1821

by Tony Mantia

1821 is a dark comedy about two former college roommates catching up in rural Missouri. Jason and TJ no longer share a dorm, let alone live in the same state. They plan a cozy get-away with their significant others, Nadia and Brynn. After a few hours of eating and drinking, and playing games, and more drinking, things take a turn. Nadia discovers their weekend neighbors are flying a Confederate flag. Emotions...

1821 is a dark comedy about two former college roommates catching up in rural Missouri. Jason and TJ no longer share a dorm, let alone live in the same state. They plan a cozy get-away with their significant others, Nadia and Brynn. After a few hours of eating and drinking, and playing games, and more drinking, things take a turn. Nadia discovers their weekend neighbors are flying a Confederate flag. Emotions and alcohol levels are high, tensions flare, secrets are revealed, and relationships are questioned.

This play explores what people do when the friends and family they love dearly hold differing social views. Do you blindly accept them? Debate? Physically fight?

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1821

Recommended by

  • Melanie Coffey: 1821 by Tony Mantia
    “

    A fantastic, funny and dark play, Mantia has created a realistic world and a familiar cast of characters. Set during a friends' weekend at a cabin in the middle of no where, it feels like a movie we've all seen. But instead of horror, the play brilliantly excavates the toxicity of the friendship between the two men, highlighting and delving into their insecurities and past experiences. A wonderfully complex play!

    A fantastic, funny and dark play, Mantia has created a realistic world and a familiar cast of characters. Set during a friends' weekend at a cabin in the middle of no where, it feels like a movie we've all seen. But instead of horror, the play brilliantly excavates the toxicity of the friendship between the two men, highlighting and delving into their insecurities and past experiences. A wonderfully complex play!

    ”

Character Information

  • Jason
    Earnest and nervous.
    Can be played by:
    • Actor Age
      20s,
      30s
    • Actor Race/Ethnic Identity
      White
    • Actor Gender Identity
      Man
  • Nadia
    May be bit of a know it all, but only because she's actively well-informed.
    African American/Black
    Female
    Can be played by:
    • Actor Age
      20s,
      30s
    • Actor Race/Ethnic Identity
      Black, African, Caribbean, or African American
    • Actor Gender Identity
      Woman
  • TJ
    Thinks of himself as an underdog, somehow.
    Can be played by:
    • Actor Age
      20s,
      30s
    • Actor Race/Ethnic Identity
      White
    • Actor Gender Identity
      Man
  • Brynn
    Probably not a natural blonde. Wants to become famous for anything.
    Can be played by:
    • Actor Age
      20s,
      30s
    • Actor Race/Ethnic Identity
      Asian, Pacific Islander, or Asian American,
      Indigenous, First Nation, or Native American,
      Latinx/o/a or Hispanic,
      Middle Eastern, North African, or Arab American,
      Native Hawaiian and Other Pacific Islander,
      South Asian or South Asian American,
      White
    • Actor Gender Identity
      Woman
  • Hank
    Friendly old man. Loves to tell a good story, unfortunately he doesn’t know many. He’s got traces of the eastern Missouri “ar” dialect.
    Can be played by:
    • Actor Age
      50s,
      60s,
      70s+
    • Actor Race/Ethnic Identity
      White
    • Actor Gender Identity
      Man
  • Gigi
    Getting by the best she can. Tired. She has some of the eastern Missouri “ar” dialect, but less than her husband, Hank.
    Can be played by:
    • Actor Age
      50s,
      60s,
      70s+
    • Actor Race/Ethnic Identity
      White
    • Actor Gender Identity
      Woman

Development History

  • Reading, Northwestern University, 2019