Dream of Perfect Sleep

(Paperback)

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Description

Dream of Perfect Sleep is the story of an ageing couple, Mary and Gene, and their adult children - recovering-addict Robert and new-ager Melissa. Mary suffers from severe vertigo and just wants to watch her TV show. Gene is busy organizing a very special holiday dinner, but party planning isnt exactly his strong suit. When the estranged kids come home for the holidays, Gene reveals some unexpected news that threatens to destroy the familys already strained bonds A funny, heartwarming and powerful story of hope and loss in the face of dementia and terminal illness as an elderly couple plan their last days on earth. Winner of both the Kernodle New Play and Southwestern Playwriting Awards.

Reviews

There is a feeling of raw truth about this play that is constantly absorbing. * What's On Stage *
A funny, heartwarming and powerful story of hope and loss - as an elderly couple plan their last days on earth * Broadway World *
A play that seeks to tug at your heartstrings and not overburden you with guilt and scenes of familial dysfunction * Everything Theatre *
Kautzman has written a perfectly good family play, with palpable echoes of O'Neill. * Michael Billington, The Guardian *
Witty, insightful. * Time Out *
An original insight into dementia. * Stage *
The story is moving and the questions Kautzman asks of death and aging are resounding. * Younger Theatre *
[Kautzman] tackles serious themes without ever being heavy-handed or too earnest. * Public Reviews *

Author Bio

Kevin Kautzmans full-length plays include Coyote (Nouveau 47, Dallas), If You Start a Fire [Be Prepared to Burn] (45th Street Theatre, New York), Iris (Red Eye, Minneapolis), Wolf Cry Wolf (The New Theatre Project, Ypsilanti), Life Electric, Then Waves and Vasilisa Most Lovely. His short plays include Clifton Mill (Nouveau 47), The Play is Memory, Rosemary (History Theatre), Strike, Solomon the King, and most recently $<0RP!0. His honors include the Jerome and Michener fellowships, the Tennessee Williams and Kenyon Institute scholarships, the Kernodle New Play, International Student Playscript Competition, Repertory Theatre Iowas Alpha Project and Southwest Playwriting awards. He has received commissions from History Theatre and Red Eye, and his work has been performed and developed around the UK and US.