Sunny Days

by Reina Hardy

A play in three acts about trying to save the world through children’s television. From war-ravaged Kosovo in 2004 to an immigration detention center in 2019 to the climate post-apocalypse, the people (and puppets) of legendary educational program ABC City are doing it for the kids. CURRENTLY RECRUITING PARTNERS FOR AN NNPN ROLLING WORLD PREMIERE WITH THE VORTEX IN AUSTIN

A play in three acts about trying to save the world through children’s television. From war-ravaged Kosovo in 2004 to an immigration detention center in 2019 to the climate post-apocalypse, the people (and puppets) of legendary educational program ABC City are doing it for the kids. CURRENTLY RECRUITING PARTNERS FOR AN NNPN ROLLING WORLD PREMIERE WITH THE VORTEX IN AUSTIN

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Sunny Days

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  • Premiere Stages: Sunny Days by Reina Hardy
    “

    Premiere Stages, the professional Equity theatre in residence at Kean University, is pleased to recognize “Sunny Days” by Reina Hardy as a Semi-Finalist for the 2023 Premiere Play Festival. “Sunny Days” rose through a competitive selection process conducted by Premiere staff and a panel of outside theatre professionals to become one of 40 Semi-Finalists out of 701 submissions. The panel was particularly impressed by the play’s inventive use of puppetry to explore pressing issues of war, trauma, and climate change. Our congratulations and thanks to Reina.

    Premiere Stages, the professional Equity theatre in residence at Kean University, is pleased to recognize “Sunny Days” by Reina Hardy as a Semi-Finalist for the 2023 Premiere Play Festival. “Sunny Days” rose through a competitive selection process conducted by Premiere staff and a panel of outside theatre professionals to become one of 40 Semi-Finalists out of 701 submissions. The panel was particularly impressed by the play’s inventive use of puppetry to explore pressing issues of war, trauma, and climate change. Our congratulations and thanks to Reina.

    ”
  • Pauline David-Sax: Sunny Days by Reina Hardy
    “

    I love what Hardy does with time jumps and the use of puppetry in this play. The use of Mr./Captain Pickles (and the other puppets as the play progresses) is both entertaining and haunting. While Hardy acknowledges the influence of Mr. Burns, this play stands on its own as an artistic creation. This play deserves further development and production!

    I love what Hardy does with time jumps and the use of puppetry in this play. The use of Mr./Captain Pickles (and the other puppets as the play progresses) is both entertaining and haunting. While Hardy acknowledges the influence of Mr. Burns, this play stands on its own as an artistic creation. This play deserves further development and production!

    ”

Character Information

All roles except the optional child will require some puppetry.

ACTOR 1: African American woman (Iyvon (“eye-von"), Campbell, Garbarge Puppeteer)
ACTOR 2: Latine man, younger than ACTOR 1 (Ricky, Mr. Pickle)
ACTOR 3: White or Middle Eastern man (Ylber, Kent Even, Lawyer, Garbarge Puppeteer)
ACTOR 4: White woman (Katarina, Marcy, Pink Sock, Plastic Bag, Garbarge Puppeteer)

If the production allows: CHILD ACTOR: Young girl, 8-12 (Little Gabi, only appears in Act 3. Otherwise Little Gabi can be played by Actor 4 or 1)
NB- in Act 2, you may switch Actor 1 and Actor 4's tracks if needed.
  • Actor 1
    Iyvon in Act 1, Campbell in Act 2, Various in Act 3
    Adult
    Black
    woman
    Can be played by:
    • Actor Age
      30s,
      40s,
      50s
    • Actor Race/Ethnic Identity
      Black, African, Caribbean, or African American
    • Actor Gender Identity
      Female
  • Actor 2
    Ricky and Mr. Pickle throughout
    Younger than Actor 1
    Latine
    Man
    Can be played by:
    • Actor Age
      20s,
      30s,
      40s
    • Actor Race/Ethnic Identity
      Latinx/o/a or Hispanic
    • Actor Gender Identity
      Male
  • Actor 3
    Ylber in Act 1, Kent Even and Lawyer in Act 2, various in Act 3
    Adult
    White,
    Middle Eastern
    Man
    Can be played by:
    • Actor Age
      20s,
      30s,
      40s,
      50s
    • Actor Race/Ethnic Identity
      Middle Eastern, North African, or Arab American,
      White
    • Actor Gender Identity
      Male
  • Actor 4
    Katarina in Act 1, Marcie in Act 2, Various in Act 3
    Adult
    White
    woman
    Can be played by:
    • Actor Age
      20s,
      30s,
      40s,
      50s
    • Actor Race/Ethnic Identity
      White
    • Actor Gender Identity
      Female
  • Child Actor (optional)
    If a child actor is not an option for your production, the role of Little Gabi may be played by Actors 1 or 4.
    Child or young teen
    Can be played by:
    • Actor Age
      Child,
      Teens

Development History

Production History

  • Professional, The Vortex, 2024