Customer Reviews

The Widow Claire.

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The Widow Claire reminds me of the play safe enough for a dinner playhouse. It's not exceptionally long, there are no long monologues; the plot is safe for audiences and involves vibrant characters, plenty of action and two rambunctious and inquisitive children. Texas born (1916) playwright Horton Foote has written a slew of plays produced on and off Broadway and The Widow Claire has managed to make the Best of American Plays 9th Series; 1983-1992.

Taking place in Texas 1911, the main plot of Widow Claire has its share of sadness - beneath the surface, reading between the lines, and a universal ongoing problem single women endure. It focuses on a 27 year old widow of one year who has two children, Molly 9 and Buddy 10. On the sidelines, a parade of men involved with the widow. The children play a major role in the dating game and they do voice their opinion in selection process of a man for their mother. That's the problem, single women who parade a bunch of men to their children without any regard for the children, calling them "uncle."

It's sad when the children beg their mom not to marry Uncle Val, a drunk and physically abusive frequently unemployed bum. Sadder, is when Widow Claire frequently tries to dismiss the children when they have witnessed the abuse! And the kids would rather see him dead, literally! They like Uncle Ned, a 40ish traveling drummer who buys them things.

And now, they toy with a new suitor, Horace, 21, who is leaving next day for a 6-week business school course. Will Horace become the best suited to marry Widow Claire and who will she pick to marry? ...Rizzo