How Sweet The Sound

by Eryn Elyse McVay

FULL-LENGTH
2019 Eugene O’Neill NPC Semi-Finalist
2019 PlayMakers Repertory's International Thomas Wolfe Playwriting Competition Semi-Finalist

John runs a neat and orderly home in the South where he lives with his three young wards - Ellie, Felicity, and Grace - and his right hand woman, Martha. When Felicity crosses paths with a powerful being, she must choose whether to stay with her family, or follow the...

FULL-LENGTH
2019 Eugene O’Neill NPC Semi-Finalist
2019 PlayMakers Repertory's International Thomas Wolfe Playwriting Competition Semi-Finalist

John runs a neat and orderly home in the South where he lives with his three young wards - Ellie, Felicity, and Grace - and his right hand woman, Martha. When Felicity crosses paths with a powerful being, she must choose whether to stay with her family, or follow the path she's stumbled upon. Felicity's divine encounter, the arrival of a newcomer, Benjamin, and Grace's chance meeting with a mysterious stranger, Caleb, propels fate into motion and hurtles the family toward their dark destiny.

CW: emotional, mental, and physical abuse

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How Sweet The Sound

Recommended by

  • Eric Roberts: How Sweet The Sound by Eryn Elyse McVay
    “

    A style of writing that blends Sam Shepard with Chekhov. The action is tense with masculine control and formality that needs to go unquestioned. The cyclical nature of the piece gives a foreboding feeling for the future of these characters as the play ends. A fantastic piece of theater.

    A style of writing that blends Sam Shepard with Chekhov. The action is tense with masculine control and formality that needs to go unquestioned. The cyclical nature of the piece gives a foreboding feeling for the future of these characters as the play ends. A fantastic piece of theater.

    ”
  • Skye Robinson Hillis: How Sweet The Sound by Eryn Elyse McVay
    “

    A compelling piece of terrifying magical realism that will keep you leaning in from beginning to end. A play as atmospheric and poetic as it is chilling and tragic.

    A compelling piece of terrifying magical realism that will keep you leaning in from beginning to end. A play as atmospheric and poetic as it is chilling and tragic.

    ”
  • Steven Strafford: How Sweet The Sound by Eryn Elyse McVay
    “

    McVay creates a world separate enough from our own to fascinate us, but alike our own enough to be chilling. Gothic horror is the cloak around the very human question, "What would I do if given the chance to sacrifice another for my own good fortune?" I would love to see this world come to life!

    McVay creates a world separate enough from our own to fascinate us, but alike our own enough to be chilling. Gothic horror is the cloak around the very human question, "What would I do if given the chance to sacrifice another for my own good fortune?" I would love to see this world come to life!

    ”
View all 12 recommendations

Character Information

John voices the Owl character. The Owl is never physically seen.



  • Benjamin
    20s
    Man
    Can be played by:
    • Actor Age
      Teens,
      20s,
      30s
    • Actor Gender Identity
      Male,
      Non-binary
  • Caleb
    20s
    Man
    Can be played by:
    • Actor Age
      20s,
      30s
    • Actor Gender Identity
      Male,
      Non-binary
  • Ellie
    18
    woman
    Can be played by:
    • Actor Age
      Teens,
      20s
    • Actor Gender Identity
      Female,
      Non-binary
  • Felicity
    15
    woman
    Can be played by:
    • Actor Age
      Teens,
      20s
    • Actor Gender Identity
      Female,
      Non-binary
  • Grace
    9 3/4
    woman
    Can be played by:
    • Actor Age
      Child
    • Actor Gender Identity
      Female,
      Non-binary
  • John/Owl
    The actor who plays John voices the Owl
    30s-60s
    Man
    Can be played by:
    • Actor Age
      30s,
      40s,
      50s,
      60s
    • Actor Gender Identity
      Male,
      Non-binary
  • Martha
    20s
    woman
    Can be played by:
    • Actor Age
      20s,
      30s
    • Actor Gender Identity
      Female,
      Non-binary

Development History

  • Reading, Kennedy Center American College Theatre Festival, 2019
  • Reading, Play Garden, 2019

Production History

  • Community Theater, Bellingham TheatreWorks, 2019

Awards

  • International Wolfe Prize
    PlayMakers Repertory Company at UNC
    Semi-Finalist
    2020
  • National Playwrights Conference
    The Eugene O'Neill Center
    Semi-Finalist
    2019
  • National Undergraduate Playwriting Award
    Kennedy Center American College Theatre Festival
    Honorable Mention
    2019
  • National Undergraduate Playwriting Award
    Kennedy Center American College Theatre Festival
    Honorable Mention
    2018
  • National Partners of the American Theatre
    Kennedy Center American College Theatre Festival
    Selection
    2019