Fish in the Dark: A Play

By Larry David

From the comic genius behind Curb Your Enthusiasm—a play with “a perfect second-act twist, and a solid last-minute kicker” (Vulture).
 
Fish in the Dark marked Seinfeld co-creator Larry David’s playwriting debut, his Broadway debut—and his first time acting on stage since eighth grade. David starred as Norman Drexel, a man in his fifties who is average in most respects, except for his hyperactive libido. As Norman, his more successful brother Arthur, their elderly mother, and a host of other characters try to navigate the death of a loved one, old acquaintances and unsettled arguments resurface—with hilarious consequences.

• Language: English
• Publisher: Open Road Integrated Media
• Release date: Apr 6, 2015
• ISBN: 9780802191281

Book preview

Fish in the Dark

Larry David

Grove Press

New York

Copyright © 2015 by Larry David

Excerpts from My Fair Lady and I Could Have Danced All Night are used by permission of the Alan Jay Lerner Testamentary Trust and the Frederick Loewe Foundation, Inc.

Cover design and illustration by BLT Communications, LLC

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CAUTION: Professionals and amateurs are hereby warned that Fish in the Dark is subject to a royalty. It is fully protected under the copyright laws of the United States, Canada, United Kingdom, and all British Commonwealth countries, and all countries covered by the International Copyright Union, the Pan-American Copyright Convention, and the Universal Copyright Convention. All rights, including professional, amateur, motion picture, recitation, public reading, radio broadcasting, television, video or sound taping, all other forms of mechanical or electronic reproduction, such as information storage and retrieval systems and photocopying, and rights of translation into foreign languages, are strictly reserved.

Stock and amateur applications for permission to perform Fish in the Dark must be made in advance to William Morris Endeavor Entertainment, LLC, Attn: John Buzzetti (1325 Avenue of the Americas, New York, NY 10019, telephone: [phone]) and by paying the requisite fee, whether the plays are presented for charity or gain and whether or not admission is charged. First Class and professional applications must be made in advance to William Morris Endeavor Entertainment, LLC, Attn: John Buzzetti (1325 Avenue of the Americas, New York, NY 10019, telephone: [phone]) and by paying the requisite fee.

Printed in the United States of America

ISBN 978-0-8021-2440-1

eISBN 978-0-8021-9128-1

Grove Press

an imprint of Grove Atlantic

154 West 14th Street

New York, NY 10011

Distributed by Publishers Group West

groveatlantic.com

PRODUCTION CREDITS

Fish in the Dark received its world premiere at the Cort Theatre on Broadway, with previews beginning on February 2 and opening on March 5, 2015. The production was directed by Anna D. Shapiro. Todd Rosenthal, Scenic Design; Ann Roth, Costume Design; Brian MacDevitt, Lighting Design; Rob Milburn and Michael Bodeen, Sound Design; Alan D’Angerio, Wig Design; Caparelliotis Casting, Casting; Rolt Smith, Production Stage Manager; Penelope Daulton, Company Manager; Aurora Productions, Production Management; Philip Rinaldi, Press Representative; Van Dyke Parks, Original ­Music. Fish in the Dark was originally produced on the stage by Scott Rudin, Lloyd Braun, Eli Bush, Roger Berlind, William Berlind, Roy Furman, Jon B. Platt, Ruth Hendel, the Shubert Organization, Catherine and Fred Adler, Jay Alix and Una Jackman, Scott M. Delman, Jean Doumanian, Sonia Friedman, Tulchin Bartner Productions, Heni Koenigsberg, Daryl Roth, True Love Productions. Executive Producers: Joey Parnes, Sue Wagner, John Johnson. The cast was as follows:

Norman Larry David

Brenda Rita Wilson

Arthur Ben Shenkman

Michelle Jenn Lyon

Doctor Stiles Richard Topol

Gloria Jayne Houdyshell

Fabiana Rosie Perez

Natalie Molly Ranson

Greg Jonny Orsini

Rose Marylouise Burke

Harry Kenneth Tigar

Stewie Lewis J. Stadlen

Sidney Jerry Adler

Nurse Maria Elena Ramirez

Jay Leventhal Jeff Still

Jessica Rachel Resheff

Diego Jake Cannavale

Doctor Meyers Joel Rooks

CHARACTERS

NORMAN DREXEL

Early to mid-50s, average in every respect except for his hyper­active libido.

BRENDA DREXEL

A few years younger than Norman; honest, cheery, and optimistic, all qualities sorely lacking in her husband.

ARTHUR DREXEL

Norman’s brother, two years younger than him; much wealthier, better-looking, and divorced.

MICHELLE

A voluptuous, full-of-life blonde who is dating Arthur and works as a notary for their father’s lawyer.

DOCTOR STILES

A doctor at the hospital where Sidney is staying.

GLORIA

Mother of Norman and Arthur, early to mid-70s, bad wig and all.

FABIANA

Puerto Rican housekeeper at Norman and Brenda’s house, early 40s.

NATALIE

Norman and Brenda’s daughter, early 20s.

GREG

Natalie’s goofy boyfriend.

ROSE

Sidney’s sister.

HARRY

Rose’s husband.

STEWIE

Sidney’s blustery, bull-in-a-china-shop younger brother.

SIDNEY

Norman and Arthur’s father, now dying in hospital.

NURSE

A nurse at the hospital.

JAY LEVENTHAL

Lawyer and estate planner to Sidney, and employer of Michelle, in his mid-50s.

JESSICA

Arthur’s precocious fourteen-year-old daughter.

DIEGO

Fabiana’s son, young and handsome.

DOCTOR MEYERS

Gloria’s doctor at the hospital.

Fish in the Dark

ACT ONE

Scene 1

We open on a darkened stage. It’s the middle of the night and a couple, NORMAN and BRENDA DREXEL, are fast asleep.

Norman, early to mid-50s, average in every respect, except for his hyperactive libido, which, due to the exigencies of marriage, is hardly a blessing. Brenda is a few years younger than Norman. She’s honest, cheery, and optimistic, all qualities sorely lacking in her husband.

After a few beats, the ringing of a phone breaks the silence.

The scene is played in the dark with voiceovers.

NORMAN (bolting awake) Oh my God! Who’s dead?!

BRENDA Answer