Melancholy Play

Melancholy Play is a modern day farce that explores the often un-examined realm of sadness with surprising humor. The play’s main character is Tilly-a bank teller whose incredible melancholy invokes the romantic passions of almost everyone she encounters. Tilly’s seductive melancholy turns to joy during a game of duck, duck, goose. The other characters (a tailor, a hairdresser, a nurse and a psychologist) are baffled by Tilly’s extreme transformation and struggle to navigate their own emotions.

Authored by Piven alum and Tony Award nominee Sarah Ruhl, Melancholy Play premiered at PIven as a straight play in 2002 and it returns to our stage as a two-act chamber musical directed by Polly Noonan.