Characters and Story
Liz’s Circus Story takes place over 23 years, from 1974 to 1997. The numerous settings include Liz’s apartments in Wisconsin, New York, and Horse Cave, Kentucky; the Franzens’ dairy farm; the circus tent and grounds; and the road.
Who’s Who in the Play
- Liz, the narrator—a 21-year-old college student when the
play begins; at its
conclusion, she is 44 and a theater professional - Wayne Franzen—founder of Franzen Bros. Circus
- Paul (Paulo the Magnificent, Brother Paul Vincent)—Liz’s childhood friend, who convinces Liz to join the circus
- Neil Franzen—Wayne’s brother
- Suzanne Franzen—Neil’s wife; cook and aerial artist for the circus
- Liz’s mother
- Kathy—Wayne’s sister, who does the aerial act after Neil and Suzanne leave
- JoAnne—Wayne’s wife
- Brian Franzen—Wayne’s son
- Killer (Fred Zimmer)—props man for the circus
- Killer’s Dad
- Tom—Liz’s actor friend
- The animals:
Buck the horse
the goats—Snuff, Spike, Billy, and Day
Sophie the tiger
Loo-kah the tiger
Okha the elephant
Ponies of America
Plot Outline
SCENE
- Liz tells the audience and her mother that she is going to work for the circus.
- Liz calls Wayne Franzen and gets directions to his farm.
- Liz visits Wayne at his farm, and they discuss preparations for the circus.
- Liz decides on the lineup for the very first performance in Plainfield, Wisconsin.
- Liz tells about the circus’ first month.
- Liz and Wayne discuss getting a tiger for the circus; Wayne tells Liz why he started the circus.
- Liz makes a deal with Wayne to book dates for the circus.
- Liz tells about booking a trip to Red Lake Falls, Minnesota.
- Liz tells Wayne’s story to a Kiwanis meeting in Watertown.
- The wind in West Texas makes Liz think about her own dreams of being an actor.
- A generator accident kills Day the goat.
- Eight years later, Liz comes from New York to see the circus. She is delighted to see how large and successful it is. She sees a new tiger, born in the circus (Loo-kah), and tells her friend Paul that she’s not sure she likes how New York is changing her. She wishes she could dance with the circus horses.
- Wayne calls Liz in New York and asks her to pick out two baby elephants for him from a shipment in the Catskills.
- Liz returns to do advance work and promotion for the circus. She takes Killer to visit his father.
- Liz gets an opportunity to take a job with a theater company in Kentucky.
- Liz and her actor friend Tom visit the circus. She sees Loo-kah the tiger and gets angry with Tom because he can’t understand what Wayne has accomplished.
- Liz looks at her old circus outfit and finds that it still fits.
- Wayne begins a performance in Carrollton, Pennsylvania, and Loo-kah the tiger knocks him down and stalks him.
- Liz receives the news that Wayne has been killed and talks to Wayne’s son, Brian.
- In a dreamlike sequence, Liz recognizes Wayne’s impact on her life ... and finally can dance with the horses.