Sitting for Suzie

by

Albert L Dulin

ABOUT THE PLAY, by Albert

“Sitting for Suzie” is a play I’ve been working on for about 6 or 7 years. The titular character of Susannah Turner is looseley based on my mother, who is (was) a portrait artist. She’s still around, though much diminished.

The aging Suzie, famous portrait artist, lives by herself in a cottage on Pawley’s Island, SC. She’s going through some issues which threaten her livelihood and her sanity. She’s very Southern and very set in her ways.

Grey Turner, Suzie’s son, is a noted Chicago heart surgeon, somewhat estranged from his mother. To mark the opening of a new hospital heart wing, to be named for him, Grey makes a rare visit to sit for his portrait. Things start falling apart quickly, as the two go into their emotional corners, filled with history, resentment and hurt feelings.

A small parade of characters will make an appearance in the cottage, causing tumult and revelations. As a hurricane approaches the island, things come a stormy climax with long-buried secrets revealed.