The American Plan 1990 - Articles Page 1.8

Opened: January 23, 1990
Closing: February 18, 1990

The American Plan - 1990 - Off-Broadway History , Info & More

The American Plan has long been a favourite of acting teachers for Female Monologues, Male Monologues, Female/Male Scenes, and Male/Male Scenes.



The American Plan is a full-length comedic drama by Richard Greenberg. At the play's heart is Lili, a troubled, 20ish heiress who indulges in wild fantasies. She meets a mysterious young stranger, and finds herself falling in love. But when her overbearing mother learns of their relationship, lies are exposed, alliances are forged, and Lili's one chance to escape her mother's control may be lost forever.



The American Plan is a thoughtful and mysterious play that dissects a portion of upper-class American society at mid-century and finds a troubled young girl's dream of love shattered by her mother's definition of happiness. It is the Catskills, in the summer of 1960. Lili Adler is the troubled twenty-year-old daughter of a wealthy German-Jewish refugee. By the shore of a lake, she meets Nick Lockridge, a golden young man who looks to her as if "nothing ever happened to him." Over the summer, Lili comes to view Nick as her savior, and Nick's fondness for Lili grows; but to Eva, Lili's autocratic mother, Nick is an object of suspicion, and the romance that blossoms between him and Lili is an unfortunate condition that must be indulged before it can be obliterated. Eva knows she will find out something about Nick which will unmask his unworthiness. To find it, she patiently manipulates Nick's revelations about his past to prove him unfit for Lili. By play's end, time, past injuries, and the imperatives of history will conspire to bear out Eva's dictum that happiness exists "but it's for other people."



The American Plan premiered in 1990 by the Manhattan Theatre Club (MTC) Off-Broadway at New York City Center Stage II and transferred to the MTC Mainstage. Revived by MTC on Broadway in 2009 at the Samuel J. Friedman Theatre, the play has become a favourite scene study vehicle in acting classes and workshops and is regularly performed in regional repertory and college theatre productions.

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Actors Theatre Of Indiana Produces MR. CONFIDENTIAL
by Stephi Wild - Apr 3, 2023

Actors Theatre of Indiana presents the World Premiere musical Mr. Confidential, premiering at The Studio Theatre at The Center for the Performing Arts beginning April 28, 2023 and running through May 14.

PRETTY WOMAN, ALADDIN, And More Announced For 2023�"2024 Broadway Season At Morris Performing Arts Center
by A.A. Cristi - Mar 24, 2023

The American Theatre Guild, the largest not-for-profit touring Broadway presenter in the nation, unveils its highly anticipated 23–24 Season for the Morris Performing Arts Center.

HADESTOWN, MEAN GIRLS, and More Set For Broadway In Birmingham's 2023-24 Season
by Stephi Wild - Mar 10, 2023

The American Theatre Guild has announced its 23–24 Season for the BJCC Concert Hall. The BROADWAY IN BIRMINGHAM SERIES will include the following Broadway touring productions: MEAN GIRLS, Harper Lee's TO KILL A MOCKINGBIRD, Disney's ALADDIN, HADESTOWN, and PRETTY WOMAN: THE MUSICAL. 

BABYLON A.D. is Back with Career-Spanning 14 Track Live Album 'Live Lightning'
by Michael Major - Feb 20, 2023

The new album includes their top-ten rock-radio classic hits “Hammer Swings Down”, “Kid Goes Wild', “Bang Go The Bells” from their debut release, their hit “Bad Blood” from the “Nothing Sacred” album and songs from their studio albums “American Blitzkrieg”, “The Lost Sessions” and their last release “Revelation Highway” are all featured.

Library of Congress Acquires Archives Of Garth Fagan Dance Company
by Stephi Wild - Feb 8, 2023

The Library of Congress has acquired the papers of choreographer Garth Fagan and Garth Fagan Dance, the company founded by Fagan in 1970. Garth Fagan Dance is distinguished by the artistic imagination and polyrhythmic movement of Jamaican-born Fagan, layered with the discipline and strength of ballet training. The company has performed in more than 660 cities in 24 countries on six continents.

