Failure: A Love Story eScriptAvailable

Failure: A Love Story by Philip Dawkins

(84)
Productions (329)
Comedy
|
90 - 95 minutes
3 W, 2 M, 2 Any (7-50 actors possible: 3-48 W, 2-47 M)
Set: Minimal.

By the end of 1928, all three Fail sisters will be dead -- expiring in reverse order, youngest to oldest, from blunt object to the head, disappearance, and finally consumption. Tuneful songs, and a whimsical chorus follow the story of Nelly, Jenny June, and Gerty as they live out their lives above the family clock repair shop near the Chicago River, before their time unexpectedly runs out. A magical, musical fable where, in the end, the power of love is far greater than any individual's successes or failures. Read More

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Pricing Information

Min. Performance Fee* $90
Standard Edition $13.99
eScript Digital Edition $17.5
Stage Manager Edition $24.99
Archival Video License $150

*The per performance fee begins at $90. Your per performance fee will be provided during the ordering process.

eScript Digital editions when purchased as a retail item cannot be printed or downloaded. They are for reading on personal computer, or tablet devices (phones, iPads, Kobo, Sony, etc.). It can viewed on up to 5 individual devices. When an escript is purchased as part of a license, please email playscriptsinfo@broadwaylicensing.com to receive your printable PDF.


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

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Play Details

By the end of 1928, all three Fail sisters will be dead -- expiring in reverse order, youngest to oldest, from blunt object to the head, disappearance, and finally consumption. Tuneful songs, and a whimsical chorus follow the story of Nelly, Jenny June, and Gerty as they live out their lives above the family clock repair shop near the Chicago River, before their time unexpectedly runs out. A magical, musical fable where, in the end, the power of love is far greater than any individual's successes or failures.

An AUDIO VERSION of this play is now available. contact Playscripts for details.

NOTE: Be sure to check out the music that comes with the script. Those are the intended melodies for the two original songs, to be orchestrated however you wish.

A one-act version of this play is also available; contact Playscripts for details.

  • Comedy
  • |
  • 90 - 95 minutes
  • 3 W, 2 M, 2 Any (7-50 actors possible: 3-48 W, 2-47 M)
  • Set: Minimal.
  • Standard Edition ISBN: 978-1-62384-464-6

Published Reviews

"Fantastically macabre."

Robert Bullen, The Huffington Post

"A wholly wonderful show that is profound, yet at the very same time whimsical beyond all imagining -- a show in which time is of the essence, and in which love and death (especially death that comes suddenly and prematurely) conjoin in the strangest yet most beautiful of waltzes."

Hedy Weiss, The Chicago Sun Times

"A Chicago tale full of emotional riches... In particular and most movingly, the play is probing the whole idea of how all of our loves and our happiness are, alas, bound by the confines of time."

Chris Jones, The Chicago Tribune

Production History

MAY 22, 2025 - MAY 24, 2025
North Salem High School
Salem, OR United States
North Salem High SchoolSalem, OR United States
MAY 15, 2025 - MAY 17, 2025
New Trier High School
Winnetka, IL United States
New Trier High SchoolWinnetka, IL United States
MAY 07, 2025 - MAY 09, 2025
Sabino High
Tucson, AZ United States
Sabino HighTucson, AZ United States
APR 18, 2025 - APR 20, 2025
Sitka Fine Arts Camp
Sitka, AK United States
Sitka Fine Arts CampSitka, AK United States
MAR 21, 2025 - MAR 21, 2025
Carolina Forest High School
Myrtle Beach, SC United States
Carolina Forest High SchoolMyrtle Beach, SC United States
MAR 14, 2025 - APR 06, 2025
University of Tennessee Knoxville Theatre Departme
Knoxville, TN United States
University of Tennessee Knoxville Theatre DepartmeKnoxville, TN United States
MAR 14, 2025 - MAR 14, 2025
Rufus King High School
Milwaukee, WI United States
Rufus King High SchoolMilwaukee, WI United States
MAR 06, 2025 - MAR 08, 2025
University Of The Cumberlands
Williamsburg, KY United States
University Of The CumberlandsWilliamsburg, KY United States
MAR 01, 2025 - MAR 04, 2025
College Of The Ozarks
Point Lookout, MO United States
College Of The OzarksPoint Lookout, MO United States
FEB 28, 2025 - MAY 31, 2025
Canyon Lake High School
Fischer, TX United States
Canyon Lake High SchoolFischer, TX United States
1 of 33
MAY 22, 2025 - MAY 24, 2025
North Salem High School
Salem, OR United States
North Salem High SchoolSalem, OR United States
MAY 15, 2025 - MAY 17, 2025
New Trier High School
Winnetka, IL United States
New Trier High SchoolWinnetka, IL United States
MAY 07, 2025 - MAY 09, 2025
Sabino High
Tucson, AZ United States
Sabino HighTucson, AZ United States
APR 18, 2025 - APR 20, 2025
Sitka Fine Arts Camp
Sitka, AK United States
Sitka Fine Arts CampSitka, AK United States
APR 14, 2017 - APR 23, 2017
Center Theatre Group
Los Angeles, CA United States
Center Theatre GroupLos Angeles, CA United States
APR 13, 2017 - MAY 01, 2017
Rockfire Theatre
Arabi, LA United States
Rockfire TheatreArabi, LA United States
FEB 03, 2017 - FEB 19, 2017
AthensWest Theatre Company
Lexington, KY United States
AthensWest Theatre CompanyLexington, KY United States
NOV 06, 2015 - NOV 28, 2015
PURE Theatre
Charleston, SC United States
PURE TheatreCharleston, SC United States
MAY 06, 2015 - JUN 07, 2015
Cape Cod Repertory Theatre Co.
Brewster, MA United States
Cape Cod Repertory Theatre Co.Brewster, MA United States
AUG 01, 2014 - AUG 10, 2014
Minnesota Fringe Festival
Minneapolis, MN United States
Minnesota Fringe FestivalMinneapolis, MN United States
JUN 05, 2014 - JUN 29, 2014
Marin Theatre Company
Mill Valley, CA United States
Marin Theatre CompanyMill Valley, CA United States
APR 25, 2014 - MAY 18, 2014
The HUB Theatre
Fairfax, VA United States
The HUB TheatreFairfax, VA United States
JAN 22, 2014 - FEB 16, 2014
Stages Repertory Theater
Houston, TX United States
Stages Repertory TheaterHouston, TX United States
JUL 14, 2013 - AUG 10, 2013
Illinois Shakespeare Festival
Normal, IL United States
Illinois Shakespeare FestivalNormal, IL United States
1 of 2

Awards (1)

Nominated, Jeff Award, Best New Work (2012)

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.

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