THE SPRINGVALE ARMADILLO

by Donald Loftus

In 1987, at a secluded Louisiana hospital for leprosy patients, Ruby, an 80-year-old long-term resident, spends her days beneath a willow tree—until Matthew, a young Boston Globe reporter, arrives seeking her untold story. Once a celebrated Southern debutante, Ruby was mistakenly institutionalized decades ago and abandoned by her family. As she shares her tale of lost love, resilience, and survival, Matthew...

In 1987, at a secluded Louisiana hospital for leprosy patients, Ruby, an 80-year-old long-term resident, spends her days beneath a willow tree—until Matthew, a young Boston Globe reporter, arrives seeking her untold story. Once a celebrated Southern debutante, Ruby was mistakenly institutionalized decades ago and abandoned by her family. As she shares her tale of lost love, resilience, and survival, Matthew confronts his own grief amid the AIDS crisis. Through humor, heartbreak, and profound revelations, The Springvale Armadillo explores isolation, identity, and the human spirit’s fight for dignity against the weight of societal judgment and forgotten history.

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THE SPRINGVALE ARMADILLO

Recommended by

  • The Depot for New Play Readings: THE SPRINGVALE ARMADILLO by Donald Loftus
    “

    In “The Springvale Armadillo,” Donald Loftus explores the little known history of leprosaria, medical colonies for the care of patients with Hansen’s disease, or leprosy. This absorbing play focuses on Ruby, who lives in an institution based on the historical Carville. The dialog crackles, and Loftus deftly employs flashbacks and dreams for heightened emotional effect. Mystery hovers throughout the action, giving the play a slight gothic feel, without the typical trappings of the genre. In the end, Ruby’s life and stoicism are poignant and moving. Strongly recommended.

    In “The Springvale Armadillo,” Donald Loftus explores the little known history of leprosaria, medical colonies for the care of patients with Hansen’s disease, or leprosy. This absorbing play focuses on Ruby, who lives in an institution based on the historical Carville. The dialog crackles, and Loftus deftly employs flashbacks and dreams for heightened emotional effect. Mystery hovers throughout the action, giving the play a slight gothic feel, without the typical trappings of the genre. In the end, Ruby’s life and stoicism are poignant and moving. Strongly recommended.

    ”
  • Cheryl Bear: THE SPRINGVALE ARMADILLO by Donald Loftus
    “

    A thought provoking story of how a life is upended by a disease and whether or not the spirit has broken from the hardship. Powerful and well done.

    A thought provoking story of how a life is upended by a disease and whether or not the spirit has broken from the hardship. Powerful and well done.

    ”
  • Monica Cross: THE SPRINGVALE ARMADILLO by Donald Loftus
    “

    THE SPRINGVALE ARMADILLO is a haunting tale told through visceral dreams and intimate flashbacks, while always bringing it back to the immediate needs of the present. Donald Loftus uses the religious fears of Leprosy in the early 20th century to explore the stigma of HIV/AIDS in the 1980s. Putting this story into the further context of the current pandemic draws into sharp focus the isolation and fear that plays out in the story.

    I had the honor of seeing a reading of this play over zoom, and the emotion in the language was palpable!
    Highly Recommended! So well done!

    THE SPRINGVALE ARMADILLO is a haunting tale told through visceral dreams and intimate flashbacks, while always bringing it back to the immediate needs of the present. Donald Loftus uses the religious fears of Leprosy in the early 20th century to explore the stigma of HIV/AIDS in the 1980s. Putting this story into the further context of the current pandemic draws into sharp focus the isolation and fear that plays out in the story.

    I had the honor of seeing a reading of this play over zoom, and the emotion in the language was palpable!
    Highly Recommended! So well done!

    ”
View all 5 recommendations
RUBY: Age 77. Even at the age of 77, RUBY maintains the charm and grace of a Southern debutante. She appears to be a woman who has led a charmed life rather than a tragic one.

MATTHEW: Age 24. MATTHEW is a young reporter for The Boston Globe who has recently lost his lover to A.I.D.S. HE is now concerned that he may be H.I.V. positive. He is troubled and looking for answers.

NURSE POOLE: Age 55. Nurse Poole, a stern professional, takes her duties and herself very seriously. SHE is bitter about the closing of the hospital that she has spent most of her life serving in.

YOUNG RUBY: Age 17. Young Ruby is a beautiful, young debutante filled with a great and genuine enthusiasm for life.

BILLY: Age 18: NOTE: Billy is played by the actor who also plays Matthew. Billy is a poor and backwards Southern boy with little education but much passion for life, the future, and most of all, Young Ruby.







Development History

  • Reading, An Equity-Staged Reading took place at Shetler Theatre in New York City , 2003

Production History

  • Community Theater, ACROSSTOWN THEATRE, GAINESVILLE, FLORIDA, 2020
  • Workshop, TIMES SQUARE PLAYWRIGHTS: Playwright’s Development Group, 2017
  • Workshop, The American Renegade Theatre in North Hollywood included it in their 1998 New Play Festival, 1998

Awards

  • The W Keith Hedrick National Playwriting Award
    HRC SHOWCASE THEATRE
    Winner
    2019