This is Fine; Or, How Chekhov's Baby Saved the Party

Full-Length - 90min

FINALIST - Waterworks 2024 Play Festival

Third Place Selection - The Robert J. Pickering / J.R. Colbeck Award for Playwriting Excellence, 2022

Anya has spent the last month ensuring every detail of this baby shower is perfect for Emelyn, and she’s not about to let a blackout stop it.

Full-Length - 90min

FINALIST - Waterworks 2024 Play Festival

Third Place Selection - The Robert J. Pickering / J.R. Colbeck Award for Playwriting Excellence, 2022

Anya has spent the last month ensuring every detail of this baby shower is perfect for Emelyn, and she’s not about to let a blackout stop it.

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This is Fine; Or, How Chekhov's Baby Saved the Party

Recommended by

  • James Perry: This is Fine; Or, How Chekhov's Baby Saved the Party

    Samantha Oty has crafted a captivating and humorous play exploring modern relationships, the pressures of adulthood, and the comedic chaos that ensues when life's unexpected events collide. This play is an exceptional choice for anyone seeking a fresh, contemporary comedy with a touch of genuine emotion. I highly recommend this play for its clever writing, strong character development, and the way it beautifully captures the complexities of modern relationships and the unpredictable nature of life.

    Samantha Oty has crafted a captivating and humorous play exploring modern relationships, the pressures of adulthood, and the comedic chaos that ensues when life's unexpected events collide. This play is an exceptional choice for anyone seeking a fresh, contemporary comedy with a touch of genuine emotion. I highly recommend this play for its clever writing, strong character development, and the way it beautifully captures the complexities of modern relationships and the unpredictable nature of life.

  • Tom Erb: This is Fine; Or, How Chekhov's Baby Saved the Party

    Samantha O creates a hilarious and relatable story about friendship, growing up, and the chaos of childbirth. With witty dialogue and well-crafted characters, O takes us on a wild ride as Anya tries to throw the perfect baby shower for her friend Emelyn. When a power outage and unexpected labor throw everything into disarray, the characters' true colors shine through. O skillfully develops each character's unique personality and struggles, making them feel like real people we might know. "This is Fine; Or, How Chekhov's Baby Saved the Party" is fast paced, with funny conversations that keep...

    Samantha O creates a hilarious and relatable story about friendship, growing up, and the chaos of childbirth. With witty dialogue and well-crafted characters, O takes us on a wild ride as Anya tries to throw the perfect baby shower for her friend Emelyn. When a power outage and unexpected labor throw everything into disarray, the characters' true colors shine through. O skillfully develops each character's unique personality and struggles, making them feel like real people we might know. "This is Fine; Or, How Chekhov's Baby Saved the Party" is fast paced, with funny conversations that keep the story moving.

  • Ian Donley: This is Fine; Or, How Chekhov's Baby Saved the Party

    Like all dark comedies, this play carries humor and heart together without missing a beat. The characters are distinct and relatable, and the twists and turns are unexpected.

    Like all dark comedies, this play carries humor and heart together without missing a beat. The characters are distinct and relatable, and the twists and turns are unexpected.

Character Information

  • Anya/Anna
    Anya is trying to get pregnant with her husband, Stephen. She recently changed her name from Anna, to make her sound more...European.
    Character Age
    late 20s-mid 30s
    Character Race/Ethnic Identity
    Any
    Character Gender Identity
    Female
  • Kathryn
    Kathryn is a hashtag girl boss. Think Glossier. Think Sophia Amoruso. She’s also the first in their group of friends to have a baby. Everything is so perfect for Kathryn. She’s thriving?
    Character Age
    late 20s-mid 30s
    Character Race/Ethnic Identity
    Any
    Character Gender Identity
    Female
  • Emelyn
    Emelyne is very pregnant and a little too nice. She’s non-confrontational and hates it when people fight. Even before the baby.
    Character Age
    late 20s-mid 30s
    Character Race/Ethnic Identity
    Any
    Character Gender Identity
    Female
  • Stephen
    Anya’s nerdy, yet endearing husband.
    Character Age
    20s-30s
    Character Race/Ethnic Identity
    Any
    Character Gender Identity
    Male
  • Trina
    Emelyn’s terrified wife/life partner.
    Character Age
    20s-30s
    Character Race/Ethnic Identity
    Any
    Character Gender Identity
    Assigned female at birth -- female or non-binary
  • Jeremiah
    Kathryn’s husband. Literally unconscious.
    Character Age
    20s-30s
    Character Race/Ethnic Identity
    Any
    Character Gender Identity
    Male

Development History

  • Type Reading, Organization Dramatists Roundtable, Year 2024
  • Type Reading, Organization Shiny Unicorn Productions, Year 2024

Awards

  • Unstaged Works
    Waterworks Play Festival, Live Arts, Charlottesville, VA
    Finalist
    2024
  • 3rd Place
    Robert J. Pickering / J.R. Colebeck Award for Playwriting Excellence, Coldwater, MI
    Selection
    2022