My Own Darling Boy

by Kaylin Jones

Being a gay man can be dangerous, especially for soldiers on the cusp of the Second World War. Set around the days leading and following the event of Pearl Harbor, John finds himself entangled in the greatest (forbidden) love of his life and his greatest loss, and those who try to help him along the way.

Being a gay man can be dangerous, especially for soldiers on the cusp of the Second World War. Set around the days leading and following the event of Pearl Harbor, John finds himself entangled in the greatest (forbidden) love of his life and his greatest loss, and those who try to help him along the way.

  • Inquire About Rights
  • Recommend
  • Download
  • Save to Library

My Own Darling Boy

Recommended by

  • Cam Eickmeyer: My Own Darling Boy by Kaylin Jones
    “

    Jones does an incredible job of combining intense sorrow, love and beauty into one of the hardest places for such love and beauty to blossom. These characters are very strong. So much so I think they warrant a longer story!

    Jones does an incredible job of combining intense sorrow, love and beauty into one of the hardest places for such love and beauty to blossom. These characters are very strong. So much so I think they warrant a longer story!

    ”
  • Samantha Oty: My Own Darling Boy by Kaylin Jones
    “

    Brief yet heartbreaking. "My Own Darling Boy" serves as a reminder that tragedies often come without warning and leave a devastating toll on those who remain. Jones also reminds her audience of a time not long ago when people weren't able to love freely, making the love story of John and James all the more tragic. Plus, any show that references "Johnny Got His Gun" is a 10/10 in my book.

    Brief yet heartbreaking. "My Own Darling Boy" serves as a reminder that tragedies often come without warning and leave a devastating toll on those who remain. Jones also reminds her audience of a time not long ago when people weren't able to love freely, making the love story of John and James all the more tragic. Plus, any show that references "Johnny Got His Gun" is a 10/10 in my book.

    ”
  • Jack Levine: My Own Darling Boy by Kaylin Jones
    “

    KAYLIN JONES has written a moving play, which I thoroughly enjoyed. “My Own Darling Boy” touches our inner soul with a depth of feelings of love and tragedy. Audiences will be moved by this wonderful play.

    KAYLIN JONES has written a moving play, which I thoroughly enjoyed. “My Own Darling Boy” touches our inner soul with a depth of feelings of love and tragedy. Audiences will be moved by this wonderful play.

    ”
View all 5 recommendations

Character Information

3M

All around the age of late teens, early 20s.
  • John
    He is quite handsome and charming, especially in a romanticized 1940s kind of way. There is a hint at the fact that he is a bit of a troublemaker, though we did not actually get to see that side of him in this moment in the world of the play.
    teens, early 20s
    White
    Cis male
    Can be played by:
    • Actor Age
      Teens,
      20s
    • Actor Race/Ethnic Identity
      White
    • Actor Gender Identity
      Man,
      Non-binary
  • James Fitzgerald
    James is the epitome of a country boy, sweetheart. There is a near innocence to him, but he's not naive, and that shows in his anxiety of pending war. He's easy to fall in love with. In addition to these things, the actor should be able to switch between accents. The same actor will have to do a bit of a transatlantic voice while reciting the FDR Pearl Harbor speech before switching to a southern accent.
    late teens, early 20s
    White
    Cis male
    Can be played by:
    • Actor Age
      Teens,
      20s
    • Actor Race/Ethnic Identity
      White
    • Actor Gender Identity
      Man,
      Non-binary
  • Charlie
    Charlie serves nearly as comedic relief, for the lack of a better term. He embodies most boys his age leading up to World War II. He signs up for the promise of seeing the world and experiencing life. If anything, he's there to have fun. Pearl Harbor for him, of course, is a wake up call.
    19
    White
    Cis male
    Can be played by:
    • Actor Age
      Teens,
      20s
    • Actor Race/Ethnic Identity
      White
    • Actor Gender Identity
      Man,
      Non-binary

Development History

  • Reading, The Mizzou New Play Series, 2018
  • Workshop, Missouri Playwrights Workshop, 2018

Awards

  • KCACTF Region V Ten Minute Plays
    KCACTF
    Selection
    2020