Summary
Last Updated September 4, 2024.
Act 1, Scene 1Sweet Bird of Youth begins in a hotel room in St. Cloud, Florida. In bed are Princess Kosmonopolis, an alias for the aging actress Alexandra del Lago, and Chance Wayne, who has returned to his hometown. While the actress sleeps, Chance drinks coffee. George Scudder arrives at the door, inquiring why Chance has come back. Chance explains he wants to visit his mother and his girlfriend, Heavenly Finley. Scudder informs him that his mother recently passed away and was buried, and something has happened to Heavenly. Scudder mentions he tried and failed to contact Chance about these matters. He also warns Chance to leave town before Heavenly’s father and brother come after him. Before departing, Scudder reveals he will soon marry Heavenly.
Chance wakes the Princess. She struggles to remember who he is and where they are. It becomes clear that Chance is her gigolo. She has been drinking heavily and using hashish, contributing to her memory loss. The Princess talks about being a middle-aged actress who does not want to retire. She recently made a movie and was horrified by her appearance at the premiere. Still fleeing from this experience, the Princess gradually remembers how she became involved with Chance.
The Princess asks what Chance wants from her. While she was in a stupor, Chance had her put him under contract with a Hollywood studio she partly owns. The Princess tells him the contract has loopholes and could be invalidated. When she tries to seduce him, Chance produces a tape recording of her discussing how she smuggled hashish into the United States. He attempts to blackmail her into signing traveler’s checks for him. The Princess is offended but tells him that if they make love right now, she will give him some money.
Act 1, Scene 2
The Princess signs traveler’s checks for Chance but insists on accompanying him
to cash them, afraid to be left alone. As she applies makeup, Chance recounts
his life story. He was popular in his hometown. Instead of attending college,
he moved to New York and joined the choruses of Broadway shows. In New York,
Chance also had relationships with many rich women, offering affection to the
lonely. During the Korean War, he joined the Navy because he liked the uniform.
Feeling he was wasting his youth, he had a nervous breakdown. After his
honorable discharge, he returned home and rekindled his relationship with
Heavenly. Although they were in love, Heavenly’s father, Boss Finley, would not
allow them to marry.
Chance asks the Princess to assist him by organizing a fake talent contest, ensuring that he and Heavenly will emerge as the winners. His plan is to then take Heavenly to Hollywood. However, the Princess is reluctant to attract any attention and instead instructs him to go cash the checks. Determined to prove to the town that he's not a failure, Chance promises to return with the bulk of the money and the car. The Princess consents, hoping he will come back.
Act 2, Scene 1
At Boss Finley’s residence, Heavenly’s father is furious about Chance's return. He summons his son, Tom Junior, and demands that he expel Chance from the town. The last time Chance was in town, he infected Heavenly with a sexually transmitted disease, necessitating a hysterectomy. During their conversation, Tom Junior informs his father that Chance is outside talking to Aunt Nonnie. Tom Junior calls for Aunt Nonnie, who rushes into the house. The Finleys interrogate Nonnie. Although she promises to persuade Chance to leave town, she also defends him, stating that he was a...
(This entire section contains 1248 words.)
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good person before Finley ruined him.
After Nonnie departs, Tom Junior becomes agitated with his father. Finley is running for re-election with Tom Junior on the ticket. When Finley criticizes Junior's shortcomings, Tom Junior retaliates by reminding him about his mistress, Miss Lucy, at the hotel. Tom Junior reports that Miss Lucy has claimed Finley is too old for sexual activity. Finley is deeply disturbed by these remarks.
Heavenly finally enters. Finley praises her beauty. When Finley attempts to dictate her behavior, Heavenly becomes enraged. She reminds him that he drove Chance away and tried to marry her off to various older men. She holds him responsible for Chance's downfall. Finley tries to placate her with a shopping spree and insists that she must attend the televised rally at the hotel that night. When Heavenly refuses, he warns her that if she doesn't show up, Chance will be in danger.
Act 2, Scene 2
In the hotel’s cocktail lounge, Miss Lucy tells the bartender that Boss Finley
injured her fingers with a jewelry box because of her comments about his sexual
prowess. The Heckler enters. Upon learning his intention to expose Heavenly’s
troubled past, Miss Lucy offers to help The Heckler infiltrate the Finleys'
rally.
Chance arrives at the bar, followed shortly by Aunt Nonnie. She informs him that he needs to leave town. Chance shows her the contract with the Princess’s studio and explains the talent contest. When Nonnie stresses the danger he faces, Chance tells her that life without Heavenly is meaningless.
Chance encounters some old acquaintances at the bar. They treat him poorly, but Chance cannot comprehend what has changed. Miss Lucy arrives and strikes up a conversation with him. She is aware of the true nature of Chance’s life. One of his old acquaintances mentions the Finley rally happening that night and its purpose. After the old acquaintances depart, Miss Lucy offers to drive Chance to the airport.
The Princess shows up, looking disheveled and incoherent. She scolds Chance for leaving her alone. As Hatcher, the hotel manager, approaches, Chance insists on taking the Princess upstairs. Boss Finley and Heavenly enter the hotel, and Chance and Heavenly come face to face. Before they can speak, Finley pulls Heavenly away.
Although the Princess wants to leave, Chance has to confront Hatcher and Tom Junior about what happened to Heavenly. Chance demands an explanation from Tom Junior. Tom Junior reveals that Chance gave Heavenly a disease that will affect her for the rest of her life. He warns Chance to leave town before midnight or face castration. Chance then escorts the Princess to her room.
Miss Lucy and Chance watch Finley speak on television in the lounge. The Heckler asks an awkward question about Heavenly’s operation. Afterward, he is beaten. Heavenly is horrified by the question and collapses.
Act 3
In the hotel room, the Princess is on the phone, demanding a driver. Hatcher
and his cronies force their way in, insisting that she leave. She angrily
confronts them. Tom Junior arrives, demanding to know Chance’s whereabouts. She
says she does not know, and Tom promises to get her a driver. After the men
leave, Chance returns. He assures her that he is still her driver, though he is
in no condition to drive.
The Princess tells Chance she wants him to accept his life with her. Chance calls a Hollywood gossip columnist. The Princess speaks to the columnist and learns her movie has done very well, paving the way for a significant comeback. Chance intended for her to mention two rising stars, himself and Heavenly, but she does not. The Princess makes plans for her return. As she prepares to leave, she wants Chance to accompany her, but he refuses. They both realize how time has changed them. The Princess leaves, and Tom Junior enters with other men to deal with Chance.