Prodigal Son is a semi-autobiographical play by John Patrick Shanley that follows Jim Quinn, a troubled teenager from the Bronx, as he navigates life at a prestigious Catholic preparatory school in New Hampshire.

 

The play centers on Jim Quinn, a gifted yet troubled 17-year-old boy who struggles with feelings of alienation and a fierce desire for acceptance. After being expelled from multiple schools, he receives a scholarship to Thomas More Preparatory School, where he faces the challenges of fitting into a new environment while grappling with his own identity and insecurities.

As Jim interacts with faculty members, particularly Carl Schmitt, the headmaster, and Alan Hoffman, his English teacher, the play explores themes of mentorship, the complexities of adolescence, and the tension between potential and self-destruction. Jim's behavior oscillates between brilliance and rebellion, as he engages in drinking, stealing, and breaking school rules, all while expressing a deep passion for poetry and literature.

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Second Chance Players performed Prodigal Son May 7–10, 2026, at Kitchen Dog Theater in Dallas. 

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