TWO LADIES OF VERMONT
Two Ladies of Vermont is a queer and trans riff on Shakespeare's Two Gentlemen of Verona. Four Millennials explore their faith, their relationships, and their duty to live their authentic lives.
QUICK SYNOPSIS (SPOILER WARNING!)
This is a queer and trans riff on Shakespeare's "Two Gentlemen of Verona." Four Millennials seek to live authentic lives as they struggle to exist under the pressures of capitalism, faith, and societal expectations. Valentine moves to Boston for a fresh start--and to get close to her crush, Silvia. Her longtime bro Proteus soon follows, leaving behind his high school sweetheart Julia. Julia's on a personal journey to explore gender and transitions into Sebastian. While something more than friendship blossoms between Valentine and Silvia, Proteus decides to pursue Silvia too, and conspires with the young woman's father, Duke, to prove that he's a better match for her.
While Valentine and Proteus vie for Silvia’s affections, Sebastian arrives in Boston and quickly finds themself in the middle of a very complicated love knot. Silvia finds Proteus’s personality far too bro-y, but her father’s influence is strong. Proteus schemes to get Valentine out of the picture. Sebastian is torn between helping their former lover and doing the right thing by helping Valentine reunite with her true love. Ultimately, all five character converge in a church for a confrontation, where they grapple—physically and emotionally—with how to be the truest versions of themselves when their truest selves are in conflict with the people they love.
While Valentine and Proteus vie for Silvia’s affections, Sebastian arrives in Boston and quickly finds themself in the middle of a very complicated love knot. Silvia finds Proteus’s personality far too bro-y, but her father’s influence is strong. Proteus schemes to get Valentine out of the picture. Sebastian is torn between helping their former lover and doing the right thing by helping Valentine reunite with her true love. Ultimately, all five character converge in a church for a confrontation, where they grapple—physically and emotionally—with how to be the truest versions of themselves when their truest selves are in conflict with the people they love.
PRODUCTION HISTORY
Photos courtesy of Dr. David Mason.
The first public reading of this play occurred on March 16, 2019, in a private artist studio at Crosstown Arts in Memphis, Tennessee. It was directed by Leanna Keyes with casting by Carmen-maria Mandley.
The cast was as follows:
Valentine: Kiana Holley
Silvia: Kilby Elsabeth Yarbrough
Proteus: Nicolas D. Picou
Julia/Sebastian: Bethany G. Fichthorn
Duke: Phil D. Wallace
with stage directions by Merit Koch
This work was made possible in part with the support of Crosstown Arts.
Project supported by Stanford Alumni Arts Grant.
The cast was as follows:
Valentine: Kiana Holley
Silvia: Kilby Elsabeth Yarbrough
Proteus: Nicolas D. Picou
Julia/Sebastian: Bethany G. Fichthorn
Duke: Phil D. Wallace
with stage directions by Merit Koch
This work was made possible in part with the support of Crosstown Arts.
Project supported by Stanford Alumni Arts Grant.
CHARACTERS
Valentine, a lesbian woman
Proteus, a straight man
Silvia, a bi-curious woman
Julia / Sebastian, a non-binary person who is attracted to men
Duke, the voice of tradition
No one in this play needs to be white or pretty or skinny. Please cast responsibly.
Proteus, a straight man
Silvia, a bi-curious woman
Julia / Sebastian, a non-binary person who is attracted to men
Duke, the voice of tradition
No one in this play needs to be white or pretty or skinny. Please cast responsibly.