Circle House
Ghosts
Spirographs
Worms on Death Row
Welcome to the Time Museum, where nightly tours are led by one of three ghosts: Thorne, Bracken, and Devereux. These three ghosts are doomed to work at the Time Museum until they consent to “dissipation”--dissolving into the fabric of the universe, and finally being at rest. But none of the ghosts want to rest: Thorne’s memories of her daughter, Bracken’s memories of her brother, and Devereaux’s memories of her spouse are both too precious and too painful to cast off. While guiding us through the six rooms of the Time Museum, each ghost is haunted by memories of their beloved person—and through the course of the evening, decides to make one final attempt at happiness.
A group-written work conceived and assembled by Jess Wright Buha
written by Axel Arth, Brad Brubaker, Jess Wright Buha, Kaitlin Byrd,
Christina Casano, Kara Davidson, Sarah Idzik, Amanda Link, Charlotte Long,
Derik Marcussen, Sara Jean McCarthy, Aileen McGroddy, Darren Meyers,
Deanna Myers, Gregory Peters, Ellenor Riley-Condit, Jessica Saxvik,
Skyler Schrempp, Jodie Smylie, and Dusty Wilson
Genre: comedy/drama/fable
Length: one act, 90 minutes
Cast: 9 actors
Set: The Time Museum
To read a perusal script, contact Jess here.
Peter: Now, close your eyes.
(BRACKEN closes her eyes.)
Peter: Okay, so blooop, your barrel is in the river.
(rocking the heavy washtub as best he can)
Oooosh, oosh, ooosh, bump, just hit a rock. Look how beautiful the sky is! Not a cloud in sight. Awww, a hawk! Ca-caw! Ca-caw! BUMP. Another rock—
(Peter spins the washtub. It’s very difficult)
Peter: Now you’re spinning, spinning, okay, whew. Now you’re okay. Look! A fish! So beautiful. So peaceful. Just the rushing water-SHHHHHH--and the birds and the wind through the trees and the people fishing on the riverbank. They’re waving to you! They’re shouting hello!
(muttering, in a “riverbank fisherman” voice)
“O no! Danger! Beware the falls!” What? That didn’t sound like “hello and what a beautiful day for floating down a river in a barrel”
(muttering)
“beware! Get out while you still can!”
But why? The sun is shining, the sound of the rushing water is so soothing... SHHHHHH.
But it’s getting louder.
(BRACKEN starts to giggle.)
Peter: Oh, no! Why’s it getting louder? And the rocks are getting bumpier BUMP BUMP and the current’s getting stronger and rougher and then you whip around a bend and O NO O NO IT IS IT IS! NIAGARA FALLS O NOOOOO WHOOOOOSH
(And PETER upends the washtub. BRACKEN, sprawled on the floor, laughs.)
Peter: Okay, now my turn.
PRESS
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"In Circle House, Buha has compiled the words from myriad artists into a truly beautiful show about how endings are beginnings, the secrets of nature and music, and what happens when we die…Each room the guides take us through is appointed with a sense of mystery and whimsy by the design team, full of fun objects, tactile and cerebral activities, and maybe, just maybe something unexpected. With three possible tours to take, you might want to spend more than one night exploring the Time Museum."
A.A. Cristi , Broadwayworld.com
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"... wildly talented entourage..." "... the script was interpreted perfectly by the talented actors..."
Sharon Sultan Cutler, Splash Magazines
PRODUCTIONS
Premiered April 2017, The Plagiarists, Chicago, IL
production photos by Joe Mazza - Brave Lux