89 Theater Scenes with Adversity

Here’s a list of 89 theater scenes that exemplify the emotion of adversity. These scenes showcase actors facing challenges, struggles, and hardships, demonstrating resilience and strength in the face of difficulties.

89 Theater Scenes for Adversity

1. “A Raisin in the Sun” by Lorraine Hansberry
   • Scene: Walter grapples with economic struggles while trying to support his family’s dreams.
2. “Death of a Salesman” by Arthur Miller
   • Scene: Willy faces the adversity of financial ruin and personal failure.
3. “The Glass Menagerie” by Tennessee Williams
   • Scene: Amanda’s struggle to support her children amidst economic hardship.
4. “Fences” by August Wilson
   • Scene: Troy faces racial adversity as he confronts both societal and personal challenges.
5. “The Crucible” by Arthur Miller
   • Scene: John Proctor faces adversities in the face of hysteria and trials in Salem.
6. “August: Osage County” by Tracy Letts
   • Scene: The family confronts personal and relational adversity during their reunion.
7. “The Color Purple” by Alice Walker (adaptation)
   • Scene: Celie’s journey of overcoming numerous adversities throughout her life.
8. “Waiting for Godot” by Samuel Beckett
   • Scene: The characters endure existential adversity while waiting for meaning in their lives.
9. “The Lion in Winter” by James Goldman
   • Scene: The historical and personal adversities faced by the royal family during their power struggles.
10. “The Tempest” by William Shakespeare
    • Scene: Prospero’s adversity as he navigates betrayal and seeks reconciliation.
11. “King Lear” by William Shakespeare
    • Scene: Lear confronts the adversity of aging and betrayal from his daughters.
12. “Little Women” by Louisa May Alcott (adaptation)
    • Scene: The March sisters face societal pressures and personal challenges as they grow up.
13. “Our Town” by Thornton Wilder
    • Scene: The community faces the adversity of life and death in Grover’s Corners.
14. “Wit” by Margaret Edson
    • Scene: Vivian struggles with terminal cancer, confronting her own beliefs and relationships.
      
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15. “Clybourne Park” by Bruce Norris
    • Scene: The characters face adversities surrounding race and gentrification in their community.
16. “Hedda Gabler” by Henrik Ibsen
    • Scene: Hedda’s internal struggles represent her feelings of entrapment and societal adversity.
17. “The Miracle Worker” by William Gibson
    • Scene: Annie Sullivan faces the adversity of teaching Helen Keller despite numerous challenges.
18. “The Night of the Iguana” by Tennessee Williams
    • Scene: The characters confront personal adversities while seeking redemption and understanding.
19. “The Cherry Orchard” by Anton Chekhov
    • Scene: The family faces the adversity of losing their ancestral home and their way of life.
20. “The Shape of Things” by Neil LaBute
    • Scene: Adam faces personal adversity as he navigates his relationship with Evelyn.
21. “Marat/Sade” by Peter Weiss
    • Scene: The characters explore political and personal adversities throughout the play.
22. “The Laramie Project” by Moisés Kaufman
    • Scene: Community members face the impact of Matthew Shepard’s murder, highlighting social adversity.
23. “The Odd Couple” by Neil Simon
    • Scene: Felix and Oscar confront their personal adversities in their contrasting lifestyles.
24. “Blackbird” by David Harrower
    • Scene: The characters navigate the adversities surrounding their past.
25. “The Effect” by Lucy Prebble
    • Scene: The characters’ emotional adversities arise from their relationships and mental health.
26. “Oedipus Rex” by Sophocles
    • Scene: Oedipus confronts the adversities of fate and prophecy, leading to his downfall.
27. “Little Shop of Horrors” by Alan Menken and Howard Ashman
    • Scene: Seymour faces personal adversity as he deals with the consequences of his choices.
28. “Antigone” by Sophocles
    • Scene: Antigone faces adversities as she stands up against King Creon for her beliefs.
29. “Marjorie Prime” by Jordan Harrison
    • Scene: Characters deal with the adversities of aging and memory loss.
30. “Blithe Spirit” by Noël Coward
    • Scene: Charles faces the adversities of being haunted by his first wife.
      
