Brian the Comet

by Emily Hageman

ONE ACT: Jude's mom is an astronaut, 254 miles away on the International Space Station, so when her father is diagnosed with lung cancer, Jude is the only one who can take care of him. In the hospital, she meets a boy named Brian who suffers from aneurysms and together, they learn about what they fear, what they know, what they believe, and what they hope for.

ONE ACT: Jude's mom is an astronaut, 254 miles away on the International Space Station, so when her father is diagnosed with lung cancer, Jude is the only one who can take care of him. In the hospital, she meets a boy named Brian who suffers from aneurysms and together, they learn about what they fear, what they know, what they believe, and what they hope for.

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Brian the Comet

Recommended by

  • Cora Turlish: Brian the Comet by Emily Hageman
    “

    Really beautiful work that achieves a striking balance between humor and poetry. Heartfelt without schmaltz, it considers what it takes to connect across the great distances life sometimes puts between us.

    Really beautiful work that achieves a striking balance between humor and poetry. Heartfelt without schmaltz, it considers what it takes to connect across the great distances life sometimes puts between us.

    ”
  • Lojo Simon: Brian the Comet by Emily Hageman
    “

    "I'm so scared all the time of moving forward because I'm constantly trying to predict what will happen..." The complexity and nuance of Emily Hageman's poetic dialogue alone makes Brian the Comet stand out among TYA plays. Add in beautiful, rich relationships and a poignant and important subject matter, and this play is one that must be read and seen on stage. Don't let its TYA label fool you. It's a play for our time, for everyone. Brava!

    "I'm so scared all the time of moving forward because I'm constantly trying to predict what will happen..." The complexity and nuance of Emily Hageman's poetic dialogue alone makes Brian the Comet stand out among TYA plays. Add in beautiful, rich relationships and a poignant and important subject matter, and this play is one that must be read and seen on stage. Don't let its TYA label fool you. It's a play for our time, for everyone. Brava!

    ”
  • Nick Malakhow: Brian the Comet by Emily Hageman
    “

    Beautiful, lyrical, and spare--this piece tackles mortality, dying, coping with terminal illness, and coming of age in a direct way. It treats its young characters (and young folks in the audience) like complex and intelligent human beings, and would appeal to younger and older audiences alike. Hageman's text is poetic yet accessible (and includes a couple of well-timed and welcome laugh moments), and she provides a beautiful blueprint that creative production teams can take in any number of varied directions. Wonderfully executed!

    Beautiful, lyrical, and spare--this piece tackles mortality, dying, coping with terminal illness, and coming of age in a direct way. It treats its young characters (and young folks in the audience) like complex and intelligent human beings, and would appeal to younger and older audiences alike. Hageman's text is poetic yet accessible (and includes a couple of well-timed and welcome laugh moments), and she provides a beautiful blueprint that creative production teams can take in any number of varied directions. Wonderfully executed!

    ”
View all 12 recommendations