Impressions
by Wade Bradford
This is a selection from a 15 minute play ideal for young students learning about Art History. The play was recently obtained by Playscripts Inc. It will be available by 2009.
Synopsis: Two modern day sisters discover an old trunk which is magically connected to Paris during the turn of the 19th century. Out of the suitcase famous painters emerge, such as Mary Cassatt, Edgar Degas, Monet, and Manet. The sisters learn about each person’s life and their artistic genius.
Setting: An art auction event.
AUCTIONEER: Sold! Thank you sir, thank you. Enjoy your antique chandelier. Lot 667 then: A mysterious suitcase found in the Parisian attic of Mary Cassatt’s art studio. As you know, Miss Cassatt was one of the great impressionist painters of her time, working alongside fellow geniuses such as Monet, Degas, as well as hobnobbing with the great thinkers of turn-of-the-century Europe. According to our experts, this suitcase, discovered just twelve days ago, has remained locked for the past ninety years. Who knows what treasures await inside. We will start the bidding now…
(Ad lib: Auctioneer Jargon. Characters in the audience may wish to raise their hands to bid at various times.)
AUCTIONEER: Sold for $500!
MOM, a very excited (and sometimes impetuous) person, runs down the aisle. Her two daughters (the cynical Sarah and the dreamy, wistful Lauren) look skeptical about the purchase.
MOM: I got it! I won! I won!
SARAH: Mom, I can’t believe you just wasted all that money on an ugly old trunk.
LAUREN: I thought you wanted to buy a painting or a work of art or something. There are so many lovelier choices.
MOM: But Lauren honey, don’t you understand? Why there’s a very good chance – most assuredly an excellent chance—that there’s some undiscovered masterpiece in this traveling chest. Maybe a whole batch of original paintings.
Sarah is peeling off a sticking from the case.
MOM: Sarah, stop that at once!
SARAH: What’s with the stickers?
MOM: Why, they tell where this old suitcase has been. (Checking a handbook.) Miss Mary Cassatt was born in America but she spent most of her life in Europe. Why this suitcase must have traveled to so many exotic locations. (Looks at a sticker.) Like France! (Sees another.) Madrid, Spain.
LAUREN: Florence, Italy…
SARAH:(Reading one of them, not impressed.) Nebraska. Whoopee.
MOM: Hush now. You wait until we get this open, and they name a whole museum after your mother. Why just imagine the wonders hidden inside. (She sighs, dreamily.) Now if only we had the key.
SARAH: I’ll take care of it.
She picks the first lock with her bobby pin.
MOM: How did you learn how to do that?
LAUREN: You haven’t been breaking into banks, have you?
SARAH: No, just your diary. It’s very boring. There you are.
She opens the second lock.
MOM: Oh my goodness, Sarah, you did it! Oh my, now wait, you two stand right there. This is an important moment and we have to have ceremony. Ladies, may I present to you a newly discovered—
Mom opens up the suitcase. There’s only a few scraps inside.
MOM: Pile of junk. Oh no! There’s just scraps of garbage and some measly old paint brushes. Where’s my masterpiece? I can’t believe this. I just wasted 500 dollars!
SARAH:(Rummaging through the trunk.) If you’re going to cry here’s a ninety year old hanky.
MOM: I’m not going to cry. I’m going to get back my money! That auctioneer tricked me! (She storms off stage.)
LAUREN: Oh, what a pity. I got caught up in Momma’s day dreaming. I thought for sure there’d be something wonderful inside.
LAUREN: Maybe there’s something underneath. Help me lift it.
The girls prop the suitcase so that it is open, facing away from the audience. It should be set near a curtain, or a stage entrance. (Very shortly, “magical” characters will be emerging from it.)
SARAH: (Helping her, then blocking her view.) A treasure map!
LAUREN: Really?
SARAH: No. It’s just a dumb, broken-down old piece of luggage. There’s absolutely nothing special about it.
Sound Cue: Magical Chimes.
Mary Cassatt pops out from behind the suitcase.
MARY: Hello!
LAUREN and SARAH: Aaaah!
LAUREN: Who are you?
SARAH: And how did you get in my mother’s suitcase?
MARY: I’m Mary Cassatt. Why, you’re American, aren’t you? What are your names?
LAUREN: I’m Lauren, and this is Sarah.
SARAH: Uh, hi.
MARY: You must be sisters. You have the same eyes. (To Sarah: ) Look this way a moment.
SARAH: (She does.) Okay, but why?
MARY: You have a beautiful profile. I’d love to paint your portrait.
LAUREN: But if you’re the real Mary Cassatt that means you’re from—
MARY: Pennsylvania originally. But I’ve been living in France for many years. Paris is beautiful this time of year, don’t you agree?
SARAH: But how did you get here?
MARY: Hold still. (She dresses Sarah in a period outfit.) I was just looking for some art supplies in my trunk and I just sort of fell into this strange world of yours. I must be having a dream.
SARAH: Excuse me—but we are not products of your imagination.
MARY: Don’t be cross; you’re lovely dreams. Oh good, my assistants have arrived. And look here – (Pick up brush from the discarded items.)
Two girls enter from within the suitcase. They help Mary set up a canvas.
SARAH: Lauren, what the heck is happening?
MARY: Hmm… (Examining Sarah.) We’re missing something. Of course! Bring out the baby!
ASSISTANT #1: Oui!, Madam Cassatt!
ASSISTANT #2: One baby coming up!
They bring out a baby doll. (Sound effect of Baby crying?) Mary puts the Baby in Sarah’s arm.
SARAH: What are you doing?
MARY: There, that’s perfect.
Lauren has been looking up information on her i-phone.
LAUREN: Oh, of course, you become famous for your portraits of women and children. Your work is so beautiful.
