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y separately published work icon The Sum of Us single work   drama  
Alternative title: The Sum of Us : A Comedy of Love
First known date: ca. 1990 Issue Details: First known date: 1990... 1990 The Sum of Us
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Adaptations

form y separately published work icon The Sum of Us David Stevens , ( dir. Geoff Burton et. al. )agent Australia : Hal McElroy Southern Star , 1994 Z872630 1994 single work film/TV

Set in Sydney, The Sum of Us explores the relationship between Harry, a charming, beer-drinking, down-to-earth widower, and Jeff, his gay son. Harry is the caring 'mate' whose open-mindedness borders on being annoying. Jeff unsuccessfully searches for love with the unwanted guidance of his father.

Notes

  • Adapted for the 1994 film The Sum of Us by David Stevens
  • Note that the playscript version of The Sum of Us is set in Melbourne (Footscray, etc). The film and filmscript versions are set in Sydney (Balmain, etc.).

Production Details

  • First performed at the University of Southern California (directed by Dorothy Lyman) and later performed at the Williamstown Theatre Festival in 1989 and at the Cherry Lane Theatre, New York in 1990 (both directed by Kevin Dowling).


    First performed in Australia by the Sydney Theatre Company at the Wharf Studio, Sydney on 1 February 1992.


    Presented by Yirra Yaakin Theatre Company at Perth Festival, with an entirely First Nations cast.

    Director: Eva Grace Mullaley.

    Assistant Director: Cezera Critti-Schnaars.

    Producer: Elinor King.

    Production Manager: Mike Nanning.

    Set & Costume Designer: Bryan Woltjen.

    Assistant Set & Costume Designer: Jamie Fodor.

    Lighting Designer: Peter Young.

    Sound Designer & Composer: Joe Paradise Lui.

    Assistant Sound Designer: Zac James.

    Cast: Mathew Cooper, Bruce Denny, Janine Oxenham & Joshua Pether.

Publication Details of Only Known VersionEarliest 2 Known Versions of

    • New York (City), New York (State),
      c
      United States of America (USA),
      c
      Americas,
      :
      London,
      c
      England,
      c
      c
      United Kingdom (UK),
      c
      Western Europe, Europe,
      :
      Samuel French ,
      ca. 1990 .
      Extent: 84p.
      ISBN: 0573692661
    • Garden City, New York (State),
      c
      United States of America (USA),
      c
      Americas,
      :
      The Fireside Theatre ,
      ca. 1990 .
      Alternative title: The Sum of Us : a comedy of love
      Extent: 110p.
      Description: illus. (b & w)

Works about this Work

Write About What You Know David Stevens , single work criticism
Not Your Typical Father & Son Story : The Making Of The Sum Of Us Erin Free , 2018 single work column
— Appears in: FilmInk , 23 August 2018;
Acting Out Lucy Brook , 2011 single work column
— Appears in: Brisbane News , 7 - 13 September no. 849 2011; (p. 16)
Father and Son Spin a Fine Yarn Nathanael Cooper , 2011 single work review
— Appears in: The Courier-Mail , 20 - 21 August 2011; (p. 17)

— Review of The Sum of Us David Stevens , 1990 single work drama
Father-and-Son Act a Story that Explores Love Claire Low , 2011 single work column
— Appears in: The Canberra Times , 15 July 2011; (p. 12)
The Arts : Theatre Cameron Woodhead , 2011 single work review
— Appears in: The Saturday Age , 18 June 2011; (p. 26)

— Review of The Sum of Us David Stevens , 1990 single work drama
Father and Son Spin a Fine Yarn Nathanael Cooper , 2011 single work review
— Appears in: The Courier-Mail , 20 - 21 August 2011; (p. 17)

— Review of The Sum of Us David Stevens , 1990 single work drama
ArtsNews 1990 single work review
— Appears in: The Age , 13 November 1990; (p. 14)

— Review of The Sum of Us David Stevens , 1990 single work drama
Human Pluses Fall Short of Total Success Rosemary Neill , 1992 single work review
— Appears in: The Australian , 4 February 1992; (p. 9)

— Review of The Sum of Us David Stevens , 1990 single work drama
Two Cheers for Cheerfulness Angela Bennie , 1992 single work review
— Appears in: The Sydney Morning Herald , 5 July 1992; (p. 12)

— Review of The Sum of Us David Stevens , 1990 single work drama
Father-and-Son Act a Story that Explores Love Claire Low , 2011 single work column
— Appears in: The Canberra Times , 15 July 2011; (p. 12)
Acting Out Lucy Brook , 2011 single work column
— Appears in: Brisbane News , 7 - 13 September no. 849 2011; (p. 16)
When Boy Gets Boy Sue Williams , 1994 single work criticism biography
— Appears in: The Weekend Australian , 16-17 July 1994; (p. 3)
Life for Some is More than Equal to Its Parts Deborah Jones , 1992 single work column
— Appears in: The Australian , 21 January 1992; (p. 10)
From Hit Movie to Australian Stage Michael Kuchwara , 1990 single work column
— Appears in: The Canberra Times , 17 October 1990; (p. 28)

Awards

1990-1991 winner Outer Critics Circle Award (New York) Best Off Broadway Play
Last amended 25 Feb 2021 16:10:30
Settings:
  • Footscray, Footscray - Maribyrnong area, Melbourne - West, Melbourne, Victoria,
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