The Last Night Of Ballyhoo Script Pdf
The Last Night of Ballyhoo is a play written by Alfred Uhry, the Pulitzer winning author of Driving Miss Daisy. Ballyhoo is a powerful insight into what it meant to. The Last Night of Ballyhoo opens in the living room of the Freitag/Levy home, where Lala is decorating a Christmas tree. It is 1939 in Atlanta, Georgia, the afternoon of the premiere of Gone With the Wind. Boo comes into the room and starts talking to Lala about calling Peachy Weil to get a date for Ballyhoo, which is now less than two weeks away.
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The following analysis uses the 'Rigdon' model to unpack details and meaning in the script. I chose this model because I'm familiar with the way it can spark new discoveries.
The Last Night ofBallyhoo
Script Analysis
1. Where does the play take place?
TheLast Night of Ballyhoo byAlfred Uhry takes place in Atlanta, Georgia, in December of 1939. The stagedirections are simple yet direct. “Lights up on Adolph Freitag’s house onHabersham Road. It is mid- December 1939. We see a portion of the living room,a hall with stairs leading to the bedroom floor, and a portion of the diningbeyond ht hall. The house is vaguely Spanish – stucco with a tile roof, Moorisharchways, wrought-iron railings, etc. The furnishings are many and heavy. LalaLevy is decorating a Christmas tree in a corner of the living room, asurrounded by cardboard boxes of ornaments. There are a few strings ofChristmas tree lights strung across the furniture. Lala is an unsure, awkwardyoung woman. There is a slightly desperate air about her. Reba Freitag, Lala’saunt, is on the sofa, knitting a sweater. Reba is in her middle forties, apretty, vague woman, not quite in synch with everybody else.”
The majority of the action takes place in AdolphFreitag’s house, at The Standard Club, and aboard the Crescent Limited.
2. When does the play take place?
Theplay takes place in Atlanta, Georgia, in December of 1939. The first scenebegins on December 15, 1939, the evening of the Atanta premiere of Gone With the Wind. The play spans a fewweeks time. The playwright chosethis time period because it is the dawn of World War II in Europe. The playdeals with a family struggling with their Jewish identity, as many Jews areabout to be slaughtered across the sea. This unique parallel gives more weightand significance to the story.
Character Analysis
RELATIONSHIPS
Boo | Adolph | Lala | Sunny | Peachy | Daisy | Joe | Reba | |
Boo | Self | Sister | Mother | Aunt | Knows his Aunt | Mother | Works for her brother | Sister-in law |
Adolph | Brother | Self | Uncle | Uncle | X | Uncle | Employer | Brother-in law |
Lala | Daughter | Niece | Self | Cousin | Acquaintance | Sister | Works for uncle | Aunt |
Sunny | Niece | Niece | Cousin | Self | X | Cousin | Works for uncle | Daughter |
Peachy | X | X | Friend | X | Self | X | Looks down | X |
Daisy | Daughter | Niece | Sister | Cousin | X | Self | Works for Uncle | Niece |
Joe | Works for Brother | Employee | Works for her Uncle | Works for her Uncle | Dating Sunny’s cousin | Works for her Uncle | Self | Wants to date her daughter |
Reba | Sister-in Law | Sister-in Law | Aunt | Mother | X | Aunt | Works for Brother-in law | Self |
Character’s Roles
Sunny(Protagonist) :A student at Wellesley collage with an A-minus average.She comes home to Atlanta, Georgiawhere her family lives. Six years ago her father passed away and she and hermother Reba had to move in with her Uncle Adolf. Sunny is a smart, southerngirl who is Jewish. Jewish to her just means the label, nothing reallyreligious at all. Sunny's role in life is to go to college, and learn about newideas. She is the first to go to college in her family. She is the protagonistbecause she opens her mind to a new identity after meeting and being challengedby Joe.
