Doll Play

Life in a Dream House

In this tale of a man who accidentally kills his own son, things begin to unravel for the Notto family when the mother dies prematurely, and the father has no idea how to handle an effeminate son with a strong attachment to his mother's doll collection. The spirit of the mother hovers over the family and tries to set things right as the surviving members adjust to life without Josh.

Full script available at the National New Play Network's New Play Exchange (NPX). Click here.

Or see EXCERPT below.

LENGTH: 1 hour 40 minutes (plus intermission)

CAST: 2M, 3F 

SETTING

The "great room" of the Notto house in Briarcliff Manor, NY.

TIME

2009-2016

CHARACTERS:

Ted Notto. Male. Age 37, then 46. Owner of Notto Contracting. Italian American.

Amanda Notto. Female. Age 35, then 44. Ted's sister. Office Manager at Notto Contracting. Italian American.

Josh Notto. Male. Age 15. Ted and Shannon's son. Gay. Flamboyant and creative.

Nicole Notto. Female. Age 13. Ted and Shannon's daughter. Smart and responsible up to a point.

Shannon Riley Notto. Female. Age 35. A ghost. The perfect wife and mother. 

HONOR

Shortlisted by the London Playwrights' Workshop, UK, 2023. 

EXCERPT:

PROLOGUE

Lights up on a beautiful dollhouse occupied by four Barbie & Ken-style dolls. The Josh and Nicole dolls are hanging out in their bedrooms. The Ted and Shannon dolls are watching TV or eating a meal downstairs. 

SHANNON enters and approaches the dollhouse. Examines it with great interest and excitement. Picks up the Josh, Nicole, and Ted dolls one at a time, taking a moment to play with each doll and kiss it before putting it back in place. Finally picks up the Shannon doll, studies it a moment, and walks off stage with it. 

A moment after Shannon exits, the dollhouse blows up or collapses. Lights down.

END OF PROLOGUE

ACT ONE: Life

SCENE 1. 2009.

Lights up. The house is furnished tastefully but looks very lived in. We see primarily its “great” room—a combination kitchen and family room with an eating area and a sitting area. A large screen TV hangs on a wall. We see just a part of the house next door, which is run down and separated from the Nottos’ by a hedge. TED is using the kitchen table (or island) as a staging area to sort through some things. He picks up a dish—a piece of fine china. Studies it. AMANDA enters.

AMANDA

Okay, I put that old Berber rug in the dumpster.

(spotting the dish)

What’s that? 

TED

The good china.

AMANDA

(looking more closely)

Oh, yeah. You never use it. I say dump it, too.

TED

I can’t.

AMANDA

Or take it to the consignment shop. I never really liked it anyway.

TED

(sarcastically)

I wonder why.

AMANDA

What? Ted, I loved Shannon, too. I just didn’t always agree with her taste.

TED

Whatever. 

(not caring if Amanda is interested)

God, I remember when she found this pattern at Bergdorf Goodman and made me come into the city to see if I liked it, too. 

SHANNON enters. TED and AMANDA never see or acknowledge her presence. SHANNON looks into the box, delighted by the sight of the dishes.

TED (CONT’D)

I wasn’t sure, but she was so excited—what could I do? We added the dishes to the registry and ended up with the whole set!

AMANDA

(critically)

There were lots of other things you coulda used instead! I’m just saying.

TED

(an announcement)

I’m keeping them.

AMANDA

(defeated)

Fine.

SHANNON exits. TED moves the box of china out of the room.

AMANDA (CONT’D)

(calling out)

How about her clothes? How could one woman own so many dresses? There’s like three closets full. Who’d she think she was—a runway model?

(softening)

Wait—that came out wrong. 

TED returns.

TED

No it didn’t.

AMANDA

It did. Seriously—I did love her. Everyone loved her.

TED

Then why’d you try to talk me out of marrying her?

AMANDA

I never—

TED

Bullshit! You even threatened to . . .

TED points to his wrist.

TED (CONT’D)

. . . you know.

AMANDA

What?

TED

Never mind. 

AMANDA

No—tell me!

