A DRAMATISTS PLAY SERVICE TITLE

There or Here

Full-Length Play, Dark Comedy  /  3w, 2m

Jennifer Maisel

Robyn and Ajay want a baby, and when Robyn receives a troubling diagnosis, the couple travels halfway around the world to visit a surrogacy service in India. A funny and incisive exploration of sex, reproduction, politics and relationships.

There or Here

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  • Cast Size
    Cast Size
    3w, 2m
  • Duration
    Duration
    120 minutes (2 hours)
  • Audience
    Target Audience
    Adult
Accolades
Accolades

  • Finalist: PEN West Literary Award

Details

Summary

Robyn and Ajay – a married couple – want a baby eventually, but not anytime soon. However, their plans abruptly change after Robyn receives a troubling diagnosis, and the couple finds themselves traveling halfway around the world to visit a surrogacy service in India. This turn of events is just another for them where things are not going according to their plans. And what they both want is some normalcy: Robyn wants to understand her husband again and her changing body; Ajay wants to reconnect with his wife and himself. For the future of their suddenly growing family, they discover that doubling down on the promise of their relationship is their best way toward a happier future.

History

There or Here premiered at Hypothetical Theatre in New York City in 2008. Directed by Amy Feinberg, the production featured Annie Meisels, Alok Tewari, Purva Bedi, Shalin Agarwal, Judy Rosenblatt and Deepti Gupta.

Performing Groups

ROBYN – She and her husband want a baby. Cancer treatment had forced her into early menopause. Thirties/forties.
AJAY – Robyn’s husband. Indian raised in America. Enterprising. Thirties/forties.
SHE/ANGELINA/JESSICA/BRITTANY/NEERA/RADIOLOGIST/HER – Indian raised in India. Works at a call center. Twenties.
DR. VITTAL – Doubled with Ellen.
ELLEN – Robyn’s mother. Doubled with Dr. Vittal.
RAJIT – Indian raised in India. Doubled with Raj. Twenties.
RAJ – Involved with Ellen. Doubled with Rajit. Early twenties.
WOMAN’S VOICE – The woman’s voice will “title” in both the dialect and a neutral, unaccented English. Pre-recorded or live.

NOTE ON CASTING: In the best of all possible worlds, ELLEN and DR. VITTAL should be doubled. However, they can be undoubled if the theatre determines that works best for them. The other parts cannot be undoubled.

In the best of all possible worlds, ELLEN and DR. VITTAL should be doubled. However, they can be undoubled if the theatre determines that works best for them. The other parts cannot be undoubled.

  • Time Period Present Day
  • Setting

    Multiple locations. Rooted in early 2006, moving backward and forward. 

  • Features Contemporary Costumes/Street Clothes
  • Duration 120 minutes (2 hours)

Media

“A thought-provoking play that touches on reproductive yearnings, sexual desire, cultural imperialism and more.” – The New York Times

“A clever, taut and emotional play that will make you laugh and cry in equal measure, There or Here is a rare treat.” – Fairy Powered Productions

“Jennifer Maisel’s play There or Here is a multi-layered narrative shot through with humor, some of it scathing, including a lot of witty one-liners. It contains tremendous sadness and want. An intelligent, well-written and cleverly structured play, it time slips back and forth with multiple characters expertly played by a talented cast.” – View From the Cheap Seat

“Maisel has written a thought-provoking play that touches on reproductive yearnings, sexual desire, cultural imperialism and more… never less than engaging.” – The New York Times

Licensing & Materials

  • Minimum Fee: £85 per performance plus VAT when applicable.

Scripts

Available Formats:
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Authors

Jennifer Maisel

Jennifer Maisel

Known for her thought-provoking dramas about the transcendency of human connection and identity, Jennifer Maisel has written plays that have been produced nationally and internationally. The Last Seder premiered off-Broadway with Gaby Hoffmann and Greg Mullavey after producti ...

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