
FOREWORD
PREFACE
DESCRIPTION OF CHARACTERS
THE UNDERCURRENT
THE UNDERCURRENT
THE PRESS
THE PRESS
LETTERS
LETTERS
A compact, emotionally resonant one‑act drama draws listeners into the quiet world of a young woman known only as “Annie,” whose life on the streets is shaped by forces most of us never see. The playwright invites the audience to set aside judgment, urging us to consider the hidden currents—poverty, desperation, societal expectations—that have guided her choices. Through crisp dialogue and a tightly focused setting, the piece offers a vivid portrait of a life often dismissed, prompting reflection on compassion and the complexities behind apparent “wrong” behavior.
First performed in modest little theatres and later embraced by community groups, churches, and even radio circuits, the play has sparked heartfelt responses from a wide spectrum of listeners. Its understated storytelling avoids moralizing, instead presenting a slice of reality that lingers long after the curtain falls. Listeners find themselves quietly questioning their own assumptions, carried by the gentle yet powerful undercurrent of Annie’s story.
Language
en
Duration
~1 hours (101K characters)
Release date
Jun 12, 2026
Rights
Public domain in the USA.

1886–1973
A playwright drawn to the hidden forces shaping ordinary lives, Fay Ehlert turned her experience of social and domestic struggles into vivid drama. Her best-known work, The Undercurrent, helped bring serious one-act plays back to the stage in the late 1920s.
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