Joyandpandemic

A realism play about an abstract art school

As Joy finds her Philadelphia children’s art school at risk in a burgeoning public health crisis, she hopes to keep her dream of the school alive. When her unyielding faith runs up against another mother’s beliefs, an afternoon in the early 20th century transforms the world for both of their daughters for decades to come.

EXCERPT:

JOY. We cannot live in fear Mrs. Plachard.

MELANIE PLACHARD. Yes but you, you’re the type who is not so overwhelmed by fear, isn’t that right?

JOY. It is my belief, my Christian belief that fear is a lie we tell ourselves.

BRADFORD. I’m not sure Mrs. Plachard wishes to speak on religion.

MELANIE PLACHARD. Fear is a lie?

JOYAn illusion. Just as matter is illusion.

MELANIE PLACHARD(flabbergasted). Matter is an illusion?

BRADFORD. I find it all a little strange myself but-

JOY. I believe in the spirit of things but-

MELANIE PLACHARD. Not the physical?

JOY. Yes.

MELANIE PLACHARD. So you refuse reality?

JOY. No-

BRADFORD. I think it’s more like a difference of opinion on what reality is.

JOY. Bradford that’s not- well yes. That is accurate.

(to Melanie)

I see you, Mrs. Plachard, in fact as God’s perfect creation.

MELANIE laughs.

JOY. You find that humorous?

MELANIE PLACHARD. Forgive me. It sounds so preposterous.

JOY. Does it not say in the Bible that we are God’s perfect image and likeness?

MELANIE PLACHARD. I’ve never been so desperate to prove a point I must memorize passages.

A slight pause.

BRADFORD. And this is why we don’t speak on religion.

JOY. Well it does. And if God is perfect and we are his perfect image and likeness, does it not follow that we are perfect as well? If he can’t be afraid or sick, then we can’t either. It is clear then, fear, sickness, these are things we convince ourselves of to be separate from God. And why would one wish to be separate form the divine? It’s not an abstract thought Mrs. Plachard. It's logic.

MELANIE PLACHARD. So this painting, it’s an illusion?

JOY. The spirit of it is not. Which is what makes art so delightful. That it’s able to connect us to spirit.

BRADFORD(placating the room, rather than being sincere). Well that’s lovely.

MELANIE PLACHARD. But not the physical?

JOY. No. I believe the physical is an illusion.

MELANIE PLACHARD. A lie?

JOY. Yes.

MELANIE PLACHARD. And this table is a lie?

JOY. An illusion.

MELANIE PLACHARD(gesturing to her own dress). And this dress.

JOY. Yes.

MELANIE PLACHARD. So one could take off their clothing and-

BRADFORD. Oh!

JOY. No.

BRADFORD. Well? No but yes, couldn’t one if-

JOY. No!

BRADFORD. No.

MELANIE PLACHARD. No, of course not. I wouldn’t. I couldn’t actually, I would be too afraid. But to do away with fear, which is an illusion you say. And so to brave, even the outrageous- Except I find religion that does not believe in the natural world to be... so flimsy.

JOY. Mrs. Plachard. I have allowed you in early but if you wish to mock what is dear to me-

MELANIE PLACHARD. Oh no. Nothing could be further from the- it’s simply that to be free to run naked as God intended, and yet to be aware of the consequences- that is enough to break us, everyone.

SHOW CREDITS

In Association With Magic Theatre

Written by Taylor Mac

Directed by Loretta Greco

Cast Includes: Ella Dershowitz - Young Pilly; Stacy Fischer - Joy; Breezy Leigh – Melanie; Marceline Hugot – Rosemary; Ryan Winkles – Bradford; with Understudies Thomika Bridwell, Rebecca Whitney Klein, Alexander Platt, and Marina

Additional Creative Team:

Arnulfo Maldonado - Scenic Design;

Sarita Fellows - Costume Design:

Jen Schriever - Lighting Design;

Fan Zhang - Sound Design and

Original Music;

Rachel Padula-Shufelt - Wig and Hair Design -

Lyndsay Allyn Cox - Associate Director;

Frances Hellums - Assistant Director;

Shirley Fishman – Dramaturg;

Kevin Schlagle - Production Stage Manager;

Ashley Pitchford - Stage Manager.

Excerpt: