We Were Happy

Selected for American Lives Theatre’s Short & Stout (2022)

(10-15 Min) Two Italian-American sisters remember growing up on New York's lower Eastside and find that their memories differ. But they were happy there. Maybe.
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We Were Happy

Recommended by

  • Cheryl Bear:
    7 Aug. 2020
    Memories differ, but yes they were happy. Because with love, strength and community in venturing to create a new life they took pride in all of their accomplishments. Beautiful work!
  • Ricardo Soltero-Brown:
    4 Jan. 2019
    Jennifer O'Grady's play has a wonderful mix-up of time and fourth-wall breaking, and an astounding back and forth. The rhythm between the sisters is divine as they reveal their abilities with memory and their Americanization - names, marriage - not just for Italians, but all immigrants. There's sass and flight and disillusionment, an investigative time-capsule for the streets of a long-gone Americana.

Character Information

  • Jenny
    A first-gen Italian-American woman and Lena's sister.
  • Lena
    A first-gen Italian-American woman and Jennie's sister.

Production History

  • Professional
    ,
    American Lives Theater
    ,
    2022