The Comparables

By Laura Schellhardt

Directed by Braden Abraham

Originally produced at Seattle Repertory Theatre, Seattle, WA.

March 6, 2015 through March 29, 2015

About the Premiere Production

The master storytellers behind 2011’s hit The K of D, an urban legend return with this world premiere play about women behaving badly. In this pitch black comedy commissioned by Seattle Rep, Bette, Monica and Iris are high-end real estate agents whose sales pitches are as hard and polished as their nails. When Bette’s reputation takes a hit, they are faced with a choice—band together to save the agency or fend for themselves. Playwright Schellhardt has crafted a neo-feminist satire that begs the question: is there more than one way for women to do business?

Artistic Statement

The Comparables is about three successful women in the world of high-end real-estate; how they advocate for each other and also undermine each other when forced into a small pool of contenders. The recent media attention focused on successful female leaders like Marissa Mayer of Yahoo and Sheryl Sandberg of Facebook illustrates the double-bind of women in business. The Comparables explores similar themes in a fresh, theatrical way. Playwright Laura Schellhardt has a sharp, playful wit evident in the biting dialogue of this piece. The subject of the play is topical, but it’s also universal in the fact that there are no easy choices for these characters.

--Acting Artistic Director Braden Abraham

Grant Statement

We are so deeply grateful for this New Play Award from the Edgerton Foundation, which will provide Braden and the cast with another full week of rehearsal. The additional time will enable additional script work with the actors in the room–which is so rare and valuable—and allow the cast to work with a fight director to enhance the naturalism of the physical altercations between the characters. All this ensures that we will launch this script and production into the field at the highest possible level of finish, and for that we are extremely grateful.

--Managing Director Jeffrey Herrmann

Director: Braden Abraham

Set Design: Carey Wong

Lighting Design: L.B. Morse

Sound Design: Obediah Eaves

Costume Design: Francis Kenny

Fight Director: Rick Sordelet

Cast: Cheyenne Casebier, Linda Gehringer, Keiko Green