Currency by Jennie Webb

CURRENCY is a love story set in changing times of overextended trust and inflated intimacy. After sharing a night of unexpected romance, a 40/50-something couple is waylaid by even more surprises and left searching for value in a world that’s moving way too fast.

It’s the “morning after,” and Dan and Helen are navigating toast and coffee in Helen’s enormous bedroom when Dan receives a phone call...
CURRENCY is a love story set in changing times of overextended trust and inflated intimacy. After sharing a night of unexpected romance, a 40/50-something couple is waylaid by even more surprises and left searching for value in a world that’s moving way too fast.

It’s the “morning after,” and Dan and Helen are navigating toast and coffee in Helen’s enormous bedroom when Dan receives a phone call: there’s been a horrible family tragedy. Life’s sometimes like that.

But in today’s surreal age of virtual connections, hyper-consumption and global financial meltdowns, who’s got a way of getting through life that still works? What truly has worth and meaning anymore? Is the only real thing we have left to hang onto, each other? And is that enough?
  • Recommend
  • Download
  • Save to Reading List

Currency

Recommended by

  • Cheryl Bear:
    30 Oct. 2021
    “ How do we hang on to connection in a modern world where nothing is certain and life is more complicated than ever? Well done. ”
  • Diana Burbano:
    9 Nov. 2017
    “ Delightful, thoughtful, absurd. The room may be big, but the people in it are beautifully life sized. The narrative runs true for any of us trying to balance our lives. ”
  • Donna Gordon:
    27 Oct. 2017
    “ "Currency" has the absurd touch, but it's not so exaggerated that you can't understand it. The characters, despite insurmountable odds, stay together for love. Can love survive in the modern world we live in, or in the surreal world developed by the writer? There is symbolism here, especially with the large room used as the setting: we can get lost in this world and there's insecurity in making plans. This has always been true, but Ms. Webb brings in innumerable references to current and complex work and home situations that make it nearly impossible for the characters to focus. ”
View all 4 recommendations

Character Information

Dan, Rae & Sparky are probably white, but not necessarily. Helen and Georgia can be any race or ethnicity; it’s suggested that Georgia be played by an actor of color.

  • THE RESILIENT WOMAN, HELEN
    mid 40s to early 50s,
    Female
    There is something open about her that often gets the best of her.
    Can be played by:
    • Age: 
      30s, 40s, 50s
    • Race/Ethnicity: 
      Any race/ethnicity
    • Gender: 
      Female
  • THE LARGE MAN, DAN
    mid 40s to early 50s,
    Male
    There is a hesitation in his manner that’s often his undoing.
    Can be played by:
    • Age: 
      30s, 40s, 50s
    • Race/Ethnicity: 
      Any race/ethnicity
    • Gender: 
      Male
  • HIS SISTER, RAE
    late 30s to early 40s,
    Female
    There is the threat of a takeover in her every move.
    Can be played by:
    • Age: 
      30s, 40s
    • Race/Ethnicity: 
      Any race/ethnicity
    • Gender: 
      Female
  • THEIR BROTHER, SPARKY
    late 20s,
    Male
    There is a huge amount of slacker energy at work.
    Can be played by:
    • Age: 
      20s, 30s
    • Race/Ethnicity: 
      Any race/ethnicity
    • Gender: 
      Male, Non-binary
  • THE WOMAN'S GIRLFRIEND, GEORGIA
    40s or 50s,
    Female
    There is an absolute certainty in the way she handles herself.
    Can be played by:
    • Age: 
      30s, 40s, 50s
    • Race/Ethnicity: 
      Any actor of color
    • Gender: 
      Female

Development History

  • Workshop
    ,
    Inkwell Theater LAB
    ,
    2015
  • Reading
    ,
    Playwrights Union
    ,
    2014
  • Reading
    ,
    The Road Theatre
    ,
    2014

Production History

  • Professional
    ,
    The Inkwell Theater
    ,
    2016

Awards

Max K. Lerner Playwriting Fellowship
,
The Inkwell Theater
,
2015
Semi-Finalist
,
PlayPenn Conference
,
PlayPenn
,
2015