The Cincinnati Playhouse in the Park wants your theatergoing experience to be as enjoyable as possible. Following is a list of content within A Sleeping Country that may be of concern to some members of our audience. Please understand that some information may give away surprises within the story. The information is provided to help you make informed decisions. Keep in mind, however, that the language and themes outlined below, taken out of context, may seem more offensive than they would be within the context of the actual play. This information will continue to be updated until the opening of the show to address any changes that may occur throughout the rehearsal process. Please check back often. |
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A Sleeping Country is a very funny world premiere about sleep lost and hope found. In New York City, Julia works in a great job as a financial journalist, has recently become engaged to a man she loves very much … and has, what she believes to be, “The Worst Insomnia in the World.” In fact, she hasn’t slept in months, and the stress is starting to take its toll.
One day, her psychiatrist and childhood friend Midge passes along research she has found that just might explain Julia’s condition. Only, unfortunately for Julia, the news is very bad, in fact the worst kind imaginable. While Google-ing “crazy, Italian and insomnia,” Midge comes across a news article about a very wealthy, beautiful and noble Venetian family suffering from the rare disease of Fatal Familial Insomnia. A protein actually attacks and destroys the brain and other vital organs, ultimately resulting in death. The most recent person to be diagnosed with the illness is Isabella Orsini, and Orsini just happens to be the maiden name of Julia’s grandmother. Midge offers Julia a bag full of free prescription drugs and the chance to decide her own fate.
First, Julia decides to embark on some research of her own. Calling off her engagement with her very befuddled and frustrated fiancé Greg, Julia flies off to Venice to determine once and for all if she and Isabella are related, and if they share the dreaded Orsini curse. But one DNA sample later, what she discovers is something much more meaningful in this very funny but poignant play about facing your fears and knowing the difference between not sleeping and being truly awake. |
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A Sleeping Country contains the use of strong adult language. This includes the colloquial use of the word “f**k” as an oath, an adjective or to describe sexual activity (24 times), “sh*t” or “bullsh*t” (12 times), “dam*” or “goddam*” (three times), “bast*rd” (once), “hell” (five times), “ass” (four times), “whore” (three times), “pissed” (twice), “suck” (twice) and “crap” (three times), as well as several expressions invoking God’s name (“Jesus” or “Oh My God”). |
