Charlotte's Revival

90 min. Charlie runs a revival movie theater. While changing the movie marquee one night, he is confronted by Charlotte, a troubled and grief-stricken loner with a tragic past. Through a series of fictional movie references, and an emotionally shattering story, she accuses Charlie of a personal indiscretion dating back to high school. The events force Charlie to confront his relationship with both Charlotte...

90 min. Charlie runs a revival movie theater. While changing the movie marquee one night, he is confronted by Charlotte, a troubled and grief-stricken loner with a tragic past. Through a series of fictional movie references, and an emotionally shattering story, she accuses Charlie of a personal indiscretion dating back to high school. The events force Charlie to confront his relationship with both Charlotte and his son. His memory is tested as he struggles to do the right thing. The play examines one woman's family trauma, mental distress, grief and loss and its impact on those around her.

Production: The New Works Festival, Pittsburgh, Pa, 2019. (one-act version)

Review: "Perhaps the most astonishing play I had the pleasure of seeing at the Pittsburgh New Works Festival was Charlotte's Revival....so much of the power of the show lies in the gradual revelations and the horror, anguish, and sympathy that the audience experiences as the characters do. Expertly written."
Eva Phillips, Pittsburgh in the Round.

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Charlotte's Revival

Recommended by

  • Vicki Meagher: Charlotte's Revival

    This play has all the elements. I would love to see it produced. The characters are strongly written, the visuals are good, the story is interesting. You don't know where the plot is going, but you know that the playwright is a high-quality writer and the play will land in a good place. And the title lets you know that it has a happy ending. (The ending is not sappy, fortunately.) 

    This play has all the elements. I would love to see it produced. The characters are strongly written, the visuals are good, the story is interesting. You don't know where the plot is going, but you know that the playwright is a high-quality writer and the play will land in a good place. And the title lets you know that it has a happy ending. (The ending is not sappy, fortunately.) 

  • The Depot for New Play Readings: Charlotte's Revival

    The past and its ties to the present drive Ben Scranton’s poignant “Charlotte’s Revival.” One evening, while Charlie changes the titles on the marquee of a revival movie theater, Charlotte asks him why he has left off the name of the film’s child actor. The interchange that follows, as Charlie tries to understand Charlotte, revives old memories and a heartbreaking history that may connect Charlie to Charlotte in ways he does not suspect or recall. An exquisite examination of one fragile woman’s purchase on reality. Highly recommended for festivals and lovers of film.

    The past and its ties to the present drive Ben Scranton’s poignant “Charlotte’s Revival.” One evening, while Charlie changes the titles on the marquee of a revival movie theater, Charlotte asks him why he has left off the name of the film’s child actor. The interchange that follows, as Charlie tries to understand Charlotte, revives old memories and a heartbreaking history that may connect Charlie to Charlotte in ways he does not suspect or recall. An exquisite examination of one fragile woman’s purchase on reality. Highly recommended for festivals and lovers of film.

  • J.Lois Diamond: Charlotte's Revival

    I attended an online reading of this play at The Depot. It is a very poetic piece, with a lush use of language. The character of Charlotte is drawn with so much delicacy, she is reminiscent of the women populating the plays of William Inge and Tennessee Williams. I would love to see a full production of this poignant play.

    I attended an online reading of this play at The Depot. It is a very poetic piece, with a lush use of language. The character of Charlotte is drawn with so much delicacy, she is reminiscent of the women populating the plays of William Inge and Tennessee Williams. I would love to see a full production of this poignant play.

3 M - 1 age 35. 1 age 40. 1 age 15
2 W - 1 age 35. 1 age 54.

Development History

  • Type Reading, Organization The Depot for New Play Readings - Hamden, CT, Year 2021
  • Type Reading, Organization Tiny Theatre Facebook page , Year 2020

Production History

  • Type Professional, Organization The one-act version was in The Pittsburgh New Works Festival, Year 2019

Awards

  • Best Play (nominee), Best Director (nominee), Best Leading Actress (winner)
    The Pittsburgh New Works Festival
    Semi-Finalist
    2019