the pigeon.

by Jonathan Edmondson

Declan Barkin is missing. When his brother Adam shows up in Denver to investigate the disappearance, he connects with Nate, who swears he barely knows Declan… but when a perplexing building manager, a curious roommate, and a bird on the fire escape interfere, Nate finds himself face-to-face with the very thing he has been trying to avoid. the pigeon. examines the truths we hide, the lies we craft, and the world...

Declan Barkin is missing. When his brother Adam shows up in Denver to investigate the disappearance, he connects with Nate, who swears he barely knows Declan… but when a perplexing building manager, a curious roommate, and a bird on the fire escape interfere, Nate finds himself face-to-face with the very thing he has been trying to avoid. the pigeon. examines the truths we hide, the lies we craft, and the world we wish was right outside our window.

Content Warning: Play contains use of profane language, as well as references to homophobia, death of a family member, alcohol, and mild sexual activity. Recommended for audiences age 16+.

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the pigeon.

Recommended by

  • Paul Donnelly: the pigeon. by Jonathan Edmondson
    “

    This play is a vividly theatrical exploration of queer life - its joys and its perils. Declan's choice to enter a world where queer lives are central leave Nate and Adam with hard choices to make. Nate's lies and fears mask his role in Declan's disappearance, the truth of which challenges all the compelling denizens of this gripping narrative.

    This play is a vividly theatrical exploration of queer life - its joys and its perils. Declan's choice to enter a world where queer lives are central leave Nate and Adam with hard choices to make. Nate's lies and fears mask his role in Declan's disappearance, the truth of which challenges all the compelling denizens of this gripping narrative.

    ”
  • John Medlin: the pigeon. by Jonathan Edmondson
    “

    This honestly was a healing play. As someone who is Queer, it really is hard to imagine a world where we can be who we want to be. Love who we want to love. Without fear. The monologues in the interlude were impactful and rich with character. The ending made me tear up. This was a touching piece of theatre that I would love to see on stage someday.

    This honestly was a healing play. As someone who is Queer, it really is hard to imagine a world where we can be who we want to be. Love who we want to love. Without fear. The monologues in the interlude were impactful and rich with character. The ending made me tear up. This was a touching piece of theatre that I would love to see on stage someday.

    ”
  • Nick Malakhow: the pigeon. by Jonathan Edmondson
    “

    I really enjoyed this melancholy, natural-yet-magical character study that explored the lives of an eclectic ensemble of queer people. I appreciated how the mystery of Declan's disappearance and his relationships with Nate and Adam evolved throughout the piece, and that each character had some sense of ambiguous closure in the end. There are also some lovely theatrical and extended metaphors that communicate the larger themes of identity, the ways we're constrained by it and yearn for peace within our own identities, and loss.

    I really enjoyed this melancholy, natural-yet-magical character study that explored the lives of an eclectic ensemble of queer people. I appreciated how the mystery of Declan's disappearance and his relationships with Nate and Adam evolved throughout the piece, and that each character had some sense of ambiguous closure in the end. There are also some lovely theatrical and extended metaphors that communicate the larger themes of identity, the ways we're constrained by it and yearn for peace within our own identities, and loss.

    ”

Character Information

  • Nathan Sharpe
    A queer music journalist in Denver. Perpetually single. Headstrong and focused, but maybe on all the wrong things. Popular, but not too popular. Any race.
    26
    Any Race
    Cisgender Male
    Can be played by:
    • Actor Age
      20s
    • Actor Gender Identity
      Male
  • Adam Barkin
    A casino floor manager in Las Vegas. Charming as hell. A former soccer player who, probably, peaked in high school. Declan’s estranged older brother. Any race.
    28
    Any Race
    Cisgender Male
    Can be played by:
    • Actor Age
      20s
    • Actor Gender Identity
      Male
  • Declan Barkin
    A queer, recently single man new to Denver. He has spent his whole life trying to find somewhere to fit in. Introverted, sensitive, and curious. Adam’s younger brother. Any race.
    26
    Any Race
    Cisgender Male
    Can be played by:
    • Actor Age
      20s
    • Actor Gender Identity
      Male,
      Non-binary
  • Cora Truong
    A building manager. Eccentric, talks to everyone. She is nurture and caring, maybe to a fault. Great at keeping secrets - usually. An American of Asian descent.

    30
    Asian American
    Cisgender Female
    Can be played by:
    • Actor Age
      30s
    • Actor Race/Ethnic Identity
      Asian, Pacific Islander, or Asian American
    • Actor Gender Identity
      Female,
      Non-binary
  • Phoebe Hart
    A pastry chef who likes true crime podcasts. Grounded, inquisitive. Nate’s best friend and roommate. Any race.
    26
    Any Race
    Cisgender Female
    Can be played by:
    • Actor Age
      20s
    • Actor Gender Identity
      Female,
      Non-binary

Development History

  • Workshop, The Strides Collective, 2021

Production History

  • Fringe, The Strides Collective, 2022

Awards

  • Second Rounder
    Austin Film Festival
    Honorable Mention
    2024