THE COUPLE NEXT DOOR

by Donna Hoke

After ten years of marriage, Sadie and Vance are experiencing the all too familiar trials that arise when lovers become parents, job and home responsibilities become never-ending, and alone time becomes scarce. To Sadie’s further frustration, reticent Vance refuses to acknowledge—or discuss—any of them. Next door, demographic equals Janet and Rich have fared much better; their happy marriage is full of passion...

After ten years of marriage, Sadie and Vance are experiencing the all too familiar trials that arise when lovers become parents, job and home responsibilities become never-ending, and alone time becomes scarce. To Sadie’s further frustration, reticent Vance refuses to acknowledge—or discuss—any of them. Next door, demographic equals Janet and Rich have fared much better; their happy marriage is full of passion, love, empathy—and multiple sex partners.

When the ever-ready Rich overhears Vance and “hot burrito” Sadie having wild sex, he’s intrigued, and determines to invite the couple over to test the waters. Janet is also curious, but hesitant: They live so close, what if it goes bad, and why is Rich so insistent? Through a comedic series of events, Sadie and Vance arrive at the Lewis house one Fun Friday, hoping that—as they’ve read on-line—a “just sex” evening of swinging will open up communication and elevate them to a new level of closeness.

All appears to go well… until the morning after. At the Nelson house, Janet senses the encounter with their new playmates was a little off, while Rich—dazedly fondling Sadie’s left-behind underwear—feels something is definitely on. At the Lewis’, the experiment has seemingly proved a bust: The couple is barely talking, and it’s clear that Sadie is more pissed at her husband than ever.

In the ensuing days, Janet’s suspicions grow, and Rich visits Sadie to confess that she made him feel something he never has before. While Sadie insists it was “just sex,” Vance gets a cryptic visit from Janet that makes him realize his marriage is on the line. That night, Vance and Sadie bond after he digs deep to reveal his feelings about what happened last Friday, and the two take tentative steps toward reconciliation, which include a new start. Crushed, Rich nonetheless recognizes the need to recommit to his family, albeit with the unsettling knowledge that there might be more to love—and sex—than he’s ever known.

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THE COUPLE NEXT DOOR

Recommended by

  • James Binz: THE COUPLE NEXT DOOR

    Donna Hoke conducts this story like a maestro conducting a huge symphony. All the parts are virtuoso performances and keeping the action moving is a challenge well accepted. Another impressive effort!

    Donna Hoke conducts this story like a maestro conducting a huge symphony. All the parts are virtuoso performances and keeping the action moving is a challenge well accepted. Another impressive effort!

  • Emma Wood: THE COUPLE NEXT DOOR

    Genuinely engrossing, and brilliantly walking a line between laugh out loud funny and thought provoking, this is a play i would love to see onstage. It would definitely be a conversation starter! The concept is original, and the physical setting of next door neighbours creates intensity. The dialogue is zippy and smart throughout, making the standout moments where an unanswered question hangs in the air really tense. The portrayal of two very different marriages is insightful, and intriguing. I kept being surprised right till the end.

    Genuinely engrossing, and brilliantly walking a line between laugh out loud funny and thought provoking, this is a play i would love to see onstage. It would definitely be a conversation starter! The concept is original, and the physical setting of next door neighbours creates intensity. The dialogue is zippy and smart throughout, making the standout moments where an unanswered question hangs in the air really tense. The portrayal of two very different marriages is insightful, and intriguing. I kept being surprised right till the end.

  • T. M. Gadomski: THE COUPLE NEXT DOOR

    This story was such a joy to follow. Kept me enthralled throughout. Very funny and sensual without being flooded with sex. It kept focus on the relationships; thats what matters. Would love to see this live; it lends itself well to a beautiful side-by-side set.

    This story was such a joy to follow. Kept me enthralled throughout. Very funny and sensual without being flooded with sex. It kept focus on the relationships; thats what matters. Would love to see this live; it lends itself well to a beautiful side-by-side set.

View all 9 recommendations

Character Information

  • Rich Nelson
    Businessman
    Character Age
    30s-40s
    Character Race/Ethnic Identity
    Any
    Character Gender Identity
    Male
  • Janet Nelson
    human resources worker
    Character Age
    30s
    Character Race/Ethnic Identity
    Any
    Character Gender Identity
    Female
  • Sadie Lewis
    hotel marketing manager
    Character Age
    36
    Character Race/Ethnic Identity
    Any
    Character Gender Identity
    Female
  • Vance Lewis
    zookeeper
    Character Age
    37
    Character Race/Ethnic Identity
    Any
    Character Gender Identity
    Any

Development History

  • Type Reading, Organization Dionysia New Play Competition, Year 2016
  • Type Reading, Organization Stripped Scripts, Year 2016
  • Type Reading, Organization Hive Theater Collective, New York, Year 2012
  • Type Reading, Organization Raconteur Theatre Company, Year 2011
  • Type Reading, Organization Road Less Traveled Productions, Year 2010

Production History

  • Type Professional, Organization Teatrulde Arta Bucuresti, Bucharest, Romania, translated production beginning 2012 in rep, Year 2020
  • Type Professional, Organization Funky Little Theater Company, Year 2017
  • Type Professional, Organization Dangerous Theatre, Year 2015
  • Type Professional, Organization Road Less Traveled Productions, Year 2010

Awards

  • Emanuel Fried Award for Outstanding New Play
    Artie Awards
    Finalist
    2011
  • Princess Grace
    New Dramatists
    Semi-Finalist
    2015