Requiem by
Sandra McNiff
#2005-0043ISBN #1-933159-47-2
Perhaps you'd be interested in Sandra McNiff's Christmas Pageants?
Cast Requirements: 2M/2W & 1 young girl
 | LINDA: a disorganized college student with a term paper deadline,
she hastens to complete it. She listens to the Mozart Requiem for the first time,
hoping to find inspiration. |
| MOZART: The Ghost of Wolfgang Amadeus Mozart wants to tell his
story to the world, but has to get Linda’s attention and confidence.
|
| GRETCHEN: Nannerl’s maid, a wide-eyed, innocent teenager, has
a more polished manner and speech pattern than one would expect of a servant. She is a
chatterbox, though, and often speaks without thinking. |
| SUESSMAYR: Mozart’s composition student, 25, has the daunting
task of finishing the Requiem. Nervous, unsure of himself, and a heavy drinker, he
tries to give the impression of aggrandizement. |
| NANNERL: Maria Anna Walpurgia Mozart von Berchtold du Sonnenburg,
40, Mozart’s older sister, resembles her brother. Married to an aristocrat 15 years
her senior, she plays the part of the good wife and mother to her own child and 5
stepchildren. As society of the time dictated, she was taught to be subservient to men.
However, her musicianship cannot be hidden, although she must practice it in relative
secrecy. Her suppressed desires and memories of being the child prodigy are the impetus
behind her outward anger and bitterness toward her brother and his genius. |
Plot Summary
Linda is in a panic. She has left her term paper about the
Mozart Requiem until the last minute. As she looks to the Internet, the Ghost of Mozart
appears, promising her an ‘A’ for the course if she writes the story that he has
been trying to tell for centuries. Mozart claims that his sister Nannerl, not his student
Suessmayr, completed the Requiem, contrary to all research. After telling his story to
Linda, thus accomplishing his mission, a satisfied Mozart takes his leave. He is now
certain that the world will learn the truth. But, will his story ever reach the music
lovers of the world? It is in Linda’s hands.
Setting
The stage is divided into two playing areas: Linda’s
study Stage Right, and Nannerl’s parlor Stage Left. The Ghost of Mozart must be able
to cross between the two playing areas.
SR – Linda’s study: computer desk and chair, computer CPU,
keyboard, mouse, monitor, printer, CD player (may be part of computer)
SL – Nannerl’s parlor: porcelain heater, coat rack, pianoforte (or clavier,
or harpsichord) placed with keys facing upstage, bench, wooden music stand, small table
next to music stand, upholstered chair, loveseat, occasional table and 2 chairs, portrait
of Mozart family on wall over piano
| Properties List Scene 1:
| LINDA: CD (Mozart
Requiem); Assignment handout, eyeglasses |
| MOZART: Handkerchief in jacket pocket |
Scene 2:
| SUESSMAYR: Pocket watch; Letter with address; Valise
|
Scene 3:
| Piano exercise book (handwritten), on piano |
| GRETCHEN: Feather duster; Coffee service; Tray with coffee, cup, saucer, cream, sugar,
tongs, pastries, fork, spoon, cloth napkins |
| SUESSMAYR: Box of cigars; Bags of candies in packages; Books in valise; Flask of
schnapps in jacket pocket |
Scene 4:
| Coffee service, with cozy covering the pot, on table |
| NANNERL: Requiem manuscript paper on piano
|
| SUESSMAYR: Requiem manuscript paper on music stand; Quill pen (on table);
|
| Ink bottle (on table) |
Scene 5:
| LINDA: Papers in printer; Pen (on desk) |
|
|
Costume Plot
| LINDA wears casual clothes, jeans and a t-shirt or a sweat suit,
with sneakers. |
| MOZART wears a powdered wig, shirt with lace-ruffled front and
cuffs, his favorite red jacket with fancy buttons, gloves, dark colored knickerbockers,
gartered stockings and boots. His face make-up should have a different look to it from the
other members of the cast, reflecting that he is a ghost. |
| SUESSMAYR wears a powdered wig, cuffed and collared shirt, jacket
and knickerbockers, gloves, boots, and, in Scenes 2 and 3, a hat and greatcoat, cloak or
cape. |
| GRETCHEN wears her blonde hair braided and wrapped around her
ears. She wears a starched white cap, a gray dimdl uniform dress, white or gray puffed
sleeve blouse, waist cincher, starched white apron, dark stockings and sturdy shoes.
|
| NANNERL wears a powdered wig with ribbon, high-necked, lined lace
or silk blouse with long sleeves, floor-length, richly colored damask or velvet skirt, and
silk, satin or velvet shoes. |
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Author
Biography