yo ho.

by SMJ .

FULL-LENGTH (Draft as of 10.1.24)
Aboard Calico Jack’s pirate ship, Andy & Mark are drawn to each other through mutual attraction, shared trauma, and a love of games, especially Marco Polo. They meet in a closet to hook up, but discover that they have been hiding a dangerous secret: they’re actually... Anne Bonny & Mary Read. This revelation forces them to carry on a genderqueer love story in the shadows - Anne...

FULL-LENGTH (Draft as of 10.1.24)
Aboard Calico Jack’s pirate ship, Andy & Mark are drawn to each other through mutual attraction, shared trauma, and a love of games, especially Marco Polo. They meet in a closet to hook up, but discover that they have been hiding a dangerous secret: they’re actually... Anne Bonny & Mary Read. This revelation forces them to carry on a genderqueer love story in the shadows - Anne, exploring her bisexuality for the first time & Mary, discovering that they’re trans. As they are chased and haunted by a myriad of men including JACK (the polyamorous gender-questioning captain), JAMES (Anne’s ex-husband), CHAD (a mysterious crewmate who knows too much), THE GOVERNOR (a pirate hunter with a lengthy body count), & REVEREND THOMAS (a Reverend who doesn’t like pirates… or trans people), Anne & Mary must become their truest selves before their inevitable capture and ensuing demise.

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yo ho.

Recommended by

  • Nick Malakhow: yo ho.

    An uber-theatrical delight that is epic in scope in both form and content; that explores, explodes, and refracts history; and that resonates outside of its historical context in the way is explores gender identity, gender performance, and sexuality. It also begins hilarious and has a surprisingly and seriously touching coda of a final scene. A feast, no doubt, for actors, designers, and directors alike.

    An uber-theatrical delight that is epic in scope in both form and content; that explores, explodes, and refracts history; and that resonates outside of its historical context in the way is explores gender identity, gender performance, and sexuality. It also begins hilarious and has a surprisingly and seriously touching coda of a final scene. A feast, no doubt, for actors, designers, and directors alike.

  • Steph Miller: yo ho.

    This play takes you on a thrilling, sexy, swashbuckling wild ride! (on a ship of course) Through a reimagined "what could have happened" between Anne Bonny and Mary Read, SMJ deliciously and poignantly explores how deep and fulfilling relationships can be when we are able to truly celebrate our authentic selves and allow ourselves to be loved for it.

    This play takes you on a thrilling, sexy, swashbuckling wild ride! (on a ship of course) Through a reimagined "what could have happened" between Anne Bonny and Mary Read, SMJ deliciously and poignantly explores how deep and fulfilling relationships can be when we are able to truly celebrate our authentic selves and allow ourselves to be loved for it.

  • Henri Sudy: yo ho.

    If you're looking to fuel your pirate-themed gender euphoria, look no further than this love story. SMJ expertly combines humor with unflinching honesty — and infuses surrealism into this history — leaving you with the feeling you've gained something you didn't know you were missing.

    If you're looking to fuel your pirate-themed gender euphoria, look no further than this love story. SMJ expertly combines humor with unflinching honesty — and infuses surrealism into this history — leaving you with the feeling you've gained something you didn't know you were missing.

View all 9 recommendations

Character Information

No all-white creative teams allowed.
Each production of this play must have an Intimacy Director for the safety of the team.
  • Anne Bonny
    A Pirate who plays ANDY & ANNE
    Character Age
    20s
    Character Race/Ethnic Identity
    Any
    Character Gender Identity
    Uses She/Her Pronouns
  • Mary Read
    A Pirate who plays MARK, MARY, & M
    Character Age
    20s
    Character Race/Ethnic Identity
    Any
    Character Gender Identity
    A Queer Actor with any pronouns
  • THE MEN #1
    Plays THE GOVERNOR, VANESSA, GEORGE, TODD, & PIRATE 2
    Character Age
    20s
    Character Race/Ethnic Identity
    Any
    Character Gender Identity
    Uses any pronouns
  • THE MEN #2
    Plays JAMES, CHAD, REVEREND THOMAS, & PIRATE 1
    Character Age
    20s
    Character Race/Ethnic Identity
    Any
    Character Gender Identity
    Uses any pronouns
  • Calico Jack
    Captain of the Ship.
    Character Age
    20s
    Character Race/Ethnic Identity
    Any
    Character Gender Identity
    A Queer Actor who uses any pronouns

Development History

  • Type Reading, Organization The Tank, Year 2024
  • Type Reading, Organization Otterbein University, Year 2024
  • Type Residency, Organization The Artist Co-op, Year 2022
  • Type Reading, Organization The Artist Co-op, Year 2022
  • Type Workshop, Organization The Artist Co-op, Year 2022

Awards

  • Theater Lab
    Et Alia
    Finalist
    2023
  • NAPSeries
    Normal Ave
    Semi-Finalist
    2023
  • Van Lier New Voices Fellowship
    Rattlestick Theater
    Semi-Finalist
    2023