BooLevy (Antagonist): Sheis Lala’s mother. She is very controlling of the family and wants to make sureher whole house and family is running 100% smoothly. She wants, what she thinksis the best for he daughter and puts a lot of pressure on Lala to be her ideaof a perfect women by being socially successful. She finds it very importantthat her daughter marry. She is uncomfortable with Judaism, and also displaysracism in the play. She is the antagonist because she represents all of thelimited ideas of that time period in Atlanta. She’s rude to Joe, and refuses toaccept him as an equal. It’s her kind of attitude that prevents Joe and Sunnyfrom connecting easily.
JoeFarkas: Brought upin Brooklyn, New York, Joe is comfortable with his Jewish identity. He has justmoved to Atlanta to work for Adolph Freitag. He is a salesman for the DixieBedding Corporation. In a brief meeting with Sunny Freitag, he develops acrush. He pursues Sunny, much to the dismay of her Aunt Boo. The tensionbetween Sunny and Joe lies within how they identify with being Jewish.
LalaLevy: Lala is Boo’s daughter. She is obsessedwith Gone with the Wind, and dreamsof becoming a writer one day. Her mother, Boo, pressures her to get married toa fine, wealthy southerner. She dropped out of college after one semesterbecause she wasn’t accepted into the “right” sorority.
PeachyWeil : A witty, sarcastic character thatcomes from a very wealthy family. Peachy is the kind of person that tells ithow it is, which makes him a bit rude. He has a crush on Lala and ends upmarrying her. He plays golf and is a prankster. Peachy's role in life is tomarry a nice girl, cause trouble, and be funny and witty. He doesn't have to domuch because of his rich family.
AdolphFreitag: Boo'sbrother, Reba's brother, Sunny and Lala's Uncle, Joe's employer. He runs theDixie Bedding Corp, is reasonably well off, and supports his extended familythat lives with him. He sees himself as the father of the family, responsiblefor everyone who lives in his house. He pays for everything. He is technicallyJewish, but doesn’t practice the religion.
Reba Freitag: Reba is the mother of Sunny. After husband died many years ago,she and her daughter, Sunny, moved in with her brother-in-law, Adolph. Shesupports all of Lala’s ideas, and is happy with where are daughter, Sunny, isin her life. Reba is alittle oblivious to many parts of her life, like the significance of beingJewish. She is happy with Sunny’s progress in school and does not pressure hertoo much.
What do they say about each other?
Boo:
Lala)
'..Idon't know why you waste your time with all this utter foolishness when youcould easily do something more constructive' (10)
(Lala)
'Itold you to prepare some peppy and interesting topics to discuss, and of courseyou paid me no mind and look what happened. You were rejected' (11)
(Lala)
'Andlast month she said she was making scripts for Our Gal Sunday to go on the radio. And before that she said she wasbecoming an illustrator for The SundayEvening Post! I think she dreams up all that trash just to torture me.Doesn't she know that life is passing her by? She's the only girl in her crowdnot married' (12).
(Lala)
'Shewas the cutest little baby there ever was. She had so many birthday-partyinvitations in nursery school that I ran out of ideas for presents to give. Andthen.. she came down with the red measles.. And of course by the time she waswell enough to go back to school, all the popular children had formed theirattachments and no matter how she tried, or I tried for her, she was never ableto catch up' (12-13).
(Sunny and Lala)
'Youhave a daughter bloomin' like a rose at Wellesley and I have a daughter whosnuck home in disgrace from the University of Michigan in the middle of herfirst term. I was never so embarrassedin my life' (13).
(Adolph)
'Mybrother's real good at separating the family business from the family. He keepseverything concerning the Dixie Bedding Corporation a deep, dark secret. Hethinks we're too stupid to understand anything' (15).
(Adolph)
'Adolphhas never crossed the threshold of a kitchen in his life. Except to pick out ofthe icebox in the middle of the night' (22).
