How Sweet The Sound

FULL-LENGTH
2019 Eugene O’Neill NPC Semi-Finalist
2019 PlayMakers Repertory's International Thomas Wolfe Playwriting Competition Semi-Finalist

John runs a neat and orderly home in the South where he lives with his three young wards - Ellie, Felicity, and Grace - and his right hand woman, Martha. When Felicity crosses paths with a powerful being, she must choose whether to...
FULL-LENGTH
2019 Eugene O’Neill NPC Semi-Finalist
2019 PlayMakers Repertory's International Thomas Wolfe Playwriting Competition Semi-Finalist

John runs a neat and orderly home in the South where he lives with his three young wards - Ellie, Felicity, and Grace - and his right hand woman, Martha. When Felicity crosses paths with a powerful being, she must choose whether to stay with her family, or follow the path she's stumbled upon. Felicity's divine encounter, the arrival of a newcomer, Benjamin, and Grace's chance meeting with a mysterious stranger, Caleb, propels fate into motion and hurtles the family toward their dark destiny.

CW: emotional, mental, and physical abuse
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How Sweet The Sound

Recommended by

  • Eric Roberts:
    14 Feb. 2023
    A style of writing that blends Sam Shepard with Chekhov. The action is tense with masculine control and formality that needs to go unquestioned. The cyclical nature of the piece gives a foreboding feeling for the future of these characters as the play ends. A fantastic piece of theater.
  • Skye Robinson Hillis:
    4 Feb. 2021
    A compelling piece of terrifying magical realism that will keep you leaning in from beginning to end. A play as atmospheric and poetic as it is chilling and tragic.
  • Steven Strafford:
    14 Nov. 2020
    McVay creates a world separate enough from our own to fascinate us, but alike our own enough to be chilling. Gothic horror is the cloak around the very human question, "What would I do if given the chance to sacrifice another for my own good fortune?" I would love to see this world come to life!

Character Information

  • John/Owl
    30s-60s,
    Man
    The actor who plays John voices the Owl
  • Martha
    20s,
    woman
  • Ellie
    18,
    woman
  • Felicity
    15,
    woman
  • Grace
    9 3/4,
    woman
  • Benjamin
    20s,
    Man
  • Caleb
    20s,
    Man

Development History

  • Reading
    ,
    Kennedy Center American College Theatre Festival
    ,
    2019
  • Reading
    ,
    Play Garden
    ,
    2019

Production History

  • Community Theater
    ,
    Bellingham TheatreWorks
    ,
    2019

Awards

Semi-Finalist
,
International Wolfe Prize
,
PlayMakers Repertory Company at UNC
,
2020
Selection
,
National Partners of the American Theatre
,
Kennedy Center American College Theatre Festival
,
2019
Honorable Mention
,
National Undergraduate Playwriting Award
,
Kennedy Center American College Theatre Festival
,
2019
Semi-Finalist
,
National Playwrights Conference
,
The Eugene O'Neill Center
,
2019
Honorable Mention
,
National Undergraduate Playwriting Award
,
Kennedy Center American College Theatre Festival
,
2018