The Diary of a Teenage Girl (play)

The Diary of a Teenage Girl is a play in one-act by Marielle Heller based on by Phoebe Gloeckner. The play was first performed at the 3LD Art & Technology Center in New York City in 2010. It was produced by Aaron Louis in association with New Georges & The Essentials and starred writer Marielle Heller in the lead role of Minnie Goetze. The original production was directed by Sarah Cameron Sunde and Rachel Eckerling.
The play follows the coming-of-age story of 15 year-old Minnie Goetze living in San Francisco in 1976.
Background.
Marielle Heller adapted The Diary of a Teenage Girl: An Account in Words and Pictures after having read the book, which she found to be a jarring and life-changing experience. She immediately contacted the publisher for the rights. Initially dismissed and written off having never pursued the rights to anything, Heller wouldn't take no for an answer. She persisted for months, and finally got her pitch through to Gloeckner, who was impressed with her vision. With Gloeckner's blessing secure, Heller began to develop the adaptation, first with the mentorship of Berkeley Repertory Theatre's Artistic Director Tony Taccone, and then in collaboration with the directing team of Sarah Cameron Sunde and Rachel Eckerling.
Premise.
Expulsion, a drunken mother, drug abuse, and an affair with her mom's boyfriend: these are the elements that make up fifteen-year-old Minnie's life as she grows up in the chaos of the 70s. But Minnie is incredibly bright and self-reflective, and narrates her story in her diary with brutally honest words and drawings. This acclaimed adaptation of Phoebe Gloeckner's graphic novel sparkles with wit, curiosity, and optimism despite the loneliness and abuse that Minnie encounters. A poignant look into an ugly adolescence.
List of Characters.
Minnie Goetze, a 15 year old aspiring artist.
Charlotte, Minnie's mother.
Monroe, Charlotte's boyfriend.
Pascal, Charlotte's ex-husband and Minnie's stepfather.
Kimmie, Minnie's best friend.
Original Production (2010).
The original production ran at the 3LD Art & Technology Center from March 15 - May 1, 2010.
Cast.
Minnie Marielle Heller
Charlotte Mariann Mayberry
Monroe Michael Laurence (Arthur Aulisi in extension)
Pascal Jon Krupp
Kimmie Nell Mooney
Creative team.
Directors Sarah Cameron Sunde & Rachel Eckerling
Set Design Lauren Helpern
Lighting Design Laura Mroczkowski
Video Design Andrew Bauer
Sound Design Marcelo Añez
Costume Design Emily DeAngelis
Prop Design Lauren Asta
General Manager Lisa Dozier
Stage Manager Erin Koster
Fight Director Alexis Black
London Production (2017).
The Diary of a Teenage Girl will have its European premiere at London's Southwark Playhouse in March 2017.
Creative Team.
Director Alexander Parker
Director Amy Ewbank
Set and Costume Designer Andrew Riley
Lighting designer David Howe
Sound designer James Nicholson
Video designer Nina Dunn
Production Manager Ian Taylor for eStage Production
Co-producer Jack Maple
Co-producer David Wilder Productions
Co-producer Emily Lunnon Productions
Film adaptation (2015).
Following the success of the original production, Phoebe Gloeckner gave the film rights to the book to Marielle Heller. Marielle Heller went on to write and direct The Diary of a Teenage Girl which became one of most critically acclaimed movies of 2015. The film starred Bel Powley as Minnie, Alexander Skarsgard as Monroe and Kristen Wiig as Charlotte.