Monday!!

Ginny Brannan said...

Upon reading this, all I can think of is "Our Town" by Thornton Wilder, a popular read up here in my neck of the woods (New England).

Berowne said...

News flash! The right answer has just been provided by Ginny Brannan. Who's next?

Michael said...

i loved this. the conversational style is so cool.

oh i did feel your last parenthetical statement was too catering though. i felt so smart for understanding the situation and then you took that feeling from me!!! ;)

Carver said...

I enjoyed this but don't know what it's from. Carver, ABC Wed. Team

Leslie: said...

You have me quite stumped here. Will have to check back and see the answer later.

Leslie
abcw team

21 Wits said...

Ah, very tricky, I came expecting more Shakespeare, and thought, yes I may have a chance. But no, the movie Cocoon keeps haunting me. Nice try to get more correct answers- ha ha ha! Guess I'll join the hunt for Mr. Good- I mean Mister Roger Owen Green- maybe he's out with Miss Scarlet!

Hildred said...

Enjoyed your quiz story, Berowne, but this one has me stymied.

Lydia said...

Is it "Our Town"?

B is also for Berowne, one I highly respect and so enjoy visiting.

Anonymous said...

Agh. Haven't A clue. Interesting dialogue. I picked up on death with house renovation. The feel tome like almost the same thing. K.

Berowne said...

Hold the front page for replate! (Whatever that means.) Lydia has just provided the right answer. Who's next?

Silent Otto said...

Apart crom the cloak and dagger stuff, Bero , i always find your tales interesting in and of themselves, there being nothing ever new under the sun, all art being a reflection of some ancient archetypal force, i think these yarns have a life of their own.
A nightmare on Elm Street ?

Berowne said...

I never thought of my stuff being the result of an ancient archetypal force, but whatever - it's quite a compliment. :-) Thanks.

Stan Ski said...

I couldn't get the Shakespeare... I've got no chance with this!

Melanie said...

Our Town by Thornton Wilder?

This is a really fun idea. :)

Sheilagh Lee said...

no idea sorry.

Berowne said...

As we round the far turn and head down the home stretch, Melanie Boudwin has just joined the august group (not so easy in January) who have posted the right answer. Congrats, Melanie!

Josie Two Shoes said...

A question I do know the answer to, saw this play when I was young, I remember it because of the unusual stage setting, just as you described. :-)

Berowne said...

Wait - we're not through yet. Josie Two Shoes has just shown that she also knows the answer.

Altonian said...

May I, with some Scandic trepidation, suggest that these, or similar characters can be found in - 'Our Town'. Thank you!

Josie Two Shoes said...

Ahhh, I forgot to name the play in my previous comment, it is Our Town by Thornton Wilder :-)

Berowne said...

The results keep coming in; we have another. Altonian, "with some Scandic trepidation," has also provided us with the correct answer.

Helen said...

Returning for the answer is almost as much fun as the quiz.

Berowne said...

What a great comment. Thanks, Helen.

Carrie Van Horn said...

You are the quiz King Berowne!

Little Nell said...

Well I'd never have got that in a million years, though I seem to remember watching the film version in B&W on a rainy Sunday afternoon.Come to think of it several rainy Sunday afternoons; we had a lot in England in those days.

Berowne said...

"Quiz King"? Isn't that a bit much? :-) Thanks anyway.

Lydia said...

I love your quizzes.....especially when I answer one correctly. :)

 
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