The Fierce Urgency Of Now

FULL LENGTH, 87 Pages / For sample pages and/or information about licensing / purchase visit Next Stage Press: https://www.nextstagepress.com/the-fierce-urgency-of-now/

WINNER Fresh Fruit Awards of Distinction for Outstanding Play and Outstanding Production
SEMI-FINALIST: We Screenplay Spring 2021 Diverse Voices Competition

"The writing is fresh, funny, and smart without striving for hilarity. It hits where it...

FULL LENGTH, 87 Pages / For sample pages and/or information about licensing / purchase visit Next Stage Press: https://www.nextstagepress.com/the-fierce-urgency-of-now/

WINNER Fresh Fruit Awards of Distinction for Outstanding Play and Outstanding Production
SEMI-FINALIST: We Screenplay Spring 2021 Diverse Voices Competition

"The writing is fresh, funny, and smart without striving for hilarity. It hits where it's meant to hit."
– Nancy Worssam, ArtsStage-SeattleRage

This fast-moving comedy follows art director Kyle as he tries to discover his real self amid the power struggles and skewed priorities of a high-powered New York ad agency. After an office restructuring puts him in a new creative group run by the megalomaniac homophobe Kate, he finds an unlikely ally in copywriter Dodo, a living-legend from the era of “Mad Men” who not-so-gently prods Kyle to the uncomfortable but inevitable realization that “It’s time to take off. And soar.”

An abridged audio version is currently inaugurating the Fresh Fruit Festival's Radio Play Series; a link to the stream is in the "Music Samples" below.

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The Fierce Urgency Of Now

Recommended by

  • Wolfgang Jones: The Fierce Urgency Of Now

    I was hooked early and held throughout. Razor-sharp dialogue blended with purpose, depth, and wit - Doug DeVita displays his craftsmanship in a play I am eager to see onstage.

    I was hooked early and held throughout. Razor-sharp dialogue blended with purpose, depth, and wit - Doug DeVita displays his craftsmanship in a play I am eager to see onstage.

  • Tom Rowan: The Fierce Urgency Of Now

    DeVita skewers the work environment of a busy New York ad agency with terrific accuracy and economy. The characters are appealing even (especially?) when behaving atrociously, and DeVita imbues the relationships with growing emotional resonance without ever getting manipulative or sentimental. Expertly done.

    DeVita skewers the work environment of a busy New York ad agency with terrific accuracy and economy. The characters are appealing even (especially?) when behaving atrociously, and DeVita imbues the relationships with growing emotional resonance without ever getting manipulative or sentimental. Expertly done.

  • Richard Lyons Conlon: The Fierce Urgency Of Now

    Doug Devita has given us a multitude of gifts in this fast-paced comedy set in a New York ad agency. Poor Kyle, a youngish art director at a high-powered agency is just trying to find love and fulfillment in his life and his work, but is being stymied at every turn by agency politics and vindictive higher-ups. This play can work at many levels: as an almost comedic farce, but also as an unexpectedly touching human drama, as Kyle finds unexpected friendship and meaning when paired with an old relic writing partner, whose story is both touching and inspiring.

    Doug Devita has given us a multitude of gifts in this fast-paced comedy set in a New York ad agency. Poor Kyle, a youngish art director at a high-powered agency is just trying to find love and fulfillment in his life and his work, but is being stymied at every turn by agency politics and vindictive higher-ups. This play can work at many levels: as an almost comedic farce, but also as an unexpectedly touching human drama, as Kyle finds unexpected friendship and meaning when paired with an old relic writing partner, whose story is both touching and inspiring.

View all 30 recommendations
Kyle M early 30s, any race; an angry young(ish) advertising art director
Dodo F, late 60s/early 70s, looks younger, Caucasian; an older copywriter from the Mad Men era
Kate, F, late 30s/early 40s, any race; a bitter creative director
Neil, M, early 50s, any race; an aging, bisexual account manager
Meryl, F, early 30s, any race; a fast-rising young(ish) copywriter

Plus pre-recorded voiceovers:
Deirdre Goldfarb, F, 50s; a control freak account manager
Anita, F, any age; an insane client
Pilot / Control Tower Announcer; M, any age
Various colleagues, etc...

Development History

  • Type Reading, Organization Schoolhouse Theatre, Croton Falls NY, Year 2019
  • Type Reading, Organization Abingdon Theatre Company, New York, Year 2015

Production History

  • Type Fringe, Organization The Fresh Fruit Festival, New York, NY, Year 2016
  • Type Workshop, Organization Arouet, Seattle, Washington, Year 2014

Awards

  • Semi-Finalist
    We Screenplays 2021 Diverse Voices Competition
    2020
  • Outstanding Play
    All Out Arts / The Fresh Fruit Festival
    Winner
    2017