 by John Newman, available at YouthPLAYS){kind=link}
About the Play
Drama. 65-75 minutes. 2-21 females, 3-21 males (5-30+ performers possible). Suitable for high school and older performers, and middle school and older audiences.
Adapted from the novel Whirligig by Newbery Award-winning author Paul Fleischman.
The play premiered at Highland High School (Salt Lake City, UT), directed by the playwright. It was subsequently produced at Mountain View High School (Orem, UT), where it was directed by Nathan Criman. Also available in a one-act version and for online performance as a virtual edition.
"The adaptation of this wonderful novel was inspiring, and was a welcome catharsis for a school reeling from a series of tragedies." - Blaine Erdman, Principal, Mountain View High School (Orem, UT)
"Who would have guessed that this play would become so timely for our school? The careful crafting of the emotions, thoughts, and actions were inspiring." - Nathan Criman, Theatre Teacher and Director, Mountain View High School (Orem, UT)
Synopsis
After teenage Brent Bishop gets drunk at a party, causes a car accident, and kills a young woman, the far-reaching consequences of his actions overwhelm him. Desperate to find some way to undo the suffering he's caused, Brent accepts the challenge from the victim's mother: build four whirligigs in the corners of the country as memorials to her daughter. As Brent takes his journey, four individuals that he never meets find their lives transformed by the whirligigs he builds. But will the teen be able to forgive himself for an unforgivable mistake and move forward with his life?