Manhattan Theatre Club Executive Producer Barry Grove to Step Down at End of 2022-2023 Season
by Chloe Rabinowitz - Jan 11, 2023

Barry Grove will step down as the Executive Producer of Manhattan Theatre Club at the conclusion of the 2022-2023 season.

Feature: Cartoons and Music Together Debut When Las Vegas Philharmonic Performs Bugs Bunny at the Symphony
by Debbie Hall - Jan 5, 2023

Bugs Bunny at the Symphony will join forces with the Las Vegas Philharmonic to bring Looney Tunes nostalgia with its Las Vegas debut at Reynolds Hall at The Smith Center on Jan. 7.

The Joyce Theater Foundation to Present American Dance Platform Featuring Les Ballet Afrik & More
by Chloe Rabinowitz - Dec 12, 2022

The Joyce Theater Foundation will continue its championing of burgeoning choreographic voices in the seventh iteration of its American Dance Platform. Hand-picked by celebrated dance maker Ronald K. Brown, three companies representing the best in dance from across the country will each perform twice at The Joyce Theater from January 10-15. 

Farmers Alley Theatre Presents the World Premiere Production Of A SWINGING CHRISTMAS: THE HOLIDAY MUSIC OF TONY BENNETT
by Stephi Wild - Nov 4, 2022

On the heels of our sold-out, extended runs of Bright Star last summer and A Gentleman's Guide To Love and Murder this fall, Farmers Alley Theatre will bring the very first production of A Swinging Christmas: The Holiday Music of Tony Bennett to West Michigan audiences. 

Tapestry Dance Company Presents PRECIOUS PRESENT- THE JAZZ ELEMENT
by A.A. Cristi - Oct 14, 2022

Austin's acclaimed dance company Tapestry will bring a jazz version of the The Precious Present to the Austin Ventures Studio Theatre, Dec. 17 and 18, at 2 and 8 p.m. Saturday and at 2 p.m. Sunday.

Music Director Carl St.Clair Asks Board To Begin Succession Planning
by Stephi Wild - Sep 20, 2022

Pacific Symphony announces that Music Director Carl St.Clair and Pacific Symphony's Board of Directors have come to agreement on a two-year extension of his contract for the 2022-23 and 2023-24 seasons, with an option for additional extensions.

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by A.A. Cristi - Sep 14, 2022

Two of the UK’s most enduring and influential bands, The London Suede and Manic Street Preachers, will be coming to Kings Theatre in Brooklyn, NY on November 21, 2022, on their joint North American tour.

Goodman Theatre to Present Midwest Premiere of PEQUEÑOS TERRITORIOS EN RECONSTRUCCI�"N This Month
by Chloe Rabinowitz - Sep 9, 2022

Goodman Theatre and the Chicago Latino Theater Alliance will present the Midwest premiere of Pequeños Territorios en Reconstrucción by Teatro Linea de Sombra of Mexico City, appearing in a limited engagement September 21-25 at the Goodman.

August Wilson's RADIO GOLF Comes to A Noise Within Next Month
by Stephi Wild - Sep 8, 2022

A Black mayoral candidate on the verge of the business breakthrough of a lifetime must choose between his personal aspirations and his integrity in Radio Golf by August Wilson. A Noise Within presents the final installment in Wilson's “American Century Cycle,” with Gregg T. Daniel directing.

The Entertainment Community Fund Announces Five New Members To Board Of Trustees
by Stephi Wild - Aug 11, 2022

At an annual meeting held on July 26, the Entertainment Community Fund (formerly The Actors Fund), the national human services organization for everyone in performing arts and entertainment, welcomed five new members to its Board of Trustees and reelected Tony Award-winning actor Brian Stokes Mitchell as Chair, his nineteenth term of serving in this role.

