¶ … Papa's Waltz" The Play as Literature

In an art form which imitates the lives of Marilyn Monroe and Arthur Miller, the star -- Kitty -- is a needy, insecure, and unstable actress. Putting the entire movie production at risk -- and her own reputation, as well -- her hysteria and fragile emotional state keep everyone on the edge of outright hostility. How can a world famous actress -- loved by millions -- not see what the rest of the world sees?

Flora, one of the star's acting coaches, makes several references to her emotional need for love, yet too often, "Love is the Great Impossibility." The well-meaning intentions of svengali-like coaches and a mild-mannered but well-respected writer husband do nothing to quell the fear living within Kitty's heart.

As Kitty lies prone and naked on her bed, prostrate with her own fear and power, Jerome -- one of several acting coaches -- looking like a Freud-imitating drugstore...

The hysteria and emotional turmoil spill over onto Jerome who feels he is being held accountable for Kitty's constant ailing excuses not to finish the movie. Her husband, Paul, makes a valiant effort to quiet her demons with physical restraint and comforting words but is ineffective; Kitty knows her power and wields it without remorse.
Actor Performances

Philip -- one of the studio owners -- goes to the set to take stock of the situation and try to salvage the movie from the ashes. The film crew demonstrates the trust and hope placed in his character for restoring sanity to the set.

Kitty appears to relate better with the acting coaches, Jerome and Flora than with anyone else in the crew or family. This pattern is undisguised as the one followed by Marilyn Monroe during the making of her last film, The…