Perennials

by Evalena Lakin

Perennial (adjective):
1. Lasting for an indefinitely long time; enduring.
2. Having a life cycle longer than two years, as a stream.
3. Perpetual; everlasting; continuing; recurrent.

It is the Future, and human life is on the brink of extinction. In the middle of it all, two women journey across a decimated country, on the run from... well, everything, really. Resting in a forest clearing, they read a Book...

Perennial (adjective):
1. Lasting for an indefinitely long time; enduring.
2. Having a life cycle longer than two years, as a stream.
3. Perpetual; everlasting; continuing; recurrent.

It is the Future, and human life is on the brink of extinction. In the middle of it all, two women journey across a decimated country, on the run from... well, everything, really. Resting in a forest clearing, they read a Book about a family that can never die. And for the first time, they begin to open up to one another, to chip away at the wall that stands between them. And they keep coming back to this Book, this story that they can't seem to shake. But it’s just a children’s story. It’s fiction, a fantasy. People can’t really be immortal. Everlasting. Perennial.
Right?

  • Inquire About Rights
  • Recommend
  • Download
  • Save to Reading List

Perennials

Recommended by

  • Melanie Coffey: Perennials

    A beautiful, tightly woven play, Evalena has created this wonderful balance of a dangerous world and beautiful visuals that have continued to stick with me over the weeks since reading it. The characters are constantly interesting, their banter and conversation fly by as the play moves to a fantastically shocking ending. By giving hints and details of how the world has changed, there are these lovely moments of humor in a dark, end of the world play. Never preaching to the audience, Evalena has written a beautiful, timely, heartbreaking little gem of a play.

    A beautiful, tightly woven play, Evalena has created this wonderful balance of a dangerous world and beautiful visuals that have continued to stick with me over the weeks since reading it. The characters are constantly interesting, their banter and conversation fly by as the play moves to a fantastically shocking ending. By giving hints and details of how the world has changed, there are these lovely moments of humor in a dark, end of the world play. Never preaching to the audience, Evalena has written a beautiful, timely, heartbreaking little gem of a play.

  • Shaun Leisher: Perennials

    It absolutely blows my mind to think that this play was written before COVID-19 and stay at home orders became our new normal. This two hander predicts a post-apocalyptic future that should be far in the future but feels so of the present. Fascinating conversations about survival, mortality and God are happening and what’s I love so much is that they are happening with bodies you don’t normally get to see have them on stage. Perform this play now and forever!!!

    It absolutely blows my mind to think that this play was written before COVID-19 and stay at home orders became our new normal. This two hander predicts a post-apocalyptic future that should be far in the future but feels so of the present. Fascinating conversations about survival, mortality and God are happening and what’s I love so much is that they are happening with bodies you don’t normally get to see have them on stage. Perform this play now and forever!!!

  • Abigail Henkin: Perennials

    After the apocalypse, two women hope against all odds and reason for their survival, hell, their immortality as they try to keep each other alive. A heartbreaking and deeply felt play about the power of story with a perfect ending

    After the apocalypse, two women hope against all odds and reason for their survival, hell, their immortality as they try to keep each other alive. A heartbreaking and deeply felt play about the power of story with a perfect ending

View all 4 recommendations

Character Information

There is no world in which both of these characters are played by white, cis-gendered women.
  • Jo
    Character Age
    Older
    Character Race/Ethnic Identity
    Any
    Character Gender Identity
    She/her or they/them
  • Sam
    Character Age
    Younger
    Character Race/Ethnic Identity
    Any
    Character Gender Identity
    She/her

Development History

  • Type Reading, Organization Great Plains Theatre Conference, Year 2021
  • Type Workshop, Organization Silver Masque Theatre Company, Year 2017