TED

And you said I shouldn’t marry her because she wasn’t Italian. Said the Rileys were never gonna wanna mix with a bunch of wops. 

AMANDA

Well, all right, obviously I was wrong about that. Except I’m still not sure Shannon ever knew the difference between manicotti and cannoli.

TED

You said she was a snob cuz she was from Bronxville and went to Amherst College. 

AMANDA

You never knew people like that before you met her. I’m not saying that’s a bad thing—but she just wasn’t one of us, you know? 

TED

Then tell me this—if she was such a snob, why’d she date a dropout from SUNY Oneonta? 

AMANDA

Cuz she had her eyes on Daddy’s business!

TED

Oh, c’mon! She didn’t need Notto Contracting. She was an investment banker, for god’s sake!

AMANDA

Yeah, but I didn’t know what that was. I thought you meant she was a teller at a bank.

TED

So that’s why you threatened to kill yourself?

AMANDA

Teddy, I was just being dramatic.

TED

You scared the shit out of me! 

AMANDA

But you married her anyway.

TED

Of course I married her anyway. Boy, that convent really screwed you up!

AMANDA

It did not!

TED

You never tried to kill yourself before you went there.

AMANDA

Let’s drop it, okay? You know I don’t like to talk about it.

TED

How convenient! Just like you never mentioned anything until I got engaged. Then suddenly there’s this whole history and you’re gonna be triggered all over again if I marry Shannon.

AMANDA

Stop it! Please!

AMANDA starts to cry. TED goes to comfort her.

TED

Hey, hey! Don’t cry. I’m sorry I brought it up.

AMANDA breaks away from TED. 

AMANDA

Don’t touch me! Don’t! . . . I need air! . . . No, water!  

AMANDA crashes onto the sofa. Grabs a pillow. Punches it ferociously. Finally hurls it across the room. Puts her head between her legs. Heaves up and down until she calms down.

TED

Mandy, what’s going on? You haven’t had one of these attacks in years.

AMANDA

I’m not having an attack! 

TED

Maybe you should see your doctor again. Make sure everything’s all right.

AMANDA

Everything’s fine! It’s just that whole chapter of my life—please drop it. 

TED

I’m sorry. We don’t have to talk about it. 

AMANDA calms down.

AMANDA

Wow—that was no fun.

AMANDA takes a few breaths.

AMANDA (CONT’D)

I’m fine now.

A few more breaths.

AMANDA (CONT’D)

(calmly)

Anyway, everything worked out. You got married. I got better. 

TED

(sullenly)

And Shannon died. So you got your wish after all.

AMANDA

(heartfelt)

Oh, Teddy—no. That’s not true. I loved her. I really did. Just like I love you, and I love your kids. You guys are the whole world to me!

TED

(softening)

I know . . . It’s all just . . . It’s so hard. I don’t know what to do. I don’t think I can go on without her. 

AMANDA

But you’ve got to! Too many people depend on you. It’s not fair, but there it is.

TED

(crying)

I miss her so much! I wanna go off somewhere for a couple of years and just cry.  

It’s AMANDA’s turn to go comfort TED.

AMANDA

It’s all right.

(trying to make light of it)

Look at us—we’re both a mess.

TED

Let’s sell the company. I hate dragging myself into work every day pretending I care.

AMANDA

That’s Dad’s legacy—the Notto legacy! 

TED

Then you run it.

AMANDA

I practically do already. 

TED

What—you don’t think I pull my weight? What do you know about any of it? You’re just the office manager.

AMANDA

What do you mean “just”?!

(calming down)

No—I know! I know! You’re the builder. You’re the . . . the . . . visionary. I couldn’t even build a cabinet if my life depended on it. But someone’s gotta keep everything moving—and you know I do that. 

TED

I know. I’m sorry. But what’s gonna happen to Josh and Nicole now? We were great parents.

AMANDA

The best!

TED

But without Shannon, I’m not even half a team. I’m not even—  

(harshly)

I suck as a father!

AMANDA

You do not suck. You still need to mourn, that’s all. It’s only been a few months. Everyone understands that. You’ll see—you’re gonna be an even better father than before. 

