# Who Lives?

## Metadata

- Slug: who-lives
- Type: Full-length Play
- Genre: Drama
- Acts: 2 acts
- Duration: 120+ minutes
- Cast: Medium (7-14)
- Cast Summary: 6m, 4f with doubling (without: 7m, 5f)
- Movement Requirements: Minimal
- Technical Requirements: Minimal
- Suitable For:
  - Professional Theatre
  - Community Theatre
  - College/University
- Primary Image: https://content.uproartheatrics.com/sm5z4d487yyk5eysfnsg0z4x3k65

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## Authors

- A drama by [Christopher Meeks](https://www.uproartheatrics.com/md/authors/christopher-meeks)

## Overview

The year is 1963. Up until this moment, a kidney disease diagnosis was a death sentence. Ten dying patients needed to be selected to try out the newly invented kidney dialysis machine, and a committee must choose who lives. When cutthroat Seattle lawyer Gabriel Hornstein gets turned down by the anonymous panel, he diligently discovers where they meet.  He confronts the members, who grant him a space on the machine with one caveat: he must join and make tough decisions alongside them.
Inspired by a true story, playwright Christopher Meeks' powerful drama deftly examines timeless questions: who is worthy of life, and what meaning do we bring to living? **Who Lives?** is a blistering character study of seven ordinary citizens who must fight, grapple, and stumble through an extraordinary undertaking.

## Cast

| Name | Description |
| ---- | ---- |
| GABRIEL HORNSTEIN | a lawyer |
| MARGARET HORNSTEIN | his wife |
| JENNY | Gabriel’s secretary |
| DR. SHUSTER | an emergency room doctor |
| FATHER WILLIAM | a priest |
| BAXTER | a union labor leader |
| ALICE | a college grad student |
| LAZLO | a businessman |
| FRANCINE | a housewife |
| ALBERT DUMPHY | a black violinist |
| MCKNIGHT | a dialysis patient* |
| A NURSE | a dialysis nurse*
 |
| A NOTE ON CASTING: | * McKnight and the nurse can each be played by actors from other roles; a live VIOLIN PLAYER is also recommended, though recorded music can make do.
 |

## Materials

### Available for additional fee:

| Name | Description |
| ---- | ----------- |
| Video Recording License | License to create an archival recording of the show that may be distributed to the cast and crew. This does not allow publicly posting the performance. |
| 60-Minute Talkback with the Creator | A 60-minute Zoom/Google Meet with one or more of the show's creator(s). Licensees and guests can ask questions, share experiences, and hear about the artistic journey of the show and creative team. This can be scheduled before or after the performances. If we are unable to make scheduling work, the cost will be refunded. |

## Links

- [View HTML page](https://www.uproartheatrics.com/shows/who-lives)