Period of Adjustment

Synopsis

On Christmas Eve in a suburban home 

George Haverstick, a war veteran recently plagued by post-traumatic stress, hastily marries Isabel, a nurse who tended to him during his recovery. Their ill-fated honeymoon begins with a drive to Florida in an old hearse, where they end up visiting George’s friend, Ralph Bates, whose wife, Dorothea, has just left him, taking their child with her. The tension in Ralph’s home mirrors the instability of the ground it’s built on, as both couples find themselves in a tangled, humorous, and poignant 24-hour period of adjustment.

“Period of Adjustment” by Tennessee Williams is a “serious comedy” that blends the playwright’s hallmark depth with a lighter, more comedic tone. It explores themes of marital strife, personal insecurities, and the complexities of human relationships. Through sharp, witty dialogue and vividly drawn characters, Williams navigates the chaotic terrain of two marriages in crisis, set against the backdrop of the festive yet fraught holiday season.