The Hallway (play)
| The Hallway | |
|---|---|
| Original language | English |
| Written by | Bill Keenan |
| Genre | Drama |
| Setting | A hotel hallway |
| Premiere | |
| Date | 2026 |
| Place | United States |
The Hallway is a one-act play written by Bill Keenan. The play premiered Off-Broadway at The Sargent Theater as part of the 2026 Midtown International Theatre Festival. It was subsequently produced at The Peoples Improv Theater and directed by Jesse William Green. The Anaconda Ensemble Theatre Company then produced the play as part of their 2026 Groundwork Series.[1][2][3]
Plot overview
At 3:17 a.m., Nora locks herself out of her sixth-floor Marriott room while getting ice. The hallway phone is dead, the elevator needs a key card, and the stairwell is locked. She's soon joined by Dean, also robed and locked out, holding a single woman's shoe.
Over the course of the night, they needle each other into confession. Dean's wife threw the shoe at him after he laughed during her slide presentation on why they should have a child — a child he has secretly wanted for years but never admitted to wanting. Nora has been at the hotel over a week because the sister she hasn't spoken to in eleven years is three doors away, and Nora's too scared to take the final step.
They agree to knock at the same time, but can't. Finally, Dean knocks, holds out the shoe, and a hand takes it, after which he re-enters his room. Nora stalls, then knocks on her sister's door and offers what she has: ice. The hand that answers isn't for the ice. Nora puts the bucket down and takes it.
Characters
- Nora
- Dean
Reception
Air Mail praised the emotional heart of the play, describing The Hallway as capturing “the mysterious transformation of strangers into confidants.”[4]
Writing for Showtones, critic Bill Eisenring called The Hallway “well-written, well-acted and well-directed,” praising Keenan’s “understanding of human foibles." Eisenring described the play’s resolution as “very human and humane.” He also singled out Zien and Berger, writing that the duo was “as good as any Broadway veteran.”[5]
Kristin Hardwick noted “The story is original. There are enough twists and turns to keep the audience’s attention.”[6]
References
- ↑ "Instagram". Instagram.com. Retrieved August 11, 2026.
- ↑ "Groundwork Reading Series at The Montana". Anaconaensembletheatre.ludus.com. Retrieved August 11, 2026.
- ↑ "Groundwork Reading Series @ The Montana Hotel at Anaconda Ensemble Theatre Montana (Jun 30, 2026)". Broadwayworld.com. Retrieved August 11, 2026.
- ↑ ""The Hallway" Finds Comfort in a Chance Encounter". Airmail.news. Retrieved August 11, 2026.
- ↑ "Bill Eisenring's REVIEW of The Hallway by Bill Keenan at The Midtown International Festival". Showtones.com. July 8, 2026. Retrieved August 11, 2026.
- ↑ "Hi! Drama - KRISTIN HARDWICK REVIEWS THE HALLWAY". Facebook.com. Retrieved August 11, 2026.