(Joe)
'Youdo nothing but cause trouble in this house..' (66).
(Joe)
“Adolph that kike you hired has no manners”. (26)
(Reba)
“Herpotroast tastes like shoe leather.” (61)
(Peachy)
“He’sa lovely boy.” (79)
(Lala)
“Prettysoon it’ll be, “Lala Levy?I don’tbelieve she’s been out of that house for –why it must be twenty years now.” Doyou see any other possibilities daughter?” (84)
Reba:
(Lala)
'Well,she gets herself so worked up when she's out in society. I think she scarespeople off' (13).
(Boo)
'It's common knowledge that homesicknessis a serious problem in your family' (13)
'Youwhere so homesick on you wedding trip that DeWald had to bring you back homefrom Point Clear five days early' (13)
(Sunny)
'WellI just admire you so much, sugar! And I don't know where in the world you camefrom. You have so much sense' (62).
(Lala, Sunny)
'Wellall I know is if there'd been Ballyhoo in my day, I would've probably carriedon and acted as foolish as Lala. And here you are, perfectly content to stayhome and study for your final exams and pay no mind to the whole sillyBallyhoo. My hat is truly off to you, sweetheart' (63).
Lala:
(Peachy)
“We arenot good friends. We are acquaintances” (8)
(Boo)
“Only You could manage to ruin Christmas andGone with the Wind in one fell swoop” (11)
(Sunny)
'Shegot the brains,' (10)
(Joe)
“Anybody brought up right would’ve known not toaccept.” (54)
(Sunny)
“Because you wanted everyone to look at you.”(56)
(Sunny/Joe)
“You’ll see what happens when you come crawlin’to Ballyhoo with a push New York yid tryin to suck up to his boss…” (57)
(Peachy)
“He’s downright terrible.” (76)
(Boo)
“You are just hateful.” (84)
Sunny:
(Lala)
“You are the biggest wet blanket in the world.”(56)
(Reba)
“Oh Mama, I do love you.” (60)
(Boo)
“You’re pretty brainy, Aunt Boo.” (61)
(Joe)
“He’s very imaginative.” (70)
“And he has such beautiful hands.” (70)
Adolph:
(Boo)
“Sorry. I keep forgetting. You know the innerworkings of my mind better than I do” (14)
(Sunny)
“Maybe Wellesley is making you stupid.” (40)
“The German Jews would be the ugly ones.” (42)
(Lala)
“The girl is a natural-born usherette.” (45)
(Joe)
“You don’t have to sell him to me, Sunshine. Iwas sold before you were.” (71)
“I really think you should hold on to this boy.I don’t think they come any finer.” (71)
Joe:
(Sunny)
“Are you people really Jewish?” (49)
“You mean you’re afraid you’re Jewish.” (49)
(Boo)
“Your sister doesn’t like me much, hunh?” (67)
Peachy:
“My cousin Harmon says you’re a worse golferthan he is.” (75)
What do the characters say about themselves?
Boo:
'..ifI were running the Dixie Bedding Company we'd all rich by now' (61)
“I was completely shut out of the business,completely shut out.” (36)
'Ithought we were gonna be happy when we grew up' (85)Skyrim legion armor mod.
Reba:
'Wellall I know is if there'd been Ballyhoo in my day, I would've probably carriedon and acted as foolish as Lala. And here you are, perfectly content to stayhome and study for your final exams and pay no mind to the whole silly rigmarole.My hat is truly off to you, sweetheart' (63).
