28 Light Years From Now

by Rachel Bykowski

Full-Length Play | Winner of the 2020 SETC Getchell New Play Award | Time travel is possible when there are stars and regrets. In 1942, Josie and Fran meet at their secret rendezvous point to talk of the stars, love, and their future together. However, their love is tested when Fran reveals that she is leaving to help the War effort with the WAAC (Women’s Army Auxiliary Corps). Josie, unable to move past her...

Full-Length Play | Winner of the 2020 SETC Getchell New Play Award | Time travel is possible when there are stars and regrets. In 1942, Josie and Fran meet at their secret rendezvous point to talk of the stars, love, and their future together. However, their love is tested when Fran reveals that she is leaving to help the War effort with the WAAC (Women’s Army Auxiliary Corps). Josie, unable to move past her family’s painful history with war, deserts Fran and they never speak again until Josie hears of Fran’s death in the War. 28 years later, Josie, now a mother, receives a letter from a woman in London who found an old photo of her recently deceased mother and Josie together. The woman is Fran’s grown daughter, Annabelle. Josie sets off on a journey, leaving her daughter, life, and the present behind to revisit the past one more time as she attempts to fix her broken heart from 28 years ago.

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28 Light Years From Now

Recommended by

  • Nicolette Boillotat: 28 Light Years From Now

    This play reminded me why I chose theatre as my profession. Absolutely stunning work.

    This play reminded me why I chose theatre as my profession. Absolutely stunning work.

  • Cheryl Bear: 28 Light Years From Now

    A moving story of love, loss and heartbreak as one works out the meaning of it all. Well done.

    A moving story of love, loss and heartbreak as one works out the meaning of it all. Well done.

  • Jordan Ramirez Puckett: 28 Light Years From Now

    I had the pleasure of seeing a virtual reading of 28 Light Years From Now. I enjoyed watching this sweeping intergenerational love story and especially appreciated that it features an all female cast. Whether they are the one to go off to war or are the one being left behind, all of these characters are written with a beautiful inner strength, which made me reflect on the powerful women in my own life.

    I had the pleasure of seeing a virtual reading of 28 Light Years From Now. I enjoyed watching this sweeping intergenerational love story and especially appreciated that it features an all female cast. Whether they are the one to go off to war or are the one being left behind, all of these characters are written with a beautiful inner strength, which made me reflect on the powerful women in my own life.

View all 8 recommendations

Character Information

The actor who plays Maddie also plays all of 1930’s and 1940’s Josie.
The actor who plays Annabelle, also plays all of 1930’s and 1940’s Fran.

  • PRESENT JOSIE
    Inclusive casting is required to reflect anyone who has ever felt heartbreak and regret. As well as all those who lived through World War II and Vietnam in America. Please be mindful with the casting. For example, we see Josie grow from her preteens to her 40’s, if she is a Latina in her preteens, then she is a Latina in her 40’s.

    Character Age
    Late 40's
    Character Race/Ethnic Identity
    Any
    Character Gender Identity
    Female
  • MADDIE
    Inclusive casting is required to reflect anyone who has ever felt heartbreak and regret. As well as all those who lived through World War II and Vietnam in America. Please be mindful with the casting. For example, we see Josie grow from her preteens to her 40’s, if she is a Latina in her preteens, then she is a Latina in her 40’s.
    Character Age
    Early 20's
    Character Race/Ethnic Identity
    Any
    Character Gender Identity
    Female
  • ANNABELLE
    Inclusive casting is required to reflect anyone who has ever felt heartbreak and regret. As well as all those who lived through World War II and Vietnam in America. Please be mindful with the casting. For example, we see Josie grow from her preteens to her 40’s, if she is a Latina in her preteens, then she is a Latina in her 40’s.
    Character Age
    Mid 20's
    Character Race/Ethnic Identity
    Any
    Character Gender Identity
    Female

Development History

Awards

  • Premiere Play Festival
    Premiere Stages at Kean University
    Semi-Finalist
    2020
  • Getchell New Play Award
    SETC (South Eastern Theatre Confernce)
    Winner
    2020