STAGE SETTING: (Please see diagram) Note: Everything in the stage setting can be changed to suit the director, except for the couch, which must be situated in the FOREGROUND of the stage. At upper corner, Stage Left, there is a dinning room table with four chairs. At the other corner, Stage Right, there is a large screen (A partition of sorts) which shields the Greek Chorus from the audience. There are two doors to the living room; one at Stage Right, which is to the front door, and the other, located at the top of the stage, is the entrance to the kitchen. In the foreground there is a couch, and at each end there is an end table; on it a small lamp and some reading material. IMPORTANT: The couch must NOT be placed an angle but must be set parallel to the proscenium. ———————————————————————————————————————AT RISE: We see Ruth and Mary sitting on the couch. They sit facing the audience. They are busy reading and/or chatting softly with one another. We cannot hear their adlibs. Nothing happens for several moments and then a spotlight hits the SCREEN. As it does, the GREEK CHORUS comes out from behind it and greets the audience. GREEK CHORUS #l:Good evening, Ladies and Gentlemen…welcome to our show. The play this evening is a theatrical FARCE that deals in exaggerated human folly, and it’s presented to you in the ancient Greek form; a unique theatrical format made popular by the great Greek playwright, Manander, during the third century, B.C. With that in mind, allow me to introduce us. We’re your Greek Chorus. My name is Daphne… (The others in the Greek Chorus acknowledge their introduction by bowing demurely) This is Leona…and this is Sophia. Hey, don’t let our togas fool you. In the good ol’ days we were the sexy headliners in the ZIEGFIELD FOLLIES… now we’re CHARACTER ACTORS in a FARCE. But that’s SHOW BIZ. So please bear with us. (Beat) The play this evening is about a ludicrous situation concerning three beautiful, elderly women: RUTH, MARY, and ANN; that are planning to celebrate their sixtieth birthdays together and how one of their gifts gets completely out of hand.GREEK CHORUS #2:RUTH, ANN, and MARY’S comradeship started in kindergarten when they were three years old, and their allegiance to one another developed endearingly as the years went by. As young girls, they grew up in the same neighborhood and not only did they go to the same Junior and Senior High Schools but also to the same university together. During those years they were known as the RAM GIRLS. That came to pass because the three of them were born in March under the Zodiac Constellation, Aries, the RAM. Also, because the first letter of their given names, placed in the proper order, spelled RAM. NOTE: When the Greek Chorus begins talking about them, Ruth and Mary react subtly to what is being said about them by looking at the audience and grimacing accordingly.
