Currency

by Jennie Webb

CURRENCY is a love story set in changing times of overextended trust and inflated intimacy. After sharing a night of unexpected romance, a 40/50-something couple is waylaid by even more surprises and left searching for value in a world that’s moving way too fast.

It’s the “morning after,” and Dan and Helen are navigating toast and coffee in Helen’s enormous bedroom when Dan receives a phone call: there’s been a...

CURRENCY is a love story set in changing times of overextended trust and inflated intimacy. After sharing a night of unexpected romance, a 40/50-something couple is waylaid by even more surprises and left searching for value in a world that’s moving way too fast.

It’s the “morning after,” and Dan and Helen are navigating toast and coffee in Helen’s enormous bedroom when Dan receives a phone call: there’s been a horrible family tragedy. Life’s sometimes like that.

But in today’s surreal age of virtual connections, hyper-consumption and global financial meltdowns, who’s got a way of getting through life that still works? What truly has worth and meaning anymore? Is the only real thing we have left to hang onto, each other? And is that enough?

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Currency

Recommended by

  • Cheryl Bear: Currency by Jennie Webb
    “

    How do we hang on to connection in a modern world where nothing is certain and life is more complicated than ever? Well done.

    How do we hang on to connection in a modern world where nothing is certain and life is more complicated than ever? Well done.

    ”
  • Diana Burbano: Currency by Jennie Webb
    “

    Delightful, thoughtful, absurd. The room may be big, but the people in it are beautifully life sized. The narrative runs true for any of us trying to balance our lives.

    Delightful, thoughtful, absurd. The room may be big, but the people in it are beautifully life sized. The narrative runs true for any of us trying to balance our lives.

    ”
  • Kyle Therral Wilson: Currency by Jennie Webb
    “

    Smart, innovative absurdism, Currency is a nutty and freewheeling play that builds and builds, full of laughter and clever provocation.

    Smart, innovative absurdism, Currency is a nutty and freewheeling play that builds and builds, full of laughter and clever provocation.

    ”

Character Information

Dan, Rae & Sparky are probably white, but not necessarily. Helen and Georgia can be any race or ethnicity; it’s suggested that Georgia be played by an actor of color.
  • THE RESILIENT WOMAN, HELEN
    There is something open about her that often gets the best of her.
    mid 40s to early 50s
    Female
    Can be played by:
    • Actor Age
      30s,
      40s,
      50s
    • Actor Gender Identity
      Woman
  • THE LARGE MAN, DAN
    There is a hesitation in his manner that’s often his undoing.
    mid 40s to early 50s
    Male
    Can be played by:
    • Actor Age
      30s,
      40s,
      50s
    • Actor Gender Identity
      Man
  • HIS SISTER, RAE
    There is the threat of a takeover in her every move.
    late 30s to early 40s
    Female
    Can be played by:
    • Actor Age
      30s,
      40s
    • Actor Gender Identity
      Woman
  • THEIR BROTHER, SPARKY
    There is a huge amount of slacker energy at work.
    late 20s
    Male
    Can be played by:
    • Actor Age
      20s,
      30s
    • Actor Gender Identity
      Man,
      Non-binary
  • THE WOMAN'S GIRLFRIEND, GEORGIA
    There is an absolute certainty in the way she handles herself.
    40s or 50s
    Female
    Can be played by:
    • Actor Age
      30s,
      40s,
      50s
    • Actor Race/Ethnic Identity
      Asian, Pacific Islander, or Asian American,
      Black, African, Caribbean, or African American,
      Indigenous, First Nation, or Native American,
      Latinx/o/a or Hispanic,
      Middle Eastern, North African, or Arab American,
      Native Hawaiian and Other Pacific Islander,
      South Asian or South Asian American
    • Actor Gender Identity
      Woman

Development History

  • Workshop, Inkwell Theater LAB, 2015
  • Reading, Playwrights Union, 2014
  • Reading, The Road Theatre, 2014

Production History

  • Professional, The Inkwell Theater, 2016

Awards

  • PlayPenn Conference
    PlayPenn
    Semi-Finalist
    2015
  • Max K. Lerner Playwriting Fellowship
    The Inkwell Theater
    2015