Sweetheart Come

by Melissa Leilani Larson

Emma realizes that her husband's political ambitions are changing him — and their marriage. She finds refuge in her writing, and in the unexpected friendship of a new servant. As both relationships grow more complex, Emma must face difficult truths about herself. Inspired by a heartbreaking true story, this new play explores the intersection between marriage, illness and the power of a pencil.

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Sweetheart Come

Recommended by

Janine Sobeck Knighton: Sweetheart Come by Melissa Leilani Larson

“

SWEETHEART COME is a fascinating adventure in the mind of a woman who is on the journey toward loneliness, isolation, and mental illness. The writing is beautifully poetical and draws you in from the first page.

SWEETHEART COME is a fascinating adventure in the mind of a woman who is on the journey toward loneliness, isolation, and mental illness. The writing is beautifully poetical and draws you in from the first page.

”
Jennifer Kokai: Sweetheart Come by Melissa Leilani Larson

“

This play manages to capture both a historical period and timeless truths about loneliness and mental illness. I felt deeply for all three of the characters in the play, but of course especially for Emma. The dialogue is beautiful and insightful without being too writerly or cloying. This is a wonderful play that I highly recommend to all for productions.

This play manages to capture both a historical period and timeless truths about loneliness and mental illness. I felt deeply for all three of the characters in the play, but of course especially for Emma. The dialogue is beautiful and insightful without being too writerly or cloying. This is a wonderful play that I highly recommend to all for productions.

”
Rachel Bublitz: Sweetheart Come by Melissa Leilani Larson

“

I was lucky to catch the production of this at Pygmalion Productions. It's a sharp and an incredibly imaginative play. SWEETHEART COME exposes loneliness, longing, and what can happen to the mind and body of a person trapped. Larson offers three fantastic roles as well. Toward the end I nearly jumped out of my chair! Not an easy thing to accomplish in the theatre. Highly recommend!

I was lucky to catch the production of this at Pygmalion Productions. It's a sharp and an incredibly imaginative play. SWEETHEART COME exposes loneliness, longing, and what can happen to the mind and body of a person trapped. Larson offers three fantastic roles as well. Toward the end I nearly jumped out of my chair! Not an easy thing to accomplish in the theatre. Highly recommend!

”

View all 4 recommendations

Character Information

Emma

Character Age

30s

Character Race/Ethnic Identity

Any

Character Gender Identity

Female
Can be played by:
- Actor Age
  
  30s,
  
  40s
- Actor Gender Identity
  
  Female
Michael

Character Age

30s-40s

Character Race/Ethnic Identity

Any

Character Gender Identity

Male
Can be played by:
- Actor Age
  
  30s,
  
  40s,
  
  50s
- Actor Gender Identity
  
  Male
August

Character Age

30s

Character Race/Ethnic Identity

Any

Character Gender Identity

Male
Can be played by:
- Actor Age
  
  30s,
  
  40s
- Actor Gender Identity
  
  Male

Development History

Type Reading, Organization Drama Club of Ogden, Year 2021
Type Reading, Organization PYGmalion Productions, Year 2018
Type Workshop, Organization PYGmalion Productions, Year 2018
Type Workshop, Plan-B Theatre, Year 2016
Type Reading, Organization Echo Theatre, Year 2015
Type Workshop, Organization Brigham Young University, Year 2014

Production History

Type University, Organization Tabor College, Year 2021
Type Professional, Organization PYGmalion Productions, Year 2019

Awards

Best of Utah awards — "Best Paper Walls"

Salt Lake City Weekly

Judges' Choice

2019
National Playwrights Conference

Eugene O'Neill Theater Center

Semi-Finalist

2016

Genre

horror,

melodrama,

mystery/thriller,

period

Subject Matter Keywords

mental illness,

letter-writing,

relationships

Length

60-90 minutes

Cast Size

Age of Intended Audience

ages 18 and up

Narrative Attributes

Centers Female Characters

Reviews

Front Row Reviewers

“
Larson...takes pleasure in the mundane aspects of day to day living... She is especially good at delving into the psychology of these same small moments. Her dialogue is strong... wonderful touching moments tempered with struggles and raw humanity. The humor is thoughtful, and the sorrows are real.
”
Utah Theatre Bloggers

“
Larson deftly manages to immerse the audience in a world of longing, beauty, passion, and horror…. While at first glance the play is straightforward in its high-talk, low-action plot, it belies the deep questions explored regarding the nature of womanhood, intimate relationships, and mental and emotional health.
”
The Utah Review

“
Larson has a unique gift for inflecting the sound of language and idiom from a specific period with a texture that rings relevantly to the ears of a contemporary audience... Larson's script evokes a superb sense of chamber ensemble theater.
”
Salt Lake City Weekly

“
One of the most fascinating pieces of small-scale physical stagecraft on a local stage in recent years…. Larson’s text provides a superb foundation, building the mystery of Emma Hauck’s love letters into a study of both Emma’s pain and the attempts by Michael to help her with that pain.
”