A Play in one act by Linda Thornburg
Leap of Faith is an hour-long comedy about two women who do everything in bed--eat dance, work, swim.
Synopsis
Leap of Faith is the story of Emmy and Louise, two young women who live in a bed. They do everything there—eat, dance, work, swim. They are very happy until Emmy asks, "What are we doing dancing in bed?" Louise gestures toward the audience and replies "They put us here. . . . Everything we do or would do is defined by the bed." Now aware of and conflicted by the perceptions of the audience, Emmy decides they should leave. Louise says that as long as they are “defined by the bed” there is no place else to go. To help Emmy understand, they play movie scenes from the “real” world: “Monday morning at the office,” “Mother,” “Justice of the Peace.” The scenes and Louise’s own stories of learning to love her self fail to comfort Emmy. She must learn to love herself on her own. Emmy leaves, but Louise, the writer of “happy endings” prevails, and Emmy returns in her own movie scene.
A Brief History
Leap of Faith was first produced in Columbus, OH, in April of 1980. The production was directed by Diane Wondisford. Brenda Laurel and Linda Thornburg originated the roles of Emmy and Louise. Cheryl Taunt designed the set. Linda Thornburg was awarded an Ohio Arts Council Individual Artist Fellowship in Playwriting for Leap of Faith.
Leap of Faith was subsequently produced in San Francisco in the spring of 1981. Cookie Harlan directed the San Francisco Production with Lisa Seldin and Lisa MacMillian playing the roles of Emmy and Louise. In San Francisco, Leap of Faith was nominated for a Cable Car Award for Best Gay Theatre. The troupe moved to Provincetown in mid-summer and produced the show at the Provincetown Inn in the Mayflower Room. The show won an Applause Award for Entertainment.
Leap of Faith was produced again in the spring of 1982 at The Evergreen State College and starred the original cast.
Photographs of Columbus production by Lynette Molnar. Photographs of TESC production by Ken Snow.
Leap of Faith was subsequently produced in San Francisco in the spring of 1981. Cookie Harlan directed the San Francisco Production with Lisa Seldin and Lisa MacMillian playing the roles of Emmy and Louise. In San Francisco, Leap of Faith was nominated for a Cable Car Award for Best Gay Theatre. The troupe moved to Provincetown in mid-summer and produced the show at the Provincetown Inn in the Mayflower Room. The show won an Applause Award for Entertainment.
Leap of Faith was produced again in the spring of 1982 at The Evergreen State College and starred the original cast.
Photographs of Columbus production by Lynette Molnar. Photographs of TESC production by Ken Snow.
