Shruti Gupta Can Totally Deal

by J.Stephen Brantley

Shruti Gupta is a DREAMer. A DACA recipient in her senior year of med school, she lives very efficiently in the apartment above her uncle’s jewelry store Jackson Heights, Queens, and leaves the drama to her brother Raj, the soon-to-be-married prince of the family. But when Irish actor Liam appears in Shruti’s patient communications simulation exam, a cross-cultural romance threatens to upend all her practical...

Shruti Gupta is a DREAMer. A DACA recipient in her senior year of med school, she lives very efficiently in the apartment above her uncle’s jewelry store Jackson Heights, Queens, and leaves the drama to her brother Raj, the soon-to-be-married prince of the family. But when Irish actor Liam appears in Shruti’s patient communications simulation exam, a cross-cultural romance threatens to upend all her practical plans. Their unlikely romance blossoms just as the Supreme Court takes on the Trump Administration’s plan to end the legal protections that keep Shruti from being deported. She and Liam soon find themselves navigating cultural differences, ICE raids, newly unfettered racism, and what it means to be ‘American’.

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Shruti Gupta Can Totally Deal

Recommended by

  • Cheryl Bear: Shruti Gupta Can Totally Deal by J.Stephen Brantley
    “

    A love story of our time as Shruti and Liam have to navigate this crazy political climate in America. Wherever they belong, hopefully it's with each other. Excellent.

    A love story of our time as Shruti and Liam have to navigate this crazy political climate in America. Wherever they belong, hopefully it's with each other. Excellent.

    ”
  • David Hansen: Shruti Gupta Can Totally Deal by J.Stephen Brantley
    “

    Brantley has crafted a witty, romantic fairy tale, a very timely play, and accessible, about the America that I love so much, the one in which people from varied and diverse backgrounds come together, learn from each other, and love one another. It’s got cracking dialogue, tense drama, lots of humor and an important message. Highly recommended for production!

    Brantley has crafted a witty, romantic fairy tale, a very timely play, and accessible, about the America that I love so much, the one in which people from varied and diverse backgrounds come together, learn from each other, and love one another. It’s got cracking dialogue, tense drama, lots of humor and an important message. Highly recommended for production!

    ”
15 characters to be played by 9 actors:

SHRUTI, f, a med student and DACA recipient, living efficiently in Jackson Heights, Queens. Indian American.

RAJ, m, her brother, gay, the prince of the family. Indian American.

KEVIN, m, an attorney and Raj’s fiancé. Latino.

BABA, m, Shruti’s father, owner of a jewelry story, a gentle joker. Indian.

DEEPSIKHA, f, Shruti’s somewhat stern mother, elegant and cool. Indian.

PATRICE, f/m/nc, Shruti’s best friend and fellow medical student. Person of color.

STEVE, m, Shruti’s classmate who fancies himself a player. Caucasian.

LIAM, m, charming Irish actor and musician Shruti falls in love with. Caucasian.

CINNAMON, f, musical theatre actor and Liam’s ex-girlfriend. Caucasian.

THUG 1 and THUG 2, m, anti-immigrant thugs who attack Baba outside a pub

PROFESSORS A and B, m/f, instructors at Shruti’s school.

CONDUCTOR, m/f, racist train conductor.

MAN, m, ICE officer.


Shruti Gupta Can Totally Deal is written to be performed by nine actors, with three taking on multiple roles:
STEVE/THUG 1/MAN
KEVIN/PROFESSOR A/ THUG 2
CINNAMON/PROFESSOR B/CONDUCTOR

Development History

  • Reading, American Stage, 2019
  • Workshop, Theatre 167, 2018
  • Reading, Theatre 167, 2018