Soul Suds

by Bess Welden

​Lena, an accidental librarian, is ready to take her own writing seriously but before she can pursue her goals overseas, she must say goodbye to her father and his favorite car. Soul Suds, a very magical car wash, is the setting for this tender father-daughter comedy with a disco dance break.
Winner of the 2026 Maine Playwrights Festival Audience Choice Award.

​Lena, an accidental librarian, is ready to take her own writing seriously but before she can pursue her goals overseas, she must say goodbye to her father and his favorite car. Soul Suds, a very magical car wash, is the setting for this tender father-daughter comedy with a disco dance break.
Winner of the 2026 Maine Playwrights Festival Audience Choice Award.

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Soul Suds

Recommended by

  • Megan Tripaldi: Soul Suds by Bess Welden
    “

    A gorgeous, heartbreaking/lifting short play. It gives the actor playing Lena the opportunity to tell a gut-wrenching story with just facial expressions, which is a gift to any actor. I saw it twice at the Maine Playwrights' Festival and cried both times.

    A gorgeous, heartbreaking/lifting short play. It gives the actor playing Lena the opportunity to tell a gut-wrenching story with just facial expressions, which is a gift to any actor. I saw it twice at the Maine Playwrights' Festival and cried both times.

    ”

Character Information

  • Lena
    An accidental librarian ready to commit to her own writing.
    mid to late 20s
    Any race or ethnicity.
    Female indentifying
    Can be played by:
    • Actor Age
      20s,
      30s
    • Actor Gender Identity
      Non-binary,
      Woman
  • Mr. George/Albert
    Albert – 50s-60s, male, one of Lena’s fathers who died three years ago. A secular Jew raised in Detroit. A lover of cars and cleanliness.
    Mr. George – 50s-60s, male, jovial owner of Soul Suds car wash, from somewhere south of the Mason-Dixon line
    late 50s-early 60s
    any race/ any ethnicity
    male idenityfing
    Can be played by:
    • Actor Age
      50s,
      60s
    • Actor Gender Identity
      Man,
      Non-binary

Production History

  • Professional, Maine Playwrights Festival, 2026

Awards

  • Audience Choice Award
    Maine Playwrights Festival
    Winner
    2026