THE EQUIVALENT OF SENSATION

(full-length play by Arianna Rose)

(SYNOPSIS)

Sisters Etta and Claribel Cone, long dead, materialize at the unveiling of the million dollar renovation of their renowned Cone Collection at the Baltimore Museum of Art.  Old friend Gertrude Stein and her paramour Alice Toklas pop up uninvited, much to Etta’s dismay. 

 Etta struggles with her feelings for Gertrude and her modern art proclivities, at direct odds with her Victorian mores.  Layers of petticoats swirl provocatively as Etta and Gertrude explore the boundaries of female friendship.  Evocative vignettes transport us to Baltimore, Paris and Italy. Feminism and sensuality are lauded in a time when women were expected to be heterosexual homemakers.

Characters

 ETTA CONE:             woman, 30s+, timid, subservient to older sister Claribel.  Household Manager, Art Collector. Repressed, finds her path through the study and collecting of art and textiles. Loves lace, piano, flowers, family.  Her looks are plain. Her figure buried under layers of petticoats and a black skirt, white blouse.

 CLARIBEL CONE:    woman, 30s+, “the Empress”, Research Doctor, Public Speaker, Art Collector, charismatic, imperious, austere, demanding. A handsome and imposing woman. Petticoats and black skirt, white or black blouse. Often wore a black velvet cape with purple lining. 

 GERTRUDE STEIN: woman, 30s+, charismatic, outspoken, melodic voice, Writer and Art Collector.  Large in every sense of the word. Flouts conventions and dresses for comfort; bohemian.

  ALICE B. TOKLAS:  woman, 30s+, quiet, determined, jealous streak, writer, lover of music, flowers, cooking, life partner of Gertrude Stein. Always dressed well, wears a succession of fabulous hats, often wears sandals instead of shoes.

ODALISQUE     (non-verbal) Woman, dancer. Sensuous. Represents the “Standing Odalisque Reflected in a Mirror” by Henri Matisse, 1923. Cone Collection.  

DEVELOPMENT HISTORY

The Equivalent of Sensation has been developed in part in the Playwright Development Program, (which is made possible with the support of the Miami-Dade County Department of Cultural Affairs and the Cultural Affairs Council, the Miami-Dade County Mayor and Board of County Commissioners), the Playwrights Center of Minneapolis, the Finstrom Festival, and the Miami New Musicals/Plays on Purpose writers group.

In June 2021, it was selected as one of five plays nationwide by Zoetic Stage, Miami, for their inaugural Finstrom Festival of New Works.  It received a virtual workshop with dramaturg Meredith Bartmon, followed by a virtual Equity reading on June 23, 2021, directed by Rachel Finley.

July 2022 saw an online workshop and reading with the Playwrights Center of Minneapolis in June 2022, dramaturgy by Sarah Myers; and an online reading by VS Theatre Company in Los Angeles, directed by Victoria A. Hoffman.

It had a live Equity reading in March 2022 at the Sandrell Rivers Theatre in Miami, Florida, as part of the From Scratch Festival produced by the Playwright Development Program.  It was directed by Matt Stabile, Artistic Director of Theatre Lab.  

Finalist: 2023 Alumnae Theatre Fireworks Festival in Toronto, Del Shores 2021 Playwriting Competition in Texas, The Depot 2020 Reading Series in Connecticut.

Semi-Finalist: 2021 & 2022 New Works Festivals at the Garry Marshall Theatre in Los Angeles, CA; 2020 Fulton Theatre in Pennsylvania.

Femuscripts Inc. presented the play as part of CAP@SRT (Cultural Arts Partnership at the Sandrell Rivers Theatre) in Miami Florida, September 9-10, 2023, followed by 3 performances in Boca Raton at the Sol Theatre September 16-17, 2023. This community theatre production was directed by Carey Brianna Hart. It received a nomination for “Best New Play” Broadway World Miami Metro Awards 2023.

January 2024 saw an online reading of the revised script post-production as part of the inaugural Winter Reading Series by The Depot, in Connecticut.

I have adapted the latest script into a musical (A COLLECTIBLE SENSATION) with composer/co-lyricist Amy Engelhardt, and director Clayton Phillips (Hal Prince’s former assistant, and worldwide director).

I am continuing to develop the piece.

A perusal copy of the script is available for New Play Exchange members. Click on this link below:

The Equivalent of Sensation perusal script

For More Information about THE EQUIVALENT OF SENSATION, to request a perusal copy or to inquire about performance rights, please use the contact form below: