A Family Play

A new musical that seems to articulate what many children have contemplated in the heat of family battles will be presented next Sunday and the following Monday and Tuesday at 7 P.M. in the Performing Arts Center of Purchase College.

Its title, "Family for Sale," pretty much says it all. The 90-minute show is described as "a musical comedy with a funny premise, but some other sensibilities" by Steven Abusch, who with his wife, Jill, co-wrote, directed, and choreographed it.

In it, a young boy, tired of being yelled at by his parents, runs an advertisement offering to trade them for some other child’s parents. The response from his peers is substantial, but upon investigations of their proposals, he discovers that everyone has problems.

By the end of Act 2 he has found one boy willing to give him his freedom not by exchanging parents but by taking his place at home. During Act 3 the hero becomes disenchanted with freedom and seeks the way back to his mother and father.

Barbara Orwick wrote the music and lyrics and is the musical director. The production company is the Play Group Theatre of White Plains, specializing in works for children and young adults.

The New York Times (August 10, 1997)