Suffering, Inc.

by Brendan Healy

Suffering, Inc, is a unique creation that encapsulates the absurdities of the modern day office environment and contemporary life, yet every line of dialogue has been sourced from the plays of Anton Chekhov. While themes and characters are familiar echoes of Chekhov's work--indeed their continued relevance is haunting--the story itself is original and takes place in current times. Set in the offices of a failing investment and retirement firm called New Life Capitol, we see the characters struggle with work woes, money troubles, unrequited love, and the everyday occurrences of office life such as deadlines, birthday parties, coffee breaks, boredom, dismissal and more. The story takes place over a week in a three part structure--Monday morning, Wednesday at noon, and Friday late afternoon. As the play and the week progresses, the actions move from detailed depictions of office life to wild, fantastical events that reveal the inner hearts and hopes of the characters.

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Suffering, Inc.

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Donald Loftus: Suffering, Inc. by Brendan Healy

“

A smart, inventive reimagining of Chekhov, Suffering, Inc. brilliantly transplants classic text into a contemporary corporate setting. Brendan Healy crafts a richly layered ensemble piece where overlapping dialogue and shifting styles capture both absurdity and melancholy. The play’s wit, theatricality, and keen insight into modern work culture culminate in a compelling, resonant portrait of ambition, stagnation, and human longing.

A smart, inventive reimagining of Chekhov, Suffering, Inc. brilliantly transplants classic text into a contemporary corporate setting. Brendan Healy crafts a richly layered ensemble piece where overlapping dialogue and shifting styles capture both absurdity and melancholy. The play’s wit, theatricality, and keen insight into modern work culture culminate in a compelling, resonant portrait of ambition, stagnation, and human longing.

”
C. Meaker: Suffering, Inc. by Brendan Healy

“

I was just recommending this play to a friend who politely asked if it was on NPX. Lo and behold it is! Even several years later, I still think about this unique play and the experience of sitting in the office with the characters, trying to find a reason for the way we continue on even when things are the worst. This was Chekhov's bailiwick, of course, which is why Healy is a brilliant writer in the way he uses Chekhov's words to tell a modern story about the mundane and absurd quality of office work.

I was just recommending this play to a friend who politely asked if it was on NPX. Lo and behold it is! Even several years later, I still think about this unique play and the experience of sitting in the office with the characters, trying to find a reason for the way we continue on even when things are the worst. This was Chekhov's bailiwick, of course, which is why Healy is a brilliant writer in the way he uses Chekhov's words to tell a modern story about the mundane and absurd quality of office work.

”

7 actors for 7 parts. ALEXANDER, the CEO of New Life Capital, a small equity firm. Energetic, focused, avaricious. Becomes increasingly stressed and aggressive as the week progresses. His office is separate from the rest of the office, but visible and audible to the audience. Late forties.

IRENE, Manager and Executive Estate Specialist. Ambitious, stylish, driven. She supervises the Estate Specialists employed at New Life Capital. Early to mid thirties. Her desk is next to Michael’s.

MICHAEL, the firm’s accountant. A nature lover who rides his bike to work and feels more comfortable with his desk plants than his coworkers. Thirties.

IVAN, an Estate Specialist. He has worked at New Life Capital the longest. He is clearly the oldest, in years and attitude. Close to retirement.

SONIA, an Estate Specialist. Frequently late to work. Quiet. Her only real friend in the office is Natalie, who sits across from her. She has a crush on Michael. She makes puppets out of office supplies and sometimes retreats into her own imaginings.

NATALIE, the office manager. A book worm and aspiring novelist. Her desk is right next to Sonia’s. Natalie begins in her late twenties, but over the course of the week that constitutes the play’s timeline, she ages into her sixties.

ANNA, the office receptionist. Optimistic, youthful, friendly to everyone in the office. When talking with others at the coffee station, she always eats red vines from a large office-sized container of red vines. 22 years old.