'..Sunnydoesn't have a date to Ballyhoo either, and I never give it a secondthought' (13)
Lala:
“I can do better than Peachy Weil.” (38)
“I’m not sick, I feel divine.” (45)
Joe:
“Word is I’m a good dancer.” (31)
“Hey, I’m just trying to get the lay of theland down here.” (50)
“I have Royal Russion blood.” (54)
“You smell like a rose and I smell like asalami sandwich.” (92)
“I didn’t mean to act like such a jerk.” (97)
Sunny:
“So believe me, I know I can’t hide beingJewish” (51)
“That old other kind business- sure, I grew upin a house full of it, but that doesn’t automatically mean I believe it myself.As far as I’m concerned, you and I are on equal footing- in every possibleway.” (91)
“I don’t know anything. There’s just a big holdwhere the Judaism is supposed to be.” (97)
Adolph:
“Just what I need- another female to live inthis house!” (72)
“I went with some girls, but in the back of mymind I was waiting for somebody like the girl on the streetcar.” (72)
Peachy:
“Varsity at Tulane, three year’s running” (75)
“Keeps me out of trouble my mother says.” (76)
Under what form of government do they live? | They are in the United States of America. The government is set up like it is now with a president (FDR) and members of the house and senate. It is right before World War II. The US economy is just about to emerge from the depression and hit its largest boom of the modern world. Not only will the economy jump-start, but women's rights will be center stage. Though women have been able to vote for a while, jobs have never been in their favor. After centuries of working as teachers and maids WWII is the first real chance women get at holding men's jobs (i.e. factory workers) while the men go to war. This will gain tons of respect for women. Even though during this time there is a huge threat to Jews all around the world while Hitler gains power, many Americans do not find this as a danger. They think this is just happening in Europe and will not affect America (keep in mind WWII is only the second war America have ever fought overseas so this idea is new) |
Their religion? | The family is Jewish, but does not observe Jewish customs or holidays. Joe Farkas is observant of his faith. |
What role does it play? | Religion plays a very small role in the family member’s lives, yet it defines them socially. Because they are Jewish, they can only belong to one country club in Atlanta.They consider themselves to be beneath their Christian neighbors. The symbolism of the Christmas tree in their front window tells the world that they are trying to assimilate. |
What are their attitudes towards:
Family:Because the family has been dealt two recent deaths that were both patriarchs,the women rely heavily on Adolph. The family has proven to help one another outover the years. An example of this is Adolph hiring Boo’s husband. The familygets very involved in each other’s business, often sharing opinions where theyaren’t wanted.
Marriage:Boo is obsessed with getting Lala married off. Sunny has a different outlookbecause she’s in college on the east coast, and is learning about new socialideas.
What kind of dialogue do the characters speak?
All of thecharacters speak in a Naturalistic way. All characters except for Joe, speakwith regional southern accents. Joe has a Brooklyn accent.
What happened before the playbegan?
Forthe Family:
In the past few years, both Boo’s and Reba’s husbands passed away,forcing the family to live under one roof. Adolph stepped up as the fatherfigure for Sunny and Lala. Sunny went off to college at Wellesley, while Lalacame home after one semester at University of Michigan. She had tried to rush aparticular sorority, and did not get in. She felt humiliated, and has beenjumping from idea to idea every since.
Inthe World:
The story is set in December1939.WWII has been waging sinceSeptember when Germany invaded Poland.Hitler has called for the extermination of EuropeanJews, the mentally ill, and Gypsies.Italy has sided with Germany while the US, France, Britain and Russiasign an anti-Nazi pact.InOctober, German Jews are required to begin wearing the Star of David on theirclothes.In November, Hitlerbegins the mass murder of Jews.
In the US there are currently 48states.The population is 123million people.Life expectancy isage 53.Unemployment has been highdue to the depression but is now starting to fall.Gone with the Wind begins filming in January and debuts inDecember.Wizard of Oz premiers inAugust.
Georgia ratifies the Bill of Rightsin March.
The television is first seen inGeorgia.
The National Air Traffic Controlsystem begins and Atlanta is one of the cities using this system.
Franklin Delano Roosevelt is presidentand visited Georgia the previous year giving the commencement speech at theUniversity of Georgia.
What happens in the play?
