"Gentleman’s Wish”
                                                         © 2002 by Lawson Caldwell



















Synopsis
Time: Present
Location: The family home of Catherine Drake in Eastern North Carolina

United States Senator Hanford Drake and his staff have returned to his family estate to work on damage
control because of a scandal.  His wife, Sarah, discovered that he has been having a twenty-year affair
with his best friend, Lake.  Like Hanford, Lake is also married and has grown children.  Elise, Tom and
Wilson are the staff members who have joined the Senator and Lake.  They must work out a way to resolve
the scandal because the Senator is running for re-election.  They must decide whether the Senator should
publicly establish his new gay image or return to his settled married life in order to win re-election.

Elise is in the middle of an on again off again relationship with an emotionally needy boyfriend.

Tom and Wilson have been secretly dating for two years and are faced with the dilemma of remaining in
the closet to protect their political jobs or out themselves and live out in the open.  Realizing that the
Senator has led two lives for twenty years helps them make their decision.

A series of events, including a visit from Hanford’s wife, Sarah, culminate to a well publicized press
conference.

Set Design
The majority of the play takes place in the living room of the Hanover home.  Other locations include
Hanford’s bedroom, the library and the apartment over the garage.  The set can be very simple using
furniture to define areas or very elaborate using a constructed set of the living room with movable sections
defining the other three rooms.

Cast of Characters
  1. Catherine Drake  – Hanford’s mother.  Catherine is the matriarch of the family.  She is in her late
    seventies.  She is very polite and sophisticated.
  2. Dora – Dora has been the housekeeper for the Hanover’s for many years.  She is part of the family.  
    She is in her late seventies.  She is very direct but with a very matter of fact attitude.
  3. Elise –  Works for Hanford.  She is in her mid-thirties.  Attractive.  She is very good at her job but not
    with relationships.
  4. Wilson – Works for Hanford as one of his main assistants.  He is in his mid-thirties.  He is very loyal
    to Hanford.
  5. Tom – Works for Hanford.  Tom is very athletic and handsome thirty-six year old.  He is a very
    determined individual who loves politics.
  6. Hanford Drake – Hanford is a United States Senator.  He is strikingly handsome and is forty-five
    years old.
  7. Lake Richards – Hanford’s best friend and boyfriend.  Lake is in his early forties.  He has a very
    calm personality.
  8. Sarah – Hanford’s wife for over twenty years.  Sarah has a very composed but authoritative
    personality.  She is also forty-five.
Productions of "Gentleman's Wish" were presented in 2009 at
TheMidtown International Theatre Festival in New York, NY
The Production was recognized with two MITF Nominations – Outstanding
Scenic Design & Outstanding Show Marketing & Advertising

A Staged Reading of "Gentleman's Wish" took place in 2009 at The
Process Theatre Company, in Atlanta, GA

A Reading of “Gentleman’s Wish” took place in February 2008 at
Manhattan Theatre Club, Studio 3 in New York, NY

Readings of  "Gentleman's Wish" took place in July & August 2008
as part of the Midtown International Theatre Festival
"Gentleman's Wish" was nominated for
       Outstanding Overall Production of a Staged Reading
    at the 2008 Midtown International Theatre Festival in New York.