10-MINUTE MUSICAL COLLECTION
Book, Music & Lyrics
by Michael Finke
Dark Comedy
Dead Flowers
At age 82, Polly Patolsky believes she is meant to spend the rest of her days with her unfaithful and manipulative husband, Charlie. But on the worst day of her life (and her marriage), Polly reaches a breaking point and finds strength and courage in a strange place with an unlikely new friend.
Overview
Cast Size
2m, 2f, Ensemble
Duration
10 Mins Approx.
Setting
House in Boca Raton / The Raging Bull Bar, Present
Subgenre
Memory Play
Themes
Aging, Betrayal, LGBTQ+ Interest, Marriage, Memory, Women's Interest, Sexuality, Feminism
Target Audience
Senior, Adult, Young Adult (Age 18 - 23)
Style
Contemporary Musical Theatre
Instrumentation
Piano/Vocal
Additional Resources
N/A
Cautions
Strong Adult Themes, Alcohol References, Strong Language
Casting Information
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POLLY PATOLSKY: 82-year-old timid housewife, the hero and protagonist of the story; Alto
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JAVIER DELAROSA: 24 years old, a young and vibrant Hispanic drag queen; Tenor
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CHARLIE PATOLSKY: 84 years old, Polly’s domineering husband; Baritone
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ETHEL WEINBLATT: 72 years old, Polly’s “closest” friend; Alto
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GAGGLE OF GAYS: Small queer ensemble of all ages and genders; Vocal parts can vary
Songs
Media
Production History
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“Dead Flowers” was originally produced as part of Theatre Now's SOUND BITES 5.0 Festival on May 28th 2018 at the Signature Theatre in New York, New York.
Author Bios
MICHAEL FINKE is an award-winning New York based musical theatre writer. He's had his work performed at Lincoln Center, Feinstein's/54 Below, Joe's Pub, the Christmas Day telecast on ABC, the Bowery Poetry Club, and more. He's written the book, music and lyrics for musicals such as Reporting Live, Caroline and George, Surrounded By the Water, Powerline Road, and the musical short Dead Flowers. Michael’s a winner of the New Voices Project with Disney Imagineering and New Musicals Inc. and is a proud member of ASCAP and the Dramatist Guild.
