About the Play:

Ancient History is a full-length comedy by David Ives. A witty, romantic story of a couple looking to take the next step. At least, Ruth is looking. Jack is happy dancing in place. Alternating sharp wit with penetrating insights, Ancient History probes into the difficulties encountered by today's young professionals in trying to build a meaningful relationship outside of marriage.

Ancient History is deftly constructed and very funny study of the "battle of the sexes." Ruth and Jack, both in their mid-thirties, believe themselves perfectly suited to each other. But when Ruth suddenly mentions marriage, a subtle but ominous change is felt in their relationship. As it happens, Ruth is culturally Jewish, Jack is a lapsed Catholic who scorns religion; she is career oriented and enjoys the finer things in life; he is a poorly paid teacher who is happy to live with little means; she fears her stern parents would never accept her marrying a non-Jewish man; he has already been through one failed marriage and is wary of repeating his mistake. They make their cases with razor sharp wit and poignant pleas, but is staying together the right thing to do? While the mood at first is light-hearted and filled with brightly humorous lines, it is also punctuated by the random ringing of an unseen phone – at which times the protagonists quickly vary the mood and express their secret feelings and recriminations in brief, often caustic, monologues. Later, no holds are barred, and the serious differences, previously swept under the rug, are now forced into the light, leading to a monumental explosion and, apparently, Ruth and Jack's acceptance of the sobering truth that there is more that divides than unites them.

Ancient History premiered in 1996 at Primary Stages off-Broadway in New York City. The Los Angeles premiere was in 1999 at the Fountain Theatre in East Hollywood, an intimate venue well-known for its award-winning plays. It's still enormously popular, and has been a staple of regional and college theatres since then.

Cast: 1 female, 1 male

What people say:

"A genuine achievement the dialogue is crunchy and saucy [as] these lovers are buffeted about circularly, hilariously, and scarily." — New York Magazine

"…a riveting theatrical experience … a gripping, sobering picture of young people in our time." — Show Business

"David Ives is a rarity among young playwrights: He has a firm grasp of structure and composition, and he orchestrates them adroitly." — New York Daily News

About the Playwright:

David Ives is an American playwright, screenwriter, and novelist who was born in Chicago and educated at Northwestern University and Yale School of Drama. He is perhaps best known for his evenings of comic one-act comedies, a reputation which resulted in the The New York Times referring to him as the "maestro of the short form". A former Guggenheim Fellow in playwriting, he has also written dramatic plays, narrative stories, and screenplays. He lives in New York City.