Lucky by Phanésia Pharel

On the Caribbean island of Quisqueya (Haiti and the Dominican Republic), where war has erupted, vulnerable bodies are under the reign of soldiers and fire. A Waitress escapes onto a resort in the midst of writing her novel; telling the story of a beautiful young woman named Lucky. As she writes the novel comes to life, shifting between the resort and Lucky’s world. As the waitress weaves Lucky’s path to...
On the Caribbean island of Quisqueya (Haiti and the Dominican Republic), where war has erupted, vulnerable bodies are under the reign of soldiers and fire. A Waitress escapes onto a resort in the midst of writing her novel; telling the story of a beautiful young woman named Lucky. As she writes the novel comes to life, shifting between the resort and Lucky’s world. As the waitress weaves Lucky’s path to womanhood, Lucky is forced to sacrifice her home and body. What does triumph look like in a world numb to Black girls suffering?” The women of Lucky refuse to burn.
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Lucky

Recommended by

  • Conor McShane:
    28 Sep. 2023
    “ A heart-stoppingly beautiful piece that deftly weaves time and space together with subtle magic. It contains a great deal of suffering and pain, but also deep tenderness, love, and even joy. Sometimes, choosing hope is the most radical thing you can do. ”
  • Juan Ramirez, Jr.:
    29 Oct. 2020
    “ How Lucky are we? The play brings to light the journey of a dark-as-night woman finding her place in the world. She loves to write, to create, to embrace and to love. These are gifts until they feel like they no longer are. This story is about the power she has to write her story and be the author of herstory. When the world is on fire, let this play be performed. It's fireproof. ”
  • Maximillian Gill:
    9 Oct. 2020
    “ A riveting, deliriously poetic journey through love, war, and triumph and violence both physical and mental is documented in this incredible play. We are treated to Caribbean history through a mythic filter that renders everything more epic even as it clarifies the dominant themes of exploitation and oppression. I am also really impressed that the frame story is as engaging and interesting as the larger narrative. Compelling work by Pharel. ”
View all 4 recommendations

LUCKY - 16. Haitian.
Dark as night, Lucky brings the light of day with her smile.

WAITRESS/ENSEMBLE - 20’s. Haitian-American.
When the world is on fire, she writes.

WAITER/ENSEMBLE - 20’s. Haitian-American.
A man that loves men. Dark and rooted like soil. Great friend.

MAMAN/ENSEMBLE - 30’s or 40’s. Haitian.
A mother and fighter in every sense of the word.

GREEN EYES/TRUJILLO - 20’s. Latinx man.
Cousin of Blank eyes. A kind coward.
Trujillo represents Rafael Trujillo, a former dictator of the Dominican Republic.

BLANK EYES/ENSEMBLE- 24. Latinx man.
Charming. A first. A soldier. The m in man is for machismo.

BLUE EYES/ENSEMBLE. Latinx man.
A sweet and kind man. A reader and protector.

Development History

  • Workshop
    ,
    Latinx Playwrights Circle
    ,
    2022
  • Residency
    ,
    New York Stage and Film
    ,
    2020
  • Reading
    ,
    Conch Shell Productions
    ,
    2019

Awards

Winner
,
Brandt award for playwriting
,
Barnard College
,
2019