SPIN

by Madelyn Sergel

On doctor’s orders to get in better shape, Fancy joins a gym. At her first indoor cycling class, as she begins spinning her legs, her thoughts start spinning as well. Past and current interactions are played out as spin instructor Angel becomes her combative and distant mother Gwen, her sister, and, eventually even Fancy herself, while another student morphs into her son, her father, and Spencer, a student she...

On doctor’s orders to get in better shape, Fancy joins a gym. At her first indoor cycling class, as she begins spinning her legs, her thoughts start spinning as well. Past and current interactions are played out as spin instructor Angel becomes her combative and distant mother Gwen, her sister, and, eventually even Fancy herself, while another student morphs into her son, her father, and Spencer, a student she counsels at her job at a therapeutic day school. As her mind unspools these complex relationships, her body working harder and harder, Fancy confronts the biggest question of her life, “Can you love someone but not like them?” Making peace with her body sends her down the road of making peace with her past, and eventually, peace with herself. 3W/1M

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SPIN

Recommended by

  • Zach Barr: SPIN by Madelyn Sergel
    “

    For 75 rapid minutes, SPIN manages an impossible balance: a script that is bursting with thematic parallels and dense interpersonal relationships, while also being an intricately staged, action-packed performance that will have everyone sweating – the audience from nerves, the actors from exertion. Mountains of opportunity for creative exploration in production.

    For 75 rapid minutes, SPIN manages an impossible balance: a script that is bursting with thematic parallels and dense interpersonal relationships, while also being an intricately staged, action-packed performance that will have everyone sweating – the audience from nerves, the actors from exertion. Mountains of opportunity for creative exploration in production.

    ”
  • Noah Tibbetts: SPIN by Madelyn Sergel
    “

    I had the pleasure of reading for Ronnie & Others at Red Theatre's 2025 reading of SPIN, an engaging memory play that wrenched my heart but still left me smiling! SPIN offers multiple perspectives on multi-generational relationships, which all culminate in an empowering (re)discovery of self. I was most drawn to the juxtaposition between the action happening in the play's setting and the action happening in the scenes themselves. A terrific journey I'd love to see staged! Site specific, perhaps?

    I had the pleasure of reading for Ronnie & Others at Red Theatre's 2025 reading of SPIN, an engaging memory play that wrenched my heart but still left me smiling! SPIN offers multiple perspectives on multi-generational relationships, which all culminate in an empowering (re)discovery of self. I was most drawn to the juxtaposition between the action happening in the play's setting and the action happening in the scenes themselves. A terrific journey I'd love to see staged! Site specific, perhaps?

    ”
FANCY….40s-60s.
ANGEL…a spin instructor. Fit. A friendly, sassy bad ass. Also plays: DOCTOR TURNER, Fancy’s primary care physician, MARY, Fancy’s sister
DAN…a spin class participant. Friendly, amiable. Also plays: DOCTOR RHODES, a physician at an assisted living facility, JOHN, Fancy’s brother, TONY, Fancy’s dad, WAITER
PAULINE….40s-60s. Also plays: GWEN, Fancy’s mother. In a wheelchair, one leg amputated as a result of diabetes , FANCY’S BODY
RONNIE....Teens-Early 20s. Also plays: HANK, Fancy's son, SPENCER, a middle school-teenage student with autism

Development History

  • Reading, First Run Theatre, 2021
  • Reading, Mad Cow Theatre, 2020

Awards

  • Garry Marshall Theatre New Play Award
    Garry Marshall Theatre New Play Festival
    Semi-Finalist
    2021