Dig, I Need That and Seared: Three Character-Rich Comic Dramas from Theresa Rebeck

Pulitzer Prize finalist Theresa Rebeck is an extensively produced dramatist, television writer and novelist. An active member of the artistic community, Rebeck has written both comedies and dramas, including I Need That, Seminar, Mauritius and Dead Accounts, all of which were produced on Broadway, as well as Dig, Seared, The Scene, The Understudy and Omnium Gatherum, the latter of which she co-wrote with Alexandra Gersten-Vassilaros, earning a 2003 nomination for the Pulitzer Prize for Drama.

Rebeck’s screen work includes creating the Broadway-inspired television series Smash and penning episodes of the series NYPD Blue, Brooklyn Bridge, L.A. Law and Third Watch, among others. Her first novel, Three Girls and Their Brother, was published in 2008. In 2011, she was named one of the “150 Fearless Women in the World” by Newsweek. She has written for American Theatre magazine and has had scenes from her plays published in the Harvard Review.

Concord Theatricals proudly licenses Rebeck’s theatrical work, and we are thrilled to add three new plays to our catalogue: Dig, I Need That and Seared, which are set – respectively – in a neighborhood plant store, a hoarding widower’s home, and a trendy restaurant. Read more below!

Dig by Theresa Rebeck (US/UK)
(Full-Length Play, Dramatic Comedy / 2w, 4m)

Dig premiered off-Broadway in a Primary Stages production, directed by Rebeck, in September 2023 at 59E59 Theaters. The play is set in a small town that is pretty much down on its luck, where middle-aged Roger, owns a decaying plant shop called “Dig.” With reluctance, Roger has agreed to do a favor for his friend and part-time bookkeeper, allowing the friend’s daughter, Megan, to work in his shop. Megan has recently been released from jail after having been responsible for her infant’s death. Rebeck’s dialogue for Megan resembles that of an individual coming out of recovery, which Megan more than realistically is. As audiences get to know her, they witness the unfolding of a bumpy road as she tries to move forward with her life. 

Roger is outwardly the opposite of Megan, quietly and lovingly caring for his plants, while Megan works through the egregious actions that took her son’s life. Roger leads a somewhat hermetic existence, remaining focused on the well-being of his greenery. Through a disproportional outburst with a customer, Megan reveals she hasn’t yet gained the skills to control her emotions. Through all of this, a transformation is revealed. 

A study in rehabilitation and human kindness, Dig is a relatable play that resonates deeply with audiences. In bringing Rebeck’s thoughtfully illustrated characters to life, actors taking on the roles find much to draw from. The play’s set can be displayed simply and on a relatively low budget. Dig is a gentle study in self-forgiveness and human connection and, most of all, an ode to the human spirit.

I Need That by Theresa Rebeck (US/UK)
(Full-Length Play, Dramatic Comedy / 1w, 2m)

Real-life father-daughter pair Danny DeVito and Lucy DeVito headed the cast of I Need That in its world premiere on Broadway at Roundabout Theatre Company’s American Airlines Theatre in October 2023. Moritz von Stuelpnagel directed and Ray Anthony Thomas co-starred in the comedy, which begins in the living room of a hoarder named Sam, who receives a warning of possible eviction if he doesn’t clean up his property. But Sam sees no alternative; hoarding is the only way he can cope with the overwhelming loss of his wife. Exasperated with her father, Sam’s daughter Amelia makes a number of creative attempts to get through to him. She fears that without her intervention he will end up homeless and living on the street. 

In exploring the dynamics of a father-daughter relationship, Rebeck laces her dialogue with expert comedic back-and-forth. Comedy arises naturally as Amelia seeks a solution to her father’s predicament. Sam’s friend Foster makes every attempt he can, as well, but Sam is cemented to his cluttered home, blinded to the truth of his circumstances. Though Sam tries desperately to hold on to his past, Amelia gently eases him into the reality of the present.

What makes I Need That so special is the sparkling, meaningful interaction between Sam and Amelia. It is a bond borne out of familial ties common enough in society that it tugs at the heart. Audiences see a daughter being stern with her father and, in effect, a reversal of the parent-child relationship.

Seared by Theresa Rebeck (US/UK)
(Full-Length Play, Dramatic Comedy / 1w, 3m)

Seared first took to the stage in a production at MCC Theater’s Robert W. Wilson venue off-Broadway in October 2019. Raúl Esparza and Krysta Rodriguez headlined the production, directed by Rebeck’s frequent collaborator Moritz von Stuelpnagel, with W. Tre Davis and David Mason rounding out the cast. A hilarious adventure set in the kitchen of a restaurant, the play begins with six dialogue-free minutes, as Harry cooks artfully, with scents and aromas permeating the theater. Harry’s signature scallop dish was recently highlighted in a magazine and is now the talk of the town. Harry’s business partner, Mike, sees this success as the money-making opportunity that they have been waiting for. Harry, however, refuses to cook the signature dish again, stating that he can’t put a dollar figure on art. As the artist, Harry will not back down.

This fast-paced comic-drama is a lighthearted look into the realities of the restaurant business. On one hand is the chef/artist responsible for creating the food, yet on the commerce side is Mike, who is focused on dollar signs. To add to the hilarity and complications, Mike brings in a restaurant consultant, Emily. As one might expect, she and Harry clash, which further drives Harry, who sees himself as a genius of cuisine, almost over the edge. 

Rebeck encourages theatres presenting Seared to use real food to create a pleasure-filled audience experience. On the acting front, Rebeck has crafted rich characters who would be a joy for any performer to explore. 

For more great plays by Theresa Rebeck, visit Concord Theatricals in the US or UK.