Happy Birthday Mars Rover

by Preston Choi

The Mars Rover sings Happy Birthday to itself as it searches for life on Mars as humans back on Earth search to understand what life is. A medley of snapshots, from cave people naming abstract concepts, bubbles that scream when popped, housewives battling existential dread, cows trying to get to heaven, and the last human on Earth collecting jars of hair. Happy Birthday Mars Rover is a darkly comedic and...

The Mars Rover sings Happy Birthday to itself as it searches for life on Mars as humans back on Earth search to understand what life is. A medley of snapshots, from cave people naming abstract concepts, bubbles that scream when popped, housewives battling existential dread, cows trying to get to heaven, and the last human on Earth collecting jars of hair. Happy Birthday Mars Rover is a darkly comedic and whimsically morbid attempt to understand the human condition and life itself.

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Happy Birthday Mars Rover

Recommended by

  • Giulianna Marchese: Happy Birthday Mars Rover by Preston Choi
    “

    Great ensemble piece with so many exciting staging opportunities! It is an existential journey through time (and almost space) with whimsy, humor, and a bit of dread. The play captures the joy and sadness that can result from the hunger for knowledge and progress.

    Great ensemble piece with so many exciting staging opportunities! It is an existential journey through time (and almost space) with whimsy, humor, and a bit of dread. The play captures the joy and sadness that can result from the hunger for knowledge and progress.

    ”
  • Blyss Cleveland: Happy Birthday Mars Rover by Preston Choi
    “

    What is the meaning of life? "Happy Birthday Mars Rover" is a genius play that explores humanity's search for an answer to this question through space and time and the tragedy of our tendency to run into extinction events and adjust to the new normal. This is one of the best plays I have read. It's poignant and very funny, and I would love to see a full production of it!

    What is the meaning of life? "Happy Birthday Mars Rover" is a genius play that explores humanity's search for an answer to this question through space and time and the tragedy of our tendency to run into extinction events and adjust to the new normal. This is one of the best plays I have read. It's poignant and very funny, and I would love to see a full production of it!

    ”
  • Red Theater: Happy Birthday Mars Rover by Preston Choi
    “

    I think the best stories about the end of the world are the ones that are ultimately uplifting. A character remarks that everything looks so small flying in the air and are met with the response that no, everything IS small, you just weren't able to see it before. This play wrestles with huge themes nimbly and beautifully, skipping stones across a deep ocean.

    I think the best stories about the end of the world are the ones that are ultimately uplifting. A character remarks that everything looks so small flying in the air and are met with the response that no, everything IS small, you just weren't able to see it before. This play wrestles with huge themes nimbly and beautifully, skipping stones across a deep ocean.

    ”
View all 6 recommendations
ACTOR ONE: "Daughter-ish" Any race Any gender Any age
Mars Rover Scientist, Undergrad, Cavedaughter, Questioner, Princess, Gigi, Cow Two, Daughter, The Straw, Actress, Human Three, Plague Victim, Child, Human Five, Kid, Endling
.
ACTOR TWO: "Son-ish" Any race Any gender Any age
Mars Rover Scientist, Dancer, Fern, Caveson, Fan Two, Passerby, Prince, Painted, Cow One, Bubble Blower, Gary, Recorder, Human Four, Grandson, Sunny Daze, Human Six, Son, Parrot
.
ACTOR THREE: "Mother-ish" Any race Any gender Any age
Mars Rover Scientist, Dancer, Paleontologist, Watcher, Bridgit, Painter, Betty, Realtor, The Seagull, Dr. Brunner, Scientist Three, Mom, Person One, Leslie Richard, Sick Woman, Mom
.
ACTOR FOUR: "Father-ish" Any race Any gender Any age
Mars Rover Scientist, Dancer, Paleontologist, Fan One, Spice Seller, King, Scientist One, Passenger, Father, The Soda Can, Show Host, Dad, Person Two, Richard Leslie, Doc Narrator, Voyager Two, Dog, Dad
.
ACTOR FIVE: "Grandmother-ish" Any race Any gender Any age
Mars Rover Scientist, Dancer, Cavemother, Critic, Ill Person, Queen, Scientist Two, Barbra, Mother, The Ocean, Sybil, Birthday Mom, Grandma, Susan Henry, Bowl on Head, Nurse, Automatic Doors, Old Woman
.
ACTOR SIX: "Grandfather-ish" Any race Any gender Any age
Mars Rover Scientist, Dancer/Professor, Cavefather, Climber, Customer, Pilot, Voyager One, Quentin, Brent, Scientist Four, Grandpa, Henry Susan, Sick Man, Voyager One, Automatic Doors, Old Man

Development History

  • Reading, G45, 2018

Production History

  • Professional, The Passage Theatre, 2019

Awards