Andrea's Got Two Boyfriends

9780822200475

0822200473

THE STORY: Narrated by their teacher/counselor, Tom, the action of the play centers on the daily lives of three mentally retarded adults who are residents at Crystal Park, a self-help facility in upstate New York. Andrea, the natural leader of the group, was a child prodigy in music who now barks orders at her fellow inmates; Freddie, who fancies himself a lady-killer, carries a Club Med folder in his pocket and frequently tries to sneak off to the bus station with thoughts of some fantasy destination in mind; while Richie, the more gentle and withdrawn of the three, wonders why his family has cut off contact with him. Comprised of a series of revealing episodes-some wildly funny, some gently moving-which are commented on by the patient, empathetic Tom (who is, however, reaching the point of burnout in his demanding, emotionally wringing position), the play centers on the competition between Freddie and Richie for Andrea's attention and concern and, in the end, provides an eloquent, affecting explanation of why, in their special, oddly remote world, Andrea can, and even must, have two boyfriends.