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Overview
Synopsis
In the 1980s, New York City was an epicenter of the AIDS epidemic that devastated the LGBT community. Scientists and doctors understood very little about the virus and how it spread. Fear and paranoia were rampant, But even as the death toll continued to multiply, the media and the government took little interest. The theatre began responding with visceral plays born out of a quiet, unyielding anger. One of those plays was William Hoffman’s As Is. When caterer Rich is diagnosed with AIDS and abandoned by those closest to him, he returns to his ex-husband Saul. Rich and Saul drive the play as they float through time and space in vignettes performed by an ensemble of actors. The playwright specifies that the ensemble consists of at least four men and two women; casting and distribution of ensemble roles is otherwise flexible. As Is is a raw, theatrical snapshot of the AIDS crisis in the 1980s, both the fear it caused and the poignant humanity born out of it.
Show Information
- Book
- William Hoffman
- Category
- Play
- Age Guidance
- Mature Audiences (M)
- Number of Acts
- 1
- First Produced
- 1985
- Genres
- Drama
- Settings
- Contemporary, Unit/Single Set
- Time & Place
- New York City., 1980s.
- Cast Size
- large
- Orchestra Size
- None
- Dancing
- None
- Licensor
- Dramatists Play Service
- Ideal For
- Ensemble Cast, Mostly Male Cast, Professional Theatre, Regional Theatre, Includes Adult, Young Adult Characters, Large Cast
Context
Plot
Characters
| Name | Part Size | Gender | Vocal Part |
|---|---|---|---|
|
Lead |
Male |
Non-singer |
|
|
Lead |
Male |
Non-singer |
|
|
Featured |
Male |
Non-singer |
|
|
Featured |
Either Gender |
Non-singer |
|
|
Featured |
Male |
Non-singer |
|
|
Featured |
Male |
Non-singer |
|
|
Featured |
Male |
Non-singer |
|
|
Featured |
Male |
Non-singer |
|
|
Featured |
Male |
Non-singer |
|
|
Featured |
Either Gender |
Non-singer |
|
|
Featured |
Male |
Non-singer |
|
|
Featured |
Either Gender |
Non-singer |
|
|
Featured |
Female |
Non-singer |
|
|
Featured |
Male |
Non-singer |
|
|
Featured |
Either Gender |
Non-singer |
|
|
Ensemble |
Female |
Non-singer |
|
|
Ensemble |
Male |
Non-singer |
|
|
Ensemble |
Female |
Non-singer |
|
|
Ensemble |
Male |
Non-singer |
Songs
A song with an asterisk (*) before the title indicates a dance number; a character listed in a song with an asterisk (*) by the character's name indicates that the character exclusively serves as a dancer in this song, which is sung by other characters.
Monologues
Scenes
Key Terms
The name used to describe a number of potentially life-threatening infections and illnesses that happen when the body's immune system has been severely damaged by the HIV virus.
When an actor breaks the fourth wall to speak directly to the audience.
A group of musicians, actors, or dancers who perform together.
A brief scene or episode.
Videos
Quizzes
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Themes, Symbols & Motifs
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Quote Analysis
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Guide Written By:
Kevan Dunkelberg
Oklahoma-based drama teacher, actor and playwright