The Aleph Complex

by Deborah Yarchun

To save herself from her chronically incessant thoughts, Nicky converts them into sounds so she can fall asleep to the sound of rain. This works until, during a bout of crippling social anxiety at college, a thought about her mother turns into a vicious storm. Nicky outruns the storm all the way home, where she returns to her old job at the Container Store and to Mom, who hasn’t left the apartment in five years...

To save herself from her chronically incessant thoughts, Nicky converts them into sounds so she can fall asleep to the sound of rain. This works until, during a bout of crippling social anxiety at college, a thought about her mother turns into a vicious storm. Nicky outruns the storm all the way home, where she returns to her old job at the Container Store and to Mom, who hasn’t left the apartment in five years. While searching for self-help books she meets Borders Guy, the mysterious keeper of the last Borders bookstore on the planet, who introduces her to the Aleph, a Borges-inspired point of overwhelming omniscience he guards in the back of the store. Through a chain of “self-help” both comic and poignant, Nicky, her mother, and Borders Guy struggle to smash down the walls that enclose their lives.

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The Aleph Complex

Recommended by

  • Bella Poynton: The Aleph Complex

    A beautiful, unique, and well-executed play about inner demons, the love between mothers and daughters, and overcoming the devouring fear within each of us. This play touches on issues or loneliness, neurodivergency, self-isolation, and parent-child relationships. Yarchun has created three deeply lovable characters and weaves a heart-warming tale of overcoming our deepest fears. Bravo!

    A beautiful, unique, and well-executed play about inner demons, the love between mothers and daughters, and overcoming the devouring fear within each of us. This play touches on issues or loneliness, neurodivergency, self-isolation, and parent-child relationships. Yarchun has created three deeply lovable characters and weaves a heart-warming tale of overcoming our deepest fears. Bravo!

  • sheila duane: The Aleph Complex

    This is one of the most interesting plays I've ever read. It's powerful and intense, post-modern and personal. My heart was pounding from the beginning.
    It is hard to describe this play. I think it has to be lived rather than discussed. People who want to reach into the most theatrical visions of stage productions will love this piece.

    This is one of the most interesting plays I've ever read. It's powerful and intense, post-modern and personal. My heart was pounding from the beginning.
    It is hard to describe this play. I think it has to be lived rather than discussed. People who want to reach into the most theatrical visions of stage productions will love this piece.

  • Nick Malakhow: The Aleph Complex

    A beautiful, exquisite piece about mental health, family, and escaping from cycles. The relationship between Naomi and Nicky is so vividly realized, recognizable, and specific. I especially loved how human and real the central driving forces behind this piece were, even when it veers into fabulistic territory. Deborah's use of visual and theatrical metaphors to capture Naomi and Nicky's specific struggles with mental health and anxiety are so original and thought-provoking. A lot of clever comedy also undergirds the poignant and powerful moments of evolution and change. I'd love to see this...

    A beautiful, exquisite piece about mental health, family, and escaping from cycles. The relationship between Naomi and Nicky is so vividly realized, recognizable, and specific. I especially loved how human and real the central driving forces behind this piece were, even when it veers into fabulistic territory. Deborah's use of visual and theatrical metaphors to capture Naomi and Nicky's specific struggles with mental health and anxiety are so original and thought-provoking. A lot of clever comedy also undergirds the poignant and powerful moments of evolution and change. I'd love to see this realized onstage!

View all 4 recommendations

Character Information

  • Nicky
    In a state of bewildering self-repair.
    Character Age
    18
    Character Gender Identity
    Female
  • Naomi
    Nicky’s mother.
    Character Age
    36
    Character Gender Identity
    Female
  • Borders Guy
    He carries both the cool confidence and neurosis of having read the first ten pages of every book at Borders bookstore.
    Character Age
    23
    Character Gender Identity
    Male

Development History

  • Type Reading, Organization Swandive Theatre, Year 2018
  • Type Reading, Organization Workhouse Theatre Company, Year 2014
  • Type Reading, Organization Tea in a Big Mug Productions, Year 2012
  • Type Reading, Organization New Theater Project, Year 2012

Production History

  • Type University, Organization University of Iowa, Year 2013

Awards

  • Maxim Mazumdar Award
    Alleyway Theatre Inc.
    Winner
    2020
  • Red Theater Project's National Playwriting Competition
    Runner Up
    2014
  • Woodward/ Newman Drama Award
    Finalist
    2013
  • The Kilroys List
    The Kilroys
    Honorable Mention
    2015