On the Verge
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On the Verge (or The Geography of Yearning) is a play written by Eric Overmeyer. It makes extensive use of esoteric language and pop culture references from the late nineteenth century to 1955. The cast consist of three lady explorers and eight diverse beings they encounter on their travels, which include different times as well as different locations. The aforementioned eight characters are played by a single actor.
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[edit] Mary
Often construed as the main lady explorer of the expedition, Mary Baltimore constantly cites her favorite periodical (the fictional newspaper The Boston Geo) as a source of wisdom. She remains unmarried, and considers exploration her unequivocal calling. Consequently, she shuns intimate relationships. As a result, her pent-up sexual inclinations show themselves in her work, which tends to focus on the mating behaviors of the various peoples she encounters. Mary is the second oldest member of the lady explorers' expedition. She is utterly devoted to studying and experiencing the future, both from an objective and subjective perspective.
[edit] Alex
Alexandra Cafuffle is the youngest of the group, and she allows her age to make up a considerable amount of her personality. She is typically forgetful, and tends to daydream. Upon encountering a new word (a frequent occurrence in their journey), she plays with it, trying to find rhymes and alternative meanings, to the endless irritation of her comrades. Alexandra wishes to find the most enjoyable era for herself and settle down. Any new discovery enthralls her.
[edit] Fanny
Fanny Cranberry is the most conservative of the group in all aspects: socially, politically, and morally. She is the only married member of the group. Fanny's dominating and scolding nature sought out the most subservient man it could possibly find, and latched onto him. Fanny generally disapproves of everything she sees and hears in the future, finding it immoral (especially an inflatable banana they come across during a search for "artifacts from the future"), but as her sensual side is brought out in the second act, she gradually warms up to the future. Fanny counters Mary's Geo references with those of her tabloids, which she reads religiously. Fanny is the oldest and the most severe of the expedition.
The fact that one actor plays eight different characters is probably the "gimmick" of the show, an extra detail added by the author to make circumstances more interesting (There is a fifteen second costume change at one point in the show). Almost no background is given for any of these characters, so the actor is able to take considerable artistic license with them. The nature of the characters themeselves allow for more than enough over-the-top acting.
[edit] Alphonse
An enigmatic personality to many, Alphonse knows a smattering of German, has an accent to match, wears the uniform of a German pilot, yet is native to the jungle the ladies are navigating when they find him. The truth surfaces in their conversation at tea, when Alphonse reveals that he is not only a native, but also a cannibal. Alphonse was one of the people he devoured, but is apparently not sitting well, and his personality has been imprinted on the native's. He is fond of date bread, but not so much of tea. He becomes attracted to Fanny's wig during the scene, naturally making her feel uneasy. Mary treats him like a test subject, grilling him on his daily life, and Alex can't help but marvel at his accent.
[edit] Grover
The only character in the play with a direct connection to one of the ladies, Grover Cranberry is a shy banker from the American midwest who enters the play in one of his wife Fanny's dreams. Not much background is given on Grover in the script, leaving the actor to interpret his past and some personality traits. His obvious main shortcoming is his failure at self-assertion and individuality, deferring to Fanny on all decisions.
[edit] The Yeti
More comic relief than anything, the yeti has no lines except incoherent roaring, and indeed is only onstage for about two minutes. The ladies enjoy him immensely, even while he is trying to frighten them off with snowballs and guttural growls. Eventually he himself is frightened away by their advances.
[edit] The Bridge Troll
The troll can be described as a perfect cross between Fonzie and a modern beat poet. For example:
What have we here but travelers three
Comin' cross the bridge to rap with me.
"In Xanadu" said Ka-u-ba-la Khan
Hey there, sweet things, what's going on?