TED

But it’s not fair—they need someone completely focused on them right now. I can’t even look at them. Especially Josh—he looks more and more like Shannon every day. 

AMANDA

That’s the beautiful thing—she’s gonna live on in them.

TED

(ignoring her comment)

I can’t even manage the simple stuff—like getting them ready in the morning or driving them to school. Sometimes I can’t even get out of the shower.

AMANDA

Ted, maybe this is the time to tell you what I’ve been thinking.

TED

I can’t handle another lecture!

AMANDA

No, no, nothing like that. I’ve got this big idea. Now don’t get all upset and reject it before I explain the whole thing. I think things happen for a reason.

TED

(exploding)

What kind of sick God had a reason to give Shannon pneumonia and kill her?

AMANDA

Teddy, careful—watch what you say about God.

TED

Screw God!

AMANDA

Teddy! 

(reconsidering)

Forget all that. What I mean is, sometimes when bad things happen, you need to step back and look at the larger picture—as hard as that is. 

TED

I told you I don’t want another lecture.

AMANDA

Don’t be a jerk! I’m making an important point.

TED

So make it! 

AMANDA

You know that saying about making lemonade out of lemons? That’s what I’m talking about. Life throws us a lot of curves, but if we’re smart, we can anticipate them and come up with a plan to protect ourselves. Or if the damage is already done, we can make the best of a bad situation.

TED

Spare me your self-help clichés, will ya?

AMANDA

(ignoring him)

Like that cruise ship accident. God didn’t want Mom and Dad to die. But they planned for it with that insurance policy. They knew we’d be all right if anything ever happened. Financially, I mean. And Dad set things up so the company could go on, too. And it’s done even better with you in charge. He’d be so proud of you.

TED

Where are you going with this?

AMANDA

I’ve got a plan for us. You realize what that insurance policy means? And that’s just one piece of the puzzle. The other piece involves the Kleinbergs. 

TED

Who the hell are the Kleinbergs?

AMANDA

Your next-door neighbors!

TED

Oh, those Kleinbergs. Well, they’re dead, too. That house’s been empty for ages.

AMANDA

Right—cuz their kids have been fighting over it. But now everything’s settled, so they can put it up for sale.

TED

Good luck with that—the place is a shit hole.

AMANDA

I know. So, that’s the other piece. I’ve got all this money from that policy. Why don’t I buy that house, have Notto Contracting fix it up, and move in? And here’s the best part—with me right next door, I can help you take care of the kids. You know, drive them here and there. Help with some of the meals. Whatever.

TED

Now hold on a minute. You’ve always hated that house. 

AMANDA

That’s because they never maintained it.

TED

You said it was way too close to this house.

AMANDA

Well, now that’ll come in handy.

TED

And you’ve always hated Briarcliff Manor. You said it was too full of itself—too “fancy schmancy.”

AMANDA

It’s a lovely community with great schools and no crime!

TED

Ha—that’s what I told you when you made fun of me for wanting to leave White Plains. 

AMANDA

I just meant it wasn’t fair to make mom and pop have to drive all the way over here to see you. And, frankly, it hasn’t been so easy for me either. 

TED

No, you accused me of putting on airs and letting Shannon make me think I was superior to the rest of the family. You said it was like another world over here—you couldn’t just go down the street and order takeout from Tino’s. 

AMANDA

Well, yeah! That was a big loss. I mean, c’mon—Tino’s! The head waitress—Maria! She knew you since you were a kid. Slipped you free cookies on the way out. You’re telling me you don’t miss their eggplant parmigian’ thick crust pizza? 

TED

So, sue me—I chose a great house over mediocre pizza.

AMANDA

It wasn’t mediocre!

TED

What about your job?

AMANDA

I’ll cut back to part-time. I mean, if you’ll let me, Mr. Boss Man. 

TED

I thought you loved that job.

AMANDA

I do! But I love Josh and Nicole more—and right now they need help. And so do you. 

TED

But I need help at work, too. You just said you’re the one that keeps everything running.

AMANDA

We’ll hire an assistant office manager. Maybe two. Don’t pretend we can’t afford it.

(relieved)

Whew! So, there it is? What do you think? Am I full of it? Or is it a great idea?

