In the Garden

In the Garden by Norman Allen

(0)
Productions (6)
Comedy/Drama
|
100 - 120 minutes
2 W, 3 M, 
Content Notes: Adult language and content
Set: Single set suggesting a bedroom, business office, coffee house, and park, with open space for overlapping scenes.

The lives of four urban sophisticates are rocked by the arrival of a young man, Gabe, who is everything but what he seems. With unworldly charisma, Gabe constructs a web of seduction and theology grounded in the lessons of the New Testament. A professor of philosophy, his fashionista wife, and their glib young friends must rise to the boy's erotic and spiritual challenge, questioning their lives as they question his very identity. With high comedy and thought-provoking drama, In the Garden blends sexual conventions, high fashion, Nietzsche, and Christ in an uber-theatrical rollercoaster ride.

Pricing Information

Min. Performance Fee* $85
Standard Edition $13.99
Stage Manager Edition $24.99
Archival Video License $150

*The per performance fee begins at $85. Your per performance fee will be provided during the ordering process.


Playscripts is pleased to offer an Archival Video License for an additional $150 for full-length plays and $75 for one-act plays.

Play Details

The lives of four urban sophisticates are rocked by the arrival of a young man, Gabe, who is everything but what he seems. With unworldly charisma, Gabe constructs a web of seduction and theology grounded in the lessons of the New Testament. A professor of philosophy, his fashionista wife, and their glib young friends must rise to the boy's erotic and spiritual challenge, questioning their lives as they question his very identity. With high comedy and thought-provoking drama, In the Garden blends sexual conventions, high fashion, Nietzsche, and Christ in an uber-theatrical rollercoaster ride.

  • Comedy/Drama
  • |
  • 100 - 120 minutes
  • 2 W, 3 M, 
  • Content Notes: Adult language and content
  • Set: Single set suggesting a bedroom, business office, coffee house, and park, with open space for overlapping scenes.

Published Reviews

"Seduction is as seduction does in Norman Allen's sex-and-crucifixion dramedy In the Garden -- a compelling blend of wit, adultery, and C.S. Lewis-esque philosophizing."

Bob Mondello, Washington City Paper

"In the Garden: A Delicious Bite of the Apple: Allen's drama is its own meditation on love, fidelity and meaning among the smart set."

Nelson Pressley, The Washington Post

"A nicely off-beat and irreverent piece by playwright Norman Allen that takes a swipe at social, sexual and religious norms."

Paul Harris, Variety

"In the Garden glows with intelligence. Crackling dialogue, sumptuous design and skillful performances make it well worth seeing."

Greg Varner, The Washington Blade

"Allen's plays have always included issues of morality but he has never taken on religious spirituality so directly. Here he does so with great skill and great generosity."

Brad Hathaway, The Arlington Connection

"In the Garden is quite remarkable -- see it!"

Bob Davis, WGMS-FM (Washington, DC)

Production History

MAR 25, 2017 - APR 15, 2017
Nearly Naked Theatre
Phoenix, AZ United States
Nearly Naked Theatre Phoenix, AZ United States
MAY 30, 2008 - JUN 28, 2008
Convergence-Continuum
Cleveland, OH United States
Convergence-Continuum Cleveland, OH United States
JAN 05, 2007 - MAR 11, 2007
EDGE Theatre
Lauderdale Lakes, FL United States
EDGE Theatre Lauderdale Lakes, FL United States
SEP 24, 2004 - OCT 17, 2004
Outward Spiral Theatre Company
Minneapolis, MN United States
Outward Spiral Theatre Company Minneapolis, MN United States
JAN 22, 2003 - MAR 30, 2003
New Conservatory Theatre Center
San Francisco, CA United States
New Conservatory Theatre Center San Francisco, CA United States
MAR 13, 2001 - APR 29, 2001
Signature Theatre
Arlington, VA United States
Signature Theatre Arlington, VA United States
No upcoming productions.
JAN 05, 2007 - MAR 11, 2007
EDGE Theatre
Lauderdale Lakes, FL United States
EDGE Theatre Lauderdale Lakes, FL United States
SEP 24, 2004 - OCT 17, 2004
Outward Spiral Theatre Company
Minneapolis, MN United States
Outward Spiral Theatre Company Minneapolis, MN United States
JAN 22, 2003 - MAR 30, 2003
New Conservatory Theatre Center
San Francisco, CA United States
New Conservatory Theatre Center San Francisco, CA United States
MAR 13, 2001 - APR 29, 2001
Signature Theatre
Arlington, VA United States
Signature Theatre Arlington, VA United States

Awards (1)

Charles MacArthur Award for Outstanding New Play (2001)

Archival Video License

Playscripts is pleased to offer an Archival Video License to add to your order for an additional $150 for full-length plays and $75 for one-act plays.

This allows you to record one of your live performances for your internal archives only. This cannot be streamed.

For more information, please reach out to [email protected]