Renovation by John Minigan

FULL-LENGTH, SEEKING DEVELOPMENT PARTNERS
What will you do to lift a curse?

Ridge Giannelli and his wife Beth have bought and moved into the house his immigrant grandparents owned in the 1920s, but the house seems haunted and the family seems cursed: Their son Jeff has a mysterious and possibly fatal illness, Beth has been unable to leave the house she never wanted to move to, and Ridge...
FULL-LENGTH, SEEKING DEVELOPMENT PARTNERS
What will you do to lift a curse?

Ridge Giannelli and his wife Beth have bought and moved into the house his immigrant grandparents owned in the 1920s, but the house seems haunted and the family seems cursed: Their son Jeff has a mysterious and possibly fatal illness, Beth has been unable to leave the house she never wanted to move to, and Ridge had taken on debts that risk not only the house but the ever-expanding chain of Eurokitchen stores he runs. When the ghost of Ridge’s grandmother demands that Ridge find what was lost on her voyage from Italy, he discovers that he can only lift the curse, free his grandmother from the house, and claim the home as his by acknowledging and restoring the losses the family has tried for generations to forget.
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Renovation

Recommended by

  • Nick Malakhow:
    31 Mar. 2024
    “ A compelling constellation of multilayered humans grounds this moving play. John explores family, cycles of pain, motherhood, parenting, and grieving with a keenly observed eye that takes into account the unique identities of his characters. As much as it is about the elusive American Dream, it's also about the baggage of family history and immigrant narratives that make up our society. Well-rendered, naturalistic scenes are punctuated by some brazenly, magical, theatrical moments. I'm eager to see the development trajectory of this piece and to see it on its feet! ”
  • Vivian Lermond:
    18 Feb. 2022
    “ RENOVATION is a ride on the high rails of family conflict and the story will hold you captive from start to finish. We begin with the premise that changing up a kitchen in the old Italian-American family home can be a cursed idea that can come back to haunt you, which leads to potent reveals. Minigan skillfully melds horror and kitchen sink family drama. A page turner worthy of production! ”
  • Rachael Carnes:
    12 Jan. 2022
    “ Heartfelt and funny, Minigan's play deftly balances complex and interconnected familial emotions - a "group hallucination" - without being ham-fisted or maudlin. This is my favorite way to see and relate to drama, that is, within the confines of comedy. Smart, sharp dialogue and rich characterization bring this relatable family to life. ”
View all 5 recommendations

RIDGE - he/him, 42.
BETH - she/her, 40
JEFF - he/him, 16
CAL - he/him, 38
NONNA - she/her, a ghost, played at age 78

Development History

  • Reading
    ,
    Boston Playwrights Theatre Second Sunday Series
    ,
    2016

Awards

Semi-Finalist
,
National Playwrights Conference
,
The O'Neill Center
,
2015