The Other Side of Life by Neal Alexander Lewis

Existential dilemmas don't stop just because you're dead, and only a few among the living can begin to understand why when ordinary mortals are too busy living their own lives. FRANCESCA and AGNUS, however; are no longer ordinary. They've both died – they just didn't stay that way. Under AGNUS' tutelage, FRANCESCA is learning to live her life as a Medium; someone who can dwell on...
Existential dilemmas don't stop just because you're dead, and only a few among the living can begin to understand why when ordinary mortals are too busy living their own lives. FRANCESCA and AGNUS, however; are no longer ordinary. They've both died – they just didn't stay that way. Under AGNUS' tutelage, FRANCESCA is learning to live her life as a Medium; someone who can dwell on either side of life. Serving as friends, confidantes, and go-betweens, AGNUS and FRANCESCA connect the Living with the Dead (or vice-versa) to bring solace and peace to those who seek it. Only one thing is certain, however; you never know just what you'll find on the Other Side Of Life.
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The Other Side of Life

Recommended by

  • Steven G. Martin:
    27 Aug. 2018
    “ There are rules about life, rules about love and -- as Lewis writes in this full-length play -- rules about death. But this is no didactic play, not with Lewis' imagination and verse. The rules and worlds he creates show us the value of love and life, and that death can be more than what we expect. ”

Character Information

Land of the Dead
It's important to note that the characters retain the figure they bore when Death found them; a kind of residual self-impression that they present as themselves. Since there is no change in Death, there is nothing to alter their exterior image unless it is by active choice. Aging doesn't exist among the dead. The Land of Death itself is one of collective manifestation, but individuals still influence their surroundings. The Land of the Dead is non-linear.

  • Lucas Denory (Dead, principle)
    Died at 18,
    Any
    ,
    Cis Man
    Died at the age of 18 and has been dead for 12 years. He died in a car accident. His conceptions of love have not changed in the last 12 years, and he has had no closure.
    Can be played by:
    • Age: 
      Teens, 20s
    • Race/Ethnicity: 
      Any race/ethnicity
    • Gender: 
      Male
  • Sir Reginald Heath (Dead)
    Died at 52,
    White
    ,
    Cis Man
    An English lord. He died at the age of 52, and he's been dead for 425 years. He was a womanizer and a man of his time, though the years have mellowed him. When he met TEHANI, his whole perception of love changed. They've been together approximately 200 years.
    Can be played by:
    • Age: 
      50s
    • Race/Ethnicity: 
      White
    • Gender: 
      Male
  • Tehani (Dead)
    died at 16,
    Pacific Islander/Asian Islander
    ,
    Cis Woman
    An island girl who died at the age of 16 and has been dead for 2000+ years. She is the last of her island tribe, and she had grown distant and lonely until she met REGINALD.
    Can be played by:
    • Age: 
      Teens, 20s
    • Race/Ethnicity: 
      Asian, Pacific Islander, or Asian American, Native Hawaiian and Other Pacific Islander, South Asian or South Asian American
    • Gender: 
      Female
  • Erica Kearny (Dead)
    Died at 30,
    Any
    ,
    Cis Woman
    Has just died at the age of 30. She has no belief in any kind of afterlife until she meets DEATH.
    Can be played by:
    • Age: 
      20s, 30s
    • Race/Ethnicity: 
      Any race/ethnicity
    • Gender: 
      Female
  • Francesca de Leon (principle)
    22,
    Any
    ,
    Cis Woman
    Is a Medium and AGNUS' apprentice. She is 22 years old, and fully embraces life as a Medium. FRANCESCA has some ability in divination.
    Can be played by:
    • Age: 
      20s
    • Race/Ethnicity: 
      Any race/ethnicity
    • Gender: 
      Female
  • Agnus Belhurst
    Late 50's-60's,
    Any (but probably white)
    ,
    Cis Woman
    Likewise a Medium, AGNUS is in her late 50's to mid 60's. Once a devoted Christian, her brush with DEATH changed her whole view of the afterlife. She is devoted now to bringing peace to those who need it. AGNUS is married to WALTER, though their marriage is rocky. She's a recovered Alcoholic
    Can be played by:
    • Age: 
      50s, 60s
    • Race/Ethnicity: 
      Any race/ethnicity
    • Gender: 
      Female
  • Mandy Denory
    40's-50's,
    Any
    ,
    Cis Woman
    LUCAS’ mother, a woman of faith who's beliefs have been fading since the death of LUCAS 12 years ago. She's been searching for answers through different religions and avenues until she finally ends up at The Fool and the Hierophant.
    Can be played by:
    • Age: 
      40s, 50s
    • Race/Ethnicity: 
      Any race/ethnicity
    • Gender: 
      Female
  • Walter Belhurst
    Late 50's-60's,
    Any (but probably white)
    ,
    Cis Man
    AGNUS’ husband, is a devoted Christian, at least to some of the basic principles, if not their actual practice. He's been cheating on AGNUS for a while, and has had divorce papers drawn up, though he has not given them to her yet. He's very unhappy with the direction AGNUS has taken her life. He is also a recovering alcoholic. He works in sales.
    Can be played by:
    • Age: 
      50s, 60s
    • Race/Ethnicity: 
      Any race/ethnicity
    • Gender: 
      Male
  • Death
    Any,
    Any
    ,
    Any
    The land of Death is one of communal manifestation, and DEATH has been manifested out of fear Man holds for dying, and by the Dead in their memory of them. They are self-aware and bitter, for even as they are self-aware, They do not have free choice. They and their office are inseparable so long as people manifest them.
    Can be played by:
    • Age: 
      Any age
    • Race/Ethnicity: 
      Any race/ethnicity
    • Gender: 
      Any gender
  • Secretary
    Any,
    Any
    ,
    Any
    One of the few actions DEATH has made for itself was its SECRETARY. The SECRETARY is a manifestation of DEATH'S own subconscious, but not sentient itself.
    Can be played by:
    • Age: 
      Any age
    • Race/Ethnicity: 
      Any race/ethnicity
    • Gender: 
      Any gender
  • Beth
    Any, but younger than the Belhursts,
    Any
    ,
    Cis Woman
    Seen only briefly in a scene with WALTER. She is WALTER's mistress, and they know each other through AA.
    Can be played by:
    • Age: 
      20s, 30s, 40s, 50s
    • Race/Ethnicity: 
      Any race/ethnicity
    • Gender: 
      Female