While contemporary culture may be fixated on youthful sex appeal, the most complex and interesting characters in dramatic literature have been (and still are) those over 40 years old. Whether it's Willy Loman in Death of a Salesman, Gorgeous Teitelbaum in Wendy Wasserstein's Sisters Rosenzweig, or Troy the former big leaguer in August Wilson's Fences, these characters have a texture and a gravitas that can't be found in younger roles. This volume selects from classical sources like Euripides' Medea and Shakespeare's King Lear, as well as contemporary ones like Yasmina Reza's God of Carnage, Christopher Durang's Vonya and Sonia and Masha and Spike, and David Lindsay-Abaire's Good People, to provide a challenging and enriching experience for both the dedicated professional and the inquisitive amateur.