Welcome to Keene, New Hampshire

by Brian James Polak

I wrote this play because, despite the fact I haven't lived there for many years, I have watched my hometown change as politics have become more polarized and the opioid epidemic has created a stranglehold on it.

| Full length play |

In this modern-day response to Thornton Wilder’s Our Town, a Mexican-American parking officer narrates the daily lives of the residents of Keene, NH, while being hounded by local...

I wrote this play because, despite the fact I haven't lived there for many years, I have watched my hometown change as politics have become more polarized and the opioid epidemic has created a stranglehold on it.

| Full length play |

In this modern-day response to Thornton Wilder’s Our Town, a Mexican-American parking officer narrates the daily lives of the residents of Keene, NH, while being hounded by local alt-right/anti-government activists. She introduces us to the Korean owner of the only Chinese restaurant in town, the local attorney and tennis coach with a dark past, and the musician who needs to be seen for who they truly are and not the daughter their mother insists they will always be. "Welcome to Keene, NH" is a three-act play telling the fictional story of the encroachment of guns, heroin, and the alt-right on a real American small town.

Monologues from Welcome to Keene, NH have been published by Smith & Kraus in the forthcoming "WE/US; Monologues for Gender Minority Characters" as well as "Best Monologues for Women 2019." Another monologue was filmed and named Editor's Choice in Button Poetry's 2021 video contest.

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Welcome to Keene, New Hampshire

Recommended by

  • Dave Osmundsen: Welcome to Keene, New Hampshire

    “Welcome to Keene, New Hampshire” takes a page from Thornton Wilder’s seminal play “Our Town” and transports us to a real-life small town in Southern New Hampshire. However, Polak’s play goes deeper to explore wider social issues, such as alt-right movements, gun violence, the opioid epidemic, and trans identity, each treated with the right amount of weight and attention. This play is also rife with snarky humor and poignant musings about our place in the universe. A messy play that doesn’t offer easy answers and allows the audience to contemplate life itself. Wonderful work!

    “Welcome to Keene, New Hampshire” takes a page from Thornton Wilder’s seminal play “Our Town” and transports us to a real-life small town in Southern New Hampshire. However, Polak’s play goes deeper to explore wider social issues, such as alt-right movements, gun violence, the opioid epidemic, and trans identity, each treated with the right amount of weight and attention. This play is also rife with snarky humor and poignant musings about our place in the universe. A messy play that doesn’t offer easy answers and allows the audience to contemplate life itself. Wonderful work!

  • Jacob Punturi: Welcome to Keene, New Hampshire

    A fantastic, Our Town- esque portrait of a community and humanity in this modern America. Brian does an excellent job of giving so many characters careful attention and moments on stage. I loved this piece!

    A fantastic, Our Town- esque portrait of a community and humanity in this modern America. Brian does an excellent job of giving so many characters careful attention and moments on stage. I loved this piece!

  • Cheryl Bear: Welcome to Keene, New Hampshire

    A revealing play about life in a small town and humanity in this political time. Well done.

    A revealing play about life in a small town and humanity in this political time. Well done.

View all 14 recommendations

Development History

  • Type Reading, Organization Playwrights Union, Year 2016
  • Type Reading, Organization Cypress College, Year 2016

Awards

  • New Works Festival
    Garry Marshall Theater
    Finalist
    2019
  • Activate: Midwest New Play Festival
    Western Michigan University
    Semi-Finalist
    2019
  • Seven Devils Playwrights Conference
    Semi-Finalist
    2017