Three-headed Monster

by JuCoby Johnson

After serving time for a crime he didn’t commit, 21-year-old Kyrie returns to the Bronx and his two best friends. A once-inseparable trio is reunited at last. But in the cramped apartment, Kyrie begins to fear there’s no room left for him in a friendship—and world—that grew up while he was gone. Three-headed Monster is a play about grief, lost time, and the healing power of friendship.

After serving time for a crime he didn’t commit, 21-year-old Kyrie returns to the Bronx and his two best friends. A once-inseparable trio is reunited at last. But in the cramped apartment, Kyrie begins to fear there’s no room left for him in a friendship—and world—that grew up while he was gone. Three-headed Monster is a play about grief, lost time, and the healing power of friendship.

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Three-headed Monster

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  • Premiere Stages at Kean University: Three-headed Monster by JuCoby Johnson
    “

    Premiere Stages, the professional Equity theatre company in residence at Kean University, is pleased to recognize Three-headed Monster by JuCoby Johnson as a Semi-Finalist for the 2026 Premiere Play Festival. The play rose through a competitive selection process to become one of 65 Semi-Finalists out of 894 submissions. Readers were impressed and moved by the play’s strong themes and questions surrounding grief and reconciliation. Our congratulations and thanks to JuCoby.

    Premiere Stages, the professional Equity theatre company in residence at Kean University, is pleased to recognize Three-headed Monster by JuCoby Johnson as a Semi-Finalist for the 2026 Premiere Play Festival. The play rose through a competitive selection process to become one of 65 Semi-Finalists out of 894 submissions. Readers were impressed and moved by the play’s strong themes and questions surrounding grief and reconciliation. Our congratulations and thanks to JuCoby.

    ”
  • Zach Barr: Three-headed Monster by JuCoby Johnson
    “

    WATCHED AT 2026 PACIFIC PLAYWRIGHTS FESTIVAL
    There are many moments when Johnson's script seems poised to nosedive into betrayal or cynicism, or where scenes balance on the tension of waiting for the other shoe to drop. But, while anger at a dehumanizing system and grief about lives upended are certainly at the heart of the play, what a relief to see a story that ultimately sees its flawed cast finding moments of solace in each other. Warmth without naïveté, hope without certainty.

    WATCHED AT 2026 PACIFIC PLAYWRIGHTS FESTIVAL
    There are many moments when Johnson's script seems poised to nosedive into betrayal or cynicism, or where scenes balance on the tension of waiting for the other shoe to drop. But, while anger at a dehumanizing system and grief about lives upended are certainly at the heart of the play, what a relief to see a story that ultimately sees its flawed cast finding moments of solace in each other. Warmth without naïveté, hope without certainty.

    ”
2 M, 1 F

Development History

  • Reading, The Old Globe , 2026
  • Reading, South Coast Repertory, 2026
  • Reading, The Juilliard School, 2025