Say Goodnight, Gracie

by Ralph Pape

The place is a shabby apartment in New York's East Village, which Jerry an aspiring young actor, shares with Ginny, a secretary. They are joined by Jerry's high-school friends: Steve, a prankish would-be poet and television writer; and Bobby, a musician who has been scraping by with dates in small clubs in suburban New Jersey, and who arrives with his girlfriend, Catherine, a beautiful but rather kinky airline stewardess. Their intention is to attend their high-school reunion, and as they while away the hours before it is time to leave, they talk and smoke pot, their conversation becoming funnier and more revealing as the smoke thickens. Jerry, bitter that his acting career is at a standstill, decides that he doesn't want to go to the reunion, but the others (whose disappointments are as keen as his) try to cheer him up and urge him on. In the end, however, they fail for Jerry and themselves. These are children of the idealistic 60s, unable to come to terms with the uncertain '70s, and trying to evade, with their ever-funnier and more biting comments, the sobering truth that haunts them all that there are, unfortunately, no clear and simple answers anymore.

Genres: Plays

Paperback

First published January 1, 1978

Reviews

[Scott Hendricks]

Are you having a crummy day? Maybe a can of chunky turkey soup may do the trick….if only if you have one. Maybe a group of friends will be able to help cheer you up? This story is about a group of friends getting ready to attend their class reunion. In conversation they pay homage to tv industry in general but more specifically the great Norman Lear. Enjoy this book to get your spirits lifted up just as Steve tried to lift Jerry’s spirits.

[Daniel Pivonka]

3.5/5

[Santino Alvarado]

Silly stoner play that kinda swings a little bit above its range in substance, but it's alright

[Jorn Barger]

Or the video if you can find it.

[Andrew]

Sometimes very interesting, and I do remember some parts. If you have the chance, check it out. You may like it more than I did.

[Kelly]

Ginny is a funny girl. Other than that the play seemed a bit dull and had no real objective.