“The Wisdom Channel”
                                                                                              © 1999 by Lawson Caldwell

                              The Wisdom Channel was translated and produced in Frankfurt, Germany
                                             by THEATER UNTERM REGENBOGEN in April 2003
                                                  with an encore performance in November 2003.

Synopsis
Time: Present
Place: The Estate owned by Steel Martin

The play centers on a very famous movie star, Steel Martin, who is married to a very well known novelist,
Delores.  They have two children.  Both Steel and Delores are gay.  Delores’ lover Jane is her assistant.  
Steel and Delores were very close friends and both wanted children.  Viewing this as a conventional façade
publicly, they marry.  Year’s prior to this, Steel made love with his college roommate, David.  They’re
lovemaking was arranged as a game by David’s girlfriend, Clarisa.  David drops Clarisa for Steel only to
turn around, leave college and marry Clarisa.  They move to New York where David studies broadcasting.  
Clarisa becomes a very successful businesswoman and David becomes a network sports announcer.

The play takes place during the course of a weekend.  Steel invites Ben Richards, a journalist, to their
home.  Steel wants Ben to write an article announcing they are gay.  He wants to publish the details of their
marriage as well as their love for their children and Jane.  Steel and Delores are doing this because David
has left Clarisa and she has threatened go to the media and out David, Steel, Delores, their marriage and
Jane.  They have chosen Ben to write their version.  Ben listens to their stories.
Things become more interesting when Clarisa arrives unexpectedly.  She is there to convince David not to
leave her.  David says that he is leaving her for good.  He walks to the phone and hands it to Clarisa
challenging her to call the press.  Clarisa crumbles and does not make her call, Ben assures everyone that
he will write his story depicting them as the famous, happily married, straight couple the public perceives
them to be.  Steel, David, Delores and Jane tell Ben to write the story as originally planned.  They decide to
out themselves because it is time they set an example.  Unconventional can be conventional.

Cast of Characters:
  1. Steel Martin – Steel is a very handsome, genuine person who deeply cares for Delores, their two
    children and Jane.  He is thirty-two years old.  Steel handles his fame well and is very proud of his
    work as an actor.  He still has feelings for David.
  2. Ben Richards – Ben is a very low-key thirty-five year old journalist.  He listens well and is very
    objective in his opinions and work.
  3. Delores Martin – Delores is a very grounded person.  She is an exceptional writer who adores Steel
    and their children.  She is around thirty-five.  Delores is very much in love with Jane.
  4. Jane Jacobs – Jane is a very even minded person who has a quick wit when the opportunity presents
    itself.  She is a few years older than Delores.  Jane is devoted to Delores with her love.  She is also
    Delores’ assistant.
  5. Gerald Candor – Gerald is a very young, handsome, well-organized individual.  He is twenty-eight
    years old.  Gerald runs the household for Steel and Delores.
  6. Clarisa Duncan – Clarisa is a very strong-minded, overbearing, power hungry individual.  She is a
    successful businesswoman who credits herself with David’s career.  Clarisa is thirty-seven years old.  
    She is determined for David not to leave her.
  7. David Duncan – David is the typical football jock turned sports announcer.  He is mild, pleasant and
    incredibly handsome.  David is basically a nice guy who has to decide what he wants.  Because of his
    confusion over his feelings for Steel he marries Clarisa.