The World is Ending and Maybe That's Kinda Hot

by Catherine Weingarten

FULL LENGTH, In this anachronistic and playful adaptation of "The Decameron" by Boccaccio, 7 hot young people gather in a generic meadow in Italy to hang and tell stories and hit on each other. They are like all kinda freaked/not in the bestt space though cause they just escaped the Black Plague, like no big deal cause they’re safe now…or are they?? This black plague comedy asks, "Can it be kinda hot as the...

FULL LENGTH, In this anachronistic and playful adaptation of "The Decameron" by Boccaccio, 7 hot young people gather in a generic meadow in Italy to hang and tell stories and hit on each other. They are like all kinda freaked/not in the bestt space though cause they just escaped the Black Plague, like no big deal cause they’re safe now…or are they?? This black plague comedy asks, "Can it be kinda hot as the world ends?" while also reflecting on the true power of storytelling in times of turmoil.

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The World is Ending and Maybe That's Kinda Hot

Recommended by

  • Matt Minnicino: The World is Ending and Maybe That's Kinda Hot by Catherine Weingarten
    “

    This play captures the chaos of being young and sexy and flawless and gross and understands that all those things added together equal armagaddon -- maybe in a way even Boccaccio didn't. I'm delighted and horrified by the sublime care taken in every intentional typo, or the torturous consumption of sweet sweet ice cream and how many things for which it's a potent metaphor. More classical adaptations like this, that tear the original apart and have sex with the pieces.

    This play captures the chaos of being young and sexy and flawless and gross and understands that all those things added together equal armagaddon -- maybe in a way even Boccaccio didn't. I'm delighted and horrified by the sublime care taken in every intentional typo, or the torturous consumption of sweet sweet ice cream and how many things for which it's a potent metaphor. More classical adaptations like this, that tear the original apart and have sex with the pieces.

    ”
  • Michael Cotey: The World is Ending and Maybe That's Kinda Hot by Catherine Weingarten
    “

    There is an abundance of energy and style in the piece. Weingarten fully captures a superficial and irreverent tone that at its best is a successful satire of a millennial “live your best self” / “you be you” culture. The play gains extra resonance in our current moment amid the COVID-19 crisis and the cavalier point of view some young people populating Florida beaches have shown toward world events. The play does not skimp on its critique of gender roles and issues of class. The playwright has a DISTINCT, refreshing voice, full of chaotic, anarchist energy.

    There is an abundance of energy and style in the piece. Weingarten fully captures a superficial and irreverent tone that at its best is a successful satire of a millennial “live your best self” / “you be you” culture. The play gains extra resonance in our current moment amid the COVID-19 crisis and the cavalier point of view some young people populating Florida beaches have shown toward world events. The play does not skimp on its critique of gender roles and issues of class. The playwright has a DISTINCT, refreshing voice, full of chaotic, anarchist energy.

    ”
  • Katherine Gwynn: The World is Ending and Maybe That's Kinda Hot by Catherine Weingarten
    “

    "I want to be so special someone doesn't know what to do with me." Oofa fucking doofa.
    This play is a biting satire about privilege and gender and sex starring terrible-ish people--but then it has lines like THIS that cut to quick of what it means to desire and be desired. A really lovely strange play that I think adapts the tone of The Decameron for modern audiences delightfully and truthfully.

    "I want to be so special someone doesn't know what to do with me." Oofa fucking doofa.
    This play is a biting satire about privilege and gender and sex starring terrible-ish people--but then it has lines like THIS that cut to quick of what it means to desire and be desired. A really lovely strange play that I think adapts the tone of The Decameron for modern audiences delightfully and truthfully.

    ”
View all 7 recommendations

Character Information

  • Panfilo
    super sweet, can be a doormat, is too nice to be on Tinder.
    20s-30s
    Any
    cis male or trans or gender queer
    Can be played by:
    • Actor Age
      Teens,
      20s,
      30s
    • Actor Gender Identity
      Male,
      Non-binary
  • Dineo
    Supa lusty, likes bird watching, doesn’t give an F.
    20s-30s
    Any
    cis male or trans or gender queer
    Can be played by:
    • Actor Age
      Teens,
      20s,
      30s
    • Actor Gender Identity
      Male,
      Non-binary
  • clarita
    patron saint of sewing and smiling, friendly

    -Should be played by a puppet or offstage voice.
    open
    Any
    Cisgender Female
    Can be played by:
    • Actor Age
      30s,
      40s,
      50s
    • Actor Gender Identity
      Female
  • Filomena
    headstrong, dating Panfilo, you wanna be her.
    20s-30s
    Any
    Cis Female or Gender Queer or Trans
    Can be played by:
    • Actor Age
      Teens,
      20s,
      30s
    • Actor Gender Identity
      Female,
      Non-binary
  • Emilia
    super sexy, really spacey, is so intriguing you can’t stop thinkin about it.
    20s-30s
    Any
    Cis Female or Gender Queer or Trans
    Can be played by:
    • Actor Age
      Teens,
      20s,
      30s
    • Actor Gender Identity
      Female,
      Non-binary
  • Lauretta
    really bad at writing songs, kinda a mopey chick, obsessed with Filostrato.
    20s-30s
    Any
    Cis Female or Gender Queer or Trans
    Can be played by:
    • Actor Age
      Teens,
      20s,
      30s
    • Actor Gender Identity
      Female
  • Pampinea
    super wide-eyed, little bit dumb, really into Dioneo which means she has bad taste in men.
    20s-30s
    Any
    Cis Female or Gender Queer or Trans
    Can be played by:
    • Actor Age
      Teens,
      20s,
      30s
    • Actor Gender Identity
      Female,
      Non-binary
  • Filostrato
    Kinda an intense dude, perpetually bitter about his exes, has separation anxiety from his dog.
    20s-30s
    Any
    trans or cis male or gender queer
    Can be played by:
    • Actor Age
      Teens,
      20s,
      30s
    • Actor Gender Identity
      Male,
      Non-binary

Development History

  • Reading, The Tank, 2019
  • Reading, Less Than Rent Theatre, 2018

Production History

  • Professional, Melancholics Anonymous, 2024
  • High School, Oxford Bridge Academy, 2020
  • Workshop, Porch Night Collective, 2020