FULL-LENGTH PLAY
Comedy
Comedy
What's normal after 2020? And what comes after the 'new normal?' These characters are desperately trying to find out. But with big secrets, hidden identity, and chaos on the high seas, life after 2020 has never been so abnormally fun.
Fully vaxed and now ready to face the world, Ruth is having a garage sale to raise money for a cruise with her husband, Denny. But Denny has come to enjoy life sheltering at home and away from people, barring a playfully acrimonious relationship with live-in mother-in-law, Beverly. As their two grown children unexpectedly come home with a jailhouse boyfriend, the entire family
must decide what matters most as they grow - together or apart.
Fully vaxed and now ready to face the world, Ruth is having a garage sale to raise money for a cruise with her husband, Denny. But Denny has come to enjoy life sheltering at home and away from people, barring a playfully acrimonious relationship with live-in mother-in-law, Beverly. As their two grown children unexpectedly come home with a jailhouse boyfriend, the entire family
must decide what matters most as they grow - together or apart.
TIME
This play joyfully explores that period of cautious reemergence
during late 2021 / early 2022
ACT I
Family Room
ACT II
Cruise Ship Lounge
This play joyfully explores that period of cautious reemergence
during late 2021 / early 2022
ACT I
Family Room
ACT II
Cruise Ship Lounge
CHARACTER INFORMATION
Ruth- Female, 60s, Any race / ethnicity
Denny - Male, 60s, Any race / ethnicity
Beverly - Female, 80s, Any race / ethnicity
Kenneth - Male, 30s, Any race / ethnicity
Jules - Female, 20s, Any race / ethnicity
Alfie - Male, 30s, Any race / ethnicity
THEMES
Moving On, Dating & Marriage, Travel
AWARDS & RECOGNITION
WINNER, NEW PLAY COMPETITION
Main Street Players, FL - 2023
SEMI-FINALIST
American Association Of Community Theatre, AACT - 2023
SEMI-FINALIST
B Street Theatre, CA - 2023
Main Street Players, FL - 2023
SEMI-FINALIST
American Association Of Community Theatre, AACT - 2023
SEMI-FINALIST
B Street Theatre, CA - 2023
REVIEWS & RECOMMENDATIONS
“Adulthood is very depressing, that's how you know you're doing it right." This well-crafted comedy is as thought provoking as it is clever, with some truly funny physical gags as well. There are riffs on responsibility and life-and-love-avoidance as well as nerve-touching discoveries and aftershocks as the characters learn to do less emotional distancing and crowd in for a close-up, new-fashioned happy ending. Lots of fun.”
(Christine Foster)
(Christine Foster)
“The thing that instantly struck me from the very beginning of this piece was the wonderful imagery John creates as his characters remember times gone by. That, coupled with the lovely familial back and forth between these great characters and I couldn't help but smile as I travelled with this delightful collection of characters through their discussions, secrets and complexities of family life. John exhibits a wonderful insight into the nature of people and their relationships, making this a wonderfully natural and yet fascinating play!”
(Rachel Feeny-Williams)
(Rachel Feeny-Williams)
“Knowing what you should do and will do are two different things.” We all experienced this during Lockdown. Mabey takes this a step further. What will we choose after Covid? It makes you ponder if you would have made different choices if there was no Covid. Mabey wisely centers on life choices - considering the old normal and new normal. With humor and poignancy, the play speaks to all of us.”
(Claudia Haas)
(Claudia Haas)
“This is a funny and deft celebration of family connections. The set up is a riot (cue the Ugly Mug) and the execution a delight. Characters are vividly drawn and each has an engaging arc. All in all a sparkling farce!”
(Paul Donnelly)
(Paul Donnelly)
“There are so many things to recommend about Mabey's delightful play. Part Noel Coward-y, part Neil Simon-y (you may or may not agree), Mabey's characters immediately come to life and deliver crisp, often hilarious lines - even the throwaway ones. Special mention of the character Beverly, who steals many a scene with her outrageously unlikely statements - or are they? Family and love win the day. I enjoyed this play from start to finish and it's no accident that's it already a winner of a new play competition in Miami, FL.”
(Bruce Karp)
(Bruce Karp)
READINGS & WORKSHOPS
Main Street Players, FL - 2023
Pumphouse Players, GA - 2022
Pumphouse Players, GA - 2022
IMAGES
Main Street Players, FL
Main Street Players, FL