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LarryParr.info
05/01/07
AWARDS:
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State of Florida Individual Artist’s Fellowship
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Gold Coast Players Best-Play Award
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The National Arts Club’s Playwrights First Award in Manhattan
6 Actors, 3 female, 3 male
SYNOPSIS
Marjorie Kinnan Rawlings was at the height of her career in 1946, having won a Pulitzer Prize for her novel, THE YEARLING, and having gained 3 honorary degrees from universities. The movie version of THE YEARLING was just coming out, and she was riding the success of her latest nonfiction account of her life in Florida, CROSS CREEK, and the subsequent CROSS CREEK COOKERY.
All was not perfect, though. Despite her happy marriage to Norton Baskin, Marjorie was plagued by alcoholism and what her friends and neighbors described as her "black spells." Then suddenly, a woman she thought was her good friend, Zelma Cason, sued her for right of privacy in the first such trial brought against an author.
Representing Zelma was Kate Walton, the first female attorney in Florida, and representing Marjorie was Sigsby Scruggs, a cagey old cracker attorney. The ensuing struggle between right of privacy and the constitutional promise of free speech became a spectacle. "I haven't seen people around here so stirred up about anything since that two-headed calf was born over to Island Grove," said Norton. But not only were the people in Cross Creek mesmerized by the unfolding drama. The eyes of the world were on the little Florida town.
The struggle between Sigsby and Kate became personal, with the question of the appropriateness of a female attorney, which in 1946 cracker Florida was revolutionary. Complicating the drama were not only Marjorie's total belief in freedom of speech, which was necessary for her success as an author, but her driving need for privacy, to hide her true nature from an adoring world, enthralled with her sensitive portraits of these Florida pioneers, and her exact and poetic depiction of the wildlife around her.
What the critics say:
“Larry Parr’s INVASION OF PRIVACY is a creative treasure. The riveting story and performing artists bring the audience into being part of the jury. Truly a stimulating theatrical experience for everyone, albeit issues of privacy, artistic license and freedom of speech remain virulent still in our lives.” Eve Curtis, Sun Herald.
“The U.S. constitution guarantees citizens a right to free speech and a right to privacy, but conflicts between the two are inevitable. Such is the debate at the heart of Larry Parr’s lively and funny, fact-based INVASION OF PRIVACY. Parr has a flair for sassy humor and for focusing his story on the main issues. Parr has done a fine job of helping the strong cast create memorable characters.” Jay Handelman, Sarasota Herald Tribune.
“Parr deftly conducts us through the story from the moment when Kinnan’s husband first informs her of the lawsuit in the early discussions with Lawyer Sigsbee Scruggs, Rawlings’ attempt to persuade Cason to drop the suit, and finally, the trial itself. All along the way, Parr pays special attention to the complicated personalities of Rawlings and husband Norton Baskin as well as to the comic possibilities of Florida cracker Cason and the good-old-boy Scruggs. In his character painting and dialogue, Parr is very successful.” Mark E. Leib, Weekly Planet.
“INVASION OF PRIVACY is a riveting premiere for its Sarasota playwright. Intensely interesting, sharply directed and performed, INVASION OF PRIVACY is a winner for author Parr.” Jean Reed, The Pelican Press.
“Parr has written a fine play that deserves to be seen beyond the bounds of Florida.” Kim Cool, Venice Gondolier.
Author: Michael Srock
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All rights reserved.
Revised: 05/01/07.