We know that history repeats itself. What about family patterns of life—do they also repeat? Mirrors shows two generations of a family simultaneously—the 1960's family at Stage Right and the modern family at Stage Left, as if one were a mirror reflection of the other: the happiness, the sadness, the love, the hate, the dreams, the reality.

From the author: Mirrors, a Reflection, is a serious play, but it is not a somber one. There is much joy in the script and that joy should be played. An early draft included the line, "That's what every funeral needs—a comedian." The line didn't work, but I still believe in the sentiment. Personally, I'd like to have my serious AND my comedy work quoted at my funeral. (And if one part has to be cut because of time or budget or something, let the heavy stuff slide.) But, after all, Mirrors is about death, isn't it? Yes, but its real subject is life. And how we almost never realize its importance until some vital part of it is gone. Help your audience to realize. And help yourselves, too.

One act; Set, the region surrounding the homes of the Mansfield and Simons families. There are a great number of freedoms with time, from 1986 back to the mid-1920's. Simple, traditional outfits in most cases.

"Thanks for the permission to video Mirrors. Our cast did so well: 4 all-state cast members, 7 all-state honorable mention, and 3 superior ratings. I was so proud of them."—Ann Eckardt, Cody, Wy.

Other McDonough original plays: Asylum, Eden, Fables, Filiation, Limbo, Plots, Requiem, Reunion, Stages, Stations

See also: Plays About Family Relationships