Kelli O'Hara, Jessica Vosk, and More Announced for 92NY 2022/23 Tisch Music Season
by A.A. Cristi - Jul 15, 2022

The 92nd Street Y, New York (92NY) has announced its 2022/23 Tisch Music Season, one of 92NY's largest and most diverse seasons to date.

TRU to Present Producer Bootcamp Via Zoom: Essentials Of Successful Self-Producing 2022
by Chloe Rabinowitz - Jul 14, 2022

Theater Resources Unlimited has announced their annual Producer Boot Camp: Essentials of Successful Self-Producing. This unique workshop, geared to the specific multi-tasking challenges of self-producers, has been reformatted and rethought for virtual presentation. It will take place on Sunday, July 31, 2022, 12pm-5:30pm ET.

Winners Announced for 13th Annual August Wilson Monologue and Design Competitions
by Chloe Rabinowitz - May 27, 2022

Out of the 330 total Chicagoland high school students who entered the 13th annual August Wilson Monologue and Design Competitions, Demi Davis from Senn High School prevailed, taking the first-place prize at the Chicago finals earlier this month for her 2-3-minute monologue performance.

Pasadena Playhouse Announces 2022/2023 Season Featuring Six-Month Sondheim Celebration
by Chloe Rabinowitz - May 19, 2022

Pasadena Playhouse has announced the 2022/2023 Season featuring a six-month-long celebration of the works and impact of Stephen Sondheim.  The State Theater of California’s Sondheim Celebration will begin in January 2023 and extend into June.  Find out what shows are included and the full schedule.

Ali Stroker, Daniel J. Watts & More to Star in Danai Gurira Led RICHARD III at Free Shakespeare in the Park
by Chloe Rabinowitz - Apr 25, 2022

The Public Theater announced complete casting for the Free Shakespeare in the Park production of RICHARD III, kicking off the 60th Anniversary Season at The Delacorte Theater.

Delaware Theatre Company Announces 2022/23 Season
by Stephi Wild - Apr 6, 2022

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KING SOLOMON'S TREASURE to Open at Whitefire Theatre
by Chloe Rabinowitz - Mar 22, 2022

The Whitefire Theatre will present King Solomon's Treasure April 7- May 12, 2022. It's New York in 1990. In midtown Manhattan, King Solomon's Treasure is a shop where curios, collectables, and vintage items are for sale, things as disparate as a 30-year-old bottle of Orange Crush and a baseball signed by Jackie Robinson.

Pacific Symphony Announces 2022-23 Classical Season
by Chloe Rabinowitz - Mar 1, 2022

Music Director Carl St.Clair and President John Forsyte today announced programming for Pacific Symphony’s 2022-23 season.

Sam Woodhouse to Retire as Artistic Director of San Diego REP
by Chloe Rabinowitz - Feb 14, 2022

San Diego Repertory Theatre (San Diego REP) announced that Sam Woodhouse will step down as Artistic Director in September 2022 after leading the company for 46 years. At the end of this season, San Diego REP will have produced 333 productions under Woodhouse’s leadership - more than 50 of them were world premieres.

BWW Exclusive: Jonathan Larson's College Roommate, Emmy-Winner Todd Robinson, Pens Essay About the Composer
by Todd Robinson - Feb 4, 2022

Emmy Award winning screen writer and director Todd Robinson is known for his work on White Squall, Lonely Hearts, The Last Full Measure and more. But a little known fact about Robinson is that he was the college roommate and best friend of Jonathan Larson.

The American Plan FREQUENTLY ASKED QUESTIONS

What productions of The American Plan have there been?
The American Plan has had 2 productions including Off-Broadway which opened in 1990 and Off-Broadway which opened in 1990.
What awards has The American Plan been nominated for?
The American Plan has been nominated for the Performance category at the Obie Awards, specifically for Joan Copeland's performance.
What awards has The American Plan won?
The American Plan has won the Performance (Obie Awards) for Joan Copeland.

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