Act 1:
Scene 1:
Boo gets mad at Lala about the Christmas tree. Lala wants to go to thepremiere of Gone With The Wind. Lalameets Joe.
Scene 2:
Lala flirts with Joe. Family finds out Joe is the other kind of Jewish.
Scene 3:
Joe meets Sunny and finds that she is an intellectual match
Scene 4:
Boo tries to find a date to Ballyhoo for Lala. Peachy is introduced tous by talking to Lala on the phone.
Scene 5:
Reba is talking about how school can make you go insane. Lala went tosee Gone With The Wind. Joe shows upto the house. Joe flirts with Sunny. Sunny is going to Ballyhoo with Joe. Joetalks about how he has Russian blood in him. Lala gets mad that Sunny gets allthe attention.
Act 2:
Scene 1:
Boo and the girls are arguing about who to call. Peachy is on his way toAtlanta. Lala and Boo must go out to buy a dress for Ballyhoo.
Scene 2:
Lala shows everyone her new dress. Joe comes into the house. Joe andSunny dance. Lala’s dress rips. Sunny and Adolph talk about his old lover.
Scene 3:
It is Christmas Day. Louisa quit working for the family. Peachy comes tothe house. Peachy teases Lala about the dance and assures her that he is takingher.
Scene 4:
It is the night of the Ballyhoo dance. Sunny shows everyone her dress.Joe is pleased with Sunny. Sunny and Joe leave for the dance. Lala presents herdress to Peachy who gives her a large corsage. Lala is afraid if she goes tothe dance she will be a laughing stock. Lala and Peachy go to the dance.
Scene 5:
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They are all at the dance and the girls go to the restroom to freshenup. Peachy and Joe have a conversation about the two types of Jews. Joe findsout that “the other kind” are not allowed at the club. Joe leaves the dancewithout Sunny.
Scene 6:
Sunny comes home. She is without Joe and Adolph questions her. Joeenters the house. They have a fight. Joe leaves. Peachy and Lala announce tothe entire family that they are getting married.
Scene 7:
Sunny is going back to college on the train. Joe and Sunny make up andthey kiss. They become an item.
Scene 8:
Shabbat dinner at the Freitag house.
PlotStructure:
IncitingIncident:The family isintroduced to Joe Farkas, who shakes up their ideas about Jewish identity.
Major Events:
Joe meets the family
Sunny and Lala have a big fight about bringing Joe to Ballyhoo
The family meets Peachy Weil
Peachy informs Joe about the club rules
Joe storms out of the club
Climax: Joe says toSunny “Why don’t you just call me a kyke, and get it over with.” Sunny and Joebreak up because they can’t find common ground about being different.
Denouement: Joe and Sunnymake up on the train, and we see the entire Family celebrating their firstShabbat.
Style of theplay: Serio-Comic
Theme:
I believe that the theme of the play is to love and embrace our own identity as well as accept the identities of others. Uhry's choice to set the play against the backdrop of World War II tell us that he's making a statement about tolerance. In Atlanta, Jews are separated from one another due to country of origin. This may seem like a choice, but thousands of miles away, they are being slaughtered for having Jewish blood. Boo's challenge to accept Joe Farkas, a fellow Jew, gives the audience a message about how Jews were viewed in the South at that time. 'The Other Kind' is used several times to explain a different type of Jew who is considered to be beneath the Freitag/Levy family. Additionally, there are racist remarks made about Louisa, the housekeeper.
Sunny's ability to cut through the veil of intolerance and fall in love with 'the other kind' sends a new message to the family and the audience. As she and Joe unravel the web that keeps them apart, the family is forced to face the truth, that they've been living in a limited way. Conversely, the character of Peachy Weil, so is put on a pedestal for being from 'the finest family in the South', turns out to be a weasel who Lala marries out of obligation.
This play has the power to heal deep wounds though its comedic honesty. Whatever someone's identity, each one of us deserves to be treated with respect, and be allowed to embrace who we truly are.