TED

I don’t know. I mean I know I could use the help, but Josh and Nicole can be a handful. You just had a meltdown a minute ago. You can’t be doing that around the kids.

AMANDA

I wouldn’t!

TED

And what if you get stressed out or depressed or whatever made you— 

(gingerly)

Well, what if you try to do that again? 

AMANDA

Teddy, that was years ago! Nothing like that’s ever happened again. Look at all the stress I handle at work. There’s never been a problem! 

TED

And I don’t really want to see you running around here in your bathrobe with curlers in your hair and patches on your face or whatever you do. 

AMANDA hits TED with a sofa pillow.

AMANDA

Asshole!

TED

Stop it! Okay, okay! I’ll think about it. 

AMANDA

What’s there to think about? 

(pleading)

C’mon—just say yes! 

TED

I gotta admit there’s a certain logic to it.

AMANDA starts tickling TED.

AMANDA

Of course there is! Just do it! C’mon—yes, yes, yes, yes, yes!

TED

Stop it! Stop it! Okay—YES!!

AMANDA

Really? Oh, my God! You’re the best brother in the whole world!

AMANDA starts kissing TED.

TED

Then do me a favor and stop kissing me!

AMANDA backs off.

AMANDA

(playfully)

Okay, but you’re still an asshole. Now let’s get back to work, Theodora.

TED grabs AMANDA’s arm.

TED

(suddenly furious)

What did you call me?

AMANDA

Ouch! You’re hurting me. Teddy—stop it!

TED

I’ve told you never to call me that!

AMANDA

What? “Theodora?”

TED tightens his grip.

AMANDA (CONT’D)

Oww! It was just a joke! 

TED

You know I can’t stand it.

AMANDA

I’m sorry! I’ll never say it again!

TED releases her.

TED

(more calmly)

So just cool it. 

AMANDA

(recovering)

Jeez—some people are so touchy!

TED

Excuse me, but I’m not the one that has meltdowns around here.

AMANDA

OK, so we’re both a little touchy. It’s cuz we’re Italian—we’re a “touchy-feely” people.

TED

Will you please drop the Italian stuff?

AMANDA

All right! All right! Back to work already! Oh, wait—let me show you something strange I found.

AMANDA picks up a box full of Barbie-style dolls.

AMANDA (CONT’D)

What do you want to do with all these dolls? They look kinda old. Are they Nicole’s? 

TED takes the box away from AMANDA. Puts it down. Stares at it, mesmerized. Handles one or two of the dolls. 

TED

(finally)

They’re Shannon’s.

SHANNON enters and looks on.

AMANDA

She played with dolls?

SHANNON approaches the box.

TED

It’s her childhood collection.

AMANDA

You think they’re worth anything?

TED

I don’t know.

AMANDA

You wanna give them to Nicole?

TED

No, I think I should put them away. I don’t want Josh to see them.

AMANDA

Why not?

TED

He used to play with them.

AMANDA

Oh.

TED

With Shannon. 

AMANDA

That’s a little weird.

SHANNON is mesmerized by Ted’s description.

TED

No, it was quite beautiful, actually. She showed them to him one day—somehow she knew he’d be interested. They started playing together all the time. Sometimes for hours. He’d make up the strangest stories. I had no idea he could be so funny. Shannon could barely keep up with him. I never saw her so happy. So radiant. We’d laugh hysterically. The three of us.

(sadly)

Well, mostly the two of them. 

AMANDA

So, maybe he’d like to have them.

TED

We can’t do that to him. You know how he is.

AMANDA

What do you mean?

TED

I think you know.

AMANDA

He’s a sweet boy. That’s a wonderful thing.

TED

I agree. And he’s only nine. Maybe that’s too early to know.

AMANDA

You think he’s going to be gay.

TED

More than think. Look, I’m trying to be a good dad. I can handle a gay son, if that’s what he turns out to be. At least I think I can. But this is—this is something else.  

                                                            (pointedly)

I just don’t want him to have the dolls! 

TED picks up the box and marches out with it. SHANNON follows TED out, as if to see what he plans to do with it.

END OF SCENE

END OF EXCERPT