Small Domestic Acts

Small Domestic Acts has been described as Brecht meets Pirandello meets As the World Turns! It is the story of a working class heterosexual couple and a lesbian couple who become friends. As problems become apparent in both relationships, two of the women turn to each other for friendship and support, and unexpectedly fall in love. They plan a future that includes having a baby. Thus, the play is a deconstruction of gender roles and the definition of family.

Originally produced at the St. Marcus Theatre in St. Louis, the play has since been published in Amazon All Stars (edited by Rosemary Keefe Curb, Applause Books), taped by the BBC and produced on several continents. It seems to be favorite with college campuses where productions have included McMaster University in Canada, University of Arizona at Tempe, Goucher College in Baltimore, and Dartmouth College in Hanover, New Hampshire, among others.

The play was presented at the International Women Playwrights' Festival in Adelaide, Australia and received its British premiere by Slack Dynamics Theatre Company at Jacksons Lane in London before touring to the Cottier Theatre in Glasgow. An Italian production is pending.

"Acclaimed American playwright Joan Lipkin promises a witty and searing examination of shifting sexual relationships -- a must see."- Hamstead and Highgate, London

"...unusually intelligent drama ... that hops between theatrical deconstruction, comedy and sudden, all-too-real emotional violence, as it explores love, sex, modern relationships and the rules by which we conduct them. Lipkin doesn't presume to find ready answers."- Carole Woddis, The Herald (Scotland)

"...deftly explores Lipkin's favorite themes: universal sorrows and joys, universal struggles and triumphs...sometimes funny, sometimes sad, sometimes confrontational -- just like scenes played out in love relationships every day."- Patricia Corrigan, St. Louis Post-Dispatch

"searing and insightful...Lipkin's script is seamless, with near-constant, edge-of-the-seat momentum and blue-collar Chicago dialogue that rings true. She's particularly effective in crafting a tale that transcends the "gay play" genre to render a universal tale of longing for friendship, family and understanding."- Edward R. Allen, Chicago Sun Times