Crying on Television by R. Eric Thomas

After a chance meeting, Mackenzie realizes that she’s seen Ellison somewhere before—as a contestant on a reality dating show from 10 years earlier. Struck by the girl she remembers from the decade-old clip, Mackenzie decides they should be friends and quickly gets caught up in an escalating series of hijinks to make that happen. Mackenzie’s quest pulls in Chris, her brother’s ex who is doing his best to be a...
After a chance meeting, Mackenzie realizes that she’s seen Ellison somewhere before—as a contestant on a reality dating show from 10 years earlier. Struck by the girl she remembers from the decade-old clip, Mackenzie decides they should be friends and quickly gets caught up in an escalating series of hijinks to make that happen. Mackenzie’s quest pulls in Chris, her brother’s ex who is doing his best to be a weird loner, and Taffy, an amateur sleuth who never met a stranger, as the group wrestle with life's greatest mystery: how to make friends as an adult.
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Crying on Television

Recommended by

  • Mike Fischer:
    30 Nov. 2023
    “ Alternately funny and poignant account of our collective yearning for connection in an emotionally impoverished world, where so many of our friends are strangers existing in virtual reality. And, to be more hopeful: a play about how our collective immersion in such virtual worlds (like theater) might help us foster connections in the "real" one. I love Thomas' quirky, original and wry look at how weird the world can be -- and how we might harness what's weird in each of us so that we can fly our freak flags fly, together. ”
  • Cheryl Bear:
    1 May. 2021
    “ A heartfelt and funny comedy about friendship and the need for community that will win your heart. Well done. ”
  • Rachel Bublitz:
    4 Jun. 2020
    “ CRYING ON TELEVISION is such a lovely and funny play about connection, friendship, and our human need for community. I loved it from page on, I laughed out loud and had to fight back tears more than once. A heartwarming and endearing play that would bring in audiences in theaters across the country. Thomas' writing feels like being with your best friend(s) and just laughing your asses off together the whole time. Read and produce this play, please and thank you. ”
View all 7 recommendations

Character Information

  • Taffy
    30s-40s,
    Black
    ,
    woman
    The membership director of a private club. Also an amateur sleuth. And, most of all, happy to be here.
    Can be played by:
    • Age: 
      30s, 40s
    • Race/Ethnicity: 
      Black, African, Caribbean, or African American
    • Gender: 
      Female, Non-binary
  • Mackenzie
    30s,
    Black
    ,
    woman
    A video editor. Probably too smart for her job cutting videos for a pop culture site she would never read, but she likes it. She really, really loves TV.
    Can be played by:
    • Age: 
      30s
    • Race/Ethnicity: 
      Black, African, Caribbean, or African American
    • Gender: 
      Female, Non-binary
  • Ellison
    30s,
    Black
    ,
    woman
    Your favorite realtor. Ellison is the kind of person who, when selling you a property, makes you think that it will bring her deep joy to know that you'll live a long, happy life within those walls. And maybe it will.
    Can be played by:
    • Age: 
      30s
    • Race/Ethnicity: 
      Black, African, Caribbean, or African American
    • Gender: 
      Female, Non-binary
  • Chris
    30s-40s,
    Black
    ,
    Man
    A costume designer. Chris is probably an introvert but tells people he's not.
    Can be played by:
    • Age: 
      30s, 40s
    • Race/Ethnicity: 
      Black, African, Caribbean, or African American
    • Gender: 
      Male, Non-binary

Development History

  • Residency
    ,
    Nashville Repertory Theatre
    ,
    2019

Production History

  • Professional
    ,
    Everyman Theatre
    ,
    2022

Awards