Maggie, A Girl of the Streets

One-Acts 45

By: Arthur Reel
Cast: 8 M, 4 F, 2 flexible, extras (With doubling: 6 M, 4 F)
Performance Time: Approximately 45 minutes, 48 pgs.

DRAMA. Adapted from Stephen Crane’s novel, Maggie, A Girl of the Streets (1896) this play depicts with shocking realism the poverty and desperation of Maggie, a young woman who must work in a sweat shop and endure abuse at the hands of her alcoholic mother. Yearning to escape from the slums, Maggie soon takes up with Pete, an outgoing bartender. Pete takes Maggie to the theatre and to dance halls, where she is dazzled by all the glitz. Soon Pete’s interest in Maggie wanes, and he is seen cavorting around town with his old flame, Nellie. As rumors abound that Maggie has been “ruined” by Pete, Maggie’s brother and mother cast her out of the house and onto the streets.

Freeviews: To read play excerpts click here.

About the Story: To read more about the story click here.

Arthur Reel founded the Drama Repertory Theatre in 1973 and has co-produced more than 200 shows, many of which he directed. Mr. Reel has adapted for the stage many prose classics, including Voltaire’s Candide and works by Gogol, Gorky, and Chekhov. He currently resides in New York City, where he teaches acting, voice, and communications.