The Awful Truth

Before she can remarry, New York socialite Lucy Warriner needs to quash persistent rumors that her first marriage failed when she had an affair. So she enlists her ex-husband to assure her new fiancé’s family that she never did. He does so, even though he tells Lucy privately that he knows full well she cheated on him. She denies it, and they tell each other very different stories of their failed marriage. But they cannot dispute one thing: they are only more in love now than they were then. With both wry wit and innocent warmth, the play asks what chance friendship, love, or marriage could ever have if they depend on knowing the awful truth.