I Can’t Stand Wagner (1985)

Time
The present

Place
Joanne and Rudy's Manhattan apartment

Synopsis
Rudy, an up-and-coming conductor/composer, is commissioned to write a work for a concert in Greece. The result is a piece which he names The Zeus Symphony. At its premiere in Athens, it is acclaimed by all — all, that is, except Zeus himself, who detests it and believes it to be a blasphemy upon his sacred name. He revenges himself upon Rudy by causing him to be pursued by the Three Furies.

The Set
A rather elegant living room. Three items of furniture, each large enough to conceal one of the Eumenides, are needed. These are designated in the score as a bar, a sofa, and a highboy. Necessary props are a bar, a record player, and offstage clock chimes.