overpass

by Julia Specht

First, two sisters watch reality television and crack jokes about Bret Michaels. Then, one sits in a McDonald's bathroom with the ghost of the other, and they crack jokes about being alive.

This is a play about mental illness, having a sister, and how completely ridiculous it is to have a body.

First, two sisters watch reality television and crack jokes about Bret Michaels. Then, one sits in a McDonald's bathroom with the ghost of the other, and they crack jokes about being alive.

This is a play about mental illness, having a sister, and how completely ridiculous it is to have a body.

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overpass

Recommended by

  • Shaun Leisher: overpass

    This two-hander is one I'm gonna be thinking about for awhile. A pitch black comedy with tons of heart.

    This two-hander is one I'm gonna be thinking about for awhile. A pitch black comedy with tons of heart.

  • Nick Malakhow: overpass

    I read this all in one sitting and felt like I was both laughing and holding my breath the entire time. In this powerful two-hander, Specht provides one of the some of the most compelling renderings of depression and suicidal thoughts that I've read. Chelsea and Alex are complex characters drawn with extraordinarily nuanced brush strokes. The dialogue is both spare and full of so much subtextual information, and this is a gorgeous example of an impeccably structured two-character piece. It moved me to tears, while the characters themselves avoided maudlin sentiment. Highly theatrical and...

    I read this all in one sitting and felt like I was both laughing and holding my breath the entire time. In this powerful two-hander, Specht provides one of the some of the most compelling renderings of depression and suicidal thoughts that I've read. Chelsea and Alex are complex characters drawn with extraordinarily nuanced brush strokes. The dialogue is both spare and full of so much subtextual information, and this is a gorgeous example of an impeccably structured two-character piece. It moved me to tears, while the characters themselves avoided maudlin sentiment. Highly theatrical and profound! Produce it!

  • Dan Giles: overpass

    I think about the dialogue in overpass all the time: the tenderness and electricity, the bruising insight and loving detail, the rhythm and the undertow. These sisters sound just like my sisters— they’re real in a way that’s wrenching and uncanny. Is it true that the best stories cost something to tell? I don’t know, but overpass makes me think so. It’s a deep dive into dark water, and then it’s a pearl.

    I think about the dialogue in overpass all the time: the tenderness and electricity, the bruising insight and loving detail, the rhythm and the undertow. These sisters sound just like my sisters— they’re real in a way that’s wrenching and uncanny. Is it true that the best stories cost something to tell? I don’t know, but overpass makes me think so. It’s a deep dive into dark water, and then it’s a pearl.

View all 4 recommendations

Character Information

  • Alex
    Character Age
    20s-30s
    Character Race/Ethnic Identity
    White or Asian American
    Character Gender Identity
    Female
  • Chelsea
    Character Age
    20s-30s
    Character Race/Ethnic Identity
    White or Asian American
    Character Gender Identity
    Female

Development History

  • Type Reading, Organization EST/Youngblood, Bloodworks, Year 2018
  • Type Workshop, Organization Ensemble Studio Theatre, Year 2018

Production History

  • Type University, Organization Ohio State University, Year 2019