31. “The Shadow Box” by Michael Cristofer

• Scene: The characters confront their terminal illnesses and the adversities of facing death and leaving loved ones behind.

32. “A View from the Bridge” by Arthur Miller

• Scene: Eddie faces the adversity of his emotions surrounding his niece’s relationships and his own identity.

33. “The Crucible” by Arthur Miller

• Scene: Abigail’s manipulations lead to adverse consequences for innocent townsfolk.

34. “The Elephant Man” by Bernard Pomerance

• Scene: John Merrick faces societal rejection and adversity due to his appearance.

35. “Hedda Gabler” by Henrik Ibsen

• Scene: Hedda faces adversity as she feels trapped in her marriage and societal expectations.

36. “The Tempest” by William Shakespeare

• Scene: Caliban confronts adversity and oppression from Prospero as he desires freedom.

37. “Cat on a Hot Tin Roof” by Tennessee Williams

• Scene: Maggie wrestles with adversity in her marriage and the expectations of family.

38. “The Rimers of Eldritch” by Lanford Wilson

• Scene: The community’s struggles and their adversities highlight social issues in small towns.

39. “A Funny Thing Happened on the Way to the Forum” by Stephen Sondheim

• Scene: Pseudolus faces comedic adversity in his efforts to win love and freedom.

40. “The Last Days of Judas Iscariot” by Stephen Adly Guirgis

• Scene: Judas grapples with feelings of betrayal and struggles against the adversity of his choices.

41. “The Birthday Party” by Harold Pinter

• Scene: Stanley’s sense of identity is challenged amid the absurd adversities surrounding him.

42. “The Lion in Winter” by James Goldman

• Scene: The family confronts political and personal adversities during their Christmas gathering.

43. “The Threepenny Opera” by Bertolt Brecht

• Scene: The characters face social injustices that highlight their adversities.

44. “Medea” by Euripides

• Scene: Medea’s emotional adversities lead to her tragic decisions driven by betrayal.

45. “The Grapes of Wrath” by Frank Galati (adaptation)

• Scene: The Joad family faces economic adversity as they migrate to California.

46. “August: Osage County” by Tracy Letts

• Scene: The difficult family dynamics reveal the adversities each member faces.

47. “The Good Woman of Setzuan” by Bertolt Brecht

• Scene: Shen Te grapples with the adversities of living as a good person in a harsh world.

48. “Clybourne Park” by Bruce Norris

• Scene: Characters face adversities related to race, community, and history.
  
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49. “Wit” by Margaret Edson

• Scene: Vivian’s emotional and physical adversities as she confronts cancer head-on.

50. “What the Butler Saw” by Joe Orton

• Scene: The chaos and absurdity highlight adversities faced by the characters in crisis.

51. “Mother Courage and Her Children” by Bertolt Brecht

• Scene: Mother Courage faces the adversities and repercussions of war on her family.

52. “Endgame” by Samuel Beckett

• Scene: Hamm and Clov confront their emotional and physical adversities in a bleak world.

53. “Marat/Sade” by Peter Weiss

• Scene: Characters confront political adversities amidst the backdrop of revolution.

54. “Kiss of the Spider Woman” by Manuel Puig

• Scene: The power dynamics between Molina and Valentin reveal their personal adversities.

55. “A Long Day’s Journey Into Night” by Eugene O’Neill

• Scene: The family grapples with the adversities of addiction and past regrets.

56. “Summer and Smoke” by Tennessee Williams

• Scene: Alma faces adversities in her quest for love and acceptance.

57. “Intimate Apparel” by Lynn Nottage

• Scene: Esther faces societal and personal adversities in pursuit of her dreams.

58. “An Enemy of the People” by Henrik Ibsen

• Scene: Dr. Stockmann faces communal and familial adversity when revealing the truth.

59. “The Motherfer with the Hat” by Stephen Adly Guirgis*

• Scene: Characters navigate personal adversities tied to addiction and relationships.

60. “Marjorie Prime” by Jordan Harrison

• Scene: Characters confront their identities in the face of loss and memory.

61. “A Funny Thing Happened on the Way to the Forum” by Stephen Sondheim

• Scene: Pseudolus faces comedic adversity as he tries to win freedom from servitude while managing the chaos around him.

62. “Little Shop of Horrors” by Alan Menken and Howard Ashman

• Scene: Seymour’s struggle to deal with the plant’s demands showcases his emotional adversities.

63. “The Effect of Gamma Rays on Man-in-the-Moon Marigolds” by Paul Zindel

• Scene: The family’s dysfunction leads to the characters’ acknowledgment of their adversities.

64. “The Wild Duck” by Henrik Ibsen

• Scene: Hjalmar’s acceptance of family secrets reveals the heavy adversities they face.

65. “The Glass Menagerie” by Tennessee Williams

• Scene: Laura copes with her social anxiety and feelings of abandonment, representing her personal adversities.

66. “I Am My Own Wife” by Doug Wright

• Scene: Charlotte’s struggles with identity and societal acceptance highlight her resilience amid adversity.

67. “The Shadow Box” by Michael Cristofer

• Scene: The characters confront their mortality, acknowledging personal adversity and life struggles.

68. “Marat/Sade” by Peter Weiss

• Scene: The characters’ reflections on revolution highlight their individual adversities.

69. “The Road to Mecca” by Athol Fugard

• Scene: Miss Helen faces societal and personal adversities as she pursues her artistic vision.

70. “The Who’s Tommy” by Pete Townshend

• Scene: Tommy’s journey through trauma and adversity leads to moments of self-discovery and resilience.

71. “The Addams Family” by Andrew Lippa

• Scene: Gomez and Morticia confront adversities surrounding their unconventional family dynamics.

72. “Hedda Gabler” by Henrik Ibsen

• Scene: Hedda struggles with her existential adversities and societal constraints.

73. “Clybourne Park” by Bruce Norris

• Scene: Characters face racial and cultural adversities amidst housing developments.

74. “The Little Foxes” by Lillian Hellman

• Scene: Regina’s ruthless ambition leads her to confront family adversities in her pursuit of wealth.

75. “The Taming of the Shrew” by William Shakespeare

• Scene: Katherina’s challenges with societal expectations lead to her grappling with personal adversity.

76. “The Seafarer” by Conor McPherson

• Scene: Characters confront their pasts and the adversities of addiction during a Christmas gathering.

77. “The Birthday Party” by Harold Pinter

• Scene: The sense of intimidation and chaos reveals Stanley’s internal adversities.

78. “Medea” by Euripides

• Scene: Medea’s confrontation with betrayal highlights her emotional adversities.

79. “Rosencrantz and Guildenstern Are Dead” by Tom Stoppard

• Scene: The existential crises faced by the titular characters depict their feelings of helplessness.

80. “Goodnight Desdemona (Good Morning Juliet)” by Ann-Marie MacDonald

• Scene: Constance’s struggles to find acceptance and acknowledgment amidst chaos.

81. “The Elephant Man” by Bernard Pomerance

• Scene: Merrick’s confrontation with societal prejudices showcases the adversities he faces daily.

82. “Top Girls” by Caryl Churchill

• Scene: Marlene’s reflections on her career and the adversities she faced as a woman in a patriarchal society.

83. “An Enemy of the People” by Henrik Ibsen

• Scene: The town’s collective adversity in facing the truth about the water supply.

84. “The Shape of Things” by Neil LaBute

• Scene: Adam’s personal struggles reveal the adversities hidden beneath his relationships.

85. “Pygmalion” by George Bernard Shaw

• Scene: Eliza’s struggles with identity and society showcase her adversities throughout the transformation.

86. “Wit” by Margaret Edson

• Scene: Vivian’s journey with cancer presents her with adversities related to acceptance and mortality.

87. “The Price” by Arthur Miller

• Scene: Victor confronts family history and the adversities tied to his upbringing.

88. “The Last Days of Judas Iscariot” by Stephen Adly Guirgis

• Scene: Characters reflect on love and betrayal, revealing their personal adversities.

89. “The Motherfer with the Hat” by Stephen Adly Guirgis*

• Scene: The characters’ struggles with addiction and relationships highlight their ongoing adversities.

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Book: Reason’s To Knock