THIS HAPPENED ONCE AT THE ROMANCE DEPOT OFF THE 1-87 IN WESTCHESTER

by Gina Femia

Kevin owns a Romance Depot. Beth needs a vibrator. The two of them form an unlikely relationship that straddles the line between friendship and romance. What happens when two lonely people find one another?

Kevin owns a Romance Depot. Beth needs a vibrator. The two of them form an unlikely relationship that straddles the line between friendship and romance. What happens when two lonely people find one another?

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THIS HAPPENED ONCE AT THE ROMANCE DEPOT OFF THE 1-87 IN WESTCHESTER

Recommended by

  • Max Moline: THIS HAPPENED ONCE AT THE ROMANCE DEPOT OFF THE 1-87 IN WESTCHESTER

    This play speaks to human connection, love and how we conflate the two so powerfully. One of my favorite plays, not just on this site, but that I've ever read. It's on my bucket list of plays I want to direct, and it should be on yours as well.

    This play speaks to human connection, love and how we conflate the two so powerfully. One of my favorite plays, not just on this site, but that I've ever read. It's on my bucket list of plays I want to direct, and it should be on yours as well.

  • Alexa Rowe: THIS HAPPENED ONCE AT THE ROMANCE DEPOT OFF THE 1-87 IN WESTCHESTER

    I have read every single one of Femia's plays, but somehow I think this one is my favorite. This play is absolutely outstanding in every single way. I would kill to see this beautiful and emotional and funny and sweet play about a sex shop staged. The set is just as much a convention of the play as its strong female characters.

    I have read every single one of Femia's plays, but somehow I think this one is my favorite. This play is absolutely outstanding in every single way. I would kill to see this beautiful and emotional and funny and sweet play about a sex shop staged. The set is just as much a convention of the play as its strong female characters.

  • MC Hedrick: THIS HAPPENED ONCE AT THE ROMANCE DEPOT OFF THE 1-87 IN WESTCHESTER

    First piece I've read by Femia, and I am immediately going to go through and download all of their work because WOW! Maybe this struck me so because I spent a six months behind the register at a sex shop in college, but this piece got to me. Beautifully done, want to direct it desperately!

    First piece I've read by Femia, and I am immediately going to go through and download all of their work because WOW! Maybe this struck me so because I spent a six months behind the register at a sex shop in college, but this piece got to me. Beautifully done, want to direct it desperately!

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Character Information

  • Janice
    Character Age
    early 20s
    Character Race/Ethnic Identity
    Any
    Character Gender Identity
    Female
  • Tom
    Character Age
    early 60s
    Character Race/Ethnic Identity
    Any
    Character Gender Identity
    Male
  • Kevin
    Plain.
    Character Age
    late 40s
    Character Race/Ethnic Identity
    Any
    Character Gender Identity
    Male
  • Beth
    Pristine.
    Character Age
    early 30s
    Character Race/Ethnic Identity
    Any
    Character Gender Identity
    Female

Development History

  • Type Workshop, Organization The Goodman Theater , Year 2022
  • Type Workshop, Organization Forestburgh Playhouse, Year 2021
  • Type Workshop, Organization The Playwrights Center , Year 2021
  • Type Reading, Organization Mirrorbox Theater, Year 2020
  • Type Workshop, Organization Panndora Productions, Year 2019
  • Type Workshop, Organization Ensemble Studio Theatre, Year 2018
  • Type Reading, Organization Panndora Productions, Year 2018
  • Type Reading, Organization Lather, Rinse, Repeat, Year 2017

Awards

  • Shortlist, Yale Drama Prize
    2024
  • The Kilroys List
    Honorable Mention
    2019
  • Readings in Progress
    Unicorn Theatre
    Finalist
    2019
  • Bay Area Playwrights Festival
    Semi-Finalist
    2019
  • New Play Festival
    Premiere Stages at Kean University
    Semi-Finalist
    2019
  • Blue Ink Playwriting Award
    American Blue Ink
    Semi-Finalist
    2019
  • Phoenix Theatre Festival
    Finalist
    2018
  • DVRF Playwrights Program
    Dennic and Victoria Ross Foundation
    Finalist
    2018