Summary

This section contains the play’s Introductory Pages, which define the conventions, or stylistic techniques of the production.

First, the introductory pages outline the characters, suggesting that “The Dead Troupe … plays everyone” (5). The spokesperson of the troupe is Lemml, identified as the Stage Manager, who also functions as a narrator. Then there is a list of names identifying the actors in the Troupe, and all the parts that each actor will play in the text. Finally, this section of the introductory pages includes a trio of musicians, playing the clarinet, violin, and accordion. The musicians also play a few characters.

Next, the Introductory Pages define aspects of setting. Specifically, they define the action as taking place in a range of locations – from “Warsaw, 1906 to Bridgeport, Connecticut, 1950’s, and everywhere in between” (6). There is also a definition of the set, as...