REBEL is a one-act drama set in Broadway Park in Bangor, Maine.  One summer night after a concert, a lonely and tired rock singer named Rebel from Rome, Georgia, goes out to find some excitement, gets a little drunk, and ends up in the park. There she meets Ed, a young mechanic, who's been told by his wife that she wants a divorce. Both are needy.  Rebel wants a friend.  Ed wants his wife back.  They confront one another and share their life stories with each other while Rebel tries to flag down passing cars. Finally, Ed's wife Lorraine stops, and Rebel takes her aside to have a talk with her.  Rebel solves the girl's problem. Ed gets his wife back, and Rebel ends up with two friends who will remember her forever. The play explores the chance meeting of average people with a famous star and shows that underneath they all have the same human needs. The play won the Tennessee Williams/New Orleans Award and the Salt and Pepper Mime Company’s National Award. It was produced at the Neighborhood Playhouse in Atlanta, the Beat Kitchen in Chicago, and at the University of Alaska Anchorage.

CHARACTERS

REBEL A rock singer from Rome, Georgia. Born poor, she is now rich,
lonely, and spoiled. She hides a generous nature behind a tough, brassy exterior. She wants someone to care for her. She dresses with flash and daring.

EDDIE A mechanic, strong and masculine, he has little money, works
hard, and has a kind heart. He is feeling lost because he had a
fight with his wife and she told him she wants a divorce.
wants a divorce.

LORRAINE Eddie's wife, a woman who wants a better life. She is
pretty but young and childlike. She truly loves her
husband.

SCENE

The action takes place in Broadway Park in Bangor, Maine. There are two park benches and a swing set.

TIME
It is after one o'clock in the morning.

HISTORY

REBEL won the Tennessee Williams/New Orleans Literary Award in March, 1988.

REBEL was first presented by the Neighborhood Playhouse in Atlanta as part of the Fall Festival on October 13, 1988; Artistic Director, Sandra Nelson. It was directed by Gene Paulsson; Festival Chairman was Val Watts; Assistant Director was Stephanie Thompson, Stage Managers were Randy Allen, Myra Clark, and Emily Tierney; the lighting was by Michael H. Moss, the set by Barry West. The cast was as follows:

Rebel . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . Janice White Nelson
Edward . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . Robert Hadaway
Lorraine . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . Lucy Arnold

A revised version of the play was given a staged reading by the Out North Theatre Company at Cyrano's in Anchorage, Alaska, March 5, 1990. The play was directed by Kevin T. Bennett with the following cast:

Rebel . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . Ursula Gould
Edward . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . Dan Wolfe
Lorraine . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . Cheryl K. Barger

The present version was produced by University of Alaska Anchorage's Second Stage April 28, 1990. The play was directed by Laurie McKinnon; lighting by Rebecca Owens; stage managed by Angela Fisher. The cast was as follows:

Rebel . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . Lori Ostrosky
Edward . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . Alex Van Amburg
Lorraine . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . Judy Goonan

The play won the 1992 Salt and Pepper Mime Company National Award and also ran for a month in Chicago at the Beat Kitchen in April, 1994. It was a finalist in the competition for the Key West Theatre Festival, 1993.