KEN LUDWIG’S

LEADING LADIES

Maddie Arbogast Pd. 4

Play Info

Author: Ken Ludwig First performed in 2004 Published in 2006 Title significance: Jack and Leo (male

characters) cross-dress as women in order to get a dying woman’s fortune, so these “ladies” are actually men

Setting

Takes place in the 1950’s The majority of the play is set in

what is described as a “large, handsome living room” in York, Pennsylvania

In scene 2 of act 1, the action takes place on stage in front of a curtain (Shrewsbury, PA. Moose Lodge)

Scene 3 of act 1 is set in a train

Setting continued

The way the living room is set up (the furniture) shows the time period

The significance:People of the 1950’s (more specifically the upper class) would not be supportive of these cross-dressing men making this specific

setting extremely crucial to the plot

Theme

Be satisfied with what you have/ Work for what you want

Jack and Leo aren’t happy with what they’re doing so they put themselves through a lot more trouble than necessary. If they were satisfied with what they had, and worked harder for what they wanted, they never would have gotten themselves tied up in such a complicated scheme for money

Love, friendship, betrayal

Conflict

The main conflict for Jack and Leo is when they find out if they want the money, they have to act as a woman’s nieces rather than nephews

Protagonist: Meg- she’s a very outgoing character and “Maxine and Stephanie” give her a bad first taste of the real world

Antagonist: in a way, it’s the old woman, Florence Snider. She’s a bit of a hypochondriac and makes everything difficult for everybody. (does this a few times throughout the play- she’s a bit aggressive) Jack and Leo- they’re practically trying to trick this woman into giving them her money

Summary

Jack and Leo, two Shakespearean actors, are trying to gain more money when they find out about an elderly woman being ill. They decide to pose as this woman’s nephews to get her money, but when they arrive, they find they must instead pose as her nieces. During this process, Leo falls in love with the woman's real niece, Meg, who is already engaged to a minister.

Inciting Incident/ Climax

Inciting incident: when Jack and Leo decide to go and pretend to be the long lost nephews, and still don’t hesitate even when they discover they must become her nieces

Climax: when Leo and Jack come clean about what they’ve done. At this point, Duncan ( Meg’s fiancé) gets the police involved and we get a little bit of a taste for how Florence feels about the whole situation. At this point, we also get the heightened emotions when its revealed that her real nieces have arrived

Characters

Leo- actor from England, in his 40’s, he’s very emotional

Jack- actor from England, in his late 30’s, he’s the “nice guy”

Meg- warm, good sense of humor, in her 30’s Florence- a hypochondriac, woman in her 60’s Duncan- minister, engaged to Meg, in his 40’s Audrey- a bit of an airhead “barbie”, rollerskates

everywhere, in her 20’s Doc- doctor, Butch’s father, in his 50’s Butch- an airhead, big guy (large build), in his

20’s

Quote by Leo

“We’ll get off at the next stop…get on out costumes, get back on the train and then its on to York, Pennsylvania!”

This is said once Jack finally agrees to dressing as a female to gain one million dollars

Conversation between Meg and Leo “Now get out of here, fast. the police are here!”

“but I cant leave you.”

“you have to! You’ll be arrested!”

“Meg, I love you.”

“I know that! And I love you!”

“You do?”

“Yes.”

“Will you marry me?”

“Yes!” In the middle of all the chaos of the climax, these words

are exchanged between Leo and Meg. This is what comes of their feelings for one another, even after the truth of the situation comes out

Vocabulary/ References

Diaphanous- light, delicate, translucent (fabric)

Gyrate- to move in a circle or spiral, especially quickly

There are many references made to characters in Shakespeare's works including Sir Toby Belch, and Titania, queen of the faries

Personal reactions

I found this play to be a bit ridiculous but in a humorous way. I really enjoyed the little bits and pieces that twisted the plot throughout the play, it kept it interesting. I would definitely recommend reading this play.