Any Day Now

by Nat Cassidy

As the world wrestles with the sociological, biological, and theological meanings behind unexplained resurrections of the recently deceased, one Connecticut family learns that secrets cannot stay buried and that the ones you love may be the ones who eat you alive.

******PRESS: "Neatly off-kilter, with the audience never quite sure whether to laugh or to gasp. Cassidy packages his supernatural theme with such...

As the world wrestles with the sociological, biological, and theological meanings behind unexplained resurrections of the recently deceased, one Connecticut family learns that secrets cannot stay buried and that the ones you love may be the ones who eat you alive.

******PRESS: "Neatly off-kilter, with the audience never quite sure whether to laugh or to gasp. Cassidy packages his supernatural theme with such naturalistic aplomb that he evokes David Lynch, particularly the very first episode of TWIN PEAKS, where you were trying to decipher the creator's intent while increasingly jaw-dropping weirdness unfolded uncontrollably before your eyes. ... Filled with surprises and rewards." - Martin Denton, nytheatre.com (starred review).

"Genius. You're being thrown for a loop from the moment the lights come up and are entertained for all three acts. A great play for a myriad of reasons ... one that is full of laughs in the right spots. ... The play delivers, with a surprising ending that holds the audience in the palm of its hand... Exceptional ... Keeps the audience fascinated for three hours. This is like Sam Shepard meets George Romero, with more emphasis on the former artist than the latter." - Dianna Martin, The Fab Marquee.

"A vibrant drama, centering on a family whose patriarch returns from the dead during a pandemic of unexplained resurrections. The family members seek to both relate and deny the significance of their own ordinary problems — elderly dementia, closet homosexuality, alcoholism — to the global implications of the zombie appearances. A gritty family drama heightened by a clever allegory for larger social issues. ... The play's themes are compelling and clear." - Show Business Weekly.

"ANY DAY NOW, written and directed by Nat Cassidy, drew me on a cold and wet Saturday night in January. I don't often get to cover off/off Broadway, for there is something going on there almost daily and nightly, but I'm glad I came down to see this. ... Cassidy has a gift for dialogue and characterization. ... Not your usual run-of-the-mill family comedy (or drama, for that matter). ... Tight, suspenseful and scary." - Richard Seff, D.C. Theatre Scene.

“Nat Cassidy's ANY DAY NOW [is a] dark and troubling mix of kitchen-sink black comedy and stark horror ... Yet Cassidy's writing is so sharp that this play holds one's attention like a vise. ... It has its shocks of horror and hilarity - the early scenes are larded with coal-black comedy. But Any Day Now delves into a great many deeper, more challenging issues, raising questions about religious ideas, political motivations, the uncertainties of science, the damage that fear and hate can inflict. ... The sisters' climactic confrontation is shattering. ... It's a show that anyone who appreciates theater that aims at both the head and the gut will appreciate. And it will haunt you for days to come.” - James D. Watts, Jr., Tulsa World

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Any Day Now

Recommended by

  • Cheryl Bear: Any Day Now

    A zombie horror where some secrets won't remain buried and may eat you alive! Well done.

    A zombie horror where some secrets won't remain buried and may eat you alive! Well done.

  • Jerry Polner: Any Day Now

    A superbly funny, finely-tuned horror story that rings practically every social malady bell available on the road to its brutal, necessary climax. A stunning piece of work. Produce this play!

    A superbly funny, finely-tuned horror story that rings practically every social malady bell available on the road to its brutal, necessary climax. A stunning piece of work. Produce this play!

  • Gina Femia: Any Day Now

    A zombie origin story coupled with a family drama, Nat Cassidy has written a funny, truly terrifying horror story that explores complex family dynamics, grief and greed through the lens of the undead. I saw this as a reading at ESPADrills and hope to see it produced in all its bloody glory at some point soon.

    A zombie origin story coupled with a family drama, Nat Cassidy has written a funny, truly terrifying horror story that explores complex family dynamics, grief and greed through the lens of the undead. I saw this as a reading at ESPADrills and hope to see it produced in all its bloody glory at some point soon.

Character Information

  • Pen
    Willful, strong, losing her mind to dementia.
    Character Age
    70s
    Character Race/Ethnic Identity
    Any
    Character Gender Identity
    Cisgender Female
  • Adam
    A reanimated corpse, able to make a few noises and stumble around aimlessly.
    Character Age
    70s
    Character Race/Ethnic Identity
    Any
    Character Gender Identity
    Cisgender Male
  • Beverly
    Ruthless, cunning, smiles with only her teeth, resentful, hiding a deep hurt. A small-time politician with big ambitions. Pen and Adam's eldest daughter, wife to David, mother to Jackie.
    Character Age
    Late 40s/Early 50s
    Character Race/Ethnic Identity
    Any
    Character Gender Identity
    Cisgender Female
  • April
    Flaky, irresponsible, charming, possibly in denial. Pen and Adam's younger daughter. Soon-to-be-ex-wife of Josh.
    Character Age
    40s
    Character Race/Ethnic Identity
    Any
    Character Gender Identity
    Cisgender Female
  • David
    Tight, controlled, compartmentalized. A catheter salesman and pretty good at it. Loves trivia and finds consolation in knowing things.
    Character Age
    50s
    Character Race/Ethnic Identity
    Any
    Character Gender Identity
    Cisgender Male
  • Josh
    Charming and enjoyable when he's not drunk and miserable. In denial of the fact that he's bisexual.
    Character Age
    40s
    Character Race/Ethnic Identity
    Any
    Character Gender Identity
    Male
  • Jackie
    A college student, adrift, trying to find herself. Enjoyably sassy.
    Character Age
    Early 20s
    Character Race/Ethnic Identity
    Any
    Character Gender Identity
    Cisgender Female

Development History

  • Type Reading, Organization Traveling Lemur Productions (Wisconsin), Year 2015
  • Type Workshop, Organization Primary Stages ESPADrills, Year 2014
  • Type Reading, Organization Triumvirate Productions (LA), Year 2011
  • Type Workshop, Organization The Workshop Theatre, Year 2009

Production History

  • Type Professional, Organization American Theatre Company (Tulsa), Year 2012
  • Type Professional, Organization Manhattan Theatre Source, Year 2009

Awards

  • Outstanding Actress in a Lead Role
    New York Innovative Theatre Awards
    Winner
    2009
  • Best Play
    Tulsa Award for Theatrical Excellence
    Finalist
    2012