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1965 The Successful Life of 3
First Published: Playwrights For Tomorrow, Vol.2, (University of Minnisota, 1966).
Synopsis
At a doctor's office He freezes when 3 drops a shoe holding his arms in mid air. Asking why, 3 learns that He is waiting for another shoe to drop. As they speak She, in a nurse's uniform, enters, exits and re-enters telling 3 it is his turn. She is sexually propositioned by He but is told that 3 propositioned first; that She only has sex once a day. He complains and then invites She to the movies. She accepts and the trio discuss the kinds of movies they each like. He and She leave to immediately return. He complains adding that he has been thinking of marrying She. Rejected, He again invites her to the movies but at 3's suggestion She fits in 'a quickie' with 3. Then, they all go to the movies.
On a porch ten years later He is asleep, She peels potatoes and 3 sews. She speaks of intending to divorce and rejects 3's claim that She would be better off married to 3. Discontent with He and their children She leaves. Three years later, again on the porch, He peels potatoes, 3 sews whilst speaking of a get rich quick scheme he has come up with. Leaving, 3 asks for He to give his love to Ruth and reappears wearing a top hat and furs wondering if Ruth would return now there is money. She re-appears disappointed the money has been banked. The trio quarrel and He leaves.
At a store three years later 3 steals a pipe. He appears, to reveals himself as the store detective; seizes 3 who punches him and escapes. On the porch, where She is peeling potatoes, 3 arrives smoking a pipe to be arrested by He. Three days later, again on the porch, She and He are joined briefly by 3 who now heads a mob and has escaped from prison. Six months later, on the porch, an armed 3 announces he is going to rob the rich and give to the poor but She wants to keep the money. 3 exits to walk, surrounded by bodyguards, into the store. He, suspecting 3 of stealing, a Zorro suit, fails in his attempt to arrest him. On the porch, three days later, He refuses 3s plea to be hidden. Ruth returns. Police arrive and remove 3 who quickly reappears. A policeman returns and 3 shoots him dead. The trio sing 'Song for Innocence'.
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To read Fornes' own words see her 'Preface to Tango Palace & The Successful Life of 3' in The Theatre of Maria Irene Fornes, ed. Marc Robinson. See Publications
This premiered 22nd January under Fornes' design and direction at the Firehouse Theatre, Minneapolis, Minnesota being funded by the University of Minnesota. Music was by Al Carmines. Cast: 3 - Mel Semler, He - Jeff Moses, She - Carrie Bartlett, Policemen, Bodyguards - Mike Monson, Edd Ward and Don Young. In Maria Irene Fornes, Plays, pp.47-68, p.47 it is dedicated 'To Susan Sontag'. See Publications.
With the Open Theatre it transferred to the Sheridan Square Playhouse, NYC where it was directed first by Joseph Chaikin and then re-directed by Richard Gilman. Cast: 3 - Paul Boesing, He - James Barbosa, She - Barbara Vann, Policemen, Bodyguards - Ron Faber, Rhea Gaisner and Sydney Schubert Walter.
The European premiere was 11th March 1969 at the Traverse Theatre, Edinburgh, Scotland where it was presented by the Freehold Company. It was directed by Nancy Meckler. Music was by Hugh Portnow with Costume Design by Clare Sorrell. Cast: 3 - Stephen Rae, He - Neil Johnson, She - Dinah Stabb.
Fornes was awarded her first Obie for both The Sucessful Life of 3 and Promenade as 'Distinguished Plays'.
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