Swimming Upstream

by Rich Rubin

Jen is a young marine biologist whose life is currently in turmoil. Climate change is affecting the world's salmon, but Jen's boss won't let her report her findings. Jen's new boyfriend, a super-hero aficionado, thinks the salmon's life-story is eerily similar to Superman's. And did we mention that Jen's mother tries to help by repeatedly quoting Ronald Reagan? As Jen encounters the zigs and zags of both her...

Jen is a young marine biologist whose life is currently in turmoil. Climate change is affecting the world's salmon, but Jen's boss won't let her report her findings. Jen's new boyfriend, a super-hero aficionado, thinks the salmon's life-story is eerily similar to Superman's. And did we mention that Jen's mother tries to help by repeatedly quoting Ronald Reagan? As Jen encounters the zigs and zags of both her professional career and her personal relationships, she discovers that going with the flow is sometimes not a viable option and that swimming upstream is the only way to proceed.

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Swimming Upstream

Recommended by

  • Steve Lyons: Swimming Upstream by Rich Rubin
    “

    With echos of NASA's climate scientist James Hansen, Swimming Upstream explores the courage to publicize scientific findings that are contrary to the narrative encouraged by the government. While Swimming Upstream has political overtones, its message does not overwhelm the delightful characters and engaging story line. A political play with a healthy dose of humor. Recommended.

    With echos of NASA's climate scientist James Hansen, Swimming Upstream explores the courage to publicize scientific findings that are contrary to the narrative encouraged by the government. While Swimming Upstream has political overtones, its message does not overwhelm the delightful characters and engaging story line. A political play with a healthy dose of humor. Recommended.

    ”
  • Claudia Haas: Swimming Upstream by Rich Rubin
    “

    This is a delightful, quirky romantic comedy using science as its base. The play manages to braid together salmon, superheroes and Ronald Reagan and have it all make sense. The dialogue is smart, the characters grab you and in the end, you want to learn more about everyone in the play including the salmon.

    This is a delightful, quirky romantic comedy using science as its base. The play manages to braid together salmon, superheroes and Ronald Reagan and have it all make sense. The dialogue is smart, the characters grab you and in the end, you want to learn more about everyone in the play including the salmon.

    ”

Development History

  • Reading, Break-A-Leg Productions (New York City), 2021
  • Reading, Shawnee Playhouse (Shawnee on Delaware, PA), 2021
  • Reading, Tennessee Stage Company, 2018
  • Reading, Lakeshore Players (White Bear Lake, MN), 2018
  • Reading, 2016 Piccolo Spoleto Festival (Charleston, SC), 2016

Production History

  • Professional, Detroit Repertory Theatre, 2017

Awards

  • 2021-2022 Shawnee Playhouse New Play Competition
    Winner
  • Acadiana Repertory Theatre's 2020 season
    Finalist
  • 2017 Talk Back Theatre Staged Reading
    Finalist
  • 2017-2018 Reva Shiner Award
    Finalist
  • 2017 Ashland New Play Festival
    Semi-Finalist
  • 2017 ATHE Award for Excellence in Playwriting
    Finalist
  • 2016 Stanley Drama Award (top ten)
    Semi-Finalist
  • 2018 AACT PlayFest
    Semi-Finalist
  • 2017 IATI New Play Series
    Finalist
  • 2017 Portland Civic Theatre Guild New Play Award
    Finalist
  • 2016 Todd McNerney Playwright Award
    Piccolo Spoleto Festival
    Winner