Flowers for Algernon
By David Rogers. Based on the novel by Daniel Keyes.
Product Code: F21000
Full-length Play
Drama
Cast size: 8 to 10m., 9 to 17w.
Rights and availability
This title can be licensed and sold throughout the World.
* Please note the royalty rate listed is the minimum royalty rate per performance. The actual royalty rate will be determined upon completion of a royalty application.
Synopsis
"Ingeniously touching and intensely real," wrote the critic of The Baltimore Sun. "Convincing, suspenseful, touching," was the comment of the New York Times critic who concluded his review with the observation that this was "affecting, too. How otherwise explain the tears that come to one's eyes at the end." This is the compelling story of Charlie, a mentally retarded man, and the strange interweaving of his life with that of Algernon, a mouse. Experimental surgery has been performed on Algernon increasing his intelligence fourfold. The operation is tried on Charlie, whose intelligence rapidly increases to that of a genius, far more intelligent than his teacher, Alice Kinnian, or the doctors who created the operating technique. As Charlie approaches the peak of his brilliance, Algernon shows frightening symptoms of regression. The play becomes a race against time in which Charlie tries to keep his new intelligence long enough to save himself and thus continue what he and Alice have found. This is a different kind of play: poignant, romantic, funny and tragic, but with hope of man's indomitable spirit.
Notes
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Details
- Status In stock
- Type of Show Full-length Play
- Product Code F21000
- Minimum Cast Size 17
- Pages of Dialogue 105
- Min. Royalty Rate $110.00/perf
- Approx. Run Time 140 min
- Staging Area staging.
Categories
- Target Audience Young Audiences | Middle School | High School | College and Adult | Family (all ages) | Senior Adults
- Performing Group Middle School | High School | College Theatre | Community Theatre | Touring Group
- Genre Drama
- ISBN(13) 9780871295378
Customer Reviews
This beautiful play was expertly directed by a student internÑa perfect piece that is meaty for actors and fulfilling to work on. Lots of scenes with only a few actors gave all more individual attention.
Flowers for Algernon was an excellent choice for our program. I was able to add many students to the show and give the opportunity to all my students to be involved. It's a great piece that will bring in middle schoolers (they read it as part of the curriculum) and also recruits those same students to our program next year.
This was a fantastic show for a group of talented middle-school students that had been yearning to do something more challenging. Across the board, they inhabited their characters and brought poignant life to the script.
This production was well received by our audience. A terrific study for main character to show many emotions. The emotions in this play had cast members hooked from the first read-through and audiences in tears through most of the production.
This production sets a new standard for ICHTHYS Theatre. It was definitely an emotional roller coaster, which could have come across as simplistic and melodramatic if poorly done, but rather was rich and real. Pats on the back all around.
A dynamic and powerful play that touches audiences with heartfelt honesty and human concern. Charlie's lines ring with a vulnerable truth that causes us all to examine our desire to "improve" mankind through scientific tinkering. Standing ovation closing night!
Flowers for Algernon was a wonderful show, well suited to production by our high school. We utilized abstract scene design, scrim, and just a few props to bring this show to life. This is an excellent star vehicle for an exceptionally talented lead male and is a good competition piece. Our audience loved itÑwe received a standing ovation!
Beautiful story that gives actors strong, interesting characters to play. Our audience left in tears every night.
This was a wonderful play! It challenged our students to think outside of the box and perform something new and exciting.
It is a wonderful drama that allows for a real emotional connection to the main character. It is also a positive dramatic experience for those who perform in it as well as those in the audience.
Flowers for Algernon is a play which enables actors and audiences alike to experience a range of emotions. Its moving story stretches the limits of its actors and yet presents a timeless message through its diverse characters.
Algernon is such a touching, human script. What a fantastic, meaty piece for young actors to dive into.
The show was well received. Due to our small performance space, the fact that we could do the show with a minimal set was a great help.
This story lived up to everything I remembered from many years ago when I first became acquainted with "Flowers for Algernon." The plot carries the emotional needs of this story. It is an easy story to direct as it is self-motivated.
Flowers for Algernon was the best play we have done in years. The power of the script is awesome. With talented principals this play will have an immediate and tremendous impact.
Beautiful story with lots of characters. It's performed as a period piece with the mid-century language and use of the "r-word." It provided great conversation starters for our cast, crew, and community.
Hints, Tips, and Tricks
The person who plays Charlie needs to do extensive study on a person with a disability in order to be true and respectful. Also, they need to learn their lines from day one.
We utilized the idea of a "maze" in our set design, including covering some sections of a large 3-D backdrop with scrim, so as the family were introduced we could control, with lighting, whether they were silhouettes, blurry, or fully seen. We also constructed all furniture pieces out of 8 16" blocks and 8 16" X 8" blocks with table tops. Very effective when mixed with "lab coated" crew to appear as though the whole thing was out of Charlie's control once he'd given permission for the surgery.
This show uses a modern overlapping scene approach so that there are virtually no blackouts between the numerous scenes. Add video projections, music, and some cool lighting effects and you'll have a major hit!
A multi-level set worked well for the numerous scene changes.
Definitely cross fade lights between scenes and minimalize blackouts or the show will be too choppy.
Production Map
| Location | City | State | Opens | Closes |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Salisbury High School | Salisbury | MO | 03/20/2025 | 03/23/2025 |
| RTR Performing Arts Center | Tyler | MN | 05/09/2025 | 05/11/2025 |
Downloads
| File Description | File Format | |
|---|---|---|
| Performance Poster | Download |
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Gallery
Flowers for Algernon - Rockford High School, Rockford, MI
Flowers for Algernon - Santa Susana High School, Simi Valley, CA
Flowers for Algernon-Shorewood HS, Shorewood, WI
Flowers for Algernon - Wellsville High School, Wellsville, KS
Flowers for Algernon - West Seneca East Senior High School, West Seneca, NY
Flowers for Algernon - Woodcreek High School, Roseville, CA
Also By These Authors
Carl Occhipinti, Shining Through Productions, Chicago, Ill.