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PLAYS
The Seeker
A Play In Two Acts by William Fowkes
Available for performance or publication.
For an excerpt, click here.
Some feedback on The Seeker:
“The play has a plethora of ideas to offer... a very complex and rewarding play that will get people talking. I hope many companies will take an interest in it…”
- InterAct Theatre Company, Philadelphia
“The concept is fresh & interesting… a set of characters that are mysterious, opinionated & determined to find their place in life… vivid personalities that crash & play off of each other well.…”
- Pittsburgh Public Theater
“…pass along our encouragement for its development.”
- Ten Grand Productions, NYC
“Coming to terms with one’s sexual identity and desires within the Christian faith is an interesting & prescient basis for a play.”
- Walnut Street Theatre, Philadelphia
Description: He’s looking for God, love, and sex—but not necessarily in that order.
Synopsis:
Tommy Hamilton’s spiritual journey spans thirty years, beginning in a college philosophy class in 1972 and continuing at an evangelical Christian men’s summer retreat in Maine, where he falls in love with Christian Barrie, a young man struggling with his faith’s homophobia. When Tommy is seduced by the retreat’s spiritual leader and discovers that he has also been sleeping with Christian and several other members of the retreat, he abandons Christianity.
In the mid 1980s, Tommy is a successful advertising copywriter struggling to cope in the age of AIDS. After an anonymous sexual encounter puts him at risk, he joins an eastern religious sect and follows co-worker and fellow member Molly McCormack to their Master’s ashram in India, where he is surprised to encounter Christian Barrie again. Realizing that he still loves Christian, he agrees to embark on an intimate but celibate relationship with him.
Back in New York, Molly storms off when Tommy finally comes out to her, while he resumes anonymous sexual behavior behind Christian’s back. Deciding that New York holds too many distractions, Tommy and Christian move permanently to India. When their Master barely survives a gunman’s attack, they decide to return to New York, where Christian abandons the sect and convinces Tommy to embark on the sexual relationship he’s always wanted. Tommy discovers Christian’s body one morning, along with a note confessing to the attempt on Master’s life.
In the late 1990s, Tommy is settled into a loving relationship with a man named Patrick. On his deathbed in 2000, Tommy ponders the thought that underneath all the absurdities and abuses of religion, the spiritual urge can be authentic and spars with a series of real and imaginary visitors who challenge his unwillingness to share their beliefs. While Patrick and Molly assist the doctor attending to Tommy’s final wishes, Christian shows up to join him as he takes his final step into the unknown.
Cast: This play calls for a cast of 8 actors
Characters:
Major Roles:
Tommy Hamilton. From Cleveland Heights, Ohio. Curious. Well-read. Clever. Ages from 19 to 47. A bit wild in his 30s. Openly gay during most of his adulthood—except at work. Older Tommy Hamilton voiceover—age 47.
Christian Barrie. From South Carolina. Endearing, though intense, troubled, and naïve. Struggling with his sexual identity. Tries to act like a “grownup” but is basically a child. Ages from 19 to 36.
Father Pete. Charismatic. Hippie-like appearance at age 31 (trying to relate to young people in 1972), but still a Christian fundamentalist. Sports a corporate look when he reappears at age 48.
Molly McCormack. An Irish beauty. Sincere. A bit goofy. Copywriter. Member of The Master’s Way. Ages from 32 to 36.
Secondary Roles:
Master (Guruji). White hair and beard. Wears white robes and a turban. Gentle, but charismatic. Formidable when angered. Age 60s.
Professor Brumbaugh. Columbia professor. Age 40s.
Miss Mildred. Crusty local Maine landlady. Age 60s.
Mr. Jeffries. Supercilious attendant to Master. Age 40s.
Patrick. Kind. Attentive. Smart. Age 40s.
Setting: Various locations in New York, Maine, and India. .
The Time: 1972-2000s.
For an excerpt, click here.
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