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The Debutante Ball
Jen Parker is determined to have her daughter, Teddy, presented at the Hattiesburg Debutante Ball, hoping that the event will revive some semblance of respectability for her and her family
96 pages, Hardcover
First published October 1, 1991
About the author
Beth Henley
61 books25 followersElizabeth Becker "Beth" Henley is an American playwright, screenwriter, and actress. Her play Crimes of the Heart won the 1981 Pulitzer Prize for Drama, the 1981 New York Drama Critics' Circle Award for Best American Play, and a nomination for a Tony Award.
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Displaying 1 - 2 of 2 reviews
March 18, 2026
A good read, a great ensemble piece! Language is witty and the family dynamic is intriguing. A really fun group of characters, but there was a lack of true plot because everyone was saying everything at once, but I didn't mind it.
October 9, 2021
This play was absolutely horrible and absolutely fantastic. It is so vile and so interesting. It’s amazing how just the opening scene let me know that I was in for a loaded and complex play.
I feel like the pacing was incredible. The exposition was full and rich and very natural. I got to know the characters quickly and fully, while at the same time being left with room for questions about them. And in this play, no one is who they first appear—and while that’s said a lot, this time it is actually very true. This was such a high drama, absolutely unbelievable. The story was insane and had me riveted, so many deep meanings and themes. I quite enjoyed it. I’d say my only complaint was that the stage directions seemed a little excessive to me, with far too much detail, and I rarely think that but I did with this play.
I’d also like to say that this book covered a lot of traumatic topics that I wasn’t prepared for, so if you are concerned for any trigger warnings, I’d say this play could be triggering for those who are sensitive to murder, sexual abuse, domestic abuse, self-harm, suicide, and/or miscarriage/abortion.
(R rating)
I feel like the pacing was incredible. The exposition was full and rich and very natural. I got to know the characters quickly and fully, while at the same time being left with room for questions about them. And in this play, no one is who they first appear—and while that’s said a lot, this time it is actually very true. This was such a high drama, absolutely unbelievable. The story was insane and had me riveted, so many deep meanings and themes. I quite enjoyed it. I’d say my only complaint was that the stage directions seemed a little excessive to me, with far too much detail, and I rarely think that but I did with this play.
I’d also like to say that this book covered a lot of traumatic topics that I wasn’t prepared for, so if you are concerned for any trigger warnings, I’d say this play could be triggering for those who are sensitive to murder, sexual abuse, domestic abuse, self-harm, suicide, and/or miscarriage/abortion.
(R rating)
Displaying 1 - 